Congress releases poll manifesto for Telangana

Hyderabad, Apr 12:

today released its election

for

, promising socially-inclusive growth with focus on jobs and social justice and a three-pronged approach for building the new state.

The manifesto, released here this afternoon by Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, looked largely like a replica of the manifestos of rival parties. Congress said it would now work with people to ensure that their aspiration for "self-determination and development through political empowerment" was achieved in a "time-bound and meaningful" manner.

Jairam dubbed the Telangana Congress manifesto as "responsive and responsible"

Jairam dubbed the Telangana Congress manifesto as "responsive and responsible" and said a State Advisory Council, on the lines of the National Advisory Council, comprising experts from the civil society would monitor its implementation.

"We will bring out an annual report on the implementation of our manifesto," he added. "Yeh (Congress manifesto) Diwali ke liye hai. TRS ka diwala (bankruptcy) ke liye hai," the Union Minister said, taking a dig at the promises made by the rival party.

The Congress promised to adopt a policy that is sensitive to the needs of all sections, with special focus on socially and economically backward sections. It promised to promote socially-inclusive growth with focus on jobs, livelihoods, social justice and secure to all people universal access to rights, entitlements and services. For 50 lakh families of farmers in the region, Congress promised to grant a "one-time relief" of Rs 10,000 each and a similar one-time grant of Rs 1 lakh to each of the 4.5 lakh women self-help groups for their livelihoods.

These two promises come in the wake of loan waiver to farmers and SHG women promised by the Telugu Desam and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti. For the state government employees, the party promised to enhance the retirement age to 60 years from the current 58 and for unemployed youth it promised a grant of Rs 10,000 each for skill development training.

PTI