Jaipur, January 31: On a day when the ruling Congress in Rajasthan wrested the Ramgarh seat in an assembly bypoll, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot fulfilled another major poll plank. The CMO issued orders for rolling-out unemployment allowance, beginning from March 1. Both men and women are eligible to be beneficiaries under the scheme.

Gehlot said the move is aimed at providing assistance to those who are struggling to find suitable jobs. Each unemployed man, registered with the employment exchange, will be provided a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000, whereas, women would be granted Rs 3,500.┬аModi Govt May Roll-Out 'Universal Basic Income' to Negate Rahul Gandhi's 'Minimum Income Guarantee' Promise.

The announcement comes a couple of days after Congress president Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a farmers' rally in Raipur, said he would implement a minimum income guarantee for all poor if the party gets elected to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Watch Gehlot Announcing Unemployment Allowance From March 1:

Shortly after the Gandhi scion's announcement on Monday, Gehlot had said that he has already started preparations for an income support scheme.

"This is a historic announcement. I have started preparations from today that how this scheme can be implemented, how this should be implemented and what model should be there for the implementation,"┬аthe Rajasthan CM had told reporters.

Gehlot┬аsaid that the governments formed by the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are fulfilling the promises made by Gandhi ahead of the state polls.

"Whatever promises he made during assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, we are fulfilling them, be it farm loan waiver or allowance to unemployed youths. The announcement of minimum income by Gandhi is historic," he said. "Everything is possible if a government has will power," he added.

Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised his party would ensure minimum income guarantee for every poor person if it comes to power at the Centre, echoing the 'Garibi Hatao' ('Remove Poverty') slogan coined by his grandmother Indira Gandhi during the 1971 general elections that she won.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 31, 2019 10:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).