The Congress party launched its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Friday. The manifesto, highlighting the ‘Panch Nyay’ principle, was unveiled in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and other prominent leaders.

The party’s 2024 manifesto revolves around five core pillars: ‘Yuva Nyay’, ‘Naari Nyay’, ‘Kisaan Nyay’, ‘Shramik Nyay’, and ‘Hissedari Nyay’. In this manifesto, the party pledges a series of commitments, ranging from the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir to the introduction of a new ‘Right to Apprenticeship Act,’ for youth. The abolishment of the Agnipath program and the directive to the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard) to resume normal recruitment in order to achieve full sanctioned strength has also been mentioned in the party’s manifesto.

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Here are the key takeaways from Congress’ manifesto:

Yuva Nyay (Justice for Youth):

  • Guaranteeing a one-year apprenticeship with private or public sector companies for diploma holders or college graduates below the age of 25, along with a stipend of Rs1 lakh per year.
  • Ensuring the restoration, increase, and full funding of pre-matric and higher education scholarships for disadvantaged groups to effectively reduce dropout rates.
  • Pledging to fill nearly 30 lakh vacancies in sanctioned posts at various levels within the central government, with a stipulation that vacancies in panchayats and municipal bodies be filled according to a timetable agreed upon with state governments.

Naari Nyay (Justice for Women):

  • Launching the Mahalakshmi scheme, providing Rs 1 lakh per year to every poor Indian family as an unconditional cash transfer, with identification of recipients among the families at the bottom of the income pyramid.
  • Reserving one-half (50 per cent) of central government jobs for women, effective from 2025.
  • Vigorously enforcing laws aimed at preventing offences against women, including the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
  • Additionally, Congress promises to enforce the principle of ‘Same Work, Same Wages’ to prevent wage discrimination against women.

Kisaan Nyay (Justice for Farmers):

  • Congress pledges to provide a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) announced annually by the government, in line with recommendations from the Swaminathan Commission.
  • It proposes to elevate the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) to a statutory body, aiming to bolster agricultural support systems.
  • Additionally, the party commits to eliminating exploitative tax schemes that impede investment in micro and small companies, including those operating in the agricultural sector.

Shramik Nyay (Justice for Laborers):

  • Congress vows to implement reservations for economically weaker sections (EWS) in both job opportunities and educational institutions, ensuring equitable access without discrimination.
  • The adoption of the Rajasthan Model for cashless insurance, providing coverage up to Rs 25 lakhs for universal healthcare, is a key initiative to support laborers.
  • The grand old party commits to raising the wage under MGNREGA to Rs 400 per day. Additionally, we propose to utilise MGNREGA funds and workers for constructing public assets such as classrooms, libraries, and primary health centres.
  • Furthermore, the party plans to amend election laws to enhance transparency, proposing a combination of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and transparent ballot papers for fairer electoral processes.

Hissedari Nyay (Justice for Equity and Inclusion):

  • The party pledges to conduct a nationwide socio-economic and caste census, aiming to bolster affirmative action measures.
  • Commitment is made to pass a constitutional amendment to lift the 50% cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
  • Additionally, Congress promises to introduce legislation recognising civil unions among LGBTQI+ couples, ensuring their rights and inclusion in society.

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The party also pledges to abolish “Angel tax” and other exploitative tax schemes obstructing investment in new micro, small companies, and innovative startups. In order to prioritise the restoration of voters’ confidence in the electoral process, amendments to election laws are proposed.

Rejecting the ‘one nation one election’ concept, the party commits to holding elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as per their due dates in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of parliamentary democracy.

Furthermore, prompt restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is promised, alongside the commitment to amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to incorporate the tribal areas of Ladakh.

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