Chandigarh: With the Haryana Assembly elections nearing, political parties are trying to employ every measure possible to woo voters, with the ruling BJP and the chief opposition party, Congress, making big promises to the people.
The two political rivals have released their poll manifestos for Haryana with a focus on the poor, women, youth, and farmers.
Interestingly, both political parties have made promises which are similar to each other. The BJP has made 20 election promises, of which five are similar to those made by the Congress.
Creation of 200,000 jobs: Both the BJP and the Congress have targeted the youth as the unemployment rate in the state is higher than the national average. As per CMIE data, the unemployment rate in Haryana is 37.4 per cent.
The parties have promised to create 200,000 government jobs, which will cost nearly £90 mn to the state exchequer. BJP's poll manifesto says that their government will create additional job opportunities for 500,000 youths. The national apprenticeship promotion scheme will also pay a monthly stipend to the unemployed.
Monthly financial assistance to 78,00,000 women: Under its Lado Lakshmi Yojana, the BJP has promised that 78,00,000 emale voters aged between 18 and 60 years will get Rs 2,100 monthly. On the other hand, the Congress pledged Rs 2,000 per month. If this promise is kept, the state government would be spending £2 bn per annum on this scheme.
LPG gas cylinder at subsidised rates: The Congress has vowed to provide nearly 49,00,000 homemakers with a subsidised LPG gas cylinder, costing Rs 500. The BJP has also made a similar promise. Implementing this team will cost the government almost £200 mn per annum, and a subsidy of Rs 334 will be required on each gas cylinder.
Increased social security pension: The grand old party has promised a monthly pension of up to Rs 6,000 to elderly women, and differently-abled persons. While the BJP has said it will provide a dearness allowance and pension based on a scientific formula.
Housing schemes for the poor: The two biggest parties in the state have also promised to launch a housing scheme for the poor. The BJP's promises houses for 500,000 poor people whose annual income is below Rs 180,000 per annum.
Congress has said it will provide a plot and two-room houses to around 308,000 people.
Free medical treatment: The BJP has promised each family free treatment up to Rs 10,00,000 under the Chirayu Aayushman Yojana. Senior members of the family over 70 will get free treatment of up to Rs 700,000.
Meanwhile, the Congress has also promised free medical treatment of up to Rs 25,00,000 as per its poll manifesto.
The MSP promises for farmers: The BJP has shied away from announcing a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops in the manifesto but has assured the farmers that they will continue to get MSP on 24 crops which was announced just before the elections. The party has also promised that the leaseholders will get permanent land ownership. In its poll manifesto, the Congress says it will legalise the MSP.
