Thaindian News

Mumbai, Oct 2 (IANS) Making Mumbai an international financial capital in five years, self-sufficiency in power and constructing one million subsidized homes for the poor are some of the promises in the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) joint election manifesto released here Friday evening.
The two parties, hoping for a hat-trick in the Oct 13 elections, also plan to relieve the state from the menace of load-shedding by 2012.

The other highlights of the joint menifesto include a Rs.600 per month pension for destitute senior citizens and free education for boys up to Class 12 and girls till graduation.

For the families falling below poverty line (BPL), the two parties would provide special health cards to enable them to avail of medical benefits. Major heart and kidney surgeries would be performed free of cost for them, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said.

BPL families would be given rice, wheat and jowar at Rs.3 per kg for up to 25 kg per month.

The Congress-NCP also plan to arrange for farmers loans of up to Rs.300,000 at a nominal three percent interest.

The two parties would also target raising the per capita income of the state to Rs.100,000 if they are voted to power for the third time.

Besides these, a corporation would be set up to develop the Chaityabhoomi at Dadar, which is the monument to the Father of Indian Constitution, B. R. Ambedkar.

The two parties have also promised to make a fixed deposit of Rs.125,000 for every female child born in the state that would be utilised for her education and other requirements after she becomes a major.

There are other promises made for various other sections of society, including tribals, women and children, and for improving the law and order in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Chavan made light of the joint manifesto released last week by the opposition Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance for making tall promises.

“Their manifesto can never be implemented since they will not come to power. Probably that’s why they have made such big claims and assurances,” Chavan remarked amidst laughter.

Present on the occasion were top leaders of the Congress and NCP, including Chavan and Chhagan Bhujbal.