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Both the BJP and INDIA bloc manifestos for the Jharkhand Assembly polls have an array of welfare schemes, in almost a battle of one-upmanship, as they attempt to reach out to their core constituencies.
While the former has offered 25 promises as part of its Sankalp patra, the INDIA bloc has underlined seven “guarantees” — replicating its model in Karnataka and Telangana.
The BJP has made a symbolic outreach to tribals in the state in the form of development of Adivasi religious and cultural sites, creating research centres for the preservation of tribal culture and art, and said it would honour tribal heroes like Birsa Munda. The party has also significantly exempted tribals from the Uniform Civil Code, and said it will be “putting a full stop” to the alleged “infiltration” in Jharkhand’s tribal-dominated Santhal Parganas.
The INDIA bloc has relied on the social justice plank, promising 28% reservation for tribals; 12% for Dalits and 27% for OBCs, alongside protection of the interests of the minorities in the state. It also promised a Backward Classes Welfare Ministry in the state.
The BJP manifesto asserted its commitment to keeping SC and ST reservations intact, and providing 27% reservation for the OBCs.
On the lines of payments made to women in many states now, the BJP has promised that Rs 2,100 will be credited to the bank accounts of women every month under the Gogo Didi Yojana. It has also promised an LPG gas cylinder for all families at Rs. 500, and also two free cylinders in a year.
The INDIA bloc has countered it by offering a guarantee of Rs. 2500 for every woman as part of the Maiyya Sammaan guarantee. It has also promised Rs. 7kg ration per person, and LPG gas cylinders for poor families at Rs. 450 per cylinder.
The BJP has promised 2,87,500 government jobs to youth, and said that if voted to power its first Cabinet meeting will guarantee 1.5-lakh recruitments by November 2025. Another promise is to facilitate self-employment for five lakh youth in the next five years. The BJP has also promised a Yuva Sathi employment allowance of Rs. 2500 to all graduate and postgraduate youth for two years to help them build their careers. Additionally, the BJP has promised free education for BEd and nursing courses in government institutions, adding that the government would bear the expenditure for the same in private institutions.
The INDIA bloc has on its part promised “jobs and employment” for 10-lakh youth of the state.
The BJP has promised to increase the MSP on paddy to Rs 3,100 per quintal and promised to provide Rs. 5,000 per acre of land to small and marginal farmers and herders. The INDIA bloc has tried to outdo the BJP on the farmers’ front, promising to increase the MSP on paddy from Rs 2,400 to Rs 3,200 per quintal.
While the BJP manifesto promises free treatment for those above 70 years of age up to an expense of Rs 10 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the INDIA bloc has promised family health insurance of up to Rs 15 lakh.
