The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Sunday, released its manifesto for the General Election to the 18th Lok Sabha called ‘Sankalp Patra’ (Letter of Resolution). Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintained that in the last 10 years, the BJP had “implemented every point of its manifesto as a guarantee.”
PM Modi said that the focus of the Party’s 2024 manifesto is on dignity of life, quality of lives and jobs through investment and that it empowers the four strong pillars of developed India – youth power, women power, poor and farmers.
The BJP guarantees that if voted to power again, it would implement the very controversial Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to promote “gender equality”. It also pledges to frame tougher laws and use technology to fight corruption.
For Northeast India, Modi guarantees that his government will make further efforts to settle inter-state border disputes and repeal AFSPA in a phased manner.
Key Highlights of the ‘Sankalp Patra’:
– Bringing Uniform Civil Code Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time Bharat adopts a Uniform Civil Code, which protects the rights of all women, and the BJP reiterates its stand to draw a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonising them with the modern times.
– We have taken the historic step of enacting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and will implement it to confer citizenship to all eligible persons
– In contrast with the previous government, we have given transparent and accountable governance to our citizens. We will continue our fight against corruption through strict implementation of laws and use of technology.
– We have set up a High Powered Committee to examine the issues of conducting simultaneous elections and will work towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee.
– We will continue our efforts to address the issues in the disturbed areas and remove AFSPA in a phased manner. We will further work towards resolution of inter-state border disputes amongst Northeastern states through sustained efforts.
– We will work to leverage the Northeast as a strategic gateway for Bharat’s Act East Policy ensuring connectivity, education, health, economic development and security.
– We have enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (criminal code) to ensure security as well as justice delivery for our citizens. We are committed to its effective implementation through training, online certificate courses, new curriculum in universities and law schools, and many additional measures.
– We have enacted the long-awaited Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women Reservation). We will systematically implement this to ensure representation for women in the Parliament and State Legislatures
– We have provided free ration to 80+ crore citizens since 2020. We will continue to provide free ration for the next five years under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
– We have worked on protecting garb ki thali by establishing a price stabilisation fund for vegetables and pulses. We will expand our efforts to protect the garib ki thali by becoming Atmanirbhar in the production of pulses, edible oils and vegetables.
– We have provided quality free health treatment of up to 75 lakh to poor families under Ayushman Bharat. We will continue to provide free health treatment by strengthening Ayushman Bharat and other such initiatives.
– We will focus on the modern road network, enhance rail and metro connectivity with new-age trains and expanded networks, develop comprehensive EV charging stations, construct new airports and advance our telecom infrastructure with affordable 5G and innovative 6G technology, promoting ease of living for middle class families.
– We will expand Bharat’s top-tier startup ecosystem to tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Further, we will transform Bharat into a global centre for high quality services including tourism to generate high value and diverse employment opportunities nationwide.
– We have empowered one crore rural women to become Lakhpati Didis. We will now empower three crore rural women to become Lakhpati Didis.
– We will empower women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with the skills and tools in key service sectors like IT, healthcare, education, retail and tourism with an aim to increase their income.
– We will expand the existing health services focused on the prevention and reduction of Anemia, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer and Osteoporosis, ensuring a healthy life for women. We will launch a focussed initiative to eliminate cervical cancer.
– We have already enacted a strict law to stop misconduct in recruitment exams across the country. We will strictly implement this law to ensure strict punishment to those playing with the future of our youth.
– We have set the example for conducting recruitment exams in a transparent manner and recruited lakhs of youth for government jobs. We will continue to fill the government vacancies in a time bound and transparent manner. We will also extend the central government capacity to states that request support in conducting recruitment examinations.
– We will expand the existing Startup India Seed Fund Scheme and Startup Credit Guarantee Scheme to ensure adequate funds for our start-ups in their entrepreneurial journeys.
– We will expand the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to cover Senior Citizens and provide them access to free and quality healthcare.
– We have ensured unprecedented increase in MSP for major crops, and we will continue to increase MSP from time to time.
– We will ensure a review of National Floor Wages from time to time.
– We will work with platforms for registration of Gig workers on eShram and reach out to such shramik bandhus to help them avail the benefits of various programmes that they are eligible for.
– We will onboard auto, taxi, truck and other drivers on e-Shram portal and ensure 100% coverage of all drivers under insurance and other welfare programmes.
– Within a decade, we have brought Bharat from 11th to 5th largest economic power. This was possible due to right policies, focused execution and meticulous planning. We guarantee that Bharat will be the 3rd largest economic power.
– We have substantially simplified the indirect and direct tax systems through simpler rules, new legislation, and use of technology. We are committed to launch an exercise to completely revamp our economic and commercial legislations to suit our economic needs.
– We will make provisions for a common Electoral Roll for all levels of elections.
