Guj polls: Congress promises sops for SC, ST, OBC minorities

Gujarat Congress on Thursday announced sops targeting 75 per cent of the electorate which includes the OBC, SC, ST, minority, differently-abled and dalit voters.

This was part of party's 12-point  'Gujarat people development vision - 2012' under which it had earlier announced sops on eight issues including VAT, urban poor, rural poor, students, government servants and women, if they come to power after the Assembly polls in December.

"It is unfortunate that the ruing BJP government has not shown concern for the rights of the people of the state to live with dignity and equality. We have decided to fulfill the constitutional obligation of the state when we would form the next government," said Modhwadia.

 

Keeping in mind the OBC, SC, ST, minority, differently- able and dalit population of the state, the state Congress unit has promised to set up a separate minority welfare ministry and a new state minority commission. It also promised to build a new Haj House. They also promised new board for Madrasas in the state.

"We will also implement the 15-point programme announced by the central government for recognised religious minorities with full vigour and also implement matriculation scholarship scheme, which the present BJP government has refused to do the same," Modhwadia said.

The party also promised 50 per cent reservation for differently-abled persons in assisting jobs, reserving plots for specially skilled professionals in GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) run industrial estates and increasing the income level criteria for the creamy layer certificates.

The Congress also promised to immediately fill all the backlog in jobs in reserved categories, implement all recommendations of the Renkhe Commission with regard to the development of 40 nomadic tribes in the state and to form a Nomad Development Corporation.