BJP promises financial aid for farmers, women in manifesto

An annual assistance of ₹12,000 to married women and ₹10,000 to landless farm labourers, procuring 21 quintals of paddy per acre at ₹3,100 and providing LPG cylinders for ₹500 are some of the key promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its Chhattisgarh manifesto that focussed on big pledges for cultivators, considered a key demographic in the upcoming assembly polls.

- Ritesh Mishra

Releasing the manifesto titled "Modi's Guarantee for Chhattisgarh 2023" during a function in Raipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also promised to fill 100,000 government vacancies within two years; and facilitate a visit to Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It was released just four days ahead of the first phase of elections in the state. "An election manifesto is not just a manifesto for the BJP, but a 'Sankalp Patra' (document of resolution) for us...

Fulfilling our resolution, we (the BJP-led central government) had established Chhattisgarh state (in 2000). Chhattisgarh was transformed into a good state, from being a BIMARU (laggard) state, during 15 years of the BJP rule (2003-2018). Now I assure you on behalf of the BJP that we will work with the aim of making it a developed state in the next five years," he said.

Chhattisgarh is scheduled to vote in two phases - November 7 and 17. The votes will be counted on December 3. The Congress is looking to retain power in the state.

The first major announcement made by Shah was procuring 21 quintals of paddy per acre at ₹3,100. "If BJP is voted to power in the state, 'Krishi Unnati Scheme' will be launched, under which 21 quintal per acre paddy will be procured (from farmers) at ₹3100 per quintal," he said.