BJD Manifesto for 2014 election

The BJD’s manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as well as Odisha Assembly Elections, released by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday.

It has sops for virtually every segment of society.

Reading the highlights of the manifesto, Patnaik said that if voted back to power, his government will provide assistance to make all the makeshift houses in the state permanent structures.

A shelter security mission would be established, he said, adding his government will take steps to make all village roads concrete.

The manifesto talks about launching a Chief Minister’s Sadak Yojana to provide connectivity to all villages having a population of 100 and less which cannot be covered under any other existing scheme.

It also promised universal health insurance and a Food Security Act, notwithstanding a similar enactment by the Centre.

Areas with population of 1,000 will be declared as a panchayat and its headquarters will have high mast lighting and a community hall, he added.

Patnaik, who is also the BJD chief, said farmers would be provided crop loans at one percent interest rate, and women self help groups would also be given loans at the same rate.

The chief minister said if he is voted to power again, his government will come out with a progressive women policy for the improvement of their status in the state.

Among many others, Patnaik also announced that his government will enact its own food security law and take steps to ensure food security to people under below and above poverty line and others.

The party will establish a Slum Rehabilitation Board and form an Urban Slum Rehabilitation Policy to protect the interests of the slum dwellers. All street vendors in the state will be registered, the manifesto said.

He said small traders and street vendors would be registered and subsidy linked loans would be provided. Steps would be taken to cover them under all social security schemes.

Villages and people who give land for the industries will not only be paid compensation but will also be made share holder of the concerned industries.

It also said that a separate welfare board will be constituted for unorganised workers. In order to pacify the anger of land losers following industries, the party has promised that the state government will make it mandatory for the industries to provide shares to GPs and land losers.

Bringing the special category status issue to the fore, the manifesto said it would intensify its agitation for the special tag and increase of mineral royalty till the legitimate demands of the state are met.

Patnaik tried to strike an emotional chord with the people of western Odisha and declared that his party, if voted to power again, will pressurize the Central government for inclusion of Koshali in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

The opposition parties however termed the announcements as eyewash.