INDIA bloc promises 10L jobs and Rs 15L health cover for underprivileged

The INDIA bloc unveiled its manifesto for the Jharkhand Assembly elections on Tuesday, pledging 10 lakh jobs for the youth and health insurance coverage of up to Rs 15 lakh for the underprivileged.

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who presented the manifesto alongside Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and RJD's JP Yadav, emphasised the bloc's commitment to social justice.

The manifesto proposes increasing reservations for Scheduled Tribes from 26 per cent to 28 per cent, Scheduled Castes from 10 per cent to 12 per cent, and Other Backward Classes from 14 per cent to 27 per cent.

In response, the BJP criticised the JMM and Congress as "experts in making false promises." Kharge highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tendency to dismiss their guarantees, stating, "Congress fulfils all its guarantees, but Modi's never get fulfilled." Additionally, the INDIA bloc promised to raise the monthly free ration for the poor from 5 kg to 7 kg and offer gas cylinders at Rs 450, contrasting with the BJP's proposal of Rs 500, which includes two free cylinders during festivals.

The other guarantees unveiled include guarantee of domicile policy based on 1932 Khatiyan (land record settlement), implementation of a separate Sarna religious code for tribals and protection and conservation of regional languages.

The INDIA bloc also promised that paddy would be procured at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 3,200 per quintal from the existing Rs 2,400 per quintal, besides enhancing MSP for procurement of forest produce by 50 per cent.