Jharkhand Elections 2024: INDIA bloc outlines ‘7 guarantees’ in manifesto, promises enhanced reservations, 10 lakh jobs – India News

The INDIA bloc unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections on Tuesday, pledging to create 10 lakh jobs for youth and provide health insurance coverage of up to Rs 15 lakh for the underprivileged.

The manifesto, titled ‘7 Guarantees,’ aims to enhance social justice by increasing reservations for Scheduled Tribes (STs) from 26 percent to 28 percent, for Scheduled Castes (SCs) from 10 percent to 12 percent, and for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 14 percent to 27 per cent.

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“INDIA bloc will ensure 10 lakh jobs for youth and Rs 15 lakh health cover for the poor,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge during the manifesto’s launch alongside Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and RJD leader JP Yadav. Kharge added that whenever the bloc discusses guarantees, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticises them, claiming that while Congress fulfills its promises, Modi’s guarantees remain unfulfilled.

The manifesto promises to increase the free monthly ration for the poor from 5 kg to 7 kg and make gas cylinders available at Rs 450, compared to the BJP’s offer of Rs 500, which includes two free cylinders during festivals. Other commitments include a domicile policy based on the 1932 Khatiyan (land record settlement), a separate Sarna religious code for tribals, and the protection of regional languages.

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The INDIA bloc also pledged to raise the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy to Rs 3,200 per quintal from the current Rs 2,400. In contrast, the BJP has set an MSP of Rs 3,100 for paddy. The manifesto further includes plans for establishing degree colleges in all blocks, engineering and medical colleges in district headquarters, and industrial parks on 500 acres of land in each district to foster employment opportunities for youth.

Additionally, the Maiyan Samman Yojana amount for women will be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 per month. The INDIA bloc also committed to forming a Welfare Ministry for Backward Classes to address their specific issues. Soren stated, “After this election, the coming government will move forward with the guarantees that we have launched today.”

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In response, the BJP slammed the JMM and Congress, calling them “experts in making false promises.” BJP Working President Ravindra Rai asserted that the JMM-led alliance’s previous promises in 2019 “proved to be false.” He questioned the government’s recent move to increase financial assistance to women, stating, “If they were able to give Rs 2,500, why did they start with Rs 1,000 per month?”

The Jharkhand Reservation in Vacancies of Posts and Services (Amendment) Bill 2022 raised the quota for reservations in government jobs for STs, SCs, EBCs, OBCs, and economically weaker sections (EWS) to 77 percent from the current 60 percent. However, the bill requires inclusion in the ninth schedule of the Constitution before taking effect, and critics have labeled it a “political gimmick.”

Elections for the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly are scheduled for November 13 and 20, with vote counting set for November 23.

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