Minority welfare occupies a major part of JD manifesto

The manifesto seeks a clear mandate in the coming elections for the United Front, and incorporates several aspects of the common manifesto released earlier by the Front. The ministry for minorities will deal with issues like the functioning of Wakf boards and the Haj pilgrimage. Centrally-funded Urdu primary schools are to be established in areas where over 25 per cent of the people speak the language.

The party also suggested residential schools for children of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. An SC/ST development authority will be set up for economic development, and the Ganga Kalyan Scheme for irrigation ofSC/ST owned lands is to be extended nationwide.

The Dal also want a constitutional amendment to provide reservation for the economically backward among the forward castes. Separate commissions will be appointed to suggest a reservation policy on jobs and education within the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. The JD said it would block any move to open up the insurance sector to foreign companies, but allow foreign participation in infrastructure development. It also promised a major irrigation programme to look into linking of major rivers.