The Shiromani Akali Dal today released its election manifesto promising free laptops with data cards for class 12 students in government schools and 10 lakh jobs for youths while demanding more financial powers for the state from the Centre. The ruling party in Punjab also promised free education to all girl students up to graduation-level and government jobs to all sportspersons winning medals at the international level. The election manifesto,"Development for All",for the January 30 Punjab assembly election was released here by SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Pledging zero tolerance towards corruption,the party said it would ensure a strong,independent and autonomous Lokayukta in the event of its coming back to power in the state. The manifesto said boys from blue card holder families would be given free education up to class 12 and promised free bi-cycles for girl students of classes 9 and 10. To encourage couples to have a girl child,the party said Rs 5,000 would be given to parents on the birth of a girl and a Rs 15,000 fixed deposit receipt each when she goes to class 5 and 10. The manifesto demanded more political and financial powers for the state from the Central government In collabration with regional parties,the SAD would strive to achieve this objective,Badal said. The manifesto promised to make the state power surplus by 2013.
