Party assures AB coverage at Rs 7 lakh, Kisan Nidhi at Rs 10,000
*Tourism to get major boost, Jammu to have 3 Regional Boards
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah here today released the BJP’s election manifesto titled ‘Sankalp Patra 2024’ for Assembly elections with major focus on welfare measures covering almost all sections of society including creation of five lakh job opportunities, raising Kisan Nidhi from Rs 6,000 a year to Rs 10,000 and Ayushman Bharat limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, setting up three Regional Boards in Jammu, 20 pc quota to Agniveers in Government and police jobs, 1000 additional seats in Medical Colleges, Rs 18,000 to every senior most woman in every household annually, two free LPG cylinders annually to Ujjawala beneficiaries, construction of 10,000 kms rural roads, Rs 3000 yearly as travel allowance to college students and addressing issues of daily wagers/adhoc and contractual staff.
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The BJP promised publication of a White Paper for all victims of terrorism, making Jammu and Kashmir a leader in development and progress by wiping out terrorism and separatism, ensure safe return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandit community by launching Tika Lal Taploo Visthapit Samaj Punarvas Yojana, rehabilitation of West Pakistan and PoJK refugees and internally neglected communities like Valmikis and Gorkhas and reconstruction of Hindu temples and shrines under Rishi Kashyapa Rejuvenation Drive.
The ‘Sankalp Patra’ was released by Shah here this afternoon in the presence of Union Ministers GK Reddy and Dr Jitendra Singh, Tarun Chugh, general secretary Incharge J&K, UT chief Ravinder Raina, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP, Manifesto Committee chairman Dr Nirmal Singh, Devender Singh Rana, senior party leader and Ashok Khajuria, ex MLA, among others.
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The manifesto has a total of 25 promises for a New Jammu Kashmir.
“We will make Jammu and Kashmir a leader in development and progress in the nation by wiping out terrorism and separatism. We will publish a White Paper and ensure accountability for all victims of terrorism. For the purpose, we will fast track cases, bring justice to the victims and ensure rule of law in the region,” the manifesto said, adding the BJP will undertake a concerted drive to address illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi settlements in the UT.
It promised creation of five lakh employment opportunities in the UT through Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Rozgar Yojana.
Click here to complete Election Manifesto
In a series of welfare measures, the BJP election manifesto promised increase in the coverage of Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme by an additional Rs two lakh from Rs 5 lakh taking total coverage to Rs 7 lakh, Rs 10,000 per year under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi comprising existing Rs 6000 along with an additional Rs 4,000 and addition of 1000 new seats to existing and upcoming Government Medical Colleges.
The ‘Sankalp Patra’ promised implementation of ‘Maa Samman Yojana’ to provide Rs 18,000 per year to the senior most woman in every household, tripling the old age, widow and disability pensions from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000, two free LPG cylinders every year to PM Ujjawala Yojana beneficiaries, Rs 3000 a year through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as travel allowance to college students under the `Pragati Shiksha Yojana’, reimbursement of coaching fees to the tune of Rs 10,000 for two years, travel costs to examination centres and one-time application fee and tablets/laptops to students studying in Higher Secondary classes in remote areas.
It also assured to address grievances of long-serving adhoc/contractual/daily wage employees. It also assured to provide targeted additional support to issues of Anganwari Workers, ASHAs, NHM workers, Rehbar-e-Khel employees, Community Information Centre (CIC) operators, Home Guards and National Youth Corps.
The BJP announced that it will give 20 percent quota to Agniveers in J&K Government jobs and police recruitment and will follow Jammu Kashmir Reservation Policy without affecting the general quota.
The BJP manifesto said the party will ensure safe return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit community by launching Tika Lal Taploo Visthapit Samaj Punarvas Yojana. This initiative will incorporate inputs from their representatives and the Welfare Board for Displaced Community to protect, safeguard and defend the rights of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits. It also assured an Inquiry Commission to study difficulties faced by Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs and provide solutions to address their challenges.
“We will implement 50 percent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies and District Development Councils,” the BJP manifesto said, adding under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the party will provide 10 kg free rice and one kg free sugar to every BPL household in J&K.
It promised construction of 10,000 km of new rural roads to ensure that no village is left behind. It assured completion of projects like Sadhna Pass tunnel and Katra-Banihal Railway tunnel.
After installation of electronic meters in some of the City areas, the BJP manifesto promised a scheme for relief from outstanding bills of electricity and water for all consumers, free electricity through PM Surya Ghar Mufti Bijli Yojana with an additional subsidy of Rs 10,000 to households for solar instrument installation and reduced power tariffs, lowered by up to 50 percent, for agricultural activities making it more affordable for farmers to operate pumps etc.
For SCs and STs, the`Sankalp Patra’ ensured reservation in promotion for SCs and STs within Government services and creation of a transfer policy for all the employees specifically for SCs and other staff working in the Kashmir Valley.
Shedding light on various achievements of the party including abrogation of Article 370, the BJP said it will promote and develop the economy in Jammu and Kashmir with specific emphasis on setting up three Regional Development Boards to monitor saturation of the Government schemes and craft programmes to meet the aspirations of the Jammu region, tourism industry development in both divisions, including developing the Dal Lake as a world-class tourist destination.
It promised tourism industry development at Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch and upper reaches of Udhampur and Kathua, developing Dal lake as a world-class tourist destination and promotion of water sports, setting up an amusement part in Tattoo Ground in Srinagar, an IT hub as a Special Economic Zone at Jammu City, Pharmaceutical Park in Udhampur and an AYUSH Herbal Park in Kishtwar, Tawi Riverfront similar to Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmadabad and separate Lake Development Authority for Ranjit Sagar Dam to promote tourism.
The Sankalp Patra said the BJP will recommend increasing the strength of Judges of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, double the strength of lower judiciary including district and sub-district courts through recruitment of Judges, Magistrates and support staff and construct new judicial complexes at the district, sub district and Munsiff levels with modern facilities and adequate space particularly in areas where such infrastructure is lacking.
It also promised setting up of a Special Task Force to address the issues of illegal mining and bovine smuggling.
Party manifesto said it will work with the Ministry of Railways to expedite work on railway projects including Baramulla to Uri and Kupwara, Jammu to Rajouri/Poonch up to Shopian, Udhampur-Batote-Kishtwar-Doda, Manwal-Billawar-Mahanpur-Basohli-Dunera-Pathankot railway lines, creation of a Railway Station in Kauri village near Chenab bridge and comprehensive development of rail infrastructure in Samba district.
The BJP guarantees establishment of IT hub as a special economic zone (SEZ) in Jammu city.
To support the existing businesses and small traders, the BJP said a new policy will be drafted to address the issues facing 7,000 existing MSME units so that access to land and public utilities will be addressed.
“We will also expedite the rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees, PoJK refugees and internally neglected communities like Valmiki and Gorkhas. We will ensure that the displaced persons of Jammu division get all the due benefits, security and protection that the displaced persons from Kashmir are given,” the party said.
The BJP said it will conduct a “free and fair” census, unlike yesteryear, thereby ensuring proper decision making, focusing on inclusive development, with targeted interventions for marginalized communities.
“We will undertake the reconstruction of Hindu temples and shrines under Rishi Kashyapa Pilgrimage Rejuvenation Drive. We will restore 100 ruined temples and further develop existing temples, including the Shankaracharya Temple, Raghunath Temple and Martand Sun Temple, with the active participation of religious and spiritual organizations,” the BJP said.
The BJP said that it would expedite the metro services in Jammu and Srinagar to improve urban connectivity and enhance mobility.
The BJP also guarantees free of cost five marlas of land to landless through Atal Awas Yojana and reduced electricity tariffs.
The manifesto also talked about the party’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir and said “after years of struggle and sacrifices for ‘Ek Vidhaan, Ek Nishaan, Ek Pradhaan’, we have fully integrated Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India”.
“Today, the barriers of separation, discrimination and exploitation have been demolished in Jammu and Kashmir. New people-friendly initiatives are shaping the socio-political landscape,” it said.
The party said that terrorism, separatism and nepotism have been firmly addressed, ensuring development, peace and prosperity for all citizens regardless of caste, colour, faith, region or gender.
In an apparent reference to the National Conference (NC), PDP and Congress, the BJP said the forces benefiting from the old system are uneasy and wish to reverse these changes.
“These Kashmir-centric dynastic political organizations have launched biased narratives to mislead people by exploiting divisions of region, religion, caste and creed. The mainstream political parties like the Congress, National Conference and PDP have long practiced politics of deception and are responsible for the suffering and deprivation of the general masses,” it said.
The BJP manifesto promised to expand and elevate the New Film Policy 2024 in Jammu and Kashmir.
It said it will set up 10 Government Degree Colleges in J&K, four of which would be exclusively women’s colleges.
F 5 lakh job opportunities to be created
F Issue of daily wagers/adhoc staff to be addressed
F A Sr. woman in every house to get Rs. 18,000 every year
F Pension to be tripled at Rs 3000 p-m
F 1000 additional seats in Medical Colleges
F 10,000 km rural roads to be constructed
F 20 pc quota to Agniveers in Govt jobs, police
F 2 free LPG cylinders to Ujjawala beneficiaries every year
F Safe return of KPs with inputs from Welfare Board
F Hindu temples & shrines to be reconstructed
F 50 pc reservation for women in PRIs, ULBs, DDCs
F STF to address issues of illegal mining
F Scheme for relief from outstanding power bills
F Will recommend increase in HC Judges
F Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch-Shopian rail line proposed
F College students to get Rs 3000 TA in a year
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