Haryana Assembly Election 2024: Congress announces guarantees; check full list here
New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday announced 16 promises under seven guarantees, including Rs 2,000 every month for women, gas cylinders at Rs 500 and Rs 6,000 old-age pension, for the Haryana Assembly elections, as the party launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP claiming that it destroyed the state during its ten years in power.
A full-fledged manifesto will follow soon with sources saying it would have more announcements, including memorials for farmers who were martyred during the farmers' protest and jobs to members of their families.
The seven prime guarantees were launched by Congress president Kharge in the presence of General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, Treasurer Ajay Maken, senior leaders Ashok Gehlot and T S Singh Deo, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Congress chief Uday Bhan.
Incidentally, the launch ceremony did not see the presence of Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, prominent leaders from Haryana who are at loggerheads with Hooda.
The guarantees include 'Prosperity for Families', 'Empowerment for Women', 'Secured Future for Youth', 'Strengthening Social Security', 'Rights for Backward Classes', 'Prosperity for Farmers' and Housing for the Poor.
Under the guarantees, the party has promised 300 units of free electricity, free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh, Rs 2,000 every month for women, gas cylinder at Rs 500, recruitment for two lakh vacant posts, drug-free Haryana initiative and Rs 6,000 pension for elderly, disabled and widows.
It has also vowed to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), Caste Survey, increasing creamy layer limit to Rs 10 lakh, provide legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), give immediate crop compensation, and allot 100-yard plots and two-room houses costing Rs 3.5 lakh for the poor.
Check the full list below:
Congress guarantees
Prosperity for families
For this, the party is offering 300 units of free electricity and free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh.
Empowerment for women
For this, the party has promised Rs 2,000 every month and gas cylinders at Rs 500.
Secured Future for Youth
The party promised recruitment for 2 lakh vacant posts and a drug-free Haryana initiative.
Strengthening Social Security
The party promised Rs 6,000 old-age pension, Rs 6,000 handicap pension, Rs 6,000 widow pension and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Rights for Backward Classes
The party promised it would conduct a caste census and increasing creamy layer limit to Rs 10 lakh.
Prosperity for Farmers
The party promised legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and immediate crop compensation.
Housing for the Poor
The party also promised a 100-yard plot and a 2-room house costing Rs 3.5 lakh.
Addressing the media, Kharge said, "We will implement these guarantees and that is why we have named it 'Saat Vaade, Pakke Irade'."
Voting for the 90-member assembly will take place on October 5 while the counting of votes will be done on October 8.
'BJP destroyed Haryana'
"Haryana was a prosperous state but in the last ten years under the BJP rule, they have destroyed it. The drug menace has increased, suicides have increased. It may take some time to bring Haryana back on track. We will do that," Kharge said while announcing the guarantees.
He also attacked the BJP saying the party's move to chane M L Khattar as Chief Minister indicated that his performance was bad. "Would someone change a Chief Minister if he is working properly?," the Congress chief asked.
Asked whether Congress would announce a Chief Ministerial face, Kharge said the party never did that and it is the MLAs who decide after the elections.