HT Bureau
SHILLONG, Feb 15: The BJP on Wednesday released its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
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The party’s vision document entitled ‘Empower Meghalaya’ released by BJP national chief Jagat Prakash Nadda assured to establish a ‘special task force’ to be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate all cases of corruption in Meghalaya and a task force to check illegal mining in the state.
The party also assured to empower women by providing a 33% reservation for women in all government jobs besides establishing the Phan Nonglait Battalion, the state’s first all-women police battalion and free scooties to all meritorious college-going female students.
Addressing the occasion, Nadda said, “We have decided in our manifesto to implement the 7th Pay commission in Meghalaya and the salaries of the employees will be disbursed in time so that the machinery is well greased and in the best possible manner they are able to work.”
Nadda, released the party’s manifesto (Empower Meghalaya) in the presence of state president Ernest Mawrie, national secretary Rituraj Sinha, candidates — Sanbor Shullai, AL Hek and HM Shangpliang at Taj Vivanta, Shillong.
Interestingly, BJP is part of the present NPP-led coalition government headed by Conrad Sangma.
The BJP also promised Rs 5 meals through canteens, free education to girls till post-graduation, free scooters for female college toppers, a government bond of Rs 50,000 on the birth of a girl child and an all-woman police battalion, if it is voted to power in Meghalaya, which has a matrilineal society.
It also promised financial assistance of Rs 24,000 annually to all dependent widows and single mothers, two free LPG cylinders to all the beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala Yojana and 24×7 power supply.
It also promised to double senior citizens’ pensions to Rs 1,000 per month, urban shelters for unorganised workers, and free rice, wheat and dal to all eligible public distribution system (PDS) beneficiaries.
“We have decided to implement the 7th Pay Commission in Meghalaya, and the salaries of the employees will be disbursed on time so that the machinery is well-greased and they are able to work in the best possible manner,” Nadda said.
At present, Meghalaya government employees and pensioners get the benefit of 5th Pay Commission recommendations.
“If the BJP is voted to power, it will start scientific mining of coal in the state,” he added.
Nadda also promised to resolve the boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya with the help of the Centre.
The BJP is contesting all 60 assembly seats in the state, where polling will be held on February 27 while the votes will be counted on March 2.
Nadda said the BJP wants to empower the youth of the state by establishing a Meghalaya Combined Recruitment Commission to expedite filling of vacancies in different departments.
“We will provide skill training and create 3.5 lakh self-employment opportunities by setting up two new SEZs, one additional IT Park, and develop banking and hospitality industries over the next five years,” he said.
The BJP also promised an investment of Rs 2,500 crore for the development of medical colleges and other health infrastructure in the state.
It promised monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to unemployed graduates for a period of one year to help them prepare for higher education or government jobs and smartphones for meritorious students of class 12.
Urging the people of Meghalaya to give BJP a chance, Nadda said, “We are a party which means delivery.”
The BJP also promised it would increase the annual financial assistance under the PM-Kisan scheme from the current Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 per annum, and provide assistance of Rs 3,000 per annum to all landless farmers.
