BJP promises law against cow slaughter and conversion in Uttarakhand

Dehra Dun, Feb 8 (UNI) The Uttarakhand BJP today promised probe into ''all scams'' during the Congress regime, an anti-conversion law and legislation against cow slaughter in its manifesto for the February 21 Assembly polls in the state.

The manifesto was released here by Uttarakhand-in-charge and party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, chairman of party manifesto committee and MP Maj Gen (Retd) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri and State party chief Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Launching a scathing attack on the ''financial irregularities'' during the Congress regime, the party promised to set up probe into all ''scams'' that took place during the tenure of Narayan Dutt Tiwari government. It also claimed to put controls on ''unnecessary foreign visits'' by state ministers and officials.

Mr Prasad said, if voted to power, his party would bring in legislation against cow slaughter and set up cow protection committees.

A law against ''forcible conversion'' would also be enacted, he added.

''The BJP is not against a person who converts of his own free will,'' he clarified.

The manifesto also promised to set up village-level secretariates for effective administration, providing free hold land to the poor, connecting each village by roads by the year 2012.

It also promised a transparent transfer policy and gratuity benefits to all teachers and special allowances for those posted in the remote areas. Farmers have been promised low interest loans through cooperative committees.

Mr Prasad said the deficit in the financial year 2006-07 increased to Rs 1831 crores from Rs 336 crores in 2002-03. He said, if voted to power, his party would improve the fiscal health by providing effective financial management and better utilisation of resources.

He described the document as an ''inclusive manifesto, covering the welfare of all sections of society''.

Other significant areas that found place in the manifesto included, Information Technology, new employment opportunities, tourism, education, health and inflation. ''A firm policy would be chalked out to bring the inflation under control by bringing in effective Public distribution System and totally flushing out black marketing and illegal storage of food grains,'' Mr Prasad said.

Mr Khanduri said the real challenge lies in bringing the state administration back to its normal course as it ''has collapsed'' and fighting corruption.

UNI