Congress Promises Affordable Gas Cylinders and Free Education in Chhattisgarh
TFP Bureau, Raipur, Oct 31, 2023 – The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee has made significant promises in its bid for the upcoming assembly elections, aiming to bring relief to the citizens of Chhattisgarh. In a press release, Sushil Anand Shukla, Chairman of the State Congress Communication Department, outlined the key commitments.
The first pledge involves making gas cylinders more affordable for the people of Chhattisgarh. Shukla noted that the price of domestic gas cylinders has remained unchanged for over nine years in Chhattisgarh, maintaining the rate set during the UPA government’s tenure. Despite the significant price hikes across the country due to the Modi government’s policies, the Congress intends to subsidize the cost of cylinders in Chhattisgarh. This subsidy will lower the cost of a gas cylinder to approximately Rs 400, down from the current price of Rs 974.
Shukla also took a dig at the opposition, stating that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should learn from the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government on how to fulfill promises made to the public. He emphasized that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had fulfilled over 95 percent of the promises made by the Congress to the public in 2018. The trust in these promises is evident from the growing support for the Congress government.
One of the standout promises made by the Congress is to provide free education across the state. If the Congress government is re-elected in 2023, Chhattisgarh will become the only state in the country where education from Kindergarten (KG) to Post-Graduate (PG) level will be entirely free. This includes a wide range of educational programs, from Chhattisgarh Medical College and Engineering College to various technical degrees, B.Sc, M.Sc, B.L.M.A., B.Com, and M.Com.
Furthermore, if the Congress secures the government in 2023, there will be a loan waiver for all sections of the population, following a similar initiative for farmers in 2018. Paddy will be procured at a rate of 20 quintals per acre, and a housing scheme called “Chhattisgarh Housing Through Nyaya Yojana” will provide 17 lakh houses to the underprivileged. The government will also conduct a caste census to ensure the rights of the deprived class.
Additional announcements made on October 28 include free education from KG to PG, an extra 10 percent on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for forest produce, and an input subsidy of Rs 4000 per year for tendu leaf collectors.
Smt. Priyanka Gandhi made further commitments on October 30:
- A subsidy of Rs 500 will be credited to the bank account of the lady of the house upon cylinder refilling.
- Free electricity up to 200 units per month for high consumption.
- Loan waivers for women self-help groups and the Saksham scheme.
- Establishment of 700 new rural industrial parks.
- Upgrading all government schools in the state into English and Hindi medium schools.
- Medical assistance up to Rs. 25 lakh and free treatment for residents in case of road accidents and other accidental accidents.
- Waiver of outstanding motor vehicle tax, penalty, and interest loans.
- Purchase of “Tivara” from state farmers at support prices.
The upcoming Chhattisgarh assembly elections will be a crucial moment for the people of the state as they decide who will lead and implement these promises in the years to come.
