Congress has announced five guarantees ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

In anticipation of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the Congress Party has unveiled a comprehensive set of guarantees aimed at addressing key issues concerning various segments of society. Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, announced these guarantees which encompass promises to the youth, women, farmers, laborers, and marginalized communities. These guarantees reflect the party’s commitment to social justice, economic empowerment, and inclusive governance.

Youth Justice:

1. First job confirmed: The Congress promises to provide apprenticeships worth Rs 1 lakh per year to every educated youth, ensuring their entry into the workforce.
2. Recruitment Trust: The party pledges to create 30 lakh government jobs, offering opportunities for employment and career advancement.
3. Freedom from paper leaks: Congress vows to enact new laws and policies to prevent paper leaks in examinations, safeguarding the integrity of the education system.
4. Gig-worker protection: To address the needs of gig workers, Congress promises better working conditions and complete social security coverage.
5. Yuva Roshni: A Rs 5,000 crore startup fund will be established to support youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

Women’s Justice:

1. Mahalakshmi: Congress plans to provide Rs 1 lakh annually to women from poor families, empowering them financially.
2. Half the population, full rights: The party commits to implementing 50% reservation for women in new central government jobs, promoting gender equality in the workforce.
3. Honoring Shakti: Congress promises higher salaries for Asha, Mid Day Meal, and Anganwadi workers, accompanied by double government contributions.
4. Adhikar Maitri: An Adhikar-Saheli will be appointed in every Panchayat to provide women with information about legal rights and government schemes.
5. Savitri Bai Phule Hostel: Congress pledges to double the number of hostels for working women, ensuring safe and affordable accommodation.

Farmer Justice:

1. Right Price: Congress guarantees legal protection of Minimum Support Price (MSP) with the implementation of the Swaminathan Formula.
2. Loan Waiver: Permanent Commission will be established to effectively implement the loan waiver scheme for farmers.
3. Direct transfer of insurance payment: Compensation for crop loss will be directly transferred to farmers’ accounts within 30 days.
4. Appropriate import-export policy: Congress will formulate a new import-export policy in consultation with farmers’ representatives to safeguard their interests.
5. GST-free farming: GST will be waived on essential agricultural inputs, reducing the financial burden on farmers.

Labor Justice:

1. Respect for labor: Congress promises a minimum daily wage of Rs 400, applicable to all workers including those under MNREGA.
2. Right to health for all: The party pledges a health cover of Rs 25 lakh, ensuring free treatment, hospitalization, and medical services for all.
3. Urban Employment Guarantee: Congress plans to introduce a new scheme similar to MNREGA, providing employment opportunities in urban areas.
4. Social Security: Life and accident insurance will be provided to unorganized workers, ensuring their financial protection.
5. Secure employment: Congress aims to abolish the contract system and ensure stable employment in major government projects.

Stake Justice:

1. Count: Congress vows to ensure the enumeration of every person and community for achieving social and economic equality.
2. Right to reservation: The party promises to remove the 50% limit on reservation, granting full rights to SC/ST/OBC communities through constitutional amendments.
3. Legal guarantee of SC/ST sub-plan: Congress pledges to allocate budgets based on the SC/ST population, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
4. Legal rights of water, forest, and land: The party commits to resolving lease issues under the Forest Rights Act within one year.
5. Apna Dharti, Apna Raj: Where ST communities are predominant, the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act will be implemented, empowering local self-governance.

The unveiling of these guarantees underscores Congress’s vision for a more equitable and prosperous India. As the nation gears up for the elections, these promises are likely to shape the discourse around key issues and influence voters’ choices.