Rahul draws achievements from UPA-II in UP manifesto

On lines MGNREGA, Cong promised to enact state law guaranteeing at least 150 days of employment

Rahul Gandhi drew achievements from the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-II government to present his vision for development of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh (UP).

The Congress poll manifesto, released in Lucknow on Wednesday, highlighted the key welfare schemes and laws passed during the UPA-I and-II like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act  (MGNREGA), National Food Security Bill, Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, and a law to protect women.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul were the key figures behind these flagship schemes.  Rahul also mentioned his broader vision for the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance as the grand old party’s poll manifesto made promises on behalf of both the parties. In contrast, in SP’s poll manifesto, released on January 22 by Akhilesh Yadav, Congress did not get any mention. On the lines of UPA flagship rural job scheme MGNREGA, the party promised to enact a state law, guaranteeing at least 150 days of employment for the poor.

Noting that the strongest law for women protection was passed by the UPA-II government, the party said it will work to ensure this law is implemented against anyone found guilty of atrocities and crimes against women in the state.

Targeting women, who constitute half the electorate, Congress said it will ensure that there is 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayat elections.

The land acquisition Act passed by the UPA-II will be implemented effectively in UP, said the document aiming to protect the farmers. The state government will press the Centre to waive off their loans and halve power bills.

Noting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre had failed to implement the ambitious national food security Act passed by UPA-II. The document said the coalition government will ensure that all families receive their statutorily guaranteed entitlement of 35 kg staple per family.

A new law on hate crimes to provide enhanced punishment against those who seek to create tensions on the basis of caste, gender or religion is also on the list of promises in the Congress manifesto which also cautions voters against the "divisive politics of BJP".

Providing employment and education is big on the agenda with the party promising free school education for every girl child and bicycles (SP poll symbol) for girls from class IX to XII.

A separate cell will be created within the Chief Minister's Office to focus on creation of job opportunities and incentives to businesses to provide jobs to the people. In addition, the special cell shall also provide support to service industries such as software and all ITenabled services, trade, distribution, transport, telecommunications, finance and tourism.

While there would be thrust on more recruitments in the police, the force would also be reformed with an ombudsman to look after police oppression.

Promising to build more power plants, the party said road connectivity will be improved through the Ganga Highway and important educational and industrial hubs from Garh to Gorakhpur on the northern bank of the river Ganga.

Further, the manifesto promised to reenergise the small industries, health care and welfare system to develop UP.