Former union minister and senior All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday slammed BJP and its alliance in Meghalaya and said the ethnic, religious, linguistic identities of the state are under threat today.
Addressing a press conference following the release of party’s manifesto for Meghalaya election, Ramesh said, “Because in the name of unity, the BJP and its alliaes propagate uniformity. It is only the congress party who believes not only in unity in diversity, but unity through diversity.”
The Meghalaya Congress in its manifesto for the February 27 Assembly polls has announced several free initiatives including 14 promises focusing on Free Heath Care For All Citizens, Free Education For Every Girl Child, Minimum Support Price For Farmers, Free Roof For Every BPL Household, beside others.
On this occasion, AICC In charge of Meghalaya Shri Manish Chatrath, PCC President Shri Vincent Pala, Manifesto Committee Chairman Dr.Celestine Lyngdoh, Shri J.D Seelam, AICC Observer, Adv. Mathew Antony, AICC Media Coordinator, Smt. Bobbeeta Sharma, AICC Media Coordinator and Shri Sanjay Das, General Secretary, Meghalaya PCC.
Addressing media Ramesh said, in the last five years MDA has proven to be money development alliance.
“In the last five years you had the Government of the MDA, by the MDA and for the MDA, it is the money development alliance,” he said.
He also slammed the MDA partners for contesting election solo saying its a kind of temporary divorce.
“The alliance partners have taken a temporary divorce for the purpose of election and are claiming to be fighting as independent parties, but let nobody be fooled – the NPP, UDP and the BJP are all the part and parcel of the same package,” the AICC leader said.
Talking about corruption, the former Union Minister said, “The first fight the Congress is fighting in this election is the fight against corruption, the extraordinary coal scam , the continuation of inhumane practice of rat hole mining, I was the environment Minister and I am the father of the NGT. I establish the National Green Tribunal in April 2010 and it is extra ordinary as how the orders of the NGT has been flaunted in the state. “
“Even COVID has not been spared, we have had huge corruption in the state,” he maintained.
Stating that this election is for relieving Meghalaya from the virus of corruption, the former union Minister said, “I mentioned to you unemployment, power cuts, the extraordinary spread of the use of drugs among the youth of the state. Meghalaya is a state blessed with extraordinary rich and human resources but in absence of productive jobs, in the absence of infrastructure particularly power, youth will not be able to find avenues.”
He also said, this is the election to fight against the unemployment and the power cuts that has become part of daily life and the growth of a drug culture.
The 14 promises made by the Congress in the election manifesto are:
- YOUR HEALTH IS OUR WEALTH – FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL CITIZENS:
We are committed to providing free health care for all our citizens under our soon to be unveiled Free Health Care Scheme.
- A GIRL CHILD IS A GIFT FROM GOD – FREE EDUCATION FOR EVERY GIRL CHILD:
We are committed to providing free education to every girl child in Meghalaya from Kindergarten to XII standard. This initiative of ours will go a long way in empowering every girl-child to fulfil their dreams, ambitions and aspirations.
- MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE (MSP) FOR OUR FARMERS:
Our farmers are our pride. We will announce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Ginger, Turmeric, Broomstick, Black Pepper and other agricultural products.
- FREE ROOF FOR EVERY BPL HOUSEHOLD:
We will provide every BPL household with quality roofing materials in a phased implementation.
- 500 CRORES CORPUS FUND FOR BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS
6. OUR CHILDREN OUR FUTURE DEDICATED STATE UNIVERSITY FOR MARKET-READY COURSES:
We will establish of a dedicated State University with special focus on job-oriented and market-ready courses such as IOT (Internet of Things), Block Chain Technology, IT and ITES.
- SPECIAL URBAN POLICE FORCE:
We are committed to establishing a Special Urban Police Force which will be modern, people-friendly and equipped to handle city-based crime scenarios using the latest technology and equipment.
- FREE POWER FOR BPL FAMILIES:
We will provide 200 units of free power to each household with consumption expenditure below the poverty line (BPL).
- FREE LPG CYLINDER FOR BPL FAMILIES:
We will provide free LPG cylinder quarterly to each household with consumption expenditure below the poverty line (BPL).
- ONE JOB FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD:
We will create 1 job for every household in Meghalaya through promotion of mass entrepreneurship.
- OUR FOURTH ESTATE IS OUR PRIDE – PENSION FOR JOURNALISTS:
The Fourth Pillar of our democracy has been neglected. We will reverse that trend. Substantial pensionary and other benefits for all accredited journalists, who have attained pensionable-age, will be our core commitment.
- DIGNITY FOR OUR TEACHERS – NO MORE DELAY IN SALARY:
We will restore the dignity of all teachers in Meghalaya. No more delay in salaries. Our teachers don’t have to resort to dharna or protests for their legitimate demands. We respect you and your profession and your justified demands will be fulfilled because we respect the dignity of your profession and acknowledge your selfless service.
- EXCLUSIVE WOMEN’S MARKET:
We shall establish an exclusive market for women where products with “Proudly Made in Meghalaya” tag will be marketed and sold.
- MEGHA-POWER:
We propose to augment the power supply in our state by an additional 500 MW through the adoption of clean and green technologies