C'garh: Cong offers sops to farmers in poll manifesto

Free 35 kg rice a month, free power supply to farmers, crop loans to peasants at zero per cent interest rate are among the sops promised by Congress in its manifesto for Chhattisgarh assembly elections scheduled this month.
The manifesto, released by AICC treasurer and state Congress Campaign Committee chairman Motilal Vora at the party headquarters here today, said farmers will be provided Rs 2,000 per quintal for their paddy and of the payment and Rs 500 per quintal will be paid to woman members of their family.
Besides, farmers have also been promised free power supply for 5hp pumps while small and marginal peasants will be provided interest-free crop loans.

Provision of free 35 kg of rice a month to below poverty line and above poverty line families (exempting the income tax payee) has been mentioned in the manifesto.
Congress has also assured appropriate reduction in "increased" power tariff and lowering water tax and property tax.
Increase in reservation for Scheduled Caste from 12 per cent to 16 per cent, purchase of forest produce on support price, maximum benefit to forest dwellers on buying their forest produce, parity in 'Shikshakarmi' teacher salaries and rehabilitation of those affected by Naxal violence are the other highlights of the manifesto.
For minorities, the party has assured to simplify the caste certificate issuing process, setting up a minority finance and development corporation, apart from establishing a Haj house.

Releasing the manifesto in the presence of senior leaders, Vora expressed confidence of Congress coming back to power in the tribal dominated state.