Congress' key meeting to okay manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2024 today

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will hold a crucial meeting to discuss the party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections which are scheduled to take place in seven phases starting from April 19. The party has already sent the draft document of its manifesto to the CWC for its nod. 

During the meeting, the grand old party is also expected to pass a resolution lauding Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that concluded on March 17 in Maharashtra. 

Later in the day, the Congress' Central Election Committee, chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, may also finalize the names of the remaining candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. 

The Congress on Monday claimed that an unemployment and wage stagnation crisis was prevailing in India, saying it could be resolved by the party's guarantees to lead the country back on the path of prosperity.

It made five guarantees including an amendment to raise the 50 percent cap on reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs, a comprehensive social, economic, and caste census, an annual job package of ₹1 lakh for diploma holders up to the age of 25, establishment of social security measures in the gig economy, fulfillment of 30 lakh government job vacancies, etc. 

Another guarantee is the  'Pehli naukri pakki' (first job guaranteed) would be confirmed and that the grand old party would provide apprenticeship training to every Diploma or Degree holder youth below 25 years of age in the government or private sector.

 “Congress guarantees a new Right to Apprenticeship Act to provide a one-year apprenticeship with a private or a public sector company to every diploma holder or college graduate below the age of 25. Apprentices will get 1 lakh a year ( ₹8,500/month),” the party said in an official release. 

The party also mentioned 'Paper leak se mukti' (Freedom from paper leak) and said that the party would put an end to the paper leaks by bringing a new law.

The fourth guarantee stated financial assistance under 'Yuva Roshni' and stated that a fund would be created with an amount of ₹5 thousand crore which will be distributed in all the districts of the country. 

(With inputs from agencies)