JDS manifesto 2023: From restoring 4% Muslim quota to Mathrushi Yojane among various schemes announced

Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections, the Janata Dal (Secular) on Thursday released its 9-point manifesto in Bengaluru on Thursday. The manifesto was released by JD(S) legislature party leader H D Kumaraswamy, state president C M Ibrahim, and manifesto committee chief and MLC BM Farooq, among other leaders.

The party promised to restore 4 per cent reservation for Muslims, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had scrapped off recently.

JDS in its manifesto also stated to bring in a law reserving jobs for Kannadigas in the private sector, and has promised to provide free higher education for economically-weaker students.

The manifesto released by JDS also assured to protect and strengthen Nandini brand. This comes following a controversy that had erupted after the Gujarat-based dairy cooperative Amul's announcement recently, to enter the Karnataka market to supply its milk and curd.

The opposition including Congress and JD(S) had alleged that the ruling BJP wants to merge the 49-year-old Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF)'s Nandini with its much elder Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL) so that there could be "One nation, one Amul" in the country. The BJP has emphatically rejected the charge.

For farmers, the party has announced the 'Raita Bandhu' scheme promising to provide Rs 2,000 to agricultural labour families every month. Also, girls who marry youths who are farmers will be given financial assistance of Rs two lakh.

Among the various schemes announced, the party under 'Mathrushi Yojane' assured Rs 6,000 for pregnant women for six months. The regional party also announced loan waiver for 'Stree Shakti' self-help groups, pension for Anganwadi workers, Rs 2,000 per month for auto drivers, Rs 2,000 for registered private security guards, and up to Rs 25 lakh for treatment of rare diseases under CM relief fund.

In the irrigation sector, the party has listed out its plans such as: increase funds for the Upper Bhadra Project from existing Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore and also complete the project in the next four years; it also promised to complete the 'Yettinahole' project in four years.

Reviewing the National Pension Scheme, re-introduction of free bicycles for school children, electric scooters for girls studying in higher education, housing scheme for 30 lakh homeless, encouraging green energy, are among the other takeaways from the manifesto.

For transport employees, the party manifesto assured implementation of Pay Commission recommendations and also offered cashless treatment for the employees.

Kumaraswamy has said that the party will launch a separate manifesto for Bengaluru in the coming days. Aiming to come to power on its own, the JD(S) has set a target of winning 123 out of total 224 Assembly seats.