Ahead of the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, the Congress Party unveiled its manifesto on Saturday, promising a range of welfare initiatives including free electricity, free medical treatment, financial aid for women, MSP guarantee for farmers, and a caste-based census in the state.
The manifesto was launched by prominent Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) President Udai Bhan.
Key highlights of the manifesto include a pledge to provide 300 units of free electricity and up to Rs 25 lakh in free medical treatment for every family in Haryana. The party has also proposed financial support of Rs 2,000 per month for women aged 18-60, similar to schemes like Madhya Pradesh’s ‘Ladli Behen Yojana’ and Maharashtra’s ‘Ladki Behen Yojana’. Additionally, the manifesto promises a subsidy of Rs 500 for gas cylinders.
Congress has committed to enacting a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and immediate compensation for crop losses. The party plans to establish a farmer commission and provide diesel subsidies to farmers.
For the economically disadvantaged, Congress has promised to allot 200 square yards of land and a house with two rooms. The party also aims to conduct a caste-based survey in the state, a long-standing demand, and increase the creamy layer income limit to Rs 10 lakh.
Employment and social welfare are also prioritized, with promises to create 2 lakh permanent jobs for youth and eradicate drug abuse in the state. The party has vowed to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and provide Rs 6,000 under various pension schemes for senior citizens, disabled individuals, and widows.
Congress leader Geeta Bhukkal highlighted the party’s commitment to a safer Haryana, announcing plans for a new university in Kurukshetra named after Guru Govind Singh Ji and a university in Mewat to promote the Punjabi language.
At the launch, Bhupinder Singh Hooda emphasized that the manifesto was crafted after extensive research, drawing inspiration from various states, including Rajasthan. He credited Geeta Bhukkal and her team for their efforts.
Haryana is set to vote on October 5 to elect its 90-member state legislative assembly, with the results scheduled to be announced on October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 40 seats, emerging as the single largest party, while Congress won 30 seats.