Odisha Congress releases manifesto for General Elections 2024, promises 9 guarantees

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of the Congress party unveiled its manifesto on Friday, promising nine “guarantees” to the people of the state, following the Election Commission of India’s announcement of the 2024 General Elections schedule.

The manifesto was released at a press conference in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Sarat Pattnaik, the party’s state in-charge Ajoy Kumar and other state leaders.

The Congress party pledged to accomplish all the work left undone despite the 24-year rule of the BJD and the nine-year reign of the BJP at the Centre. The party promised to provide a bonus along with a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3000 per quintal of paddy. Additionally, the agricultural loans of farmers would be waived.

The manifesto also included a monthly pension of Rs 2000 for farmers and free 200 units of electricity for domestic consumers of the state. The party also vowed to provide employment to approximately 5 lakh youths and pay an unemployment allowance of Rs 3000 per month.

Further, the party pledged to waive off loans of Women Self Help Groups, providing LPG cylinders to every family at Rs 500 and offering free health services up to Rs 25 lakh to both government employees and other people. The party also committed to providing a monthly allowance of Rs 2000 for the elderly, widows, Divyang individuals and women heads of families under Gruha Lakhsmi Yojna.

Lastly, the party committed to the provision of 27 percent reservation for backward classes in educational institutions and the service sector before the caste-based and socio-economic survey in the state.