Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Apr 4: The state unit of the Indian National Congress has assured to provide rice @Rs 1 per kg to below poverty line (BPL) families under its social welfare and community scheme if it is voted to power in the 2019 elections.
Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy in the presence of former chief minister Nabam Tuki on Thursday released the INC’s manifesto, titled ‘Healthy, educated, prosperous and peaceful Arunachal Pradesh’, at Rajiv Gandhi Congress Bhavan here.
The Congress has also promised to establish burial grounds in all district headquarters, and to enhance the old age pension and the goan burahs’ honorariums (Rs 3000 for GBs and Rs 5000 for HGBs).
Highlighting the party’s manifesto, Sanjoy said subsidized agricultural and horticultural inputs would be provided to small and marginal farmers in order to ensure that farming becomes a profitable profession.
On administrative and political reformation, the APCC president said his party would implement all the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Sanjoy also assured timely grant of funds for the NERIST, the NIT and RGU to ensure smooth functioning of higher studies in these prestigious institutions.
The Congress party will also review the recently enacted Land Act to remove the financial burden on the landowners to the desired extent, he said.
To do away with the traffic chaos in the capital complex, the grand old party promised to build multi-level parking facilities in Itanagar and Naharlagun.
The Congress also stated that it would propose establishing a trade point at Bumla in Tawang district in order to boost border trade.
Speaking to the press, Sanjoy informed that the party’s manifesto has been framed to bring solutions to the issues raised by the party in its “charge-sheet” against the central and state governments recently.
He stressed on the Congress’ intention to solve the unemployment problem faced by the youths of the state and the country as a whole. The party offered a guarantee that it would provide ‘educated unemployment allowance’ if it is voted back to power.
On the education sector, the party promised to provide one-time incentives at a consolidated rate of Rs 20 lakhs for students who wish to pursue higher studies in universities outside India.
The Congress also said the fund under the Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme, which had been launched by Tuki during his tenure, would be enhanced by a minimum of Rs 5 lakhs per family if the party is voted to power.
Sanjoy further assured that the Congress would ensure proper implementation of the GST, so that the struggle faced by small enterprises is removed.
The party also informed that it would discuss revisiting the Statehood Act for amendment, even though it has not listed the matter in its manifesto.
“To bring amendment, our party needs to come to power at the Centre,” said Sanjoy, adding that they have faith that the people would give them the mandate.
