Congress promises 50% quota for women, offers sops in UP manifesto

5 Dariya News

Lucknow , 08 Feb 2017

In an effort to woo the women voters, the Congress in its manifesto for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls released here on Wednesday announced 50 per cent reservation for the fairer sex in urban and rural local bodies.Besides women, the manifesto also targeted youths and farmers. Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) President Raj Babbar released the document that focuses on women in a big way and said the party will distribute cycles to girl students if it comes to power.Babbar said the party was committed to the safety and honour of women and will open three women police stations in each of the 75 districts in the state in case it formed the government in politically crucial state.
Babbar said the party will ensure 150 workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.‘Karza Maaf, Bijli Half' (full loan waiver, electricity at half rate) is another highlight of the Congress manifesto.The party promised to come up with Kanya Sashaktikaran Yojana, a scheme to ensure Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh for every girl child on turning 18. It also promised scholarships to young women pursuing higher studies.
The Congress also focussed on police reforms, while promising a new Uttar Pradesh Skills and Employment Mission for skilling youths and ensuring jobs for 50 lakh persons. The manifesto also promised to provide wheat at Rs 3 and rice at Rs 2 per kg, and talked of giving nutritious meal in midday meal scheme and restructuring the Public Distribution System. The party said a cell for job creation will be set up at the Chief Minister's Office. For the minorities, the party proposed a scheme to encourage young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses.The Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP). As per the last-minute accord, the Congress is contesting in 105 constituencies while the SP led by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is contesting in 298. The manifesto was released in the presence of senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, P.L. Punia and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.Uttar Pradesh goes to polls in seven phases, starting February 11, to elect 403 members to the assembly. One member representing the Anglo-Indian community is nominated to the house by the Governor.