Congress releases manifesto week before Delhi polls: Promise to Purvanchalis, caste census

For instance, the Pyari Didi Yojna promises a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 for women and apprenticeships for unemployed youth with a stipend of Rs 8,500 – initiatives inspired by similar schemes currently in place in Karnataka.

Additionally, the party has pledged free health coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh, drawing from a scheme introduced in Rajasthan in 2011 when it was in power.

The manifesto includes 14 commitments focused on youth; 15 aimed at supporting women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities; four addressing the needs of the urban poor; and 10 for unorganised sector workers. Notably, the party has vowed to celebrate Chhath Puja on a scale comparable to the Maha Kumbh.

In its 26-page manifesto, Congress has made 219 promises. Here are the top five ‘guarantees’

• Monthly allowance of Rs. 2,500 for women
• Free cooking gas cylinder at Rs 500, free ration kits
• Free health coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh per family
• One-year apprenticeship for youth with Rs 8,500 stipend per month
• Free electricity for up to 300 units for all households

Other promises

For Purvanchalis: Grand celebration of Chhath Puja with a public holiday and liquor ban; dedicated Chhath Puja district near Yamuna; Purvanchal Bhawans and Ministry for Purvanchalis; restoration of Yamuna and removal of encroachments

For Muslims: Remove barriers to Madrasa development and modernisation; convene the Delhi Waqf Board, and ensure timely payments to Imams and muezzins

For LGBTQIA: Horizontal reservations for transgender persons in education and jobs; scholarships and hostels for transgender persons; gender-neutral washrooms and sensitivity training in government departments; review laws to prevent discrimination

For SC/ST/OBC: Caste survey in Delhi; 15% government contracts reserved for SC community; increase in OBC creamy layer income limit to Rs 12 lakh; implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations; free pilgrimage for Dalit community; loans for traditional occupations and startups by SC/ST/OBC community.

Corruption check: Stronger Lokpal Bill within six months, investigation of “Liquor Scam”, “Delhi Jal Board Scam” and other such cases

For working professionals: Public parks, wellness zones, and recreational spaces for professionals and tax incentives for companies providing daycare and flexible work options

For students: Delhi Education Policy to replace NEP 2020; free DTC bus passes for students; private playgrounds to be set up for neighbourhood children

Reintroducing Sheila Dixit’s schemes such as Bhagidari, School Welfare, Patient Welfare Committees

24×7 clean drinking water; end water tanker mafia

Restoration of over 15,000 Civil Defence Volunteers (Home Guards)

Rs. 5,000 pension for senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities, transgender persons, and destitute individuals

33% reservation in new state government jobs for women

4% reservation in state jobs for Persons with Disabilities

Rs. 1.1 lakh ‘Shagun’ for marriage of disadvantaged widows, their daughters, orphan girls, and graduate women from poor families

Permanent jobs for contract workers, including Safai Karamcharis, by 2025

Higher pay for Anganwadi and ASHA workers

Fast-track redevelopment of 27 unplanned industrial areas

Self-defense classes for women

Waive electricity dues for farmers

24-hour dispensaries in every constituency

Introduce smaller buses for inner colonies