Home Minister Amit Shah released the BJP manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir on Friday ahead of the assembly elections that are scheduled in September and October. In his address, while releasing the manifesto that the saffron brigade calls ‘Sankalp Patra’, he said that Article 370 is history and will not be implemented ever.
The highlights of the manifesto range from plans related to livelihood such as housing and LPG cylinders to the redevelopment of river fronts and Dal Lake. BJP made 25 promises in its manifesto for the UT, primarily focusing on wiping out terrorism and separatism from Jammu and Kashmir.
Maa Samman Yojana for women
BJP focused on women-led development in Jammu and Kashmir. It promised to Implement ‘Maa Samman Yojana’ to provide Rs 18,000 per year to the senior most woman in every household in Jammu & Kashmir. It also promised to provide assistance through the state government for Women SHGs on the issue of interest on bank loans.
“We have decided that we will bring ‘Ma Samman Yojana’ to give Rs 18,000 to the eldest lady of every family, each year… We will give two free cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme, per year,” Amit Shah said.
Employment opportunities for youth
Catering to the youth, the manifesto mentioned that the government will create 5 lakh employment opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir through Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Rozgar Yojana (PPNDRY).
BJP also said that it will provide Rs 3,000 yearly through DBT as travel allowance to college students under the ‘Pragati Shiksha Yojana’. “Under Pragati Shiksha Yojana, we will provide Rs 3,000 to college students per year, as a travelling allowance”, Amit Shah said.
BJP promised to distribute laptops and reimbursement of coaching fees to the tune of Rs 10,000 for 2 years and travel costs to examination centres for students preparing for competitive exams like JKPSC and UPSC.
Rehabilitation schemes for Kashmiri Pandits
BJP’s manifesto mentioned a rehabilitation scheme for Kashmiri Pandits, “The scheme will be very detailed. We will look for complete rehabilitation. Many Kashmiri Pandits and people from the Sikh community who left when the terrorism was at its peak were forced to sell their properties. We have already started working in this regard – either returning their properties or providing the amount for their properties. We are towards the completion of rehabilitation of 6,000 people,” Amit Shah said about the scheme.
Financial support for peasants
Amit Shah further mentioned that BJP will provide Rs10,000 under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, comprising the existing Rs 6,000 along with an additional Rs4,000.
The manifesto also mentioned reduced electricity tariffs, lowered by up to 50%, for agricultural activities, making it more affordable for farmers to operate irrigation pumps and other machinery.
Job quota for Agniveers
Amit Shah further informed that they will give a 20% quota to Agniveers in J&K government jobs and police recruitment, and will follow the Jammu-Kashmir reservation policy without affecting the general quota.
Roads in rural areas
Amit Shah assured that they are determined to build 10,000 km of new rural roads. He also mentioned to expedite the metro services in Jammu and Srinagar.
Reconstruction of temples and shrines
Amit Shah also said that the BJP will undertake the reconstruction of Hindu temples and shrines under the Rishi Kashyapa Pilgrimage Rejuvenation Drive. “We will restore 100 ruined temples,” he said.
Redevelopment for tourism
In Sankalp Patra, the BJP also promises to develop IT hubs in the Valley along with redevelopment of the Dal Lake to a world-class level and renovation of all the river fronts to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
