Odisha Chief Minister & BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on 9th April 2019 released the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2019 with emphasis on the socio-economic development of women, farmers, youth and other sections. He claimed that the party has fulfilled all promises made to the people in 2014.
The manifesto titled ‘Naveen Odisha, Sashakt Odisha’ that means ‘New Odisha, Strong Odisha’ promises that the KALIA scheme will be continued for all farmers as well as landless agricultural labourers.
Patnaik said, “The BJD, unlike the Congress and the BJP, has fulfilled its promises made to the people in 2014 elections”. The next BJD government will form KALIA Commission to check the implementation of the scheme and recommend revision of rates after 3 years, tackle issues of distressed farmers; the manifesto said adding that improvement of MSP (minimum support price) of paddy to Rs 2930/quintal will be pursued with the central government.
The BJD manifesto said that apart from existing investment, an added Rs 50,000 crore will be invested for increasing the area under irrigation and the KALIA centres will be there to encourage agri-innovation & serve as one-stop resource centre in every district.
The BJD poll manifesto promised reservation of 75 % jobs in all upcoming industries for educated and qualified youth in the state. In addition, all technical colleges, institutes and universities will be offered free Wi-fi and all students will get 1 GB free internet after joining the institution. Above and beyond, education loans will be provided at 0 % interest rate and there will be scholarship council to facilitate scholarships on merit as well as socio-economic criteria.
With the aim to persuade women voters, the BJD promised to offer Rs 5,000 crore government business to the women SHGs that will give a profit of about Rs 500 crore. Moreover, the party also declared interest-free loans to women SHGs upto Rs 5 lakh.
The party announced provision of marriage support of Rs 25,000 for girls from poor families. Asserting that girl child education will be free of cost from KG - PG level, the BJD manifesto said not a single widow, needy will be left out of social security cover.
The manifesto also promised to establish Mission Shakti bazaar in every Panchayat and training programme for members for business development & equipment support. Also there will be special ‘Ama Gaon Ama Bikash’ programme in all the blocks exclusively for women.
The party also promised that Biju Express Way will join North to South & East to West parts of Odisha. It promised to launch a special initiative ‘JUHAR’ (Joint Upliftment of Habitations & Regions) to diminish regional differences. The manifesto mentioned “To reduce regional disparities & for fast pace development, we will set up Special Development Councils in Balangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Deogarh, Sambalpur districts & Athmallik, Kuchinda and Nilagiri Sub-Divisions”.
