Lucknow, Jan 31 (IANS) Massive employment opportunities for the youth, quotas for minorities and free electricity connections to the poor were among the promises the Congress made Tuesday in its election manifesto for Uttar Pradesh released in Lucknow and nine other centres.

One lakh vacant government posts would be filled immediately and 20 lakh youth would be provided skill development if the Congress comes to power, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said while releasing the manifesto.

He was flanked by state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Law Minister Salman Khurshid and the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Innovations Sam Pitroda.

Socially and educationally backward sections of Muslims and other minority communities would be given a sub-quota in government jobs proportionate to their population, the Congress leader said.

He said the issue of division of Uttar Pradesh would be studied by the states reorganisation commission.

The Congress, he said, would aim at “a clean Uttar Pradesh, an Uttar Pradesh clean not only in environment but clean in administration and public life would be the aim of the Congress”.

Some other promises listed in the manifesto:

- Education facility for every family, a school for every village and an intermediate college for every 2,500 families.

- Residential schools for those belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and weaker sections.

- 500 model schools for Scheduled Caste, tribals, OBCs and other under-privileged sections.

- Expanding facilities at primary health centres, upgrading district hospitals and expanding ambulance services.

- Free metered electric connections to those below poverty line (BPL).

The seven-phased elections begin Feb 8 and end March 3. Counting of votes will take place March 6.