The AIADMK has promised a rich bounty for the voters for the upcoming Assembly polls. This ranges from free power to mopeds at half rate for women as well maternity assistance and 100 MW free power to all. Party general secretary and State Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa released the much-awaited manifesto of the AIADMK on Thursday during an election rally at Perunthurai.
Taking into account the fact that women voters outnumber men, Jayalalithaa has incorporated many women-centric schemes in the manifesto. But her promise to provide 100 units of free power for all is likely to rattle the rivals.
If the AIADMK is voted back to power, women in Tamil Nadu would be able to buy mopeds at 50 per cent subsidy. Women trained in driving vehicles would be given subsidy to buy auto-rickshaws. Girls from BPl families would be given a sovereign for their marriage. Jayalalithaa also declared women would get maternity assistance of Rs18,000, and maternity leave would be increased to nine months.
The Government would write off all farm loans taken from cooperative banks. Hereafter, people in Tamil Nadu would be issued Amma Banking Cards to avail all Government schemes.
A major proposal in the manifesto is the move to take over the mining and auctioning of granites and beach sand, a topic which generated a lot of controversy due to the scams associated with it.
Students in Classes X and XII would be given free laptops with Internet connection. Education in Government schools would become more attractive as the classes will begin with breakfast under the nutritious meal scheme. The State has one of the best meal schemes in the country. The AIADMK manifesto says the Government would reimburse the education loan availed by students who are yet to get employment.
While the leaders of the Opposition parties termed the manifesto as uninspiring and insipid, farmer leaders welcomed the proposal to write off farming loans availed from cooperative banks. “This is a welcome change from the manifestos of other parties. I am sure the farming community would be satisfied with the proposals,” said RV Giri, president, Consortium of Indian Farmers’ Association (CIFA).
All ration card holders in Tamil Nadu will be issued free mobile phones. The Government will construct 10 lakh houses for the homeless. The AIADMK manifesto was the most eagerly awaited election document as there were reports that Jayalalithaa would pack it with more freebees like ACs and two-wheelers.