Farmers Movement Archive

Bihar: Jobs, youth & farm sector focus of MGB’s manifesto

PATNA: The Mahagathbandhan released its joint manifesto titled ‘Prann Hamara Sankalp Badlav Ka’ on Saturday, placing the 10 lakh government jobs on the top of the list. The second on the list, aimed at wooing the young voters, is free application forms for entrance exams and travel expenses to be taken care of by the government. The manifesto released by senior MGB leaders, including its CM face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, promises to double the honorarium of Jeevika workers and self-help groups and provide equal pay for equal work for ‘niyojit’ teachers, apart from repealing the new farm laws enacted by the Centre and waive off farm loans. The document, which has 25 salient features, has been prepared to focus on all sections, with stress on employment-related issues and promises to spend 12% of the state’s budget on education. “The contract culture will be abolished. Niyojit teachers will be made permanent and will be given equal pay for equal work and Jeevika self-help group cadre will be made permanent, and their honorarium will be doubled,” read a part of the manifesto. Talking about the features of the manifesto, Tejashwi said the alliance has released it on the day of ‘Kalash Sthapna’ and taken the pledge: Prann Hamara Sankalp Badlav Ka. He said this manifesto talks about providing an alternate solution for street vendors and poor, instead of razing their homes. We have promised to reduce the electricity rate in Bihar, one super speciality hospital in all divisions and dialysis centres at all Sadar hospitals, he added. Tejashwi also lashed out at 15 years of chief minister Nitish Kumar’s rule and mocked him over special status not provided to Bihar by his allies at the Centre saying “US President Donald Trump will not come here to provide special status”. “Since the last 15 years, he has been ruling, questions will be asked from him. They are criticizing me for having no experience, then why did they make me deputy CM,” said Tejashwi. He said in every state ‘Karpoori Shramvir Sahayata Kendra’ will be opened to provide help to migrant labourers in case of any disaster or need. “Sugar, jute, paper and rice mills which have been shut down, will be started in the state and stress will be on the food processing unit,” he added. Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala took a jibe at BJP saying it has allied with three parties in Bihar — one with JD (U) which is visible, one with LJP, which everyone knows, and the third with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM. “In the first session of the new assembly, our government will pass bills to abolish three farm laws enacted by the Centre,” Surjewala said.

The Times of India

2020-10-18

Patna