Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  BJP’s promise in Bihar: Jobs, 24x7 power, TVs
BackBack

BJP’s promise in Bihar: Jobs, 24x7 power, TVs

'Empowerment over Entitlement' is party's election strategy, with a mix of populist measures for Dalits, Mahadalits

BJP leaders unveiling the vision document for Bihar assembly elections, in Patna on Thursday. Photo: PTIPremium
BJP leaders unveiling the vision document for Bihar assembly elections, in Patna on Thursday. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is wooing voters in Bihar with a mix of populist measures, such as free colour televisions for the Dalit families, together with the promise of an enabling environment that will generate jobs to address growing aspirations, particularly among the youth.

Accordingly, it has committed to 24x7 power to both consumers and commercial enterprises, special power feeders for agriculture and skill development to the socially disenfranchised—preferring empowerment over entitlement as its electoral strategy in the key battleground state.

The party, in its vision document released in state capital Patna on Thursday, prioritized job creation and reducing corruption.

In addition, it also promised skill development, Make in Bihar and revamping the education system to generate employment opportunities.

To encourage self-employment, it has promised to set up a Credit Guarantee Fund and allow shops on vacant lands to increase employment.

In a first, the BJP has promised colour televisions to Dalit and Mahadalit (scheduled castes) families, laptops to accredited journalists, once-a-year dhoti and sari to every poor family, two-wheelers to 5,000 girls who clear the 10th grade with distinction and 50,000 laptops to merit students in the 11th and 12th grade.

Senior leaders of BJP emphasised on improving governance standards in the state by introducing e-governance in tenders and payments in government projects. The party has also talked about strengthening right to services in Bihar and provide houses to everyone by 2022.

“The vision document of the BJP is a charter of development. It’ll end backwardness in Bihar because this election is against lawlessness. Biharhas been ruled by the Congress party, 15 years by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and 10 years by the Janata Dal (United). Sixty-eight years is a long time to change the face of Bihar. This is an alliance (Congress, RJD, JDU) of opportunists. This alliance lacks political consistency. They are trying to pull Bihar back to era of lawlessness," said finance minister Arun Jaitley, who was in Patna to release the vision document.

BJP is contesting 160 out of the 243 seats in Bihar. The campaign is being led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has already addressed four rallies even before election dates were announced.

According to the BJP leaders, Modi will address more than 15 more public meetings in Bihar over the next month.

Jaitley said that the two major strengths of Bihar are its human resources and agriculture. “We want to work for providing 24x7 power to households and industry. Bihar needs infrastructure development; it will help in setting up agro-based industry first and will lead to general industry. Centre will always help in the development of Bihar,"he added.

In an effort to attract youth towards BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the vision document promises an international education hub in the state while coaching hubs will be set up in Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur. Students keen to pursue higher education will be entitled to loans at 3% interest rate.

“The new generation looks at development in very tangible terms and wants benefits of development at a personal level. The BJP has tried to introduce modern techniques of governance while focusing on improving the law and order situation, without which no development activity can lead to any result," said A.K. Verma, political science professor at Christ Church College, Kanpur.

“The focus is also on job creation through self-help because no government can provide jobs to everyone. It is by introducing self-employment opportunities that job creation will happen. The vision document is forward looking," Verma added.

BJP’s vision document also promises new schools for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. “Providing SC/STs with more government jobs to fill the backlog. Strict legal actions against people who stop SC/ST from benefiting development."

To improve the law and order situation in the state, the BJP has promised to delink VIP security so that provisions for the common man are not compromised, and the setting up of 24x7 control rooms for women.

The vision document also says that an anti-corruption agency will be set up in every district to make it easier for people to register complaints against corrupt government officials.

“Online portal to lodge first information reports (FIRs) and complaints, 24-hour functioning control rooms for women, women-related incidents will only be monitored by women constables, and families, who have lost a member in terrorist attacks, will be given 2 lakh. Anti-corruption agencies will be set up in each district so that the common man can register complaint against corrupt officers," stated the vision document.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 02 Oct 2015, 12:22 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App