Pranav Mathur, Pune
Congress announces a total of seven guarantees in the presence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, naming it “Saat Vade, Pakke Irade”. These guarantees include a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) and a Caste Survey if they are to come into power. Mallikarjun Kharge mentioned in his speech at the Congress Headquarters in Delhi, after launching the poll manifesto, that these promises will surely be implemented if Congress is voted into power, hence the name. The farmers who have been protesting for a law on the MSP at the Punjab-Haryana border since February 13 will finally have their persistence answered
Other than the law for MSPs and Caste Surveys, they also included the restoration of Old Pension Schemes in Haryana and underlined plans that have been put in place for women and the youth of the state. A group of cultivators also reached out to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who gave them confidence in the support of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to apply pressure on the Centre to grant the demand.
Under the poll promise of ‘empowerment for women’ the party promised gas cylinders of Rs. 500 and Rs. 2000 to every woman between the age of 18-60. In order to have stronger social security, the party promised Rs. 6000 for the elderly, widowed and disabled, bringing back the Old Pension Scheme. Securing the future for the youth, the party said that if they come into power there will be a guarantee of two lakh government jobs, and will also rid the state of addictions in the years to come. In addition to these guarantees, the party also mentioned that they will be providing the state with 300 units of free electricity, and free medical treatment of up to 25 lakhs. Along with MSP, the farmers will also be getting immediate compensation for crop failure.
Kharge also mentions the importance of the welfare of Journalists, promising them cashless treatment facilities in Haryana and also increasing their pension. To reiterate the influence Congress had in Haryana, Bhan emphasised on how Haryana was the top state in fields such as agriculture, sports, infrastructure, per capita income and investment the last time Congress was in power.