Cong vows to right BJP-JD(S) coalition 'wrongs'

Bangalore, May 1 (UNI) Congress in Karnataka today vowed to set right 'dangerous mistakes' committed by previous administration of Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government and announced foodgrains at Rs two a kg and a colour television set to families living Below Poverty Line (BPL) In its election manifesto, released here in presence of the media by Party incharge of Karnataka, Prithviraj Chauhan, the Congress assured a stable administration and development-oriented government, giving the state its pride of place at the national level.

Social justice and equality would be ensured to all in the society and the party would also ensure sufficient food, housing and gainful employment to all, if voted to power.

Giving salient features to newspersons, Manifesto Committee chairman C K Jafar Sharief said loan waiver scheme would be implemented for farmers with five hectare of dry land. This would cover loans availed upto December 31,2007.

Farmers availing loans upto Rs 50,000 would be charged interest at three per cent per annum. A revolving fund of Rs 1,000 crore would be created to safeguard interests of the farmers and a permanent purchase centres established across the state.

Free electricity supply would be ensured to farmers for irrigation pumpsets of ten HP.

The party would ensure issuance of Below Poverty Line cards to the BPL families within 100 days of coming to power and provide them with 25 kg of foodgrains per card by abolishing the present unit system. All foodgrains such as rice, wheat, jowar and ragi would be sold at Rs two per kg. Besides, one colour TV set per house would also be given to BPL families, he said.

To protect the interest of minorities, the Congress would implement the recommendations of the Sachar Committee in true spirit. Under the Tipu Sultan Housing Scheme, one lakh houses would be constructed in five years, he added.

High Court benches at Dharwad and Gulbarga would be set up before November one, 2008. A stipend of Rs 1,200 a month would be given for unemployed youth for two years by linking them with skill training programmes.

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