Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday released the Congress party’s manifesto titled ‘Jan Ghoshna Patra’ at the state party office in Jaipur for the upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections, promising to conduct a caste census and interest-free loans up to Rs 2 lakh if the party secures victory.

The Congress party, aiming to address economic disparities, also promised to create 10 lakh jobs and initiate recruitment at the panchayat level.

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Gehlot highlighted the party’s dedication to implementing the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations on Minimum Support Price (MSP), and underlined the need for a special law for its enforcement.

On public health, the manifesto proposes doubling the annual benefit for Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme beneficiaries from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. Additionally, small traders, shopkeepers, and young entrepreneurs stand to benefit from interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh.

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Gehlot, acknowledging the input from the public in shaping the manifesto, stated, “The manifesto is shaped by the valuable suggestions received from the people. We have successfully fulfilled 96% of our promises from 2018.”

Gehlot also highlighted Rajasthan’s economic achievements, asserting, “In North India, Rajasthan is number one in the rate of economic development. The economy in Rajasthan will be Rs 15 lakh crore by the year-end, with a target to hit Rs 30 lakh crore by 2030.”

Here are the key promises mentioned in the Congress party’s Rajasthan election manifesto:

  1. An annual honorarium of Rs 10,000 for the woman head of the family.
  2. LPG cylinders at Rs 500 for 1.04 crore families.
  3. Purchase of dung from cattle rearers at Rs 2 per kg.
  4. Enhancement of the Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
  5. Introduction of legislation reinstating the old pension scheme for government employees.
  6. Distribution of free laptops/tablets to students enrolling in government colleges.
  7. Insurance cover up to Rs 15 lakh per family to offset losses caused by natural calamities.

The manifesto was released by Gehlot in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot. Polling in Rajasthan is due on November 25 and the results are scheduled to be declared on December 3. The Congress is hoping to end the state’s tradition of and return to power for a second consecutive term. In the past three decades, no incumbent government has returned to power in the state.