The Congress party has unveiled its comprehensive manifesto ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, outlining a series of ambitious pledges aimed at addressing key issues across various sectors. Among the prominent promises highlighted in the manifesto is the assurance of a national minimum wage set at Rs 400 per day, ensuring economic security for workers.
Additionally, the party vows to create 30 lakh government jobs upon assuming power, while also introducing the ‘Pehli Naukri Pakki’ initiative, offering a stipend of Rs 1 lakh per year to every graduate.
Recognizing the importance of women’s empowerment, the Congress manifesto pledges financial support of Rs 1 lakh per year to women, along with a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers. Furthermore, the party emphasizes the significance of healthcare by proposing a health insurance scheme modeled after Rajasthan, providing coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh.
In a move aimed at media transparency and accountability, the Congress manifesto promises to withdraw the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2023. Moreover, the party aims to make it mandatory for media houses to disclose their ownership structure through their websites, and plans to enact legislation to prevent monopolies in the media sector.
Speaking on the manifesto, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized its significance in the nation’s political history, dubbing it ‘Nyay ka dastavez’ (Document of Justice). He highlighted the five pillars of the manifesto, focusing on justice for youth, farmers, women, laborers, and equitable participation, which encompass 25 guarantees aimed at benefiting all sections of society.
Other notable promises include universal free healthcare and public healthcare coverage, a constitutional amendment to raise reservation to 50%, abolition of contract jobs in public sector units and government jobs, and enhanced pension for senior citizens, widows, and the disabled.
Promising inclusive growth and poverty alleviation, the Congress manifesto aims to lift 23 crore people out of poverty within the next decade, building upon the achievements of the previous UPA government that lifted 24 crore people out of poverty.
Chairman of the Congress Manifesto Committee, P. Chidambaram, reiterated the party’s commitment to transformative policies aimed at uplifting the underprivileged and fostering inclusive development across the nation.
Congress Election Manifesto
- Implementation of universal free healthcare covering diagnosis, surgery, and medication, with cashless insurance up to Rs. 25 lakhs.
- Establishment of a national minimum wage set at Rs. 400 per day by Congress.
- Proposal for a constitutional amendment to elevate reservation to 50%.
- Abolition of contract jobs in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and government positions, ensuring permanency.
- Introduction of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs in private educational institutions.
- Proposal for the enactment of the Rohit Vemula Act to prevent caste-based student harassment.
- Increase of pension for senior citizens, widows, and the disabled to Rs. 1,000.
- Enactment of a policy for 50% reservation for women in central government jobs, effective from 2025.
- Launch of the Mahalakshmi scheme, providing an unconditional cash transfer of Rs. 1 lakh to every impoverished family.
- Commitment to uplift 23 crore people out of poverty in the next decade, building upon the UPA government’s success in lifting 24 crore people out of poverty.
- Assurance of comprehensive poverty alleviation measures under a Congress-led alliance government, as stated by Congress Manifesto Committee Chairman P. Chidambaram.
