Cong promises houses to the homeless

The Congress is attempting to lure voters in the rural body elections by projecting itself as a party committed to strengthening the panchayat bodies, and by branding the ruling BJP as anti-backward classes.

In its election manifesto, released on Thursday, the party assured the rural public of improving infrastructure facilities.

Releasing the manifesto in Bangalore, KPCC president G Parameshwara said the Congress should get the credit for decentralising administration and strengthening the local bodies by bringing in amendments to Articles 73 and 74 of the Constitution.

However, he said, the basic principles of decentralisation had been ignored by the ruling BJP in the State. He charged the BJP with failing to safeguard political representation for backward classes in the local bodies. The Congress would spread awareness on this issue among the public.

The manifesto, by and large, is a critique of the BJP government.

The party alleges the government failed to safeguard farmers’ interest, but opened fire on them for demanding fertilisers. The money released by the Centre under the MGNREGS had not been utilised properly. The relief work in flood-hit areas was poor, the party alleged.

The Congress stressed on rural sanitation, protecting forests, constituting committees to maintain harmony among different castes and communities and providing agriculture implements for farmers at low prices.

The party said if it came to power it would provide houses for the homeless.

*Stree Shakti banks in districts.

*Ombudsman at taluks to check corruption.

*Computer education in rural schools.

*Houses for all 15 lakh homeless people.

*Agriculture implements for farmers at low cost.