After launching its campaign theme yesterday, the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday released its manifesto for 2019
Lok Sabha elections which will start later this week, on April 11. Titled 'Sankalp Bharat Sashakt Bharat' the
BJP manifesto is what the the party promises to implement if voted back to power.
Listing 75 milestones that India will achieve till 2022, when the nation celebrates 75 years of independence, Home Minister Rajnath Singh listed a slew of announcements ranging from a pension scheme for traders to abrogation of
Article 370.
Here are the key highlights of what the BJP is promising the electorate ahead of the Lok sabha polls:
- Farmers: PM-KISAN will be extended to all farmers in the country. BJP promises to double the income of farmers by 2022. Short-term new agriculture loans up to Rs 1 lakh at a 0% interest rate for 1-5 years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount. It promises to make an investment of Rs 25 lakh crore to improve the productivity of the farm sector. BJP also announced pension for small & marginal farmers on reaching 60 years of age.
- National security: BJP's security doctrine is guided by zero tolerance to terrorism, the manifesto said. BJP promises to provide security forces with a free hand to curb extremism and terrorism. BJP promises to speed up purchase of outstanding defence related equipment and weapons.
- Citizenship Amendment Bill: The party stands committed to the Citizenship Amendment Bill. BJP reiterates its commitment to "protect the linguistic, cultural and social identity of the people of North-East."
- Healthcare: 1.5 lakh health and welfare centre will be opened, along with 75 medical colleges and PG medical colleges. Will target provisioning of telemedicine and diagnostic laboratory facilities at Health and Wellness Centres by 2022.
- Economy: BJP says it is committed to further revise the tax slabs and the tax benefits to ensure more cash and greater purchasing power in the hands of our middle income families. It will aim to improve 'Ease of Doing business' ranking of the country. BJP says it aspires to make India the third largest economy of the world by 2030, adding that it is committed make India a US $5 trillion economy by 2025 and US $10 trillion economy by 2032.
- Welfare of Poor: It will aim to bring down the percentage of families living below the poverty line to a single digit in the next five years. The BJP says it will ensure pucca houses for families either living in kuchha houses or without access to housing by 2022.
- Traders: The party promises to set up a National Traders Commission, which it hopes to be an effective mechanism. A Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi maandhan scheme will cover small shopkeepers.
- Transgenders: BJP says it is committed to bring transgenders to the mainstream through adequate socio-economic and policy initiatives, adding that it will ensure self-employment and skill development avenues for transgender youth.
- Ram Mandir: