Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its much delayed manifesto on Monday, taking up issues ranging from economic revival to protecting cows and Ram temple and promising "immediate and decisive action" to revive the country from the "decade of decay" of the Congress-led UPA government.
Centred around what the BJP called the `Five Ts` – Trade, Tourism, Talent, Technology and Tradition, the manifesto spells out party`s plan to revive economy, generate jobs while keeping price rise and inflation under check.
The vision document also touched upon contentious issues like Ayodhya, Uniform Civil Code and Article 370 but the party chose to tread the safe line on these issues.
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10 key highlights
Team India
Team India concept to strengthen the frame work, especially in relation to the Centre-State relationship. Team India would include chief ministers as equal partners with the Prime Minister.
Team India also includes the plan to ensure that governance is pro-active and pro-people.
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Integrating the Nation
The BJP manifesto promises to hear all voices with `India first` as the motto. Bringing eastern parts on par with the western parts of the country, special emphasis on issues plaguing the Northeast like Assam floods and lack of border infrastructure in Arunachal and Sikkim, return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir valley with dignity, discussions on Article 370 and justice to Seemandhra have been incorporated in the manifesto
Reforming the system
Administrative, judicial, police, electoral reforms to be taken up on a war footing. The manifesto also expressed BJP`s commitment to an effective Lokpal and e-governance.
Bridging the Gap
100 most backward districts would be brought on par with developed districts. PDS system to be revised.
The manifesto also lists out in details measures that the BJP government will take to ensure justice and equality to weaker sections of the society. An ecosystem would be developed to ensure education and entrepreneurship among the SCs/STs/ OBCs and other such sections of the society.
Minority welfare: The manifesto promises equal opportunity in education and jobs without discrimination. National Madrasa modernisation programme would be launched to help students become fit for jobs and employment.
Middle Class, Senior Citizens and Youth
Educational scholarship and medical insurance schemes would be introduced. Middle income housing and effective public transport areas of focus.100 new cities to be developed. Wi-Fi in all public places. Commitment to effective implementation of Right To Education and Food Security Act.
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Youth leaders programme and national youth advisory council to be set up. All new hosing colonies will be mandated to include sports facilities. National sports talent search system to be started.
Financial security for Senior citizens, including tax benefits. Plan to engage them as volunteers.
Enact rights for personal disabilities bill . Higher tax relief for family members looking after disabled.
Commitment to 33% reservation for women. Start all women mobile banks, focus on saving the girl child.
Education and Health Care
Public spending on education to be raised to 6% of GDP. National e-library for schools. UGC to be restructured into higher education commission. Facilitate youth to earn while they learn.
Massive open online courses for vocational training. Skill-mapping; launch national multi-skill mission.
National health assurance mission. AIIMS like institutions in every state, promote ayurveda, yoga. National eHealth Authority to be set up.
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Revival of economy
Will work towards a trusting and conducive tax environment. Tax regime would be rationalized and simplified. Fiscal discipline would be adhered to and programmes like MNREGA would be linked to asset creation.
Encourage FDI in all sectors barring multi-brand retail.
Ensure minimum 50% profit over cost of production for agricultural produce. Agro-food processing centres would be set up. GM foods wont be allowed.
Will help industrial growth by making doing business in India easier. Logistics and power to be key priorities. Single window clearances in Centre as well as states.
Global hubs for manufacturing to be developed.
50 new tourists circuits to be developed.
Physical infrastructure
Every village to be connected with all weather roads. Economic model of port-led development to be introduced, including a new `Sagar Mala` project.
Gas grids, national optical fibre and logistics networks to be developed.
Strategic new rail and agri rail networks be be developed. Diamond quadrilateral project for bullet trains.
Interlinking of rivers based on feasibility, piped water to all households. Comprehensive national energy policy.
Science and Technology: Institute of big data, Institute of technology for rural development to be set up. National maritime university and four dedicated defence universities will also be set up.
Security
Will adopt zero tolerance towards stance towards terrorism, extremism; revive anti-terror mechanism. National plan to address Maoist issue.
Revise and update India`s nuclear doctrine.
Culture
Ram Mandir Explore all possibilities within framework of constitution to facilitate construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya
Work for clean Ganga, protect cow, promote Indian languages. Draft a uniform civil code.
