AICC general secretary Prithviraj Chavan released the final manifesto at a function organised in Bangalore on Thursday. The promises made in the manifesto include all issues that were made public by the party earlier.
For most of the benefits assured in the manifesto BPL card is must. The party has said that it will issue BPL cards to all eligible families within 100 days after coming to power.

Farmers will get free power supply to their irrigation pumpsets of capacity up to 10hp. They get loan up to Rs 50,000 at three per cent interest rate through nationalised banks and rural banks. The government will reimburse the difference rate of interest to the banks. The party promises to reserve Rs 1,000 crore of revolving fund to provide remunerative prices for agricultural, horticultural and commercial crops.

The party has expressed its commitment to implement recommendations of the Sachar Committee. In order to eradicate illiteracy among Muslims the party has said it will establish schools in Muslim dominated slums and villages. In addition it has proposed to set up Moulana Azad Residential Schools in all districts. As a measure to provide shelter to minorities it has planned a new programme - Tipu Sultan Housing scheme, under which the party aims to construct one lakh houses in a period of five years.

Congress leader Jaffer Sharief who heads the party manifesto committee said if the party comes to power it will take steps to implement the UPA government’s loan waiver programme at the earliest. Former chief minister Veerappa Moily said that the party has made only those promises which can be implemented within a period of five years.

For Bangaloreans

After the BJP now it is turn of the Congress to assure Bangaloreans improving infrastructure facilities in the city. The Congress in its election manifesto has promised to improve infrastructure facilities at a cost of Rs 50,000 crore!

Mr Jaffer Sharief said the party will bring all civic agencies of the city under one head. Improving infrastructure facilities will be given top priority in order to attract investors. He said in the second phase of Metro rail project more areas of the city will be covered.

Funds?

The party has expected a total expenditure of Rs 50,000 crore to fulfil all its promises. As per the manifesto, the party aims at gathering funds of Rs 20,000 crore from tax collected by the local body and state government contribution. Rs 10,000 cr under the JNNURM and Rs 20,000 crore through Public Private Participation.

The Centre’s total allocation for the JNNURM for the entire country itself is Rs 50,000 crore. Of Rs 50,000 cr the state’s share is only Rs 1,737 crore.

It is surprising that on what grounds the Congress party promised to bring in Rs 10,000 crore for Bangalore City under JNNURM. 

PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN

The Congress party has included many projects which have already been in practice in its election manifesto. Free education for girls up to graduation is already in effect in Karnataka. However the Congress in its manifesto has said it will provide free education for girls up to graduation.

The previous coalition government took the decision to construct stree shakti bhavans in all gram panchayat head quarters several months ago itself. The Congress has assured voters the same in its manifesto.
The Congress has said it will provide all necessary infrastructure facilities to hold the legislature session in Belgaum. However the previous coalition headed by H D Kumaraswamy had already laid foundation stone for the same.

Asked on assuring projects which have been started by the previous government, KPCC Mallikarjun Kharge said “the previous government was engaged only in laying foundation stone. However if the Congress comes to power we will complete all pending projects at the earliest”.

IN THE OFFING

Manifesto highlights

* Colour TV set for BPL families
*  Stipend of Rs 1,200 per month for unemployed youths
*  SEZs in backward areas
* Reservation for OBC in co-operative institutions
* University in Kudalasangama
* Free power to IP sets (up to 10 hp)
* Waiver of loans under Ashraya, Navagrama 
* Free education up to pre-university
*  Free note books for students up to 10th std
* Education loan for BPL families up to Rs 1 lakh
* Implementation of Sachar committee recommendations
* 33 pc reservation for women in co-operative organisations
* Increase in honorarium of Anganwadi workers to Rs 3,000 per month
BBMP manifesto
* Dedicated expressway to BIA
* Extend Metro rail network
* Compulsory use of CNG in all buses, govt
vehicles, autorickshaws
* UGD lines in new extensions 
*  Two botanical gardens of 1000 acres each in BBMP area