Congress Manifesto: Another Scam

NewsBharati    12-Dec-2017   
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The article might look a bit late in the day, but I had an opportunity to participate in a debate (http://www.republicworld.com/shows/39/sunday-debate) on Republic TV channel on Sunday (10 December 2017)on Gujarat elections. While preparing for the debate I went through the manifesto of Congress party. 

 

Following are the excerpts from the 64 page Congress Manifesto in Italics along with reality check:

1. Congress party could not draft a vision statement. A vision statement on page 4 is an excerpt from the speech of Sam Pitroda. As per manifesto, it is “Mr Sam Pitroda’s opening remarks on behalf of Shri. Rahul Gandhi & the Indian National Congress during consultations with the general public, professionals, farmers, students, businessmen & traders in various cities of Gujarat for developing this Manifesto.” (whatever that means!!)

2. “Petrol, Diesel Prices to be brought down by reduction in state taxes up to Rs.10 per litre” (page 10)

In October 2017 Centre had reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 a litre and asked states to follow suit and decrease sales tax by 5%. Gujarat government had reduced sales tax by 5% on the two fuels, but Congress-ruled states didn’t.

3. “Persuading the Defense Ministry to allow Girls to enter National Defence Academy”. (Page 13)

The government is considering a proposal to allow girls to study at Sainik schools and girl cadets at the National Defence Academy, union minister Subhash Ramrao Bhamre had told the same in Lok Sabha in August 2017.

4. “Handloom, Transportation, Tourism, Specialized Healthcare and Hospitality as well as GruhUdyog’s will be encouraged through special policies”. (Page 14)

No concrete policy for 6 categories which generate maximum employment.

5. “Engineering, medical and paramedical colleges will be established with affordable fees in every district”. (Page 18)

With over 27 lakh seats lying vacant in various engineering institutes across the country, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to shut down about 800 engineering colleges from the next academic year. It includes colleges in Gujarat.

6. “On the lines of “108” service, Air ambulance services will be provided in each region of the state for emergency medical situations”. (Page19)

It is a left-hand compliment to BJP government in Gujarat. Congress accepts that ambulance facility on road is perfect and no improvement can be done.

7. The micro network of Narmada canals will be completed in next three years (Page 24)

Medha Patkar is the founder member of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) which stopped the construction of Narmada dam and in return stopped the Narmada water reaching farmers of Gujarat. She was also the member of Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC), the apex body of decision making during UPA rule.

8. Announcement for preparing huge statue of Res. Baba Saheb in the Bay of Cambay will be made.(Page 30)

Congress opposes the installation of Sardar Patel’s statue in Gujarat. It reminds me there is no picture of Sardar Patel on the manifesto. (Congress also opposes statue of Lord Ram and Shivaji Maharaj)

9. English Medium Schools will be commenced. (Page 31)

In Karnataka, Congress wants to promote Kannada, but in Gujarat, the Gujarati language can take a walk.

10. The inclusion of Mir-Fakir and similar castes will be duly considered in Nomadic Tribe category (Page 37)

I am not sure, but Mir-Fakir sounds like a Muslim cast. Is Congress trying to give quotas to Muslims by merging them with tribals?

11. Removal of Negative Rating by Banks, Measures will be initiated to remove such areas from negative zones by the bank and ensure adequate funds are available to them. (Page 39)

Congress created Vijay Mallya and NPA’s for the bank. Now Congress wants to repeat the same in Gujarat.

12. “We will implement 100% prohibition and will also stop the illegal sale of liquor”. (Page 41)

It will be interesting if Congress can list the states under its rule where liquor has been banned.

13. “We will establish Socio-Legal Cells in all civil hospitals for handling rape cases and assist rape survivors. A scheme will be worked out for the rehabilitation of such victims”. (Page 41)

The manifesto doesn’t say’s a single line about prevention of rape or about punishment (stringent law) of the rapist.

14. The Diamond Industry will be declared as Cottage Industry. (Page47)

Read Full manifesto

Congress Gujarat Manifesto 2017 Eng by NewsBharati on Scribd

It is clear that Congress neither understands Diamond Industry nor Cottage Industry.

Congress manifesto is nothing but about taking the people of Gujarat for a ride. It is an insult to people of Gujarat. In cases like Narmada water, it is like rubbing the salt on the wound.
The manifesto mentions 19 times the word “minority” but doesn’t mentions the word “E-governance”, “Digital” or “WiFi”, even once. It is a manifesto in the 21st century by a youth leader!!!
Rahul Gandhi and Congress party were alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent about the future of Gujarat because they published the manifesto late. After going through the Congress manifesto I realised that it is better to publish the manifesto late then or better not to publish at all then publish a manifesto which is nothing but a scam.
Congress Manifesto Congress Gujarat Polls 2017 Rahul Gandhi Manifesto Elections ECI