From cycles to 24-hr power,its raining promises in Haryana

Parties in Haryana are going all out to promise voters the moon ahead of polls. The Indian National Lok Dal INLD led by former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala...

Parties in Haryana are going all out to promise voters the moon ahead of polls. The Indian National Lok Dal INLD led by former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala was first off the block with its manifesto released over a month ago. The ruling Congress took its time but came out with a mammoth 34-page document. The Haryana Janhit Party HJC,led by Kuldeep Bishnoi,son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal,too considers itself a contender for power and came out with promises galore. The BJP,which has decided to go alone in the Assembly elections,has modelled its manifesto on the policies of the party. If the Congress has promised bicycles to all girls to enable them to go to school,the INLD has something better for them a scooter for each student after she completes Class XII. The promises held out by the four major parties on four major sectors :

Electricity

For the state which remains chronically short of electricity with up to 20 hours of power cuts daily,this is the most important issue. Rural areas are among the worst hit during the seasons when power is required the most. Trade and industry continues to suffer almost throughout the year while even the domestic consumers rarely come across any day when there is no power cut down. The Congress has promised to make the state power surplus by 2012-2013. The INLD,meanwhile,has promised 24 hours electricity for all and assured 5,000 MW of additional power within five years. The BJPs promise includes 24-hour power supply and nuclear-based projects to overcome shortage. The HJC shall give 20 hours of electricity supply within one year of forming the government.

Agriculture

All the major parties have kept special provisions for agriculture with Haryana being an agrarian state. The Congress has promised further subsidies on farm equipment and an increase in the agriculture production rate from 2 to 4 per cent. The INLD has promised a subsidy of 50 per cent of farm equipment and Minimum Support Price for wheat at a whopping Rs 1,400 per quintal while that of sugarcane at Rs 250 per quintal. The BJP has assured periodic inspection of land under agriculture to guide the farmers and a compensation of Rs 15,000 per acre in case of any natural disaster. The HJC has declared that it would write off the abhiyana tax and give a subsidy of 75 per cent on farm equipment. Also every farmer would be able to get a loan of Rs 3 lakh for two years without interest.

Education

The Congress manifesto mentions a series of steps to be taken to improve the standard of education in the state. Vacancies for all the teachers would be filled,all primary schools with a student strength of 250,would be upgraded to middle level,all schools shall have libraries and steps would be taken to promote yoga as well as computers in the schools. The BJP manifesto says yoga and moral education would be given priority. The INLD has promised a university or regional centre in each of the districts. The HJC has,however,restrained its promise to open only one university in southern Haryana but has promised a high school to every village with a population of 2,000 and above.

Irrigation

ALL the major parties have made special efforts to woo the rural voters with promises on better irrigation facilities. The Congress has reaffirmed in its manifesto that it would continue to work for the completion of the contentious Satluj-Yamuna Link SYL canal which has led to much tension between Punjab and Haryana. The Congress says it would pursue the matter in the courts and tribunals. It has also promised to take steps to get the stay vacated on linking Hansi Butana link canal with the Bhakra canal. The INLD,has promised completion of SYL,100 per cent subsidy for drip irrigation system and steps to contain the falling water table. The BJP has assured water through the SYL canal. It has further promised new water tanks,water treatment plants and subsidy on boring of wells. The HJC has assured water for irrigation to all areas.