Cong Manifesto: Promises to raise 50% cap on quotas, right to apprenticeship

New Delhi: Right to apprenticeship, a legal guarantee for MSP, and passing a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs are among the promises made by the Congress in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls released on Friday.

Due to jumping from political party to another, Congress promises to amend the 10th schedule of the Constitution and make defection (leaving the original party) on which the MLA or MP was elected an automatic disqualification from the Assembly or Parliament.

Besides, it said it will give legal guarantee to Minimum Support Prices (MSP) announced by the government every year as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission to farmers.

The party said in the document that it would abolish the Agnipath programme and direct the armed forces to resume normal recruitment to achieve full sanctioned strength.

The manifesto, focusing on five "pillars of justice" and 25 guarantees under them, was released at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The focus is on every aspect of the society and requirement of governance in the sectors of industry, infrastructure, tax and tax structures, anti-corruption and the role of federal agencies.

Youth

In the document titled Nyay Patra, the opposition party said it would implement 10 per cent quota in jobs, educational institutions for economically weaker sections (EWS) for all castes, communities without discrimination if it comes to power.

It also promised to fill nearly 30 lakh vacancies in sanctioned posts at various levels in the central government and said the Rajasthan model of cashless insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh will be adopted for universal healthcare.

Constitutional amendment

The Congress will pass a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC if it comes to power in the general elections beginning April 19, the party promised.

The Congress also said it will conduct a nationwide socio-economic and caste census.

Education and Health

Congress party has given a detailed roadmap of the changes in health and education sector. Right to Education and the need for autonomous colleges and universities have been emphasised.

Sports

A separate legislation for the registration of sports federations/bodies/associations which will ensure full compliance with the Olympic Charter, allow for autonomy and full accountability. A sports scholarship of Rs 10,000 per month to talented and budding sports persons below the age of 21 years.

Women

Mahalaxmi scheme has been implemented in Telangana and Karnataka and will be scaled to national level by the Congress party.

Mahalakshmi scheme at the national level will provide Rs 1 lakh per year to every poor Indian family through an unconditional cash transfer.

Towards women empowerment, Congress party plans ‘Same Work, Same Wages’ to prevent discrimination in wages for women. The Labour Force Participation rate of women is an abysmal 25 percent and Congress party plans to provide women required facilities to increase it.

To reverse the damage

Congress party in its manifesto promises to scrutinize and debate to review and change the anti-people laws with regards to workers, farmers, criminal justice, environment and forests and digital data protection.

Media

There is a special mention of media due to the propaganda that the medium has now become.

Congress will amend the Press Council of India Act, 1978 to empower the Council to deal with the menace of fake news and paid news. A law to curb monopolies in media, cross ownership of different segments and control of media by business organizations.

Judiciary

All vacancies of High Court and Supreme Court to be filled in three years. A Judicial Complaints Commission to be set up consisting of retired judges of the Supreme Court and retired Chief Justices of the High Courts to investigate complaints of misconduct against judges of the higher judiciary.

There will also be amendment to the Constitution to create two divisions in the Supreme Court: a Constitutional Court and a Court of Appeal. The Constitutional Court consisting of the seven senior most judges will hear and decide cases involving the interpretation of the Constitution.

The Court of Appeal will be the final court of appeal that will, sitting in Benches of three judges each, hear appeals from the High Court and National Tribunals.

Economic policy

An economic policy with three goals of work, wealth and welfare. Changes in bank charges, tax structures, address the growing inequality of wealth and income through suitable changes in policies is the goal of the Congress party.

Dealing with unemployment

A job calendar for each department, institution and public body with details of vacancies and timelines to fill the vacancies.

Fill the nearly 30 lakh vacancies in sanctioned posts at various levels in the central government, teaching and non-teaching posts in central educational institutions, posts of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other supporting staff in central government medical institutions, and vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

Provide jobs for low-education, low-skilled youth by launching a Water Bodies Restoration Programme and a Wasteland Regeneration Programme.

Federalism

· Enhance the role and authority of Gram Panchayat

· Restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry

· Amend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to include the tribal areas of Ladakh.

· Give Special Category status to Andhra Pradesh as promised on 20 February 2014.

· Amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and declare that the Lieutenant Governor shall act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers of NCT, Delhi on all matters, including Services, except on matters concerning the three reserved subjects

Appealing to people to look beyond religion, language, caste and choose wisely to install a democratic government, the party said the general elections present an opportunity to radically the change the style of governance that has been in evidence over the past decade.

"We will immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir," the party stated in the manifesto.

"I urge everyone to have a close look at our manifesto and you will see a 'shandaar tasveer' (beautiful picture) of our country in it," the Congress president said while addressing the gathering.

"We will open the doors to the poor when we come to power....PM Modi is taking our people and claiming '400 Paar' MPs," Kharge added.

Only those who have done something and have fear are quitting the party to join the BJP, he said.

Kharge also wondered what kind of level playing field is there when the principal opposition party's accounts have been frozen.