BJP and Congress Release Competing Manifestos for Chhattisgarh Elections

TFP Bureau Report, Raipur, Nov 3, 2023: The race for Chhattisgarh’s upcoming assembly elections has intensified as both the BJP and Congress unveiled their respective manifestos, making a slew of promises aimed at winning the hearts and votes of Chhattisgarh’s citizens.

BJP’s Pledges for Chhattisgarh:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who released the BJP’s manifesto, emphasized that it wasn’t merely a set of promises but a resolution letter. He recounted the BJP’s role in transforming Chhattisgarh from a struggling state into one on the path to development. The BJP touted achievements that ranged from tackling Naxalism to guaranteeing nutrition, creating employment opportunities, and providing women’s reservation in Panchayat elections.

Some notable pledges from the BJP’s manifesto include:

1. Affordable Gas Cylinders: Ensuring that gas cylinders are available at a reduced cost of ₹500 for women in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
2. Agricultural Support: Promising a guaranteed procurement of 21 quintals per acre of paddy at the price of ₹3100.
3. Krishi Unnati Yojana: Under this scheme, 21 quintals of paddy will be purchased for ₹3100 by paying a lump sum.
4. Education: Initiating a free education program from KG to PG level.
5. Empowerment of Women: Offering ₹12,000 annually to every married woman under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana.
6. Government Employment: Committing to recruit 1 lakh people to fill vacant government posts.
7. Housing: Providing 18 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
8. Forest Produce: Ensuring the purchase of 5500 standard bags of tendu leaves under the Charan Paduka scheme.
9. Healthcare: Offering health insurance for free treatment up to ₹10 lakh under the Ayushman Yojana Swasth Chhattisgarh.
10. Transparency: Implementing CGPSC examination processes akin to UPSC for greater transparency.
11. Job Creation: Establishing an Invention Hub aiming to create 6 lakh jobs.
12. Travel Allowance: Providing monthly Travel Allowance.

Congress’ Promises for Chhattisgarh:

The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee’s promises are a direct response to the BJP’s manifesto, with an emphasis on affordability and free education. The Chhattisgarh State Congress, highlighted the party’s commitment to making gas cylinders more affordable, reducing their cost to approximately ₹400 from the existing ₹974 to citizens of CG.

The Congress also pledged free education from KG to PG level, transforming Chhattisgarh into the only state in the country to offer such comprehensive educational support.

Additional promises made by the Congress include:

1. Loan Waiver: Offering a loan waiver for women of self help group, following a similar initiative for farmers.
2. Agricultural Support: Procuring paddy at a rate of 20 quintals per acre.
3. Housing Scheme: Launching “Chhattisgarh Housing Through Nyaya Yojana” to provide 17 lakh houses to the underprivileged.
4. Caste Census: Conducting a caste census to ensure the rights of the deprived class.
5. Additional Support: An extra 10 percent on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for forest produce, and an input subsidy of ₹4,000 per year for tendu leaf collectors.
6. Cylinder Subsidy: Crediting a subsidy of ₹500 to the bank account of the lady of the house upon cylinder refilling.
7. Electricity: Providing free electricity up to 200 units per month for high consumption. to every household.
8. Women Empowerment: Extending loan waivers for women self-help groups and introducing the Saksham scheme.
9. Economic Development: Establishing 700 new rural industrial parks.
10. Education Enhancement: Upgrading all government schools in the state into English and Hindi medium schools.
11. Healthcare: Offering medical assistance up to ₹25 lakh and free treatment for residents in case of road accidents and other accidental accidents.
12. Tax Relief: Waiving outstanding motor vehicle tax, penalty, and interest loans.
13. Agricultural Support: Purchasing “Tivara” from state farmers at support prices.

The upcoming Chhattisgarh assembly elections will be a pivotal moment for the people of the state as they weigh the merits of these promises and decide who will lead and implement them in the years to come. Both parties are determined to win the trust and votes of the electorate by offering a brighter and more promising future for Chhattisgarh.