Congress Manifesto: The Congress party unveiled its manifesto on Friday, focusing on the five “pillars of justice” in advance of the next Lok Sabha elections. The party prioritised caste census, employment opportunities, and monetary transfers for women in its manifesto. The Congress manifesto listed the “Paanch Nyay,” or five pillars of justice, as “Yuva Nyay,” “Naari Nyay,” “Kisaan Nyay,” “Shramik Nyay,” and “Hissedari Nyay.”
National Socioeconomic Caste Census
To list the castes, sub-castes, and socioeconomic circumstances of each, Congress will carry out a national socioeconomic caste census. The party declared that it would forward the affirmative action agenda in light of the statistics. The party pledges to approve a constitutional change raising the cap on reservations for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Classes to fifty percent.
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will have a 10% reservation in employment and educational opportunities for all castes and communities, without exception. Within a year, the party will fill all backlog positions held by Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
Congress Stands Against Contractualization
Congress will ensure that regular appointments are made and will outlaw the contractualization of permanent posts in the public sector and the government. The party will give the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes more access to institutional financing so they can start enterprises, build homes, and buy property.
Under the land ceiling Acts, Congress will create a body to oversee the allocation of surplus and government land to the underprivileged. To give more public works contracts to contractors from the Scheduled Castes, the Public Procurement Policy’s scope would be increased. The amount allocated for scholarships to students from Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Classes would be quadrupled, with a particular focus on higher education.
Congress Proposes All-Block Residential Schools for Underprivileged
Congress would create an all-block network of residential schools for the underprivileged, with a focus on pupils from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The party will respect and preserve the rights of religious minorities as well as the fundamental freedom to practise one’s religion as specified in Articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29, and 30 of the Constitution. The rights of linguistic minorities protected by Articles 15, 16, 29, and 30 of the Constitution will likewise be respected and upheld.
The party will support and encourage minority kids and students to fully use the expanding opportunities in business, education, employment, sports, the arts, and other spheres. The party will expand the number of study abroad scholarships and reinstate the Maulana Azad Scholarships.
Congress Vows Equal Treatment for Minorities in Banking
The party would make sure that banks treat minorities equally when granting institutional credit. Additionally, it will guarantee that minorities, free from discrimination, have equal access to opportunities in public employment, healthcare, education, skill development, sports, and cultural events.
The party will guarantee minorities the opportunity to choose their own laws, attire, cuisine, and language. The party will support personal law reform. The party would accede to long-standing requests to add other languages to the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule.