Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Sunday released a Congress manifesto with various sops,a promise to adopt the principle of zero discretion,zero corruption and zero harassment by the government and a declaration of setting up a manifesto implementation committee. The manifesto borrows largely from the annual budget and takes it forward by assuring extension of existing interest-free loans to farmers,besides creation of a rural development board,a Rajasthan Revenue Service Cadre. Reiterating its promise to provide five per cent reservation to Gurjjars,Raikas,Banjaras,Gadiya Luhars,the manifesto states that the Congress has already got the bill signed by the governor and made a law. For backward areas,the Congress promises one per cent additional concession on stamp duty for registration of land or building in the name of a Scheduled Caste woman,cash of Rs 1 lakh for SC students who make it to the merit list in board exams,electricity,water,and roads on a priority to Dalit colonies,and a free Scooty for meritorious SC/ST,OBC,SBC girls. Other promises include an action plan for timely delivery of justice in courts,Metro rail in Jodhpur,new BPOs and call centres under public-private partnership,effective e-governance,and free computer training to at least one member of every economically weak family. The chief minister already holds regular public interactions at home regularly; the manifesto promises a toll-free call centre at his office for grievance redressal. Another toll-free line will address problems of senior citizens while a directorate will look after pensioners welfare.
