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| Congress-NCP manifesto: Rice at Rs 3 per kg |
| Press Trust Of India / Mumbai Oct 03, 2009, 00:57 IST |
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Seeking to grab power for the third time in a row, Maharashtra’s ruling Congress-NCP coalition today unveiled a slew of populist schemes, including rice at Rs 3 per kg and free healthcare for below poverty line (BPL) people and low-interest farm loan, in a joint manifesto for coming Assembly poll.
In a bid to blunt the ‘Marathi manoos’ plank of Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the manifesto promised to set up a legislative committee to ensure use of Marathi language in state government offices.
It said 25 kg of food grain like rice, wheat and jowar would be made available every month at Rs 3 per kg to BPL families.
The manifesto said farm loan would be available up to Rs 3 lakh at the interest rate of 3 per cent through co-operative banks.
The manifesto also promised to give health cards to BPL families to provide all types of surgeries and medical treatment free of cost to patients suffering from heart diseases, cancer, kidney, brain tumour.
Manikrao Thakre, chief of Maharashtra unit of Congress, said under the scheme, the government would invest a certain amount in fixed deposit for every girl born in the state so that at least Rs 1.25 lakh was made available for her education and marriage.
It will grant interest-free loans to self-help groups of scheduled caste and tribes women for promoting them to start small scale enterprises.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said Marathi Language Fortnight would be celebrated every year from May 1-15 and the Congress-NCP would take all steps to preserve the glory of the language.
Chavan denied the focus on Marathi was in view of MNS-Shiv Sena campaign on Marathi issue.
“Their campaign is only political in nature. Ours is a constructive one to preserve the language. We don't play politics,” he said.
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