Haryana polls: Congress announces 7 guarantees, promises restoration of OPS, caste survey

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday announced seven guarantees for the Haryana Assembly polls which will be part of its election manifesto, promising restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, two lakh jobs, caste survey, 300 units of free power and free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh.

Making the announcement about the guarantees, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said here that guarantees pertain to women, social security, youth, the poor and the farmers. Senior party leaders, including general secretary K C Venugopal, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan were among those present on the occasion.

Kharge said the party has ‘seven vade, pakke irade’. The Congress has promised Rs 2,000 per month to women above the age of 18 as well as the availability of gas cylinders at Rs 500. As part of steps to strengthen social security, Kharge said old age pension, disability pension and widow pension will be Rs 6,000. Even as the Centre has announced the Unified Pension Scheme as an option to the New Pension Scheme, the Congress has promised restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.For the youth, the party has promised 2 lakh confirmed jobs and a drug-free Haryana.

#WATCH | Delhi | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, “We are announcing 7 guarantees that we will fulfil once we form government in Haryana… We have divided our 7 promises into 7 sections. Women will be given Rs 2000 every month. We will give Rs 500 every month for gas… pic.twitter.com/GuJUvlqKqC

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024

Under the promise of “happiness to every family”, the Congress has promised 300 units of free electricity and free treatment of up to Rs 25 lakh. Farmers have been promised legal guarantee of a minimum support price and immediate compensation for crop loss. The party talked of ‘Rs 10 gaz plot’ for the poor and a two-room flat at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh. Talking of the rights of backwards, the party has promised caste survey and increasing limit of creamy layer to Rs 10 lakh.

Kharge expressed confidence that Congress will win Haryana polls slated for October 5. “Haryana was a prosperous state; it was considered number one in India, but the BJP ruined it. People are going to elect the Congress party. Our promise is that as soon as we come to power, we will fulfil our seven promises”, Kharge said.

Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said that the party is determined to make Haryana number one state again. “When there was a Congress government in Haryana, it was number one in sports, agriculture, infrastructure, and per capita investment. Congress is determined to make Haryana number 1 again,” Bhan said.

Voting for the 90-member legislative Assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8 along with that in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)