Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh's main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday released its election manifesto promising free colour televisions to the poor and cash doles of Rs.1,000 to Rs.2,000 per month for poor and middle-class families if the party is voted to power.
Releasing the 64-page manifesto at the party headquarters NTR Trust Bhavan, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu said food, health and financial security for the people was his party's goal.
The former chief minister said the TDP was committed to the welfare of all sections of the people, including farmers, backward classes and minorities. Under the cash transfer scheme promised in the manifesto, each family in the poorest of the poor category will get Rs.2,000 every month, a poor family will get Rs.1,500 and a middle-class family Rs.1,000 from the banks. Naidu termed it revolutionary and the first of its kind scheme in the country. He said the scheme, borrowed from some Latin American countries, would provide economic security to the poor and the middle-class families and meet their basic needs like food every month. Referring to his promise of a colour television to every poor family, Naidu said: "The idea is to ensure that after a day's hard work, people should relax by watching television." According to him, the sale of colour televisions through shops had already dropped after the TDP released highlights of the manifesto a few days ago. The TDP president also launched the party's election campaign at Medchal near here by addressing a public meeting. Alleging that the Congress government was neck deep in corruption, he appealed to the people to bring the TDP back to power for an efficient and transparent administration.
Naidu, whose party lost power to the Congress party in 2004, will campaign non-stop over the next 13 days in the state that holds simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls next month.
The TDP is contesting elections to the 294-member state assembly and the 42 Lok Sabha seats in alliance with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)
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While I wish and could Vote for JP of loksatta, my heart goes out to
ReplyDeletethe best ever scheme introduced by any party till date.
Rs 2000 a month means financial freedom – for me which means you
basically wouldn’t think about where you can find the next meal. How
can a person be productive when he practically has to think very next
meal each day? Let me give you an example – a person called Pagulaiah
in my village – a dalit cobbler by birth. The man was in late 60’s
begged for help from many and nobody offered him a Rs 100 and two days
later people found him dead in his hut. My father later said, had I
given Rs 100, his life would have been saved. Instead people like
Pagulaiah might focus on bettering their skills and serving the local
markets better.
Rs 2000 a month would mean end of malnutrition.
Rs 2000 a month would mean end of child labor.
Rs 2000 a month means better education.
Rs 2000 a month means a more preventive Medicare rather than taking up
the cause latter. A more healthier society
Rs 2000 means vibrant local economy – with such a low income, these
people are bound to spend every rupee thus more consumption – Local
Grocery stores sell food and employ people. Transports and traders
bring food to stores and employ people. Businesses make, package, and
can food. They employ people too. Farmers grow food and raise animals.
They employ lots of people too. Along the way, those industries buy
equipment, insurance, services and advertising. They employ lots of
people too.
Rs 2000 a month means more jobs. It’s worth it even if you can create
one great leader by spending Rs 24000 a year on family – someone like
Ambani, they would intern create 1000’s of jobs.
It certainly raises the life standard and expectations.
Every Rs 2000 to my estimate will create wealth and services of not
less than Rs 3000 and in particular government will earn atleast Rs
1500 directly of it. Lot of us earn money which is not ours through
bribes, brokerage, deals, connections, lotteries etc. So spending
Rs2000 for a family that poverty stricken and lack basic necessities
in life is not waste of investment nor does it create any lazy
individuals. A program that gives back Rs3000 returns for every rupee
spent is a better return than any bank or freebies.
If Rs 2000 is offered as a debit card we could easily prohibit other
transactions like liquor.
Fight against poverty, VOTE CBN – VOTE TDP
author
ReplyDeleteeditor@indiawaley.com