CPI manifesto promises to improve basic infrastructure

Shimla, Dec 4 (UNI) The CPI today became the first party in Himachal Pradesh to release its manifesto, which promises to establish agro- based small sector industries and improving basic infrastructure in the state.

Addressing mediapersons here, party's Rajya Sabha member Aziz Pasha said it was seeking votes for establishing agro-based small sector industries, improving basic infrastructure, give a boost to tourism, reserving 80 per cent jobs for locals, besides increasing subsidies to farmers and horticulturists.

He said the party has also promised to allot a minimum of five bighas of land to all the landless families, providing forest rights, increasing daily wages to Rs 150 with an assured employment of Rs 250 days per year and drafting a viable transfer policy.

Besides, it also promises integrated development of the state with eco-friendly small hydropower projects, Mr Pasha said.

He said the party was contesting eight seats in alliance with the CPM and would support secular candidates in all the remaining constituencies in the state where Left parties candidates were not in fray.

''The party will expose both the BJP and the Congress on the development issues and would appeal to people of the state for giving mandate to ''aam aadmi'' government then ''Sensex centric'' government,'' he said.

The CPI MP said an amendment in the constitution was necessary for making the manifesto a legal document instead of releasing it as a ritual before the elections, he said.

Mr Pasha said it had fielded Mr Aman Guleria from Kangra, Mr Deepat Raj from Hamirpur, Mr Joginder Singh from Chintpurni, Mr Shyam Lal from Bilaspur, Mr Ajeet Chauhan from Kotkehloor, Mr Raj Kumar from Karsog, Mr Deep Chand from Arki and Mr Kamlesh Kumari from Kasauli segment.

The party also decided to support an Akshay Jasrotia, an independent candidate in Baijnath constituency of Kangra district of the state, he added.

UNI