Congress promises 300 units free power in Delhi poll manifesto

The Congress promised unemployment allowance of ₹5,000-7,500 per month and 300 units free power in its Delhi election manifesto which was released on Sunday (February 2). Besides, it also promised cashback schemes for water and power consumers, if voted to power.

The manifesto was released in the presence of Congress Delhi unit president Subhash Chopra and party leaders Ajay Maken, Anand Sharma and Rajiv Gowda. It also said it would spend 25 per cent budget each year on fighting pollution and improving transport facilities.

An unemployment allowance of Rs 5,000 for graduates and ₹7,500 for post graduates per month will be provided under the Yuva Swabhiman Yojna, Chopra said. Elections in Delhi will be held on February 8 and the votes will be counted on February 11.

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The Congress will launch flagship cashback schemes for power and water supply to benefit consumers saving these resources. The party, if voted to power, will open 100 Indira Canteens to provide subsidised meals at ₹15, Chopra said.

The manifesto said the party will challenge the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the Supreme Court and demand the Centre to withdraw the law. The party will also not implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the existing form of the National Population Register (NPR), if voted to power in Delhi.

“We will get a strong Lokpal in the first six months,” Chopra said. If voted to power, Congress will launch Sheila Pension Yojna under which Rs 5,000 per month will be provided to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and transgender. The manifesto also promised opening of a ‘Yaari Startup Incubation Fund’ of ₹5,000 crore to incentivise entrepreneurs.

A major focus area of the manifesto is pollution mitigation and boosting public transport.
“We will now make Delhi India’s first electric vehicle city via DEVI-Delhi Electric Vehicles Initiative,” stated the manifesto, promising procurement of 15,000 electric buses.

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It also stated fares of the Delhi Metro will be subsidised for women, students, and senior citizens. For students, a subsidy of ₹300 per month will be given through direct benefit transfer. The manifesto also cited a scheme proposed by party leader Rahul Gandhi in the last Lok Sabha election, promising ₹72,000 per year to five lakh families.

For women empowerment and safety, the manifesto promised to revive ‘Ladli’ scheme, free education to girls up to PhD and free health check-up for women.

Another area of focus in the manifesto is urban renewal and infrastructure promising a 350-sq ft flat for residents of JJ clusters, renewal of TransYamuna Development Board and creation of a Resettlement Colonies Development Board and Shahjahanabad Development Board. These boards will be provided ₹1,000 crore annually for smooth functioning, it added.

(With inputs from agencies)