The Hindu : National : A slew of concessions to Gujarat farmers promised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 03, 2007
ePaper

National

National

A slew of concessions to Gujarat farmers promised

Special Correspondent

It’s an oath to the people, says Congress manifesto

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Congress has promised to bring back secularism in its true spirit and social justice that would end the era of social tensions between communities. It vowed to follow a cohesive economic policy for the balanced growth of all sectors, if voted to power in the elections to the state Assembly this month.

Releasing the party’s election manifesto, which it described as its “oath to the people,” Pradesh Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Digvijay Singh, called the “BJP way” of Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the “way of personality cult, exaggerated claims and political theatrics.” They promised to strengthen the democratic values and institutions that were “eroded” during the present rule.

The party promised farmers at least 14 hours of power supply a day and implementation of the UPA government’s policy of seven per cent differential rate of interest on bank loans.

It would give priority for the construction of the Narmada sub-canals to reach the river’s waters to the farm lands in the far corners of the State at the earliest.

It would also make efforts to ensure higher prices to farmers for their produce and increase in income by expanding supplementary facilities of selling, storing, and transportation.

sThe small and marginal farmers would be given 50 per cent subsidy on seeds and fertilizers and electricity charges for irrigation pumpsets. All cases of alleged power theft against farmers would be withdrawn.

Expose telecast

Referring to the recent telecast of Tehelka expose, Mr. Singh said the revelations about some Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP activists were proof of “Hindu terrorism.” The incidents shamed democracy and sullied the image of the people of Gujarat.

Asked whether the Congress would prosecute Mr. Modi for his alleged involvement in the post-Godhra carnage, Mr. Singh said it would not “spare anyone” if evidence was there.

Party spokesman Nirupam Nanavati clarified that since the G. T. Nanavati and K. G. Shah judicial inquiry commission was seized of the matter, no separate action would be required.

The prohibition policy, which had been considerably weakened in the Modi administration, would be implemented strictly if the party came to power, Mr. Solanki said.

Instead of developing “five crore Gujaratis,” the BJP government was helping “five crorepati” industrialists, he alleged.

To cut ST on petrol

In line with other Congress-ruled States, the party would also reduce sales tax on petrol and diesel. The Congress promised to protect the interests of the farmers in the event of a Special Economic Zone being set up. Only industrialists willing to develop the SEZs would be allowed to buy lands and a “clear, integrated, balanced industrial policy” would be followed.

The party promised greater safety and security for women and 33 per cent reservation in government jobs on a pro-rata basis. A mechanism would be evolved to implement the Domestic Violence Act and for quick hearing of cases of violence against women. The Prime Minister’s 15-point development programme for minorities would be implemented.

In the urban areas, the Congress promised not to displace slum-dwellers without giving them alternative accommodation.

Bus services

All villages would be connected with State highways in the next five years and provided State transport bus service. The Congress opposed privatisation of the State Transport Corporation.

Promising more jobs, it proposed the setting up of a corporation for the protection of domestic servants and street hawkers and a board for the welfare of unorganised labourers.

It would make the use of khadi in government, semi-government and cooperative institutions compulsory to encourage the industry.

It also promised to remove the “flaws and discrepancies” in the tax structure and raise the Rs.5-lakh limit for attracting Value Added Tax, to benefit small traders.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National