The State Congress released its election manifesto here on Friday, going a step ahead of its two principal rivals, the ruling BJD and the BJP, in rolling out its promises.
The Congress promised to build a prosperous and self-reliant Odisha with a transparent and accountableGovernment if it is voted to power.
The manifesto, which was released jointly by PCC president Jayadev Jena and deputy in-charge of the party in Odisha Subhankar Sarkar, promised protection and proper utilisation of the State’s mineral resources. It said the party’ Government would hand over the mines to the State agencies like the OMC for exploration and no second and subsequent lease would be given to anybody else.
The party said it would implement the recommendation of the Justice MB Shah Commission and auction the properties of mine owners to recover the Rs 60,000 crore lost due to the mining scam in the State.
The manifesto said it would hand over the probe into the series of scams, including the mega mining scam and chit fund scam, during the BJD regime to the CBI if voted to power. The duped chit fund investors would be returned their money, it promised.
The manifesto promised to strengthen the lokayukta system in the State to ensure functioning of a transparent and accountable Government.
The manifesto said the party would complete fresh enumeration of the 17-year-old BPl list in the State within a year of coming to power. It announced conversion of each revenue village into a panchayat.
In an obvious bid to woo the farmers, the manifesto committed to implement a ‘Farmer Pension Scheme’ for the nominal farmers, disabled and landless farmers and promised loans to farmers at 1-per cent interest and waiver of loans of up to Rs 25,000. It also promised free electricity to farmers and reconsideration of the MoUs signed by the State Government to provide water to industries.
The party also promised to renovate all defunct medium and minor irrigation projects, besides construction of cold storages in each block.
The Congress promised a bonus of Rs 300 to farmers over and above the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy.
The party also promised an Odia University for development and promotion of the Odia language. Moreover, all Government transactions would be done in Odia if the party is voted to power, the party further promised.
The party also promised to make computer education compulsory. It announced to provide Rs 500 as allowance to Green Card holders.
The party further promised to set up two permanent Benches of the Odisha High Court, one each in western and southern Odisha. It also announced setting up of four medical colleges in the western and southern regions.
While promising more funds for the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), the party too promised to shift the headquarters of the council to western region.
The Congress manifesto promised to provide land pattas to all landless families and announced implementation of a Food Security Act within six months if the party is voted to power.
The manifesto also promised interest-free loan of Rs 1 lakh to educated youths living under BPl and filling up of all vacant posts of teachers in all schools, colleges and universities.
In the interest of the minority community, the party promised to set up a Minority Commission.