Congress releases manifesto: Promises transparent, accountable government

Hyderabad: The Congress party has promised a transparent, accountable, people-centric and welfare government if voted to power in next elections.

The promise was made in the party's manifesto for Assembly elections to be held on December 7 which was released at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, AICC Telangana Incharge R.C. Khuntia, former union minister Jairam Ramesh, TPCC Chief Spokesperson Dr. Sravan Dasoju, Hyderabad DCC President M. Anjan Kumar Yadav and other leaders.

Titled "People's Manifesto - Samula Marpu Kosam, Samgrah Pranalika" (People's Manifesto for Change), the 112-page manifesto covers 36 major topics pertaining to governance, agriculture, welfare of various communities and sections, industries, welfare of police personnel and also environment.

Explaining the highlights of manifesto, Sravan said that the next government would ensure that the Chief Minister and all ministers would run the administration only from the Secretariat and they will be always be accessible to people. RTI Act will be fully implemented. Lok Ayukta will be established and Chief Minister, all ministers and other officials will be brought under its purview. A 'People's Grievances Cell', headed by a senior IAS officer, will be established in the Chief Minister's Office.

Sravan informed that the manifesto has also promised justice for the families of Telangana martyrs and all those who participated in the Telangana movement of 1969 and post-2009. The Congress party has also promised crop loan waiver of Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 5,000 crore Market Intervention Fund besides announcing Minimum Guaranteed Prices for 17 major crops.

Sravan said 20% of State's budget will be allocated for education and this would be a major game changer. Mission 100% Literacy will be pursued. The manifesto also promises a NIMS-level Super Speciality Hospital and medical college in all districts and a100-bedded hospital will be constructed in each Assembly segment.

The manifesto covered various issues pertaining to Youth Welfare, Health, Education, Farmers, Women, Housing, Dalits, Girijans/Adivasis, BCs, Minorities, Employees, EBCs, Lawyers, Journalists, Gulf Migrant Workers, Physically Handicapped, Transgenders, Senior Citizens, Irrigation, Industry, Labour, Singareni Workers, Panchayat Raj, Urban Development, Road/Rail Network, Liquor Policy, Religious Affairs, Folk Artists/Cultural Affairs and Tourism.

"It is very rare that a political party has produced such a comprehensive and well written document covering all issues. If required, we will come up with a supplementary manifesto to cover points which are missed out," said Uttam Kumar Reddy while complimenting Damodar Rajanarasimha, Komatireddy Reddy, Mahesh Goud, Dasoju Sravan and other leaders who compiled the manifesto based on interaction and feedback from all sections of the society.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the next government would fully implement the manifesto and would come up with an annual report on its implementation. "We will be forming the government on December 12, 2018 and on the same day in 2019 we will come up with an implementation report," he announced. He also promised that a Citizen's Committee would be formed in all districts to conduct social audit and review of implementation of manifesto.

"Unlike TRS, which was not serious in honouring its promises, we are committed. We will implement each and every thing which we are promising with the people," he said.

R.C. Khuntia described it as a people's real manifesto that promises welfare of all segments in the society. He said allocation of 20% of budget for education would help a developing State like Telangana in improving the literacy rate. He said the manifesto speaks about civil rights and committed to bring everyone, including the Chief Minister, under the purview of Lok Ayukta.

Following are the major points in the manifesto are as follow:

1. Good Governance

• Chief Minister and all ministers will run the administration only from the Secretariat and they will be always be accessible to people.
• RTI Act will be fully implemented. Common people will have total access to all the GOs issued by the government on a real time basis.
• Lok Ayukta will be established and Chief Minister, all ministers and other officials will be brought under its purview.
• A 'People's Grievances Cell', headed by a senior IAS officer, will be established in the Chief Minister's Office.
• Freedom of Press will be ensured and fully protected
• By strengthening Human Rights Commission, an administration that abides by the Constitution will be guaranteed.
• The song 'Jaye Jaye Ho Telangana' written by poet Andesri will be made the official song of Telangana State.

2. Martyrs of Telangana

• Telangana Martyrs Memorials will be constructed in all District Headquarters.
• Activists of Telangana movement of 1969, 2009 will be identified and rewarded.
• For the families of Telangana martyrs of post-2009 agitation, Rs. 10 lakh assistance will be given by District-Incharge Minister with full respect by visiting their house. Those families will also be given pension, Health Card, free Bus Pass and Double Bed Room house.
• Measures will be taken to withdraw all cases registered during statehood movement.
• Youth who participated in the Telangana movement will be given 50% works in all government contracts.

3. Farmers

• Crop loans up to Rs. 2 Lakh will be waived off in a single take.
• Interest burden on Long Term loans availed by farmers from cooperative sector will be borne by the State Government.
• Market Intervention Fund of Rs. 5,000 Crore will be set up
• Crop Investment support for farmers will be enhanced from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 per acre under 'Rythulu, KauluRythulu and Rythu Coolie Pathakam'.
• Minimum Guaranteed Prices will be given for 17 major crops

S.No.	CROP	Minimum Guaranteed Price if Congress wins elections
1	Paddy (Grade A)	2,000/Quintal
2	Paddy (Common)	2,000/Quintal
3	Cotton (Medium Staple)	6,000/Quintal
4	Cotton (Long Staple)	6,000/Quintal
5	Maize	2,000/Quintal
6	Soyabean	3,500/Quintal
7	Tur (Arhar)	7,000/Quintal
8	Moong	7,000/Quintal
9	Black gram	7,000/Quintal
10	Sugarcane	5000/Quintal
11	Sunflower Seed	5000/Quintal
12	Bajra	2,000/Quintal
13	Jowar (Hybrid)	2,000/Quintal
14	Jowar (Maldandi)	2,000/Quintal
15	Chilli	10,000/Quintal
16	Turmeric	10,000/Quintal
17	Lal Jowar	3,000/Quintal

• A separate Agriculture Budget, which was first introduced by the previous Congress regime under erstwhile AP, will be resumed.
• Agriculture Department will be converted into Department for Farmers' Welfare.
• Ex-gratia will be given to the families of farmers who committed suicide after formation of Telangana.
• Service charges imposed on agriculture pumpsets by TRS Govt will be completely removed

4. Youth Welfare/Unemployment

• Unemployment Allowances of Rs. 3,000 per month will be given to jobless youth.
• A Mega DSC, as per old system, will be held to recruit 20,000 Teachers.
• Just like UPSC and SSC, calendar will be released giving entire schedule of recruitments to be made by the State Government in Group-1, Group-2, Group-3, Departmental and other posts.
• DSCs will be held on a regular basis. Degree percentage will be given weightage or B.Ed, D.Ed and TET qualified candidates will be given an opportunity to appear for DSC.
• Justice will be done with B.Ed candidates who qualified in DSC held in 1996, 1998 and 2008.

5. Education

• 20% of State's budget will be allocated for education.
• Mission 100% Literacy will be pursued.
• Fee Reimbursement Scheme will be extended to all eligible students. It will be paid every year in two instalments.
• Corporate Education Sector will be regulated by forming a Vigilance Committee comprising of officials from the Education Department, parents, retired judges and police officials.
• All public and private schools will have infrastructure like chairs, tables, books, computer lab, library, laboratory, internet, bathrooms, compound wall, drinking water, toilets and playgrounds.

6. Health

• Under Aarogyasri, free treatment up to Rs 5 Lakh will be provided for all diseases.
• A 20-30 bedded hospital will be constructed in each mandal.
• In each district, a NIMS-level Super Speciality Hospital and medical college will be established.
• A 100-bedded hospital will be constructed in each Assembly segment.
• A new building for Osmania Hospital will be constructed on 12 acres of adjacent land. The old building of Nizam's Era will be preserved.
• Aarogyasri Scheme will be reviewed and it will be made more useful for the poor and deserving persons.

7. Housing

• All eligible families will be given Rs. 5 Lakh assistance for construction of a house on their own land.
• For SC, ST families, Rs. 6 Lakh will be given for the construction of their own house.
• Dues of Indiramma Housing Scheme will be cleared immediately.
• Rs. 2 Lakh assistance will be given for construction of another room or other facilities to the beneficiaries of the Indiramma Housing Scheme.
• Cement will be provided on subsidised cost for construction of houses for the poor and middle class under the Indiramma Cement Supply Scheme.

8. Dalits

• Will approach the Centre to expedite the process of categorisation of SCs.
• Three Special Corporations under the SC Welfare Department will be constituted. One will be for Madigas, one for Malas and another will be for other SC communities.
• Mechanism will be set in place for the proper implementation of SC-ST Sub-Plan.
• SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act will be strictly implemented.
• SC and ST families will be provided free power up to 200 units.

9. Adivasis/Girijans

• Under ST Welfare Department, three corporations will be set up with one for
• Koya Gond, another for Lambadas and one more for other ST communities.
• Required administrative set up will be put in place for effective implementation of SC, ST Sub-Plan.
• STs will be given reservation quota in proportionate to their population in the State.
• Centre will be pressurised to declare SammakkaSarakkaJatra as National Adivasi Jatra. Teej/Sitla festivals will be recognised as State festivals.

10. Minorities Welfare

• Sub-Plan for Minorities to allocate and budget in proportionate to population.
• Establishment of three finance corporations for Muslims, Christians, Linguistic & Other Minorities
• Judicial powers will be given to Wakf Board
• Urdu will be strictly implemented as a second official language. All GOs will also be issued in Urdu.
• Minority community youth, both skilled and un-skilled, will be provided loans up to Rs. 5 lakhs with 80% subsidy.

11. Welfare of Workers/Employees

• The principle of 'Equal Pay for Equal Work', as per the orders of the Supreme Court will be implemented.
• RTC will be merged into the State Government. RTC employees will be given pay scales on par with government staff. The parents of RTC employees will be extended benefits like pension and free treatment under Aarogyasri.
• Automobile and Mechanical labourers will be recognised as unorganised industry and Minimum Wages will be ensured.
• Rights of workers employed in commercial institutions, corporate houses, shops, and online marketing will be protected as per Labour Laws.
• Manual scavenging will be completely stopped. SafaiKaramchari (cleaning staff) will be given 10% quota in housing schemes.

12. Welfare of Backward Classes

• Three Separate BC Welfare Departments will be set up to provide an equal share in the development of all BC classes
• Measures will be taken to introduce a Sub-Plan for Backward Classes with a proper budget.
• Resolution will be passed in the state Assembly to force Centre for withdrawal of OBC from the creamy layer
• All the 26 castes removed from the list of backward classes by the TRS government will be restored in the B.C. list on priority after the Congress government is formed
• Reservations in the distribution of seats in local bodies' elections under A, B, C, D and E categories will be followed and steps will be taken to ensure reservations are increased for the Backward Classes in proportion to their population

13. Economically Backward Classes (EBC)

• Exclusive E.B.C. Welfare department will be established.
• People among the Reddy, Kamma, Vaishya, Brahmin, Velma castes would be brought in the above department and separate corporations will be established for each caste.
• All eligible students would get scholarships and fee reimbursement will also be provided.
• E.B.C. students will be given Rs. 25 lakhs scholarships for overseas studies.

14. Women Welfare

• Financial Assistance of Rs. 1,50,116 will be given for the marriage of poor girls.
• All BPL families will be provided 6 LPG cylinders free every years.
• All Women SHGs will be given a grant of Rs. 1 lakh each.
• Abhay Hastham scheme will be revived and the pension amount will be increased from Rs 500 to Rs.1,000.
• Each SHG will be permitted to get a bank loan of Rs. 10 lakh for which the interest will be paid by the government.
• Each member of Women SHG would be given free life insurance cover of Rs. 2.5 lakh for natural death and Rs. 5 lakh for accidental death.
• Special fund of Rs. 500 Crore will be set up to transform women into industrialists.

15. Employees Welfare

• Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) will be scrapped and Old Pension Method will be restored.
• PRC arrears of employees will be released immediately.
• A new PRC will be announced and the employees will be given a decent Interim
• Relief (IR). Compared to previous regimes, a good PRC will be ensured.
• Pending transfers will be executed to relieve thousands of employees of mental trauma.
• Will bring back Telangana employees working in Andhra Pradesh.
• Class-III and Class-IV employees of Telangana working in the Andhra Pradesh State Secretariat will be brought back.

16. Lawyers Welfare

• Rs. 300 crores fund for the welfare of Lawyers.
• Rs. 10 crores grant for Telangana Bar Council on the lines of Tamil Nadu and Kerala Governments.
• Newly joined advocated and those are practising regularly will be paid a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000.
• Land for housing will be allocated for eligible advocates through cooperative societies in the places where court exists and in every district headquarters.

17. Journalists’ Welfare

• Housing plots to both working and non-working journalists.
• Accidental insurance of Rs. 10 lakh and pension on retirement.
• Pension amount for widows of journalists will be increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000.
• Under Working Journalists Act, the journalists working in electronic media will also be brought under its purview.
• Land and funds will be allotted for the construction of a building for the Hyderabad Press Club.
• Legislation will be done to make the attack on journalists as a non-bailable offence.
• Freedom of Press will be guaranteed.

18. Gulf Migrant Workers/NRIs Welfare

• A comprehensive NRI policy will be announced within 100 days of coming to power.
• A fund of Rs. 500 Crore will be set up to help the migrant workers.
• An ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh will be paid to the families of those workers who die due to various diseases either in the Gulf or after they return to their native place. This will be applicable if death occurs within six months after they return home.
• The Gulf migrant workers, who are forced to return home due to ill-health, will get a health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh.
• TOMCOM will be removed from the Labour Department and brought under the NRI Corporation.

19. Children's Rights & Welfare

• All children going to government schools will be given Scholarships of Rs. 300-500.
• Bal Bhavan will be constructed in all district headquarters and they will be provided required funds and staff.
• A Children's Academy will be constituted. Right to Education Act will be amended and it will be extended for children between 3-18 years of age.
• An Education Commission will be formed to improve the standard of education for children.
• Laws will be strictly implemented to end child labour. Services of NGOs will be engaged for the purpose.

20. Physically Handicapped Welfare

• Financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh for housing.
• Special programmes will be organised on the occasion of Braille Jayanti on January 4 and Helen Keller Jayanti on June 27.
• A special residential school will be set up for blind persons.
• A separate commission will be set up for physically handicapped persons.
• Physically Handicapped Persons will get a monthly pension of Rs. 3,000.
• A legislation to prevent abuse or harassment of Physically Handicapped Persons for their disabilities by anyone, on the lines of SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act.
• They will be entitled to free power supply up to 200 units.

21. Transgender/Third Gender

• Transgenders will be given Constitutional Rights.
• Professional courses to make them enable for self-employment schemes.
• Monthly pension of Rs. 3,000.
• Houses under Indiramma Housing Scheme.
• Loans and other financial assistance to make them live a respectable life.

22. Senior Citizens

• 50% seats in RTC buses will be reserved for Senior Citizens.
• Persons of 58 years will be eligible to get pension.
• Present pension amount will be increased from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 per month.
• All eligible persons in the family will be eligible to get pension.
• Implementation of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 by setting up Tribunals in all districts.

23. Irrigation

• Projects which were started during the previous Congress regime will be completed.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar SujalaSravanthiPanahitaChevella project will be revived and a 148-metre barrage will be constructed at Tummadi Hatti to take water through gravity till Yellandu. This will benefit areas in the erstwhile Adilabad district, which are now part of KommaramBheem and Mancherial district.
• The height of Kaleshwaram Barrage at Medigadda will be raised by 101 Metres to increase the reservoir level by taking support from Maharashtra Government.
• Water from Tummadi Hatti will be taken to Yellampalli Barrage by using modern technology to ensure that Telangana farmers get irrigation facilities at low cost.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar PranahitaChevella Project will be extended to benefit the farmers of Ranga Reddy and Chevella.

24. Industry

• 50,000 acres of land will be allocated for the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the Telangana State.
• To attract foreign investments in the present and future SEZs, 100% tax exemptions will be offered to investors.
• Establishment of National Investment Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) at Zaheerabad and creation of 1.5 lakh jobs in the next 10 years.
• Railway Coach Factory at Qazipet and Steel Plant at Bayyaram will be turned into a reality to provide lakhs of jobs.
• Nizam Sugar Factory, IDPL, Reyans, and other sick industries will be revived to create employment opportunities for the youth.

25. Welfare of Labour

• Mechanical labourers will be recognised as unorganised sector and they will be extended the same benefits being given by the Central Government to construction labourers. Minimum wages will be assured to mechanics working in various showrooms.
• Rights of workers employed in commercial institutions, corporate houses, shops, and online marketing will be protected as per Labour Laws.
• The labourers in unorganised sector will be given Health Insurance of Rs. 5 lakh.
• For Auto rickshaw Drivers and Private Drivers, a Transport Workers Welfare Board will be established. They will be provided with training, education and health facilities and their rights will be protected.
• Social security will be provided to workers and labourers of the construction industry.
• Centres will be established in Hyderabad to impart training in the automobile, mechanic, plumber, drivers, computer operator, mobile repairing, etc., Licence will be issued on the basis of Aadhar for those who are not having any educational qualification.

26. Welfare of Singareni Workers

• About 9,000 workers who were sacked by the TRS Government will be reinstated on compassionate grounds.
• Pattas will be issued for housing. Repairs and painting of quarters will be done once in a year.
• Free higher education will be given to the children of Singareni employees.
• One family member of the employee who is declared unfit in the medical test conducted by the company will be given job.
• Under the Mines Act, children of medically unfit employees will be given jobs, even if they are not in service for 24 months.
• Family members of Singareni workers will be given jobs and other facilities.
• Eligible persons will be given housing loans up to Rs. 15 lakh.

27. Panchayat Raj

• All powers will be divulged to Panchayat Raj and municipal institutions as per the Amendments made in Act 72 and 72 of the Constitution of India.
• Vocational Training and Technical Training Centres will be established at all district headquarters to train jobless youth in skills like electrician, para-medic, plumbing, carpenter, security guard, housekeeping, supermarket helper, etc.,
• RO plants will be installed in all villages to provide safe drinking water.
• Regularisation of services of Gram Panchayat staff will be considered.
• Merger of DRDA and DWMA with Rural Development Department will be withdrawn and they will be run as separate entities.

28. GHMC/Urban Development

• Housing facility will be provided to those living in slums.
• Vendors and road-side traders will be given protection. Hawkers and street vendors will be issued licenses.
• Health cards for slum dwellers.
• MMTS Phase-II will be started and will be extended from Shankarpally-Bhongir.
• Second phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project will be completed.
• Musi River will be protected by constituting a new authority.
• Land allotment for places of worship.
• Congress Government will ensure that roads are free of potholes.

29. Road, Rail Network

• Rail and Road Development Corporation under the Transport Ministry will be formed.
• A Welfare Board will be established with a fund of Rs. 100 crore.
• Efforts will be made to reduce the premium of auto-insurance.
• A committee will be formed to study the possibility of getting a new railway line in every district.
• Steps will be taken to have a single permit for both Telugu States for cabs and buses.
• 24-hour online permit system will be introduced for tour and travel operators.

30. Police Welfare

• All police personnel will be given compulsory holidays.
• Police personnel will undergo medical examination once in 3-6 months.
• Counselling and training to improve their interaction with common people.
• Issues concerning Traffic policemen will be reviewed once in 6 months.
• Steps to clear all pending promotions.

31. Liquor Policy

• All liquor shops and pubs will be regulated as per rules and regulations.
• Permit Room and Belt Shops will be controlled.
• Toddy will be encouraged so as to provide employment to toddy tappers.
• Stern action will be taken against those involved in the sale of Gudamba, adulterated liquor, and drugs.

32. Sports

• Sports will be promoted from KG to PG level.
• A residential sports college will be set up in every district.
• Scouts, NCC and NSS training will be made compulsory in all government and private educational institutions.
• Sports University will be established to promote all forms of sports.
• Stadiums will be constructed with facilities like gymnastics, gym, swimming pools, and other modern facilities.

33. Religious Affairs

• Free power supply will be given to all temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship.
• Funds will be released for repair of temples, mosques, and churches by introducing a proper system.
• Survey will be done on the encroachments of land belonging to temples, mosques, and churches and necessary legislation will be done to protect their properties.
• Pujaris and staff of 643 temples will be provided accidental insurance.

34. Folk Artists/Cultural Affairs

• Telugu and Urdu Academies will be given funds for promotion of both the languages.
• Cultural centres like Ravindra Bharathi will be constructed in Warangal, Adilabad and Nalgonda.
• Steps will be taken to promote folk arts like Burra Katha.
• As many as 500 artists, who were appointed as Cultural Ambassadors of
• Telangana, are being paid a monthly honorarium of Rs. 24,514. The Congress
• Govt will increase this amount and it will be paid through the State Treasury.
• A modern recording theatre will be established for the Cultural Ambassadors.
• Eligible artists will be given employment in a phased manner.

35. Tourism

• Environmental tourism will be promoted in forest areas of Telangana.
• Facilities like bio-toilets, changing rooms and dormitory will be provided at tourist destinations.
• Theme Parks will be established in Hyderabad and other districts.
• A calendar will be released for the promotion of tourism of State Government.
• Sports like Forest Hiking, Rappling (Check), and mountain climbing will be promoted.
• Special rules will be framed to promote places of religious importance like Hindu temples, mosques, churches, Buddhist temples, etc.

36. Environment

• Comprehensive Disaster Management Policy will be announced to deal with calamities like floods, heat wave, etc.
• It will be made compulsory in GHMC limits for new buildings to be constructed as per the norms of the CII Green Building Council (CIIGBC).
• Water harvesting system will be mandatory for all commercial and residential buildings.
• Electric bike and electric scooter will be provided at all important bus and metro stations.
• A new policy will be introduced for 100% electric buses, electric cab, and auto.
• GO. 111 will be strictly implemented.