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Free power, 5 lakh jobs: Congress promises slew of poll sops in HP
Congress’ election observer for Himachal Bhupesh Baghel said ₹10 crore will be given to each assembly constituency for start-ups
Eyeing the upcoming Himachal Pradesh assembly polls, the opposition Congress on Monday announced freebies for voters.
“If voted to power, the Congress will give 300 units of free electricity, five lakh jobs and ₹1,500 allowance to women, besides restoring the old pension scheme for employees,” said Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, who has been appointed as the Congress’ election observer for Himachal.
He was addressing a conference in Shimla, where he said that the decisions to this effect were made in the Congress working committee meeting held last night.
The Congress leader said that provision of employment to 5 lakh youth will be made in the election manifesto. Vacant posts in all government departments will also be filled, he said, adding that ₹10 crore will be given to each assembly constituency for start-ups. “This will enable the youth to become self employed. This loan will be interest-free,” Baghel said.
All the women in the age group of 18 to 60 years will be given ₹1,500 per month allowance, he added. We will also implement the old pension scheme within 10 days of forming the government, the leader said.
Even if the central government does not return the deposited share of employees under the new pension scheme, the Congress will fight for their right, he added.
‘BJP is protecting five demons’
Baghel alleged that Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government has failed to fulfil any of the promises in its tenure. The BJP had come to power on the promise of fighting ‘five demons’, but was protecting the same by making people reel under inflation, unemployment, and corruption, he said.
“The BJP promised One Rank One Pension to seek votes and now has implemented a scheme with No Rank No Pension. About 5,000 youth in Himachal are waiting for the letter of appointment for recruitment in the army, but the Modi government shattered their dreams by bringing the Agnipath scheme,” he added.
Maintaining that the elections will be contested unitedly, Baghel said in the states where the Congress is in opposition, the party usually does not announce the chief ministerial candidate before the polls.
The chief minister is selected by the elected MLAs, he said, adding that the party high command will make the final decision. Earlier, the Congress convened a general house meeting of the party committee. Deputy CM of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot and leader of opposition in Punjab Pratap Singh Bajwa were present as the party drew a blueprint for the upcoming assembly elections.