MP Cong promises to establish separate cell to implement
Sachchar panel recommendations for minorities
Bhopal, November 19 (Pervez Bari): In the poll-bound Madhya Pradesh Congress party has promised to establish a separate cell for the effective implementation of Sachchar Committee recommendations for minorities. While those graduating from Madarsas would be employed in government and other schools to teach Urdu and Arabic at the primary level.
This has been stated in the Congress manifesto which was released by the Federal All India Congress Committee, (AICC), Manifesto Committee president and Federal External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherji. The AICC General Secretary and the party's state in-charge V Narayansami and Congress Madhya Pradesh unit president Suresh Pachouri at the party office here on Wednesday. The party's central observers-Gurudas Kamath and K B Krishnamurthy along with actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar were also present on the occasion.
Other sops announced for the welfare of minorities include: providing special financial aid to Madarsas for introducing modern education; for education of girls of minorities to give special encouragement, to ensure implementation of new 15-point programme for minorities within definite time frame; to take firm initiative on the recommendations of "Specialists Group" constituted by the UPA-led Federal Government under "Equal Opportunities Commission"; to start long term programme for education and to create a fear-free environment and ensure safety and honor of citizens of minorities like others.
Meanwhile, the Congress has promised to constitute the legislative council, set up a nuclear power plant, provide free electricity to farmers for agriculture pumps up to five horsepower, provide 35 kg wheat per month to all BPL, (Below Poverty Line), families are among several other sops held out to the people of Madhya Pradesh in its manifesto for the Legislative Assembly elections which is scheduled for November 27.
Interest-free production loan to farmers, setting up District Reorganization Commission, wheat at Rs 2 per kg for poor families and at Re 1 per kg for all Antyodaya families were among the other promises made in the manifesto.
Waiving all pending disputed power bills of farmers, free salt to all poor families, free distribution of sari and dhoti to male and female members of all BPL families, subsidy on kerosene at Rs 2 per liter to all poor families, withdrawal of power theft cases lodged against farmers and unemployment allowance to educated youth have been also mentioned in the manifesto.
The Congress said the students from rural areas will be provided loan at three percent annual interest for higher studies, while long-term loans will be provided to youth from all sections of society on basis of merit.
A new scheme will be introduced for the girl child, who will receive Rs.200,000 on attaining maturity. A new women policy will also come into force for the overall welfare of women. (pervezbari@eth.net)