The Indian National Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for Lok Sabha Elections 2019. The party's vision document was released by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in the presence of other party leaders include Priyanka Gandhi and P Chidambaram. The highlight focus areas of the manifesto titled 'Hum Nibhaaenge' (We Will Deliver) are unemployment, women's safety, farmers' distress and national security. Congress Manifesto For Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Released by Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh, Vision Document Says 'We Will Deliver'.
The manifesto has been divided into six sections namely - Kaam, Daam, Shaan, Samman, Sushasan and Swabhimaan. While the Congress is highlighting the NYAY scheme (minimum income guarantee of Rs 72,000 per year), the party in its manifesto has also mentioned amendment of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 among other promises.
Watch the Highlights of the Congress Manifesto in the Video Below:
Breakdown of the Congress manifesto
Kaam (Jobs)
The Congress has promised to fill 4 lakh vacancies in Central government departments by March 2020, and employment of 10 lakh youths into gram panchayats.
Daam (Economy)
The Congress had unveiled its Minimum Income Scheme NYAY earlier this month. The party promises to give a minimum income of Rs 72,000 per year to 20 per cent poorest families of India.
Under this part of the vision document, the Congress party has also promised to rejig the Goods and Services Tax and bring GST 2.0 based on a single, moderate, standard rate of tax on all goods and services.
The party has also laid emphasis on a separate Kisan Budget for farmers.
Shaan (National Security, Foreign Policy and more)
The Congress has promised to increase defence sector budget if voted to power in 2019. The party has also said that it will "establish the office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to be the principal adviser to the Government on matters relating to defence."
Samman (Healthcare, Climate, Sports And More)
The Congress has promised that the total government expenditure on healthcare will be doubled to 3 per cent of GDP by the year 2023-24. The party has also promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act that to provide healthcare services including free diagnostics, out-patient care, medicines and hospitalisation to citizens through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals.
Sushasan (Governance, Transparency and Accountability)
The party has laid focus on freedom and safeguarding of institutions including the judiciary and media. The party has also promised an inquiry into the Rafale Deal if voted to power.
Swabhimaan (Women Empowerment, Gender Justice, Backward Classes and Kashmir)
The Congress party has promised to pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to provide for reservation of 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women in the first session of Parliament after 2019 polls. The party has also promised to allow more night shifts for women by reversing laws that prohibit such an arrangement.
As part of its manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress has promised to review the deployment of armed forces in the Valley and move more troops to the border "to stop infiltration completely".Read the full text of Congress manifesto here.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is yet to unveil its manifesto for the General Elections. The Lok Sabha Elections 2019 will take place in April and May. Voting will take place across Indian in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 02, 2019 02:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).