SP manifesto promises interest-free loans to ryots

Bhopal, Nov 20 (UNI) The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party today promised that after coming to power in Madhya Pradesh it would take the state into the category of developed ones besides providing free food-grain to the poor, allowances to the educated unemployed and interest-free loans to farmers.

The SP manifesto was issued here by state spokesman Bhanu Singh Parihar who said, ''social security pensions will be doubled and security of the common man in general and minorities in particular will be ensured.'' The party has fielded candidates in 186 of 230 constituencies and that is 15 higher than the figure in 2003 when the SP won seven seats.

Other highlights of the manifesto: -- an uniform education policy -- checking commercialisation of education -- free education for girls and poor students -- free treatment for the rural poor -- waiver of debts and pending power bills of small farmers -- free power for irrigation for small and marginal peasants -- installment facility for ryots to repay electricity bills -- adding 50,000 km annually to a road network upto village level -- enhancing power generation -- pucca homes for slum-dwellers -- improving the law and order situation -- a special police squad to tackle terrorism, communal incidents and naxalism -- group insurance for government employees -- filling up of vacant posts -- development of industrial infrastructure -- setting up of industry -- monthly pension of Rs 1,000 each for handicapped, poor, aged, widows UNI SHD-AC 2044