BJP promises zero-trash city

The BJP has promised to ban cow slaughter, restore the powers of the Lokayukta and accord high priority to Bengaluru in its manifesto for the state Assembly polls released on Friday.

The 58-page manifesto “Namma Karnatakakke Namma Vachana” (Our promise for our Karnataka) assures making Bengaluru a world class city with modern infrastructure and also pass a new law “Nava Bengaluru Act” to cater to the unique needs of the state capital.

The party has made several other big promises to Bengaluru, which has 28 of the 224 assembly constituencies in the state, including making the state capital “zero garbage” city, besides a Rs 2,500-crore fund for revival of lakes.

The party’s Hindu agenda is also reflected in the manifesto. The party has promised to reintroduce Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation Bill, 2012 with its stringent provisions and re-establish the Cow Protection Commission.

The manifesto was released by party chief ministerial candidate and BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa in Bengaluru.

The manifesto assures that the first meeting of the state Cabinet will take a decision to waive crop loans to the tune of up to Rs 1 lakh including those availed from nationalised banks.

The BJP has claimed it will launch “Negilayogi Yojane” to provide direct income support of Rs 10,000 to 20 lakh dry land small and marginal farmers.

On women empowerment, the manifesto states that a Rs 10,000-crore “Stree Unnati” fund will be set up to run one of the largest women-run cooperatives and to establish “Stree Unnati” stores to market its products at district and taluk headquarters.

BJP MP and state General Secretary Shobha Karandlaje said over three lakh people besides experts were consulted while preparing the manifesto.
In all, the manifesto deals with 14 sectors including farmers, women empowerment, youth, good governance, education, health, infrastructure, economy, culture and environment.