Cong: We will raise 50% cap on quotas, make MSP legal

NT Correspondent

New Delhi: Right to apprenticeship, a legal guarantee for MSP, passing a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs, a nationwide caste census and scrapping of Agnipath scheme are among the promises made by the Congress in its Lok Sabha polls manifesto released on Friday.

The manifesto, focusing on five "pillars of justice" and 25 guarantees under them, was released at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

In the 45-page document titled 'Nyay Patra', featuring pictures of Kharge and Rahul and Bharat Jodo Yatras, the opposition party said it would implement 10 per cent quota in jobs, educational institutions for economically weaker sections (EWS) for all castes, communities without discrimination if it comes to power.

Rahul Gandhi said the manifesto represents the voice of the people as it has been prepared taking into account their views and suggestions.

The Congress also promised full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, besides giving special status to Andhra Pradesh, full statehood to Puducherry, and to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 to declare that Lt Governor shall act on the aid and advice of Council of Ministers of NCT, Delhi.

Noting that demonetisation, the Rafale deal, Pegasus spyware and the Electoral Bonds scheme are "cloak for corruption", the Congress said it will probe these "dubious" deals and schemes and bring to law those who made illegal gains through these measures.

It also promised to fill nearly 30 lakh vacancies in sanctioned posts at various levels in the central government and said the Rajasthan model of cashless insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh will be adopted for ensuring universal healthcare across the country.

The Congress will pass a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC if it comes to power in the general elections beginning April 19, the party promised.

The party also said it will conduct a nationwide socio-economic and caste census ensuring equitable distribution among all sections as per their population.

It said it will review all laws that interfere with the right to privacy and make suitable amendments to various laws to uphold the right to privacy.

Rejecting the 'one nation, one election' idea, the Congress promised that elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies be held as and when they are due in accordance with the Constitution and the traditions of a parliamentary democracy.

The Congress said it will review the new education policy brought by the NDA. It guaranteed a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day.

It also promised to enact a law on bail that will incorporate the principle that 'bail is the rule, jail is the exception' in all criminal laws.

It further promised to introduce comprehensive prison reforms. It further promised that in consultation with the Supreme Court and the chief justices of the high courts, it will establish a National Judicial Commission (NJC).

The composition of the NJC will be decided in consultation with the Supreme Court, it said. It said it guarantees a new 'right to apprenticeship act' to provide one-year apprenticeship to every diploma holder or graduate below age of 25, under which apprentices will get Rs one lakh a year.

It also promised to provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh cash transfer to a woman of poor households under the Mahalakshmi scheme.

"We will reserve one-half (50 per cent) of central government jobs for women starting in 2025. We will increase the wage under MGNREGA to Rs 400 per day," the party said.