Cong won’t touch welfare schemes, manifesto ready
Wednesday, 23/11/2016
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/cong-won-t-touch-welfare-schemes-manifesto-ready/327046.html
Chandigarh : Tapping all section of society, the Punjab Congress has readied its election manifesto. To be submitted to party president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Dr Manmohan Singh next week, the state election manifesto committee proposes to continue with the populist schemes being run by the Akalis.
The manifesto committee has proposed free education to girls up to doctorate level and 33 per cent reservation in jobs to women. Sources said the party had proposed to bring down power tariff to near Rs 5 per unit and immediate VAT refunds.
Former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who heads the manifesto committee, said after holding several meetings with a cross-section of people and extensive parlays with captains of industry and commerce, the committee had completed its task.
Reservation for SCs and empowerment of women in various forms, procurement of foodgrain and immediate payment to farmers, VAT refund, opening of cooperative stores and affordable canteens, crop insurance and loan waiver policy, regularisation of ad hoc or contractual employees, upgrade of education and health systems, free power and old-age and widow pension are some of the issued that have been prominently dealt with in the manifesto.
Not aware of talks with Sidhu: Capt
Chandigarh: Amid reports of resumed talks with Navjot Singh Sidhu, PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday denied having been invited for any meeting with the crickter-turned politician. Reacting to reports of his meeting with Sidhu in Delhi, he said: "I am not aware of any talks with Navjot Singh Sidhu. I am going to Delhi for screening committee meeting that begins on Wednesday." A top party functionary said: "Once the leader accepts the party's offer discussed with him in a meeting with senior Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad, the top leadership would be involved.
