Government jobs:
Congress has promised 2.2 million government jobs by next March and 100 more days of assured jobs under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The party pledged to give the highest priority to protecting existing jobs and creating new jobs.
Minimum wage:
The party will introduce the ‘Nyuntam Aay Yojana’ (NYAY) scheme which assures Rs72,000 (Dh3,837) per year for poorest 20 per cent households in India. This will go directly to the accounts of the people.
Vacancies:
The manifesto promises to fill 400,000 vacancies in the federal government, central public sector enterprises, judiciary and Parliament by March 2020. A new Ministry of Industry, Services and Employment will be created in order to underline the link between the growth of the industry and rapid creation of jobs.
Budget for farmers:
The party promised a separate budget for farmers, on the lines of railway budget. The idea is to give proper attention to the requirements of the farmers and to effectively deal with agrarian distress.
Default a civil offence:
Farmers who default on loans would not be sent to jail as it will not be a criminal but civil offence. “We see that the rich and industrialists get away with bank loan defaults, but the farmers go to jail. We have decided that farm loan default, in case they cannot pay back, will no longer be a criminal offence,” party president Rahul Gandhi said.
Health care:
Congress assured to enact the Right to Healthcare Act and guarantee every citizen free diagnostics, outpatient care, free medicines and hospitalisation, through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals.
GST:
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime will be simplified with a single moderate rate of tax, zero rating of exports, and exemption for essential goods and services.
Education:
The party aims to double the allocation for education to 6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2023-24. The education from Class I to Class XII in public schools shall be compulsory and free.
Women’s Reservation Bill:
Congress promised to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies. The party will also reserve 33 per cent of all posts/vacancies in the union government for women.
Accountability:
Congress assured to hold accountable the police and district administration for proven negligence in the case of riots, mob violence and hate crimes. It will strive to end the sense of impunity, stamp out mob violence and lynching, and prevent atrocities against women, minorities and those belonging to lower castes.
Sedition:
The manifesto talks about omitting Section 124A of Indian Penal Code pertaining to sedition. The law has been controversial for its draconian use against the freedom of speech and expression.
Defamation:
The manifesto also promises to do away with Section 499 which makes defamation a criminal offence. Congress said that defamation shall only be a civil offence.
Armed Forces Special Power Act:
The party will amend the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958, to balance it with the rights of the citizens and check on disproportionate use of power.
