Bhubaneswar: Just before the end of campaigning for the first phase polls, the ruling Biju Janata Dal Tuesday released its manifesto. Farmers and women seem to be the party's bread and butter this elections.
Releasing the party manifesto, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik targeted the BJP. He said we fulfil what we promise, unlike the BJP. As KALIA scheme and Mission Shakti dominate the party manifesto, the party seems to be betting big on the two schemes to woo the two major sections in the society. The party has also made big promises for State's vast unemployed youths, if re-elected.
BJD has promised to set up a KALIA commission, which will review the scheme every three-years. The party reiterated that the scheme will continue in future and farmers will receive Rs 10,000 per year. KALIA scholarship for children of farmers and landless labourers to continue. The party has also promised to provide interest free loans up to Rs 1 lakh for farmers. A whopping amount of Rs 50,000 has been promised for irrigation.
BJD has promised to establish godowns in every panchayat. Every procurement centres to have a state-of-art ware house facilities. The party make an averment to keep on demanding MSP of Rs 2,930/quintal before the Centre. As Odisha is disaster prone, the manifesto promised to give additional relief in price of produces during disasters.
The manifesto promised to ensure Rs 5,000 crore work order for women Self Help Groups (SHGs), so as to ensure a profit of Rs 500 crore. The SHGs can also avail interest free loans up to Rs 5 lakh. SHG women members to be brought under accident insurance schemes. Besides, the govt will set up Mission Shakti market in every panchayat to give a market to the SHG products.
Besides, party has promised free of cost education for girl students, as the party included a slogan of free education for girls from KG class to PG class in the manifesto. Besides, the manifesto has promised to raise the health insurance limit for women from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh under the BKSY. The Party has also made a promise of providing a marriage assistance of Rs 25,000 for marriageable girls in poor families. Moreover, houses or land provided under government schemes would be registered in the names of female members of a household.
In what could be called a controversial move, the BJD manifesto has promised to ensure a high of 75 per cent reservations of jobs in industries for the local youths. The party also promised to sanction Rs 10 lakh assistance to 10,000 youths for setting up start-ups. BJD manifesto has also promised to give interest free edu loans for all.