Congress Unveils Caste-Based Census Plan in Controversial Manifesto Launch During Silence Period | Ranchi News – Times of India

RANCHI: Congress on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto ‘Bharose ki Ghosna Patra‘, making 24 key promises, but attracted EC wrath for its release during the silence period.
The manifesto runs into several pages but the key promises included 250 units of free electricity, a caste-based census and filling up of all vacant govt posts within a year among others.
Former minister and chairman of the manifesto committee, Bandhu Tirkey, along with party MP from Lohardaga, Sukhdeo Bhagat, and other senior party workers launched the manifesto with the tagline — ‘Bharosa Barkarar, Fir Gatbandhan Sarkar’.
Over a week ago, the INDIA bloc led by JMM and Congress had launched a joint manifesto broadly classified under seven guarantees which spoke of the introduction of the 1932-based khatiyan (domicile policy), Sarna code, hike in Maiya Samman Yojana fiscal incentive and 10 lakh jobs among others. On Monday, JMM separately launched its manifesto, followed by Congress just before Wednesday’s voting in 43 constituencies.
Speaking about their manifesto, Tirkey told reporters that it covers all strata of society and is reflective of Jharkhand’s aspirations. “In the last five years, the alliance govt delivered many of its promises and this manifesto is the extension of the alliance’s vision for developing Jharkhand in the next five years,” he said, stressing that Congress will also conduct social audit every six months, if voted to office, to ensure the status of the implementation of its promises.
Tirkey further said, “The manifesto promises free electricity up to 250 units to the poor as against 200 units at present. Congress is committed to conducting a caste census in Jharkhand, too. After the creation of the state, many communities were excluded from the SC list. We will work to include them back in the list. This apart, Ho, Mundari, Kharia, Kuduk and Kudmali language will be included in Schedule 8 of the Constitution for which we will send a proposal to the Centre.”
Schools run by tribal (Sarna) communities/entities will be granted govt recognition so that they get aid. For employment, he said, “In one year, vacant govt posts will be filled, employment generation avenues will be created and promotion of cottage industry among a few are on our priority list.”
Bhagat, on the other hand, cited that the party has committed to work towards preserving and restoring tribal Asmita (pride). “Strengthening of CNT/SPT Acts to prevent land grabs of the tribal community, a separate Sarna code (separate religious column in the census) and a law to prevent mob lynching are some of the few commitments we are making to the voters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand chief electoral officer K Ravi Kumar said he would have to examine the development but stressed that legally no political party can issue their manifesto during the silence period.