Bharatiya Janata Party, which hardly has the chances of winning even half a dozen seats in the ongoing elections in Telangana, has come out with a manifesto with less than a week for the closure of campaigning.
In the manifesto released by state BJP president K Laxman on Thursday, the party has promised farm loan waiver up to Rs two lakh, free laptops to degree students, regulation of liquor sale and free distribution of cows to one lakh people every year.
It also promised a legislation to prevent "forcible religious conversions" made by offering money and other inducements. Steps would be taken to send back Rohingyas and those who "illegally entered" from Bangladesh, it said.
The manifesto also promised free distribution of quality seeds and free bore or well or a pumpset to every farmer. Alongside free laptops to degree students, the manifesto said girl students from seventh standard to 10th standard will get free cycles. Girl students of degree and above courses will get 'scooties' (two-wheelers) with 50 per cent subsidy. It also promised free houses to all eligible poor by 2022.
Similarly, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month would be paid towards rent till the construction of such houses, it said.
In addition to implementation of the NDA government's 'Ayushman Bharat' health scheme, the manifesto promised steps to set up generic medicine centres in every mandal (administrative unit).
The unemployed youth will get unemployment dole of Rs 3,116 per month. For welfare of women, the manifesto promised provision of Rs one lakh and one 'tola' (about 12 grams) gold to poor women at the time of marriage under 'Sowbhagya Laxmi' scheme.
The manifesto also promised subsidy to senior citizens for visiting Kailash Mansarovar, Kashi and Puri. Cows would be distributed free of cost every year at the time of festivals and other celebrations, the manifesto said.
Asserting that BJP would not see liquor sales as a source of revenue, the party promised regulation of sale of liquor. Restrictions would be imposed on the timings for its sale.
For law and order, surveillance cameras would be installed at vital places in large numbers across the state.
