At its party headquarters here on Tuesday, Congress, which is attempting to regain power in Karnataka, published a manifesto in which it vowed to take stern action against organisations that incite intolerance.
The Congress committed to take action against those who and groups propagating intolerance, a day after the BJP made campaign promises on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Many of the party's promises are likely to cause controversy.
“We think that people and groups who incite animosity or hate, whether among the majority or minority populations, such as Bajrang Dal, PFI, or others, violate the law and the Constitution. The manifesto states that we would act decisively in accordance with the law, including banning any such organisation.
To satisfy the expectations and ambitions of SC/ST/OBC/Minority/and other groups like Lingayat and Vokkaligas, the party has pledged to extend the ceiling and reservation from 50% to 75%. Additionally, the party has pledged to set aside Rs 10,000 crore for the welfare of minorities, including Muslims, Christians, Jain, Buddhists, and others.
Additionally, it promises that within a year of taking office, it will repeal all unjust laws and other anti-people laws passed by the BJP government. According to the manifesto, the government would create a State Education Policy in place of the NEP.
A project to aid Kashmiri Pandits who had to leave Kashmir was outlined in the manifesto. “To provide the Department of Kannada and Culture with a one-time grant of Rs. 25 crore, an ongoing grant of Rs. 1 crore, and Rs. 15 crore to launch Kashmiri culture.
“By demeaning the noble spirits of Karnataka, the BJP has falsified textbooks. To help pupils become developed and complete, the Congress would reinstate the genuine ideals of India and Karnataka in the textbooks. In order to provide financial assistance for the purchase of defibrillators (AED) by physicians, clinics, and nursing homes, the party committed to implement the Puneeth Rajkumar heart health programme.
In the next five years (2023-2028), the manifesto calls for spending Rs 1.5 lakh crore on irrigation. It has suggested starting new projects like the Mekedatu project, which would cost Rs 9,000 crore, and the Mahadayi project, which will cost Rs 3,000 crore. In the first cabinet meeting, it promises to allocate Rs 500 crore for the Mahadayi project.
Additionally, it mentions allocating Rs 1,000 crore over a five-year period to clean all significant rivers in Karnataka. Within two years of coming into power, the Congress promises to finish the Yettinahole project. It suggests giving industrial status to hotels with more than 20 staff members and providing small businesses in the hospitality, bakery and sweets stall sectors with access to loans up to Rs 10 lakh at 6% interest.
The manifesto suggests renaming all slums Shramika Vasathi Samuchchaya and regularising them all by giving them title documents. It guarantees that the Forest Act will be amended to address the issues of forest residents. The other main suggestions are to increase per-litre milk subsidies for all dairy farmers from Rs. 5 to Rs. 7, give loans up to Rs. 3 lakh to dairy farmers at no interest, buy cow dung for Rs. 3 per kg, and set up compost/manure centres in villages that involve rural women and youth.
“Unfortunately, the Indian government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has adopted a politics of intolerance, hatred, deceit, and unchecked corruption. And to cover up the government's shortcomings, the BJP engages in the unethical and harshest forms of propaganda. In India's history, nothing like this has ever occurred.
“Our goal is to strengthen the Karnataka brand and elevate the state to the top spot in the nation. The Congress party has pledged to work towards “Sarvajanangada shantiya tota (paradise of peace to all),” which is also the manifesto's goal and aim.
The five guarantee schemes are highlighted in the manifesto, including free transportation for all women throughout the state on regular KSRTC/BMTC buses, Rs 2,000 per month for every woman who is the family's head, 10 kg of rice for every BPL family member, and Rs 3,000 per month for two years for unemployed diploma holders.
