On Tuesday Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal released his party Shiromani Akali Dal’s manifesto for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. He calls it a ‘progress-oriented’ manifesto. Main points of the manifesto are :-
- Wifi connectivity and CCTV in all villages of the state.
- 20 lakh jobs for the youth of Punjab.
- Creation of more than 2500 skill centres across the state for youth
- The amount for the Shagun Scheme for the girl child will be raised to Rs 51,000 from the existing Rs 15,000.
- Dr Hargobind Khurana Scholarship for meritorious students will also be raised from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000.
- Free gas connections to all blue card holders, marginal farmers, construction workers and farm labour.
- Farm debts of small farmers with land holdings of up to 2.5 acres shall be waived off
- One-stop shops with daily consumer needs like atta, dal, medicines at lower prices.
- It also promises 100 per cent sewage, water supply, cemented streets and solar lights in all villages.
- Taking even farm labour in the fold of its empathy, 10% calamity relief for them
- Respite to the traders who have a turnover of up to Rs 2 crore – no books, self-certification, lumpsum tax
- Punjab to provide free power to farmers for regular 10 hours during the day
- All 10 toppers in Class 12 have been promised full assistance for overseas studies.
