Shiromani Akali Dal releases manifesto

Chandigarh, Apr 20 (ANI): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President and Punjab deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday released his party's manifesto for general elections.

The party in its manifesto reiterated its commitment to continue its peaceful and democratic struggle for inclusion of Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas left out of the state back into Punjab and for getting the river water issue settled on the basis of nationally and internationally accepted Riparian Principle.

The SAD also resolved to set up Special Courts to punish those involved in 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The party manifesto also vowed to reduce interest rate of new farm loans to four percent, slash diesel price by Rs. 10 per litre and create a Special Corpus Fund for farmers affected by natural calamities.

The manifesto further said that the government to be formed by the SAD and allies at the Centre would ensure that every poor family gets Rs. 35 kg of wheat every month at just Rs. two per kg.

On the occasion, SAD General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said that residential flats would be constructed for the poor in towns and cities of Punjab at a cost of Rs. 116 crore.

Laying special stress on the need for harnessing the immense potential of youth in the country, the manifesto promised to raise the upper limit for educational loans from the present Rs. four lakh to Rs. 15 lakh. (ANI)