MANIFESTO OF THE VARIOUS PARTIES - ELECTION 1996
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RF_POL_2_SUDHA
BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY
ELECTION MANIFESTO-1996
<To solve the country's problems
and meet tomorrow's challenges
we have prepared a blueprint for
a'; caring,. just and competent .
Government. The successful
implementation of this blueprint
r
will depend on your help. Come,
|<£f. ‘ x'"’'
Ictus march shoulder to shoulder
'***' 1 and work hand in hand for
S creating a strong and prosperous
ty India. The nation is yearning for
change and.your vote will play a
j decisive rolei ■
,
!
and ProSfi
To change the culture of governance
Vote BJP
Election Manifesto 1996
CONTENTS
1.
Our Vision, Our Faith, Our Commitment
5
2.
Our Nation, Our State, Our Government
8
13. Our Social Philosophy
(i)
Our Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes
(ii)
Our Socially and Educationally
Backwards
59
3.
Our Economy and Direction
4.
Our Cpncept of Employment
& Labour's Role
26
5.
Our Scientific Talent, Our Technology
29
6.
Our Foreign Policy
31
(iv)
Our Minorities
64
7.
Our Nation’s Security
34
(v)
Human Rights
65
(vi)
Displaced Communities
16
8.
Our Villages, Our Farmers, Our Poor
41
9.
Our Human Wealth
49
(iii) Enabling Our Disabled
60
62
63
66
14. Our Identity, Our Culture
69
Our Youth — Our Future
72
10.
Our Agenda for Women
52
15.
11.
Our Population Policy
55
16. Our Achievements
74
12.
Our Environment
57
17. Let's Commence a Nev. Chapter
79
^UR VISION, OUR FAITH,
OUR COMMITMENT
It is out ofthe past that the future is moulded.
It is the past that becomes the future...
-Swaini Vivekananda
Even us this century draws to a close and the
millennium turns, India stands at a critical crossroad of history.
Centuries’ old hopes and aspirations of our1 people yearn for a
true expression. The destiny of our land and its people cries for
fulfilment. At such crucial turns historical choices are made and
instruments of change adopted. That destined vehicle of change
is the Bharatiya Janata Parly.
Never before in the long history of our land has the
country been governed by such a morally rudderless and
financially corrupt regime. Seldom have our trusting people
been duped by a baser band. With the people’s hopes belied and
their aspirations thwarted, our ancient land stands today face to
face with the option of a real change, a chance.for a true
departure from the last 50 years of Congress misrule, an
alternative and an option: The Bharatiya Janata Party.
Our people are looking towards the BJP to become just
this instrument of change. The party is ready to shoulder this
great duty and responsibility. The task is nothing short of
rekindling th? lamp of our eternal ‘Dharma’, that Sanatan
thought which our sages bequeathed to mankind — a social
system based on compassion, cooperation, justice, freedom,.
equality and tolerance.
To realise this goal, the BJP will launch a new social.
economic and political order. It will strive to transform the
existing system of governance, to make it responsive and
answerable to the concerns of our citizens. It will strive to make
5
the economy cater to the largest demands of the largest number.
The party will endeavour to place in the service of the nation a
where every citizen regards this land of ours, this Bharatbhoomi,
political organisation that is conscientous and clean. Above all,
that stretches from the Indus to the seas, as his sacred mother
the BJP will secure for India a place in the comity of nations
land.
which befits its vast cultural, intellectual, economic, scientific
and human wealth.
The BJP believes in one nation, one people, one culture.
We are, therefore, committed to promoting social reconciliation
We realise that correcting the mistakes of the last 50
rather than conflict. We are resolved to put an end to the politics
years of Congress misrule, of piecing together the shattered
of competitive communalism, of appeasement, and of casteism.
dreams of our citizens, of restructuring our polity which has
The politics of pitting caste against castej community against
been delivered a bbdj' blow by the present regime, of restoring
community and class against class has torn asunder our social
the state's authority and reviving faith in the Government, is by
fabric. The BJP will rewcave this fabric into a harmonious
no means an easy task. But we also realise that only the BJP has
pattern.
the ideological commitment, moral conviction and political
courage to shoulder this task and gently guide our nation into
the next millennium. The present millennium began with the
subjugation of our ancient land; let a reinvigorated, proud,
prosperous and strong India herald the next millennium.
In this noble mission, we shall be guideef by our
Manifesto — it contains our commitments to the nation and its
citizens. Our State Governments in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat
and Delhi have demonstrated that for the BJP, these commit
ments constitute a sacred covenant with the people. We do what
we say. This Manifesto shall be the covenant of our Govern
ment.
With a BJP Government at the Centre, the next five
years will be devoted to implementing our Manifesto based on
the four concepts of
Suraksha, Shuchita, Swadeshi and
Samrasata. Hindutva, or cultural nationalism, shall be the
rainbow which will bridge our present to our glorious past and
pave the way for an equally glorious future: it will guide the
transition from swarajya to surajya. Our Manifesto reflects the
application of these four concepts in good governance and their
role in moulding the nation we dreamt of on the dawn of
Independence — a prosperous and strong India, a country
‘
6
;
To translate this Manifesto into reality, to fulfil our
destined role of leading India into the next millennium, the
Bharatiya Janata Party seeks the support and cooperation of all
our citizens.
Launching a major nationwide drive to identify influx of
2.
OUR NATION, OUR STATE,
OUR GOVERNMENT
illicit arms and their possession. Proliferation of small arms
affects directly the law and order in the country as also the
security of the nation. We recognise that narcotics smug
gling and narco-terrorism are linked. The country must be
A New Direction, A New Dispensation
rid of both. The law in this regard will be made more
Nearly half a century of Congress misrule lias all but
shattered the intern:'! polity of the country. There is not one
institution of the Republic left that can be said to now be in a state
effective and implemented.
ly) and reforming its functioning, accountability and respon
siveness.
Judiciary, and even the media have been afflicted by the
mindlessness of the Congress'-exploitation and loot of our
Toning up the administration (as enumerated subsequent
3.
of total health. The Legislature, the Executive, unfortunately the
Rationalising the number, structure, composition and role
4.
country,
of paramilitary forces, including recent initiatives like
National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force (RAF)
(The Bharatiya Janata Party well recognises that to
correct this great wrong of the past five decades requires the skill
and Special Protection Group (SPG). We will review the
personal security arrangments: We believe that the security
of the high dignitaries of the country is the responsibility of
and commitment of a Vishwakarma. With humility, we address
ourselves to this task.
the state. This security, however, should neither be exag
[The first is to restore to our state its authority. Perhaps
gerated nor intrusive. It should not ever be at the cost of the
collective convenience of the citizens of the country. The
never since the scourge of the Pindarics has the writ of our state
been as enfeebled as by this Congress misrule. The primary
BJP will reform this.
task, therefore, is to restore to the state, and to governance, its
honour and its prestige — ‘izzat’ and ‘iqbal’. For this the BJP
AN AGENDA FOR CH..NGE
will institute a set of measures. This is
Constitutional Reforms
a challenge that is
principally moral and only then functional. The BJP commits
itself, therefore, to:
1.
Addressing purposefully to the many challenges being
posed to us in Jammu & Kashmir and in the North-East of
The BJP believes that Centre-State relations, which
have been on a downslidc for the past 50 years, need to be
improved. We also believe that reforms are needed for
a
stronger Union and equal rights for all citizens.
India. We are of the view that in both these strategically
important border regions of the country, misgovernance,
neglect and emotional separation from India lie at the root
of the problems. Terrorism and challenges to the state will
I.
The BJP will implement the main recommendations of the
Sarkaria Commission, such as :
(a)
be met forthrightly; changes in law where warranted will be
Restoring the balance of resources in favour of the
States;
brought about expeditiously; the approach will be firm but
always fair.
(b)
Ending the misuse of Art 356 o dismiss State Govern-
menis and dissolve State Asst mblics. We will explore
the possibility of making it r tandatory for the Union
9
immediately on assuming office, implement various electoral
Government to seek Parliament's approval by two-
reforms. For free, fair and fearless elections, the BJP will:
thirds majority for dismissal of State governments ;
1.
Update and adopt the Goswami Committee report;
Slate Governments before appointing
2.
Grant statutory status to the Code of Conduct drawn up by
We promise to carve out Uttaranchal, Vananchal, Vidarbha
3.
and,
(c)
Consulting
the Election Commission and give it teeth;
Governors.
2.
further consider setting up a Commission to examine the
formation of smaller States. Delhi will be given full State
4.
The BJP will provide Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in J&K
5.
We will abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution, which
6.
tal, for the State’s full and final integration with the Union.
7.
Examine the feasibility of introducing the list system;
We will set up an inter-State council under Article 263 of the
8.
Expedite the process of issuing identity cards to all voters
and make it a mandatory requirement for voting;
Constitution to settle all inter-State and Centre-State dis
putes to avoid ad hoc responses to issues like that of
Cauvery waters.
6.
9.
The BJP is committed to Article 44 of the Constitution. We
will adopt a Uniform Civil Code which will be applicable to
10.
The manner of appointment of Constitutional functionaries
Take steps to curb expenditure on elections by imposing a
ban on advertisements, cutouts, etc;
1 1. Introduce electronic voting machines to hasten the process
laws will cease to have legal validity.
of counting;
12.
will be reviewed.
8.
Scrutinise al) voters' lists to ensure that no legitimate voter
is, excluded;
every community and foster a common Bharatiya identity,
apart from ensuring gender equality. Regressive personal
7.
Make it mandatory for political parties to submit audited
accounts for public scrutiny annually;
puts Jammu & Kashmir on a separate and separatist pedes
5.
Undertake fresh delimitation of lok sabha and Assembly
constituencies on the basis of the' 1991 Census;.
State with regional development councils.
4.
Provide suitable incentives for:open, official corporate
funding to all recognised political parties;
hood.
3.
Introduce a scheme of state-funding of candidates to all
legislatures;
and Chattisgarh and give them full statehood. We will
Examine the possibility of simultaneous elections to Parlia
ment, State Assemblies and Panchayals;
We will maintain a national register of citizens and intro
13.
Electoral Reforms
14.
Officials found guilty of involvement in poll rigging will be
given exemplary punishment;
The BJP carries a conviction that amongst the many
causes that have brought the state of our polity to its present
Ensure speedy and exemplary punishment for those who
indulge in booth-capturing;
duce a multi-purpose identity card.
15.
Amend the anti-defection law whereby a member of any
plight, a major factor is faulty elections. We will, therefore,
I I
10
Legislature who changes parties will lose his or her mem
Government approval for contracts,, schemes and large
bership of the House; and,
16.
money value agreements so as to make them more trans
parent. The powers of patronage, the right to say ‘Yes’ or
‘No’ to simple daily requirements of the citizens will be
Prevent the misuse of Doordarshan and A.I.R. by the ruling
party.
reduced drastically. A Government that intrudes the least,
Corruption & Its Cure
we hold, governs the best. We will endeavour to combine
The B JP treats this affliction as the single greatest wrong
that the Congress misrule of the past 50 years has brought about
this with open and transparent governance;
5.
on our land. The corruption that now corrodes our country is of
Expeditiously deal with cases of corruption unresolved
and in which no action has been taken in the past 10 years;
the spirit, it is moral, and it is also financial. The challenge thus
to governance is principally of setting an example — of
6.
political designs of the ruling party.
public men and.women. This must not cover simply the elected
representatives of the people but also the executive, the police
and, indeed, even the judiciary, where the touch of corruption
can already be'felt. The BJP will address itself to this challenge
and task, by adopting measures that are mentioned hereunder.
Judicial Reforms
For speedy, fair and inexpensive justice, the BJP will:
I.
2.
3.
ourselves. For a clean public life in which morality and ethics
find due recognition, the BJP will:
1.
2.
4.
Constantly review the salaries and pension benefits of all
judges so as to attract the best legal talent to the Judiciary;
Make it obligatory on every elected representative to make
public his entire income and weal''' within 90 days of
Expand and strengthen the existing legal aid facilities for
election;
economically weaker sections of society; and,
Introduce extensive regulations and requirements upon
6.
Set up a National Judicial Commission which will be
responsible for making judicial appointments in the High
Courts and the Supreme Court.
in ever permitted to influence a proper discharge of their
Panchayati Raj
duties;
4.
Legislate to the effect that courts do not give unending
adjournments and complete cases within one year.
those who hold public office so that no conflict of interest
3.
Fill the vacancies in the High Courts and the Supreme Court
without any further delay;
of our commitment; a first step to setting right a very great wrong
of many, years’ malignancy; a beginning and that, too, with
Appoint special judges to clear the hugearrears at all levels
of the judiciary;
We do not claim that this is either the ultimate blueprint for the
reduction of corruption or the last word on it. It is an expression
Take steps to ensure that investigat ve and intelligence
agencies like RAW, IB and CBI arc not.used to subserve the
impeccable probity and unimpeachable accountability of all
For belter local self-governance at the village-level, the
Appoint a Lok Pal to entertain complaints of corruption
against anybody holding public office, including the Prime
BJP will:
Minister;
1.
Take measures to modify and reform the methodology of
12
In the light of recent experience, make changes in the
Constitution 73rd and 74th amendments to further
strengthen the Panchayati Raj system; and,
10.
2.
Endeavour to make the panchayats financially self-suffi
Smngthen the department of administrative reforms at the
Centre and in the States; and,
cient.
Administrative Reforms
For a caring, just and accountable administration, to
pre ide high quality services the citizens value and for a new
paradigm in public administration, the BJP will:
11.
Give the citizens what is their due. A huge divide today
separates the citizen, the society and the state. This is
principally on account of the state not treating the rights of
the citizens as sacrosanct; not fulfilling its obligations
towards the citizens sincerely; and, not providing to the
citizens the services that are its bo'inden duty. The BJP will,
1.
Make the district administration accountable for any out
break of violence; institute a time-bound inquiry; publish
the findings; punish the guilty; and, compensate the vic
therefore, identify such areas as warrant immediate correc
tion, as they affect the daily life of the ordinary citizen, and
implement reforms in them within a given timeframe.
tims;
2.
Update and implement the National Police Commission
report in a time-bound manner;
Shri Rama Mandir at Ayodhya
i
The BJP is committed to (he concept of one nation, one
people, one culture — our nationalist vision is not merely bound
3.
4.
Ask each Ministry/Department to set clear performance
standards' including cost consciousness, in quantifiable
by the geographical or political identity of India, but defined by
our ancient cultural heritage. From this belief flows our faith in
terms and monitor the adherence to these standards;
‘Cultural Nationalism' which is the core of Hindutva. That, we
Introduce a scheme of fixed minimum tenure for some
believe, is the identity of our ancie : nation — Bharatvarsha.
identified posts at higher ranks, e.g. Chief Secretaries,
Secretaries to Government, DGPs, etc;
Hindutva is a unifying principle which alone can pre
5.
Disfavour extensions to bureaucrats and police officers;
serve the unity ind integrity of our nation. It is a collective
endeavour to protect and re-energise the soul of India, to take
6.
Institute an annual Sardar Patel award for the best three
Hindutva is also the antidote to the shameful efforts of any
district officers, as a beginning;
section to benefit at the expense of others.
us into the next millennium as a strong and prosperous nation.
7.
8.
Ensure uniform housing and other a.iled facilities for
of cultural nationalism, can the nation be moulded. When the
system of allotment of houses will be made transparent;
BJP joined the movement for the construction of the’ Shri Rama
Introduce a system of allowing lateral entry of personnel
Mandir at Ayodhya, it was to strengthen just these foundations.
from the private sector, NGOs, educational/research insti
9.
We hold that only by recognising the limitless strength
officers in the same grade and in the same station. The
On coming to pi ■ .ver, the BJP Government will facilitate
tutes into Government;
the construction of a magnificent Shri Rama Mandir at Janmasthan
Identify areas from which Government must withdraw so
in Ayodhya which will be a tribute to Bharat Mata. This dream
that departments can be wound up in a phased manner;
moves millions of people in our land; the concept of Rama lies
at the core of their consciousness.
OUR ECONOMY AND DIRECTION
I
Despite the proclaimed deregulation, over the past five
years, all earlier structures and institutions of the Licensc-
Economic Growth and Employment Through Swadeshi
Four decades of Congress misrule have ruined the
economic creativity of our country; these decades failed to
place the country on a sound economic footing, befitting India’s
Quota-Permit Raj remain intact. Social infrastructure has been
neglected and (he lot of the poor and deprived has further
deteriorated. The country'
defence requirements were also
neglected, thereby putting the nations’ security in jeopardy.
stature as the largest democracy in the world. The experiments
The neglect of infrastructure by this Government has
of the Congress, with vastly divergent models, have brought the
left a legacy of a fractured physical infrastructure-roads, rail
country, from time to time, to the brink of crisis. The passive
ways, post, power, telecom-are grinding to near immobility, in
victim of all these experiments has been the long suffering
the process constraining growth elsewhere in the economy, in
its methodology for containing the budget through limits on
Citizen of our country; even as under-nourishment, malnutri
tion, illiteracy and deprivation afflict a large percentage of
monetisation of the deficit, this Government has compulsorily
them; even as the quality of life gets fractured between India and
resorted to heavy borrowings, which in turn has resulted in
Bharat.
illiquidity to the rest of the econ. iny and a heating up of the
Wecommit ourselves to bringing certainty in economic
policy. The Bharatiya Janata Party is proud of India's heritage
interest rates. Our domestic industry, starved ot liquidity, is in
danger of slipping into recession.
'
and has an abiding faith in the creative genius of every Indian.
In totality, this Government vill leave an economy
We are committed to an economy that enables India to achieve
more fragile and shattered than what i.(inherited in 1991. The
challenges thus, to us in our bid at governance, are formidable.
its destiny in (he forefront of the nations of the world.
In 1991 the present Government claimed that it inher
Our Economic Thought
ited an economy which had a slender foreign exchange re
serves. Accepting IMF conditionalities, it initiated a programme
of deregulation of industry, trade and exchange rate policies, a
radically different approach to foreign investment. The conse
quential foreign exchange reserves that it will be leaving, as a
In outlining our strategy, we recognise that the post
Cold War world has adopted the market place for fast economic
growth. However, our thought is defined by the following:
i)
Market may ensure growth, but it cannot ensure
legacy to the successor government, are, however, fragile,
redistributive equity and justice. The state continues
being composed mainly of quick-sand components of foreign
to have a role to play;
institutional investments and FCNR deposits. Foreign direct
investment (FDI) is only a minor component of them. An
ii)
sustainable minimum quality of life;
97 itself. In its zeal to contain fiscal deficit—a task in which it
failed, the fiscal deficit continuing around 7% of GDP—it
pruned developmental expenditure beyond acceptable li..iits,
in consequence constraining growth.
The poor and deprived have, therefore, to be helped
by the state to cross the poverty line and to attain a
enormous S 7 billion becomes ripe for debt servicing in 1996-
iii)
On the economic front, the old order, based on
comparative advantage' of labour or resources, is
giving way to a new order built on the'basis of human
resources, skills and technology. A proper policy can
16
friake it India's strength; and,
iv)
ties of Government; severely cutting back on bureaucracy;
shedding the structures of controls and regulation; and re
A society such as ours has to innovate its own
a supposedly borderless world, without the attendant
equipping itself for its new lolc of providing a framework for
free market operations for growth, accentuating programmes
social stresses, economic instability and the abandon
for poverty eradication and social infrastructure.
strategy, to adapt itself to the high-tech challenges of
ment either of its identity or of its own socio- cultural
ethos. This is the essence of our Swadeshi approach:
Fiscal Reform and Taxation
A self-reliant India, asserting its national economic
We believe that taxation alone cannot be the base for
interests, not as autarchy, but as a pre-requisite to
revenue. A stable and fast growth is possible only through a
high order of investment matched by an appropriate level of
meeting the challenge of globalisation; of preserving
our identity without compromising our sovereignty
domestic savings. The present Government has done a great
or self respect. We reject unbridled consumerism and
disservice by encouraging avoidable consumerism and divert
believe in adherance to sustainable consumption and
ing the depleted savings into speculative rather than safe and
growth.
productive channels.
Foreign investment will be required and encouraged for
®
nation's long term interests. While many countries which started
late but arrived much earlier than India, managed their growth
on savings levels around 35-40% of GDP, the Indian domestic
savings rate has steadily declined to a low level of 20% of GDP
during Congress rule. This is grossly inadequate for even the
current level of investment, let alone the levels required for a
faster growth of the economy. Not only have private savings
We will structure our fiscal reforms so that savings and
contracted savings are augmented t ?; levels that will take
care of a higher order of investment needed for faster
growth.
world class technology. But when foreign savings have to
supplement and assist the economy in circumstances where
domestic savings are inadequate, we compromise with the
e
In taxation, we will ensure that not only levels and rates of
taxation are such that growth is not constrained, but that the
burden-sharing of taxes is equitably distributed among all
affluent sections of society. We will mitigate the undue
rigours of indirect taxes—today indirect taxes constitute
71% of tax revenue—so that productivity and growth are
not hampered.
declined, more worrisomely. governmental savings are now
We will devise a suitably structured valued added tax
virtually nil.
(VAT) so as to ensure better burden-sharing among goods
We recognise two immediate priorities—first, provid
and services that contribute to value addition.
ing the physical and economic infrastructure that is appropriate
for the stipulated growth in our GDP; second] providing the
In tariffs we will ensure that the domestic sector gets a level
required social infrastructure for a minimum sustainable qtialitv
playing field, and does not become uncompetitive.
of life.
We will also strive to lighten the debt burden on the nation.
To attain these and yet contain fiscal deficit requires a
different approach. The BJP will work towards pruning nondevelopmental expenditure; minimise the commercial activi
1S
This in turn will contribute to interest rate stabilisation.
We will not hike Excise Duties on items of mass consump
tion.
19
•
enhancing the norms for quality standards rather than
We will examine the aspect of sales tax reform and
easing them as has been done by the Congress;
equalisation.
•
We will ensure operational autonomy of the RBI.
•
We will adopt firm measures to prevent the generation of
e
Make pulses, cooking oil and soap also available through
•
Improve the Consumer Protectin' Act of 1986, and ensure
®
Encourage consumer movements.
PDS, in addition to food-grains, sugar and kerosene;
black money.
•
its application; and,
We will rationalise and simplify the present tax sliucture
and raise the Income Tax exemption limit to Rs. 60,000.
•
Black Money and Corruption
We will provide weighted deductions taking number of
Starting from its Jana Sangh days, the BJP has been
dependents on earning member.
•
waging a relentless battle against the twin evils of corruption
We will exempt all investments in approved organisations.
and black money. We are committed to rooting out corruption,
private or public, from the levy of Wealth Tax.
•
thus also the malignancy of black money!
We will give lax reliefs to employment-oriented industries
®
in non-municipal areas.
•
exchequer by all profit-earning business units. The concept
of “zero business units” will be done away with.
•
to tax the revenue flows from such created capital.
®
pursuits.
Price Stability and Consumer Protection
poor.
o
costs of production. This is to be achieved through technology
upgradation, economics of scale and free competition. Towards
this end, the BJP will:
•
Ensure an efficient, low-cost, corruption-free PDS, so that
there is a regular, assured, timely and adequate supply of
commodities to the consumers in the rural, tribal, remote
and backward areas of our country:
•
Supply better quality foodgrains through the PDS by
We will also review the rationale of the Urban Land Ceiling
Act, in this context.
Infrastructure
It is our firm belief that the price level can be controlled
only through maximisation or production and a minimisation of
The BJP will open up sectors such as social forestry,
wasteland development and housing for rural and urban
We’wiil give special tax concessions to writers, artists,
academics and others engaged in intellectual and cultural
We will encourage capital creation through funds from
such a parallel economy, retaining the right of Government
We will ensure minimum contribution to Government
We hold that power, telecommunication’s, transport
(surface, sea and air) constitute the basic building blocks of our
development. With har lly 50% of the roads surfaced, about
40% of the traffic volume is handled by the National Highway
System (NHS) which constitutes hardly 2% of the road network.
•
Our Railway network has grown only by 16% over five
decades. The ports have become the greatest constraint on
our world trade. The dimensions of the power and telecom
munications situation cripple development.
•
We|need io actively develop a National Waterways
•
While disinvesting, care will be taken so that the workers
•
The National Renewal Fund will be realigned to take care
network.
•
interests are not harmed.
To meet our minimum needs, a staggering 10,000 MW
have to be added annually for the next 15 years. Irrigation
of the constant requirements of retraining and redeploy
needs press upon our resources. All these call for large
ment of workers that may be necessary in a fast growing
investments.
•
economy.
We propose, therefore, to lay the foundations of a strong
e
bond market in the country which can take care of the
Sales proceeds from PSU disinvestment will be utilised
only on capital expenditure.
massive financial requirements. We invite foreign capital
Foreign Trade and Capital
in the field of infrastructure.
•
•
Foreign Trade Policy has in the past degenerated into
We will initate a framework-which will facilitate quick
redressal of the acute infrastructure crisis based on interna
one of providing palliatives. It has now become necessary to
tional co-operation and partnership.
strengthen the interface between industry and trade.
We will strive to confine the role of the state to that of a
•
We will select core industries and a system of destinations
facilitator, withdrawing in favour of suitably structured
and initiate an integrated production for export planning
independent regulatory authorities.
with selective intervention so that this sector, so vital to the
economy, acquires dynamism.
j
PublicSector
•
Currently the policy relating to public sector is in
ships of regional trading blocs that will give further impetus
disarray.
•
We will also strive to forge such alliances with or member
to our exports.
The BJP believes in confining the public sector only to
sensitive areas where the nation’s security is involved and
to areas where the presence of public sector is necessary for
i
The BJP welcomes foreign investment, because we
hold that it supplies knowledge, technology and know-how and
sharpens the quality and competitive edge of our economy.
providing a moderating or counter-poising role to the ill
effects, if any, of an unchecked private sector.
,
•
We will, hbw'ever, strive to minimise our dependence on
•
We will prioritise foreign investment in sectors that will
foreign savings.
•
Public sector presence will continue in areas furthering
social objectives.
promote exports in preference to sectors that will cater
•
The remaining public sector that would continue will be
solely or exclusively to the domestic market.
managed with the least interference by Government.
•
Keeping in view that dissemination of world class technol
' In the case of disinvestment from ailing, non-profitablc
ogy is an objective of foreign investment, we will give
or sick public sector undertakings, the BJP will constitute a
preference to overseas investors who have domestic part
Disinvestment Commission for taking care of disinvestment
ners.
from the country’s public sector.
22
.23
•■
5
new ideas, new technology and fresh capital. A modern India to
We will encourage foreign investment in infrastructure,
areas of high technology and R & D within India.
As for MNCs in consumer non-durables, we do not con
the BJP is not a Westernised India; a pale copy of the Western
economic models.
C.
sider them as areas of priority.
Decentralisation
We. stand for a decentralised economic order. The BJP
Industrial Policy
Industry in India has to be enabled to become more
productive, more innovative. Only then will it fulfil its main
role: Enhance the national wealth, provide greater employment
in ever increasing numbers and thus assist the growth of other
sectors, including agriculture. For, we recognise this inscperable
interdependence. Our exports must compete with the best in the
stands for political as well as economic democracy. The role of
the Government must change from the restrictive to the support
ive and encouraging.
The BJP will therefore:
®
Regulations Act will be replaced by Industrial Develop
India to achieve the status that we believe is its destiny. The BJP
ment Act;
assures all about creating a healthy investment and industrial
©
environment.
Encourage res ircli and development as part of the process
of industrial growth and over-all modernisation;
The BJP believes in the continued role and i Jevanceof
the small-scale sector. This important segment of our national
Dcburcaucrati.se industrial approvals and cut down the
plethora of restrictive controls. Industrial Development and
world, add to our resources and fiscal health, and thus enable
©
Hazardous industries will be permitted only in specified
economy, which has been entirely ignored by the Congress and
areas. Separate industrial satellites will be set up exclu
whose very existence is threatened by the present policy of
sively for such units;
economic liberalisation,
will receive all encouragement and
help from a BJP Government.
@
small-scale sector in purchasing, marketing and selling
i The following principles will guide the industrial policy
their products; and,
of the BJP:
A.
Small-scale sector will be given all importance and
encouragement. We will establish agencies to help the
Economic Sovereignty
©
Ensure a healthy capital market.
(The party regards the preservation of the nation’s
economic interests as a component of our external economic
relations. Globalisation, to us, is not a synonym
for the
obliteration of national economic interests. Indeed, in the
ensuing global competition we need to be constantly mindful of
preserving them.
B.
Modernisation
BJP stands for a modern and progressive India, open to
25
(iv)
OUR CONCEPT OF EMPLOYMENT
AND LABOUR'S ROLE ’
Provide transport facilities with special emphasis in
improving availability of transport in rural areas.
(v)
Augment employment opportunities in villages
through
Creating Jobs and Opportunities
Schemes like Antyodaya,
Gokul Gram,
Gopal Gram, Saraswati Yojana as already being
implemented by BJP governments in Rajasthan and
Apart from employment which will be created in the
Gujarat.
normal course by the growth of the economy, special employ
ment schemes will be undertaken by the Bharatiya Janata Party
(vi)
to eradicate unemployment.
Provide and improve infrastructure, especially in
rural areas, such as roads, small dams and water
conservation projects.
The BJP proposes to introduce a scheme of voluntary
National Service to undertake the task of national reconstruc
(vii)
Promote vocational training.
tion and also in order to instill a sense of discipline and
nationalism among the youth of the country. This service will
Labour
aim at reclaiming waste land for commercial use—for instance,
BJP believes in healthy trade unionism. It will :
after reclaiming the waste land, it will be used for horticulture,
social forestry or any other purpose that will provide the youth
involved in the reclamation with continued income. Similarly,
the National Service will be used for river management
1.
2.
Apart from this, the BJP proposes to :
Recognise unions on the basis of secret ballot and have
provisions for comprehensive bargaining;
schemes.
1.
Rationalise and simplify Labour Laws;
3.
Increase employment opportunities in all sectors of the
Introduce worker participation from the shop floor to the
board room in all public sector projects, public limited
companies and foreign companies operating in India;
organised economy;
4.
2.
Prote. t workers against inflation;
Introduce policies and programmes to :
5.
(i)
Develop agriculture, particularly in regions which are
(ii)
Evolve an effective mechanism and ensure better imple
mentation of laws to protect labour from occupational
at present less developed and backward.
health hazards arising from industries like asbestos, ce
ment, slate, mica, chemicals, textiles, etc. The workers will
Promote industrial growth with special attention to
village, cottage and small-scale sectors. Special em-
have the right to be informed about the possible health
j phasis will be laid on agro-industry.
hazards they could be exposed to on the shop floor; and,
(iii) Undertake large-scale housing activity that will gen
erate both jobs and additional shelter in both rural and
6.
Not allow an exit policy without fulfilling corcsponding
obligations towards labour.
urban areas.
26
27
Government Employees
a
>UR SCIENTIFIC TALENT,
OCR TECHNOLOGY
BJP will set up a permanent Employees Welfare Board
with a view to resolving the long-standing problems related to:
1.
Time scale promotion;
2.
Revision of pay scales and award of bonus;
3.
Implementation of awards;
Harnessing Nature For Human Welfare
4.
Housing; and,
5.
Social welfare measures and travel concession for retired
personnel.
The BJP believes that science and technology must play
its due role in transforming India into a prosperous and strong
country. The BJP will apply appropriate scientific and techno
logical methods for increasing productivity, eradicating pov
erty, hunger and disease and providing meaningful employ
ment along with the basic amenities of life. We believe that
science and technology need to be harnessed to improve the lot
of the vast section of our population living below the poverty
line. We hold that science is not merely harnessing nature for
material wealth but is as well for liberating and enriching the
mind and enlarging the human spirit. The BJP will use science
in the service of the poor and develop technology that has a
humane face. Towards this end, we will:
1.
2.
Foster a scientific temper among the people;
Use science and technology for increasing productivity
and generating employment;
• 3.
Implement a vigorous programme of science education
4.
Establish a network of centres for application of science
and research for improving quality of life;
and technology to rural areas, implement "lab-to-land"
programmes and develop a strong low-cost agro-industrial
base;
5.
Put new life into National Laboratories to develop them as
6.
Direct these laboratories to evolve appropriate technology
centres of excellence in applied research;
for Indian needs;
28
29
7.
OUR FOREIGN POLICY
Accelerate the production of scientific literature in regional
languages and evolve a national terminology for science
and technology;
8.
India, the New Millennium, the World
Create the right working conditions for our best brains to
remain in India and serve the country and not migrate to
other lands;
9.
Make a systematised effort to bring national laboratories
In a post-Cold War world India will be confronted by
many new challenges and opportunities. To meet them, to
benefit from the opportunities, mindful of the existing global
disequilibrium and in consonance with India's national inter
and industry together by setting up "Technology Parks" to
ests, our foreign policy in the emerging decades will be based
be patronised by industry. This will promote cooperation
on the human values of peace, equality and cooperation.
between industy’s resources and talent in laboratory;
10.
Safeguard national interests and our intellectual property
rights! by encouraging research and development;
11.
Undertake research in the field of drugs, micro-biology,
bic-technology, bio-fertilisers etc.; and,
12.
Strengthen research in indigenous systems of medicine.
The BJP holds that as a departure from the recent past,
Indian diplomacy should be conducted in tune with India’s
position as a strong power and a major player in the world arena.
A billion people who do not depend upon anyone for feeding
or clothing themselves are a newer which cannot be ignored.
Our nation needs to regain its lost pride and the BJP alone can
undertake this task. While we believe in partnership with
everyone, we reject the very thought of patronage by anybody.
The BJP’s foreign policy will be guided by the following
agenda:
Sovereign equality amongst nations; a rejection of political
or economic hegemonism.
2.
Promotion of Asian solidarity; development of South Asian
Regional Cooperation; and, emphasis on improved rela
tions with neighbouring countries. The BJP does not accept
outside interference in this region as being beneficial for it.
Pakistan continues to follow a polic
of fomenting insur-
gency, seeking to create instability ar d unrest in India. The
BJP stands committed to thwarting all these attempts. In
this context, we state:
(a)
The BJP affirms unequivocally India’s sovereignty
over the whole of Jammu &, Kashmir, including
Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir; and.
30
10.
(b)
The BJP declares that it will not accept any interfer
4.
Ourrelations with the USA will be based on mutual respect
11.
issue has cast its shadow on our bilateral ties and needs to
policy for this region continues to suffer from lack of vision
be resolved early.
and that it disregards India's political and security interests.
India and Russia have a long tradition of good relations and
12.
an asset to the country. Their emotional attachment to the
political interests in Asia. The BJP will endeavour to further
motherland is still deep. This must find due expression.
explore the avenues of bilateral cooperation in this direc
Schemeswill be drawn up to attract substantial investments
tion.
by non-resident Indians. They will be welcome to set up
Our relations with the People’s Republic of China offer an
industrial units and industrial parks, and invest in the
opportunity to now put them on a footing of friendship and
infrastructure. The BJP will examine afresh the issue of dual
cooperation. For this we need to resolve the border ques
tion in a fair and equitable manner. It cannot, however, be
ignored that the People’s Republic of China continues to
support Pakistan militarily and otherwise.
7.
Millions of sons and daughters of Mother India, settled
abroad as Overseas Indians, are considered by the BJP as
have much to gain from the compatibility of their geo
6.
In ourrelations with Bangladesh, illegal immigration into
India from that country has proved a major irritant. This
and a congruence of interests. We note, however, that US
5.
The BjWill try to consolidate further the close and friendly
ties between India and Bhutan.
ence in our country’s internal affairs.
The BJP greatly regrets the continuing bloodshed in Sri
Lanka, particularly as India all through its history has had
warm fraternal ties with all sections of the population in that
citizenship.
13.
The BJP will launch a vigorous campaign for a permanent
membership for India in the UN Security Council.
The BJP stands committed to peace amongst all nations;
prosperity for all the peoples of the world; and, an international
role for India that befits this great and ancient nation.
country. The BJP is confident that within a uni ted Sri Lanka
it should be possible to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil
people.
8.
The BJP pledges to maintain warm and friendly relations
with Nepal, with which India has the closest cultural,
religious and historical ties. The BJP will work actively for
resolving all outstanding issues. We welcome the restora
tion of democracy in Nepal.
9.
The BJP views with great sympathy the struggle for resto
ration of democracy in Myanmar. It extends its support to
the task of reconciliation and reconstruction in that country
with which India has a long border and age-old religious,
cultural and historical ties.
32
33
OUR NATION’S SI^URITY
5.
Institute police reforms and upgrade the capability of the
force; and,
Protecting Our Country
6.
present Government with imperilling oursccuiity, internal and
external, as never before.
Our defence expenditure has been cut steadily i
real
terms during the Narasimha Rao regime. This has seriously
compromised our combat effectiveness. The present Congress
Government has been functioning without a full-time Defence
Minister for over three years, and this negligence of India’s
sword arm has begun to affect the morale of our gaiianl forces.
The BJP will correct this damaging imbalance. We will
accord due importance to all security-related issues — the
Legislate tough deterrent laws against terrorist and disrup
tive activities (TADA was repealed to pander to vote bank
The BJP accords the highest importance to the security
of our Nation, our Society and our Citizens. We,charge the
politics) while safeguarding democratic rights.
Jammu & Kashmir
The absence of political far-sightedness and clarity of
national objectives has resulted in our nation continuing to have
to pay a price even 50 years after Jammu & Kashmir became a
part of the Republic. The failure of successive Congress Gov
ernments to formulate a Jammu & Kashmir policy that takes into
account the State's internal problems has led to a situation where
this strategic border State has emerged as the principal chal
lenge to Indian nationhood. The BJP realises the magnitude of
the challenge and dedicates itself to the task of not only solving
emerging global realities and regional complexities demand
the internal problems of the State but also reclaiming the portion
this as the very minimum response from our Government.
of our territory which has been illegally held by Pakistan for
nearly five decades. Without repeating the mistakes of yester
Internal Security
years and merely reacting to Pakistan's moves, we will:
The nature of the state and its relationship with society
1.
has a direct bearing on the level of the citizens’ national
commitment. An insensitive and uncaring state erodes the
citizens’ allegiance to the nation. The BJP will restore national
Immediately strengthen the civil administration by induct
ing able and honest administrators;
2.
Provide a free hand to our security forces to deal with the
commitment to its rightful place by establishing a harmonious
menace of terrorism and induction of men and arms from
relationship between state and society. We will:
Pakistan, while ensuring that democratic rights are not
violated;
1.
Dejuse tension in long-festering trouble spots;
3.
2.
Ensure protection of life and property from insurgents and
3.
4.
Cleanse the local police and administration of malcontents
who have aligned themselves with the terrorists or are pro
foreign mercenaries;
Pakistan;
Provide our security apparatus with a free hand to deal with
4.
Declare Doda a disturbed area and invoke the Armed
terrorism;
Forces (Special Powers) Act to prevent this district from
Revitalise and reinforce law and order machinery;
becoming a haven for mercenaries and terrorists;
5.
Launch a massive welfare programme for all regions of the
State and ensure there is no seepage:
34
6.
Hold free and fair elections in the State after terrorism has
Himalayas
been brought under control and every person, including
the Pandits who have been forced out of the Valley, is
provided with an opportunity to participate in me polls;
7.
Rehabilitate all persons displaced from terrorism-afflicted
areas of Jammu & Kashmir; and,
8.
Set up regional councils for Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.
North-East
Over the past five decades, dur Himalayan bastions
have been strategically pierced. Despite that, the attitude of
successive Congress governments hais remained unchanged:
Strategically, the Government has failed to restore a balance
there, leave alone regain the initiative. In the process, we have
also lost large national territories to tlpc People's Republic of
China, thus demonstrating an absence of strategic thought
about our Himalayan bastions. The B^R will evolve a security
The north-eastern States of our country continue to
suffer from the violence perpetrated by insurgency and ethnic
strife. Poor governance, a callous administration, seepage of
policy for the Himalayas so that India's national interests are
fully safeguarded.
External Security
development funds, and Congress’ politics of manipulation
have contributed to the alienation of the people and the growth
of insurgency fin Assam, ULFA and Bodo militants have begun
to strike with regularity; in Nagaland and Manipur the NSCN
continues with its depredation; and, in Tripura, militant tribal
outfits have once again reared their ugly heads. The tide of
illegal immigration from Bangladesh has only worsened the
We- believe that pro-active diplomacy, especially de
fence diplomacy, coupled with adequate preparedness of our
armed forces, is the
1.
Set up a National Security Council;
2.
Re-evaluate the country’s nuclear policy and exercise the
option to induct nuclear weapons;
situation. The BJP will address itself to the problems of our
north-eastern States and institute a grievance redressal system
monitored from Delhi. It will also take the following steps to
3.
Though the BJP stands committed to a nuclear-free world,
we cannot accept a world of nuclear apartheid.
restore the rule of law in the troubled States:
(i)
J.
2.
Ban Treaty (CTBT) unless there is a simultaneous
training camps across the border;
agreement for a time-bound global elimination of
nuclear weapons in their entirety.
Strengthen the security apparatus and intelligence net
(ii)
Check the narcotics trade and attendant ills in the region;
and,
5.
The BJPwill not agree to the Fissile Material Control
Regime (FMCR).
Provide all citizens with identity cards on a priority basis;
(iii)
4.
The BJP v i 11 thus not agree to the Comprehensi ve Test
Check the inflow of foreign arms and terrorists from
work;
3.
key to securing our frontiers against
aggression. This requires both strategy and tactics. The BJP will:
The BJP will not agree to the Missile Technology
Control Regime (MTCR).
4.
Expedite the serial production of Prithvi and make Agni I
Plan and execute an integrated and accelerated economic
operational for the deployment of these missiles. In addi
development programme.
tion. hasten the development of Agni II:
36
5.
Immediately upgrade conventional weapons and weapons
systems of the armed forces;
6.
4.
Hospitals for veterans will beset up throughout the country
so that no ex-serviceman, irrespective of his rank, is denied
Strengthen the intelligence-gathering system, inclusive of
medical care;
all 'ntelligenceagencies, initiate a Centre-State initiative on
intelligence gathering and sharing, step up air surveillance
5.
equipment;
7.
S.
6.
maximum extent possible, especially in insurgency-af
Make a qualitative and quantitative improvement in our
fected areas. Wherever there is a stipula ed percentage for
employing ex-servicemen, it will be fulfilled;
Invest in R&D in areas of defence and missile technology
7.
so that we become increasingly self-reliant;
10.
numerous para-military forces and reorganise and reform
them.
The BJP is rightly proud of our valiant soldiers who
have dedicated their lives to defend our nation from external
aggressors and internal subversives. We believe it is our duty to
lake care of our serving jawans and look after those who have
retired from service, as well as their families. To fulfil this duty,
the BJP will adopt the following programmes and policies :
3.
8.
; .
District Sainik Boards will be strengthened.
Illegal Immigration :
Demographic Invasion — A Threat to Our Security
Jni Jawan
2.
Necessary changes will be made in agri< ullural and urban
tenancy laws to secure the proprietary rights of servicemen;
and,
Peg defence-related expenditure to real requirements; and,
1.1. Re-examine the role, structure and composition of the
1.
The services of our retired soldiers will be used to the
Strengthen the Air Force fleet with new generation aircraft;
naval capabilities;
9.
Ex-servicemen’s welfare will be included in the concurrent
list;
of our territory, and acquire state-of-the-art electronic
We believe that illegal immigration from our
neighbouring countries, especially Bangladesh, has a direct
impact on our nation's security and has an unsettling effect on
our demography. Given the sheer dimension of numbers —
there are as many as 1.7 crore illegal immigrants, the bulk of
them Bangladeshis, living in various parts of the country —
illegal immigration is not only transforming the geography, but
The terms of service, including pay and allowance, hous
the sociology, the economy, indeed even the politics of this
ing. education for children and pension, of all ranks will be
country. India is facing an explosive issue. If our demographic
improved so as to attract men and women of high calibre.
balance is allowed to be disturbed by inept policies and political
The present shortage of men and officers does not have to
considerations, various demographic entities are bound to
be met by lowering standards of entry;
come in conflict, thus adversely affecting our security environ
Widows and dependents of jawans who die in action will
ment. The invasion of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh has
receive higher benefits and compensation;
led to an alarming growth in a section of the population in our
North-East, in .*• ssatn, in West Bengal, parts of Bihar and Delhi.
Pension disparities will be levellised and anomalies sorted
In certain :rea$. a section of the population hasgrown by almost
out expeditiously;
■38
The BJP proposes to:
1.
Complete barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh
2.
Detect illegal immigrants, delete their names from voters'
OUR VILLAGES, OUR FARMERS,
OUR POOR
border, beginning with the plains, to prevent infiltration;
lists and arrange for their deportation without any further
delay;
3.
4.
Our country has an abundance of natural resources —
fertile lands, flowing rivers, rich mineral deposits and verdant
Declare all property deals between Indians and illegal
forests. More than anything else, we have a large army of
immigrants as null and void;
farmers that shoulders the onerous task of feeding our people.
Amend immigration rules and other laws to impose strin
gent checks on illegal entry into India; and,
5.
Towards a Revitalised Rural Economy
Expedite the issuance of identity cards to all citizens of the
country.
But the wrong priorities of the last 50 years of Congress misrule
and the lopsided model of development pursued by policy
makers have impoverished vast sections of our farmers, render
ing agriculture economically non-viable. Worse, bulk of the
monies earmarked for infrastructural development, health,
education and civic amenities has been canalised to the urban
areas despite the fact that the majority of the population lives in
villages.
Less than a quarter of the country’’s population, 23.31
per cent, lives in urban areas, compared :<!) the overwhelming
76.69 per cent which lives in villages. As many as 71.4 per cent
of our people are economically dependent on agriculture: This
sector of our economy,’ therefore, generates the highest em
ployment as well as provides the biggest market. Yet, this sector
continues to be neglected by Congress policy-makers.
The Bharatiya Janata Party believes that India cannot
emerge as a powerful nation until the lot of our farmers is
improved, adequate attention paid to the agricultural sector, an
all-out war launched against poverty, and investments are
made in agro-industry its well as small-scale and cottage
industry catering to the requirements of our villages. Our
country’s progress is linked to the well-being of our villages,
our farmers and our poor.
Congress’ Policy: Not To Have A Policy on Agriculture
In the absence of any well thought out agricultural
BuWiis simple truth has been ignored for the last 50
policy focussing on rural development "and reconstruction,
agriculture is fast becoming a losing proposition for our fann
years. Today, three out of every four Indians live in villages,
ers. While fixing agricultural prices, successive Congress Gov
condemned to a life of exploitation and increasing social,
ernments have not taken into account the expenses incurred by
our farmers on seeds, fertiliser, power, water, pesticides, ma
political and economic marginalisation.
chinery and labour. No effort has ever been made to bring about
BJP’s AGENDA FOR OUR FARMERS, OUR POOR
We pledge to reverse this trend of social, political and
parity in the prices of industrial and agricultural produce.
economic marginalisation of our rural population and empower
As a result, our farmers are forced to sell the fruit of their
our farmers. We arc committed to restoring agriculture to its
labour at low prices even while they have to pay ever-increasing
rightful place and thus steering our people into an era of
prices fori the necessary inputs. Not surprisingly, this has
prosperity and social equality by the opening decade of the new
contributed to the impoverishmeni and indebtedness of our
century.
farmers, pushing vast sections of them dangerously close to or
No country can be great
even below the Poverty Line. According to the Planning
Commission’s own estimates, almost 42 per cent of our rural
population lives below the Poverty Line.
its people remain poor. The
first task for us will be to wipe out the dark curse of poverty. We
will allocate greater resources for effective poverty alleviation
programmes; we will invest in agriculture and small-scale
No less alarming is the fact that the number of our
villagers dependent on per acre of land has been steadily
industry; we will build from the bottom up, for that is the only
way we can build an enduring edifice of development.
increasing, compared to other countries where this dependency
has dramatically decreased with governments investing in
To develop rural India, the B.JP will:
agr<. industry which offers alternative sources of employment.
1.
No effort has been made to set up an adequate number of smallscale and cottage industries in our rural areas to absorb idle
hands. This has also contributed in no small measure to the
2.
Treat villages as the basic unit of development and provide
each village with basic facilities like roads, irrigation,
impoverishment of our farmers. In 1950-51, the ratio of the
drinking water, education, health and sanitation;
disparity between the per capita income in rural and urban areas
was 1:2; in 1995-96 it stood at 1:4. Similarly, while per family
Allocate 60 per cent of Plan funds for agricultural and rural
development;
3.
Provide shelter to the homeless in our 'plages;
income has risen by 52 per cent in urban areas since 1952. it has
increased by a mere 7.8 per cent in rural areas.
4.
Develop agriculture, enhance production and improve
living standards in our villages by — I
Ironically, these neglected villages form a vast market
— and from this market, as much as Rs 48,000 crores flow to
(a)
destroying this market. Conversely, by developing our villages,
Fixing agricultural prices after taking into account all
expenses incurred by farmers;
our urban areas every year. By killing our villages, we will be
(b)
Reducing the per acre cost of production;
(c)
Increasing the average per acre production;
we will be strengthening this market, which in turn will benefit
our urban areas. In other words, urban India cannot survive
without rural India.
42
43
(d)
Reducing the overall dependence on agriculture;
(e)
Providing alternative employment to displaced farm
17.
Free sugar industry from licensing, and production of
molasses from all restrictions on production and move
ment, as well as ensure that farmers reejeive an adequate
ers;
share of the total prices;
5.
Give agriculture the same benefits as industry;
6.
Set up an Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission in
18.
Maintain the subsidy on fertilisers;
19.
Improve the Public Distribution System;!
which farmers and agricultural specialists will together
comprise two-thirds of the members. The Commission will
be autonomous and its recommendations will be binding.
20.
Establish farmers’ service centres;
21.
Give comprehensive documents to farmers which cover
land records, ownership and all other relevant papers;
Announce the total cost of inputs, the total expenditure
7.
incurred by farmers, and thereafter announce the support
22.
prices; .
8.
Link support prices to the price index;
9.
Ensure parity between agricultural and industrial products
in respect of pricing;
10.
compensation at market rates;
23.
24.
Enforce prompt payment for agricultural produce. There
I.
2.
will be automatic interest addition to payments delayed
Give the greatest impetus to this sector. To make agriculture
sustainable, the BJP will sharpen the edge of agro-based
rural industries and food-processing;
Extend crop and animal insurance to all agricultural.pro-
3.
duce. Insurance schemes will also cover natural calamities;
14.
Establish an extensive chain of tiny and small-scale indus
trial units;
beyond two weeks;
13.
Launch employment guarantee schemes in rural India that
To revive village industry, the BJP will:
Give priority to the farmers’ interests while determining the
exim policy for agricultural produce;
12.
Free bonded labour and rehabilitate them; and,
will cover the largest possible number of people.
Conduct extensive research to evolve methods of dryland
farming;
11.
Reform land acquisition laws and ensure that agricultural
land acquired for tiny purpose receives prompt and full
Establish a chain of warehouses with facilities for grant of
Provide a" facilities, including easy access to credit and
marketing to rural artisans and craftsmen;
4.
Set up a National Artisan Development Bank;
advance payments of up to 80 per cent of the agricultural
produce deposited;
5.
Set up special institutes for skill upgradation; and,
15.
Encourage the use of fruit juice in the production of al!
beverages;
6.
Give a thrust to wasteland development, social forestry
16.
Allow free movement of foodgrains throughout the coun
try;
|
44
and horticulture.
45
To provide irrigation facilities, the BJP will:
5.
Only those entirely dependent on agriculture will be al
lowed to become members of fanners cooperative societ
Launch time-bound irrigation projects and complete ongo
1.
ies; and,
ing projects;
6.
Ensure free and timely elections to cooperative bodies.
Give priority to small and minor irrigation projects;
2.
To implement land reforms, the BJP will:
3.
Remove disparities between districts within States;
4.
Encourage the use of alternative sources of irrigation
through incentives and better water management;
1.
2.
Ensure that farmers are made to pay only for the water they
5.
consume; and,
3.
flood waters for irrigation. Offer prompt compensation for
4.
Monitor the use of distributed land and prevent its alien
ation from beneficiaries;
To provide poVer for agriculture, the BJP will:
Encourage rapid electrification of our villages so that no
village is left without power by the turn of the century;
2.
Ensure adequate supply of power for agricultural activity;
3.
Set up small power stations and sub-stations in rural areas
for supplying power exclusively to villages; and,
4.
Expedite distribution of ceiling surplus land among land
less farmers; •
crops lost in floods.
1.
Set up designated courts to expeditiously deal with all land
ceiling disputes and monitor enforcement of verdicts;
Draw up a master plan for flood control and harnessing of
6.
Enforce the implementation of Land Ceiling Laws in all
States;
5.
Time-bound registration of all lands; and,
7.
Decide ownership rights at the level of Gram Panchayats
■ without any delay.
To alleviate poverty, the BJP will:
1.
Enhance public outlays for poverty alleviation and social
infrastructure;
Electricity Boards will be made to pay compensation to
farmers if they fail to supply assured quantity of power.
Reclaim cultivable land lying fallow;
6.
2.
Restructure the PDS, confining it only to the poor and the
needy. Burgeoning food stocks with a vastly reduced off
Similarly, farmers will be required to pay their power bill on
. take and a decline in the per capita consumption of cereals
time. |
from PDS are powerful indicators of poverty rather than the
To strengthen the cooperative movement, the BJP will:
1.
Free cooperatives from political interference;
2.
Prevent the intrusion of vested interests;
misleading inflation indices. PDS prices and the regulated
intervals of offtake will be suitably adjusted so that the
scheme becomes meaningful for fighting hunger and mal
3.
nutrition. PDS will also be dovetailed to provide ‘Food for
Work’ in employment prog.animes linked with poverty
Simplify rules and regulations governing the functioning
eradication;
of cooperative societies;
3.
4.
Make entry in passbooks mandatory for all money depos
its;
46
Identify poverty through indexation reflecting not only the
' level of consumption of calories but also the minimal social
infrastructure status such as literat^P housing, drinking
OUR HUMAN WEALTH
water, health and sanitation;
4.
Implement ‘Antyodaya’ schemes throughout the country
because we hold that sustainable employment is at the core
Literacy and Health For All
of poverty eradication. These Antyodaya schemes will be
targeted at the poorest of the poor: Five crore families will
be selected for immediate relief;
5.
6.
Allocate more resources for food-for-work programmes so
The Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to the creation
of a a Bharat whose citizens will not suffer from the dual
affliction of illiteracy and malnutrition. We believe that theslatc
should invest in developing every citizen’s potential to contrib
that they can be implemented round the year, as well as
ute to the regeneration of our country. To achieve that, we will
monitor their implementation; and,
stress on health and education, both of which are challenges that
Introduce Langar Yojana and Annadan Yojana to ensure
have to be met by the first decade of the 21st century. India has
that no man, woman or child goes hungry.
to emerge as a powerful, self-reliant and proud nation. True
development will be possible only when we draw sustenance
To ensure cow protection, the BJP will:
1.
Impose a total ban on the slaughter of cows and cow
progeny-by amending Article 48 of the Constitution to
from our citizens; they are our true wealth.
Education
The past five years have witnessed this core area of
cover bulls and bullocks, and prohibit all trading (state as
well as private) in the slaughter of cows and cow progeny;
human resource development being increasingly deprived of
state support. As a result, quality education is fast becoming the
2.
Implement a policy for improved cattle-breeding; and,
3.
Provide tax exemption to the income of Goshalas and
Pinjrapoles.
preserve of the social and economi., elite of the country. The
vast multitudes, who have been victims of inequity, continue to
be denied the cherished ideal of literacy. The BJP will stress on
providing equal opportunity of education, literacy and informa
The BJP recognises the fact that from times immemo
tion. Towards this end, we will:
rial, cow-protection has remained one of the basics of Indian
culture and Indian agriculture, and it is on the patient back of the
1.
ture rests. Over 70 million animals are employed in farming
2.
3.
effective protection against environmental degradation.
The BJP regretfully observes that millions of cows and
cow progeny are slaughtered every year, most of them for
Spend more on primary education and enrol the help of
non-government organisations in this area;
operations in Indian villages, more than 80% rural transport
needs are met by the bullock-cart. Our livestock is also an
Increase state spending on education progressively to at
least six per cent of our Gross National Product;
cow and its progeny that the entire structure of Indian agricul
Provide free education in order to universalise access to
primary education;
4.
Offer incentives in the form of free text books, nutrition
programmes and stipends to check dropout rate so that at
least 80 per cent children, both boys and girls, who enrol
export.
complete primary school education;
48
49
Reduce learning period and introduce self-employment
5.
oriented vocational training programmes at hiph school
level;
8.
century. Our goal will be health for all. Towards this end, we will
strive for:
Introduce an anti-cheating law which will be applicable to
6.
7.
creation of a productive workforce by the beginning of the next
all States and whose abuse will be prevented through
1.
Ending the scourge of malnutrition;
adequate safeguards;
2,
Drastically reducing our infant mortality rate and under-
Launch community-level adult education programmes to
five mortality rate by spending more on pre-natal and post
provide functional literacy to at least 90 per cent of our
natal health care programmes;
adult illiterates in both villages and the cities;
3.
Immunising every child against killer diseases;
Set up a special monitoring authority to scrutinise the
4.
Providing every panchayat with a free primary health care
quality of education and remove gender disparity;
9.
centre with facilities for mother and child care, as well as
access to these centres;
Enstire autonomy to universities, encourage them to
mobjlisc resources fur research and higher education, and
5.
prov de academic freedom to our scholars, especially in the
social sciences;
Improve the pay and emoluments of teachers at all levels
10.
6.
Promoting awareness on cleanliness and disease prevention;
7.
Re-evaluating existing programmes to tackle sexually-
and remove anomalies in college/university promotion
rules;
transmitted diseases, with special focus on AIDS;
8.
Enrol industry’s help to set up more technical and agro
11.
industrial institutuions that will provide affordable educa
tion;
9.
13
plaints;
10.
Launch a scheme for low interest bank loans for meritori
ous students who want to go in for higher education;
and,
Holding doctors, para-medical and non-medical staff at
Government hospitals and health care centres accountable
and instituting a mechanism for swift disposal of all com
functioning of private engineering and medical institu
tions;
Making the screening of blood at blood banks mandatory
and provide for punitive punishment for any violation:
Abolish the system of capitation fees and monitor the
12.
Canalising a substantial portion of the health care allocation
on preventive rather than curative aspects;
Revising pay and emoluments of staff at Government
hospitals and health care centre to attract the best talent;
11.
Promoting alternative medical sciences with special em
phasis on Ayurveda and Unani systems;
14. Thwart attempts by foreign universities, colleges and insti
tutes of dubious reputation to open branches in India and
prevent the outflow of foreign exchange on studies abroad
12.
Protecting traditional medicinal plants, trees and cures;
13.
Preventing drug prices from escalating to a point where
they become non-affordable fbr the masses;
unless the course is relevant to our needs and requirements.
14.
Health
Introducing health insurance schemes at a minimal cost
to the subscriber; and,
We believe in increasing state investment in health and
nutrition programmes because this is the only path to the
50
15.
Instituting a mechanism to monitor'and collate health-
related information.
OUR AGENDA FOR WOMEN
Promote a health care system that will focus on the non-
8.
reproductivc health needs of women, especially in rural
areas;
Nari Shakti: Towards Empowerment
Provide state support for single and working mothers
9.
through grants and subsidy, and formulate a forward
We hold that ‘Nari Shakti’ is not merely a phrase, it is the
enunciation of our approach. Towards this end, the BJP will
empower women, ensure, that their dignity and rights are not
looking housin’' policy to help women;
10.
trampled upon and help develop their full potential. We are also
Make women partners in the management of community
assets and properties;
committed to protecting the rights of the girl child. The BJP will:
11.
1.
End discrimination in any form against women and encour
Enrol the help of local self-governments to set up latrines
for women in the rural areas;
age gender sensitivity. All nationai policies will be sub
jected to gender analysis;
12.
Set up a micro-credit system with the help of a national
corpus to which both the Union and State governments.
2.
Reserve 33 per cent seats in all elected bodies, including
apart from banks, will contribute.
State Assemblies and Parliament, to make women real
participants in a resurgent India of the 21st century;
13.
Encourage the setting up of cooperative societies in rural
areas to be managed by women and to benefit women
3.
Actively promote the legal and economic rights of women
entrepreneurs;
which must be equal to those of men and not subject to the
debilitating clauses of personal laws;
4.
14.
15.
(i)
Give women properly rights;
(ii)
Ensure women’s right to adopt;
(iii)
Guarantee women equal guardianship rights;
Introduce skill-based training programmes and employ
ment schemes which arc area-specific;
Introduce a Uniform Civil Code that will:
Design a special programme to provide women who were
denied education with functional literacy;
16.
Amend laws that deal with molestation, rape and dowry to
provide for in-camera trial, swift justice and tough deterrent
punishment as well as rehabilitation of the victims of these
5.
(iv)
Removcdiscriminatoryclausesindivorcelaws;and,
(v)
Put an end to polygamy;
crimes;
17.
opportunities in employment and promotion, and end
18.
Enforce the principle of equal wages for equal work
whether in the organised or unorganised sector;
7.
Rehabilitate commercial sex workers and set up a special
fund to provide health care and education to their children;
sexual harassment;
6.
Amend the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act to make
clients as culpable as commercial sex workers;
Create conditibns in society and workplace to ensure equal
Evolve a scheme for part-time jobs for women;
S?
19.
Enact a law (hat will make reeistration of marriages with
foreigners mandatory;
•
20.
Make it compulsory for the mother’s name also to be
OUR POPULATION joLICY
mentioned in all Government and non-Government records,
starting from a child's birth certificate to a person’s death
certificate. •
21.
Towards a Sustainable and Balanced Growth
Set up designated courts i.n every district for expeditious
trial of civil and criminal complaints relating to women;
22.
Rapidly induct more women in the police force and appoint
Our people are our primary concern -r— their basic needs
of health, education and employment must precede everything
else. To ensure an equitable disbursement of resources so that
them in senior positions as well as set up a ‘Crimes Against
(he largest number of our people benefit from development
Women Cell’ in every police station;
policies, we must arrest the country's runaway population
growth. An increasing population can only mean a decreasing
23.
Enact a special law to deal with the crime of domestic
violence against women;
24.
Promote a social agenda designed to discourage negative
share of the fruits of development. Successive Congress Gov
ernments have ignored this crucial area of development plan
ning, often for petty political motives. This has resulted in a
influences and end discrimination against the girl child in
sleep rise in population and severe demographic imbalances.
any form; '
The Bharatiya Janata Party believes that children are horn —
and have the right — to be happy, and not merely for existence.
25.
Ruthlessly punish those who indulge in unethical practices
like prenatal sex-determination test and female foeticide
and infanticide;
26.
launch a people’smovcment against the impending population
Invest in the girl child’s health, nutrition and education,
from infancy through adolescence;
27.
We will, therefore, put population-related issues, especially
family planning, firmly back on the national agenda, and
explosion through persuasive policies. The BJP proposes to:
I.
Population Policy that will stabilise the population growth
the gender gap and offer incentives for the girl child’s
by the first decade of the new century;
education in the form of free uniforms and books;
28.
Strictly enforce age of consent laws and end child prostitu
Act on the reports of the National Development Council
and the Swaminathan Committee to formulate a National
Universalise primary and secondary education to narrow
2.
Enact a law that will debar those with more than two
children from holding elected office, with 1996 as the cut
tion; and,
off year;
29.
Have a fresh look at the UN convention for the elimination
of discrimination against women (CEDAW) to determine
3.
Provide incentives to those among the economically weaker
whether the reservations expressed by the Government of
sections who opt for the “two-child” norm in the form of
India are justified.
special facilities for health, education, nutrition and em
ploymentopportunities. At the same time, the BJP will also
introduce disincentives like limiting subsidised ration and
maternity benefits to two children with 1996 as the cut-off
year. These disincentives will apply to all sections of
54
OUR ENVIRONMENT
society, irrespective of their social, economic or religious
status to discourage large, unsustainable families;
4.
Ensure universal access to family planning information and
Only One Earth
quality facilities by involving non-government organisa
The BJP holds as a firm conviction that our “only one
tions, and promote awareness among the people, especially
women, through counselling and educational programmes;
5.
6.
Introduce family planning methods and facilities that will
This, however, is not for endless exploitation. Our environment
has to be protected, not only to prevent the sanctity of Mother
allow women greater freedom of choice without imperill
Earth from being profaned but also because our forests, our
ing their health;
rivers and our skies sustain a multitude of lives. No less
Launch a special campaign to educate local communities
about negative practices and encourage women to seek
reproductive health services;
7.
Earth" is the endo'wcr of all our wealth and natural resources.
Offer a special incentive in the form of a fixed deposit that
important is the crucial role that environment plays in our
nation’s security. Environment must be protected by subscrib
ing to the concept of 'sustainable development', a philosoph
ical tenet that is integral to our civilisational and cultural
consciousness. The BJP will:
will mature in 21 years for those couples who have only a
girl child or those who adopt a girl child under a “Dattak
8.
i.
Introduce a National Environment Policy incorporating a
Putri Yojana".
healthy balance between development needs and preserva
tion of natural resources. The interests of and consultation
Make family planning an integral part of our development
with'States will be fully ensured. To implement the policy,
policies to ensure widest applicability of these incentives
the Ministry of Environment and Forests will be recast as
and disincentives.
the Ministry for Ecological Security;
2.
Implement belter management and harnessing of river
waters as well as sources of ground water;
3.
Control land, air and water pollution by industry and urban
centres. Municipal sewage treatment plants’will be made
obligatory;
4.
Formulate a programme for developing sustainable cities,
with special emphasis on waste management and use of
natural resources like water;
5.
Make environment studies a part of school, college and
university curriculum and make environment issues an
integral part of (he visual media so that our children
56
op W
poc- 2- -2-
t .
1
Manifesto
Eleventh Lok Sabha Elections
Brothers and Sisters,
Once again all of us are in the midst of a very significant
electoral battle.
These, elections come at a time when our country and people
face the deepest multi-dimensional crisis afflicting India since in
dependence.
.. The gains made by the freedom struggle, the sacrifices of
countless martyrs and the vision of an independent India wedded
to the principles of democracy, secularism, self-reliance, social
justice and federalism is today coming under severe strain.
' The policies pursued by the Congress government under the
IMF/World Bank dictates have led the country on a path that
severely mortgage our economic sovereignty. During the last five )
years, the entire self-reliant basis of independent India is being sys
tematically dismantled. The country is neck deep in foreign debt
The plight of the working people has worsened with relentless
price rise, growing unemployment; poverty, is increasing the
disparities between the rich an'd the poor further widened alanningly. And in,the process,, the ruling pplitician-businessmen-bureaucrat nexus has been Tooting the country through unprece;
dented institutionalised corruption.; v ,. ••
During the same period the unity and integrity of India has
been continuously assaulted by the communal forces. The brazen
destruction of the Babri Masjid represented the gravest attack on
India's secular fabric. The,communal holocaust that followed
claimed thousands of lives sowing the seeds of insecurity deeper
amongst the minority community. India's intricate social fabric —
2
multi-religious, multi-linguistic, diverse cultural traditions and
customs — woven together in the long years of common struggles
and co-existence is being perilously threatened. The Congress
government during the last five years instead of meeting this
challenge squarely has adopted a policy of compromise towards
these communal forces bolstering their activities.
The unity and integrity of our country is further threatened by
the continued separatist activities both in Kashmir and in the
North-East. .
The threats to national security were demonstrated in the
manner in which our country's borders were infringed and sophis
ticated weapons dropped on Indian territory in Purulia to fuel anti
national activities.
The federal democratic polity is coming under severe strain. I
The institutions of parliamentary democracy and Centre-State re-1
lations far from being strengthened have been further under
mined. The economic policies have widened regional disparities.
The youth of the country is being bombarded by degenerate
culture through'open-sky'media onslaught
;o •- These years have also seen growing atrocities on Dalits. The
consciousness of the oppressed castes against the injustice mounted
on them over the years has grown. The struggle for social justice
strengthened. At the same time, divisive caste appeals spread
animosity and widen social divisions. _The rights of the tribals
continue to be encroached while their living condi tions deteriorate.
•av.. These five years have seen a stark degeneration of moral
values. There has been an alarming rise in the criminalisation of
social life. Increasing cases of dacoity, unheard of atrocities against
women and the'girl child have characterised this period/ •: ■ '
' - V Theunprecedented crimihalisation of 'politics arid institution-1
alised corruption is threatening the'very basis of parliamentary
democracy. The ruling Congress is leading this degeneration ably
assisted by the BJP.'ivu -,ri'/J*
• ; Thus, in every sphere of our existence‘s the last five years ha ve
seen the country reach a sorry pass.'The irony of thesitu^tiOfiis that
despite Indians matching theworld's best of creative endeavours,
despite’somebutstanding scientific advances, this period has seen’
the’miseries of the people' mounting. This has not only been a
period of missed opportunities to ameliorate the lot of the people,
it has been a'period when the livelihood and security of vast
3
millions has sharply deteriorated. What is at stake today is the very
existence of a modem India centred around a vision that'emerged
in the long arduous struggle for our independence. The choice that
the people will exercise in the coming elections/will determine the
direction in which India will develop. The urgent need is to stop
this rot. The alternative is to degenerate into a fatricidal internecine
strife while the economic independence of our country itself is
under threat.. The urgent need is to.uphpld all those values that
cement the unity and integrity of our country and put the country
back on the rails of a vibrant self-reliant proud independent India.
It is with this sense of urgency that the CPI(M) appeals to bur
. fellow Indians to come forward to save India today to change India
for the better tomorrow. Defeat tho”se forces which.have brought
India to such a sorry pass, elect those whose patrioticjcredentials,
whose commitment to secularism are above suspect.dt is only the
united Left democratic secular forces that can today meet-the
challenges of our times and carry India forward withits head held
high to the twentyfirst century.r.ud ,';uoLotb- .
■1
-------------- :L
'
CONGRESS® RULE
‘'
'
The last five years of the Congress rule has been a period of
chronic instability forthe people of our country.
The economic policies of unbriddled liberalisation has led to
largescale privatisation. Multinational corporations have gained
entry into the core sectors of telecommuncations, power, coal, steel,
oil etc. The public sector is being sold off. The financial sector banks, insurance, etc is sought to be privatised. At the same time,
the country's total debt has crossed Rs. 6 lakh crore. The interest
payment on this in the current year is over Rs. 60,000 croresequi valent to our entire fiscal deficit in the current year. The net i
result has been the mortgaging of the economy and undermining /
its self-reliant basis.
These policies have meant a bonanza for thebig business and
misery for the mass of the people. Companies like 1TC, Reliance,
■ Larsen & Tubro, Mahindra & Mahindra have seen an increase in
their profits by over 300 percent. At the opposite end every aspect
of a common man's existence has worsened.
The conditions in rural India, which houses two-thirds of our
population has distinctly worsened. The real wages of agricultural
4
workers has fallen. Their cost of living index has risen the sharpest.
There are widespread reports of starvation deaths. The refusal to
implement land reforms has kept the vast mass of peasantry in
conditions of abject poverty. The growth of foodgrain production
is just about keeping pace with the population growth. Coupled
with the scuttling of the public distribution system, this implies a
grave threat to food security for the most needy. The refusal to
evolve a national water policy results in crores of rupees worth of
property and precious lives being lost due to annual floods and
drought. On top of this come the burdens of the new economic
policy. . . .
- ,
Price Rise: On the economic front the Congress® had prom
ised in 1991 election manifestolhat-within the first 100 days the
prices of essential commodities will be rolled bafk to levelsof July
1990. Daily experience has shown all of us that the results have been
to the contrary. Rice costs double of what it cost in 1991; the prices
of pulses (dal) have risen nearly twice and in some cases three
times; edible oil has become more expensive. So has wheat, sugar,
tea and even salt. During these five years, the Central government
resorted to unprecedented administrative price hikes. In fact every
single item that constitutes the daily consumption‘basket of mil
lions of. Indians is today much more expensive, nearly double of
what it was five years ago.7.
.■
■ Unemployment: The Congress® had promised that it will
create 10 million new jobs per year. Instead what is the situation
today7~ In January 1995, 36,737,000 people were registered at the
employment exchanges an increase of 444,000 from January 1994.
Over fourlakh indusGTal units that employed lakhs of people are
today either closefd or sick. In fact instead of increasing employ
ment even those'whoAvere employed earlier are on the streets.
Additionally the privatisation of the public sector is reducing the'
employment potential. The government's plans would result in
. some 646,000 people who were employed in the public sector being
eventually retrenched. According to the government itself 1.4 lakh
public'sector employees had already had to face the, axe. ~Many
schemes have bren announced by the government'with much'
fanfarei Bu t they have miserably failed to provide any relief to the'
people. Of the allocation made only 14.3 percent reaches the needy.'
. . Education^TheCongressfl) had promised expanding invest
ment in primary arid'secondary education. Instead, in real terms
there has been a contraction of central government's expenditure?
5
Privatisation and commercialisation of education have been high
lights making both the access to and cost of education beyond the
reach of the common man.
Health: The Congress(I) had promised an increase in alloca
tion for public heal th to achieve Health for all by 2000.1nstead there
hasbeen an actual decline in the per capita health expenditure from
Rs. 120 to Rs. 116, on the public health system from Rs 103 to Rs 94
and on disease control programmes from Rs 103 to Rs. 89 (between
89-90 and 92-93). The withdrawal of the government from-its obli
gations in this sector resulted in skyrocketing of cost of health
facilities with privatisation which is keeping the health requirements of the people beyondlheir reach. At the same time the prices
of medicines have shot up drastically, keeping them beyond the
reach of those who need them most. This has resulted in a massive
outbreak of diseases and the death of lakhs of people due to
completely preventable and curable diseases like Malaria and TB.
Poverty: It had promised the reduction of poverty. According
to the Planning Commission's own figures, the number of people
below the poverty line increased from .35.6 percent in 1990-91 to
39.6percent in 1994-95; ■ c. :•
• .t.. -■ ■ ■
g
,.r:
- ■’ Food security: It had promised expansion of the public distri
bution system and its greater reach to feed the needy. Instead what
we see during these five years has been a sharp decline in the
quantity bought by the people through the public distribution
system. This has been primarily due to the fact that the prices of rice
have been doubled and that of wheatincreascd by 75 percent in the
ration 'shops during this period. The. threat to food security is
bound toaggravateinthecomingyearswiththeshiftfromfoodgrain
productiqn.to commercialcropsasaresult of the new agricultural
onT Foreign Debt: It had promised faprevent India falling into a
debt trap. During these years India's foreign debt has risen to over
Rs 600,000 crore. In 1993-94 the indebtedness of. the country inCTeasedby.Rs.244 crore eyery day or oyer 10 crore^very hour. India
today is the 3rd largest debtor in the^prld . r
r;r?C1
: vi:' It had promised to curb conspicuous consumption and tackle
the menace of black money. On the contrary these five years have
seen the illegal and immoral enrichment of the ruling politicians-.
businessman-bureaucrat nexus andmaximum growth in corrup
tion and black money.-.'. i
I.....0- '-y,‘
6
Threats to secularism: 11 is in this sphere that the Congress(I)'s
betrayal to both India as a nation and people has been exposed.
It had promised that it will protect the Babri Masjid and firmly
implement the status quo of all existing places of worship as of 15th
August, 1947.
The despicable destruction of the Babri Masjid by the BJP/
RSS/VHP combine and the continuously compromising positions
taken by the Congress leadership has contributed to worsening of
the communal situation in our country. The Congress(I) had
promised in its manifesto last time that all parties must "respect the
order and verdict of the court".
Yet it allowed the demolition to take place. Subsequently,
instead of clubbing all pending cases and bringing them before the
supreme court for speedy disposal as suggested by the CPI(M), it
deliberately stalled the issue even after the demolition and adopted
the wrong method of a presidential reference on whether the
mosque was built on any Hindi religious structure. The Supreme
Court refused to rightly entertain such a reference. The net result
is that till date there has been no solution. Thus, its abject compro
mise with'the communal forces led to the worsening of the situ
ation where casualties in the communal riots during the last fiveyears and the loss of property has been the highest in recent
memory,...^i,; -. ni’h ■ 'v- yi;
• Kashmir : It.had promised that a political'solution to the
problem^ Despite the change in mood of the people in the valley
who are getting increasingly alienated with the extremists, thelast
five years have seen the total absence of a political initiative to solve
the problem>h’hrie.-:-.’:ycfrA'>':
nislwr qgre;iauc |
'.r,'^WbmenIt Had promised a better deal for women of India:
Instead what we have seen during the last five years has’been a
sharp rise in all formsof atrocities perpetuated against women. The
brunt of the negative impact of the economic policies is being borne
by working wo'men?j:xsid,jl.’ii
• > • ■■■■.
--7
. ‘••f! • Electoral Reforms: It Had promised electoral reforms to curb
both the excessive use of money and muscle power. It has singu
larly failed to bring forward any proposal during these last five
years.'r.OYqvt)
Foreign Policy: It has promised the strengthening of the norialigned foreign policy of our country. The last five years have seen
unashamed succumbing to pressures of US imperialism in matters
7
of defence including the beginning of hitherto unknown military
pacts with the USA. Its vacillation in the foreign policy have seen
Indian troops acting under UN/US commands in various parts of
the world violating the accepted Indian principles of non-interfer
ence in the internal affairs of other countries. Infact, at a time when
US imperialism is attempting to impose its New World Order,
India's traditional anti-imperialist voice in international fora was
missing. As one of the leaders of the NAM, India during these five
years, miserably failed to discharge its anti-imperialist duties.
In short, on each and every promise that the Congress had
made to the people five years ago the results have been quite
opposite. Asa consequence the living conditions of the people have
worsened, the country's unity and security further threatened and
economic sovereignty and self-reliance further jeopardised.
Corruption — Order of the Day:
These five years have seen totally unprecedented levels of in
stitutionalised corruption. The hallmark of the Narasimha Rao
regime has been the exponential growth of both the number of
scams and the amount looted through them. No area was left
untouched, no stone unturned to loot public assets by the criminal
ruling party politician-businessman-bureaucrat nexus. .
>■ The Rao government began its tenure by stalling the Bofors in
vestigation that is not complete till date. Then came the bank scam,
the disinvestmnt of public sector scam, the sugar scam, Bailadila
mine deal, Enron deal, Railway-ABB deal, telecom scam and
finally the hawala scam. For the first time since independence, as
many as ISministers of the Rao cabinet were forced to resign under
a cloud.' There are many other seams' as well — St Kitts, Goldstar.
etc. Chandraswami continues to be ai free man due to political pa
tronage. The very fact that the Rao government that assumed office
as a minority government turned itself into a majority by organis
ing defections using its money power speaks volumes. Moral and,
material corruption has become the order of the day.
.
The Congrcss'party is now a political party with ho internal
democracy and plagued by intemicine quarrels; it has turned itself
into an organisation whose leadership is abandoning all commit
ment to thenational cause, e''
j
8
Defeat Congress —
Defeat Hawala Government
The only answer to redeem the situation is to prevent the
return of the Congress(I) to the helm of affairs. Defeat of the
Congress signifies the safeguarding of the vision of modem inde
pendent India that we shaped during the freedom struggle.
THE COMMUNAL DANGER
'
Never since the partition of the country, have the communal
forces mountedsuch an offensive as has been witnessed during the
■ last five years, violating all assurances to the National Integration
Council, Supreme Court and to the people the BJP went ahead and
organised the dastardly-demolition of the Babri Masjid. This was
followed by a period of worst social instability-with large scale
spread of communal riots, wanton killings and destruction of
property. The BJP brazenly defended this action. In order to
consolidate the communal forces it struck an alliance with the rabid
communal and chauvanist Shiv Sena in Maharashtra’?)
, ; i During these five years, the BJP sought to project itself as a
responsible opposition claiming to be a party with a difference. On
each of the planks, it has been exposed before the people: With
great fanfare it announced adherence to its policy of "Swadeshi"
and even promised the electorate before the assembly elections in
Maharashtra that it would cancel the dubious deal with Enron and
in fact expel the MNC from the country. But as thingshave turned
out.it has not only.renegotiated with Enron but has in fact fadlfe
tated greater penetration of.the multinational corporation in our
power sector. On eveiy other matter of importance,' policy pre
scription) it has gone alongwith the Congress^ in introducing this
. policy of unbridled liberalisation ■ that is undermining the eco7
nomic sovereignty of our country. Its state governments pursue the
same policies leading to the worsening of people's living condi
tions.
;o rjbiC. o'ri!'- rriOO'-ki ec.-i nbbcprriuo.L’
•
' -r- It. had' projected, itself as a party with a different culture
distinct, fromJhe sol flsonkirig^paESdfms-nnd opportunistic ele^
ments that have gathered in the Congress. However, the-whole
exercise in Gujarat and the internal bickering inthe Party in other :
states where it is in power have shown that its-leadership is also
9
replete with people of the same culture as that of the Congress
whose self seeking opportunism precedes the interests of the
country.
Similarly, with its highest leadership involved in the hawala
scandal it has shown itself as a party that is no different from the
Congress as far as looting the country is concerned.
With this track record, the communal forces in the recent
period once again seek to mount an offensive spreading deeper the
poison of hatred against the minorities in order to garner mors
votes. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has issued a blue print for
Hindu Rashtra while whipping up the campaign for the destruc
tion of the mosques in Kashi and Mathura. The other outfits of the
RSS are also active in organising various activities towards this
end. Itsstate governmentin Maharashtra has abolished theMinorities Commission. It also wound up the Srikrishna Commssion
enquiring into the Bombay riots, brazenly patronising criminal
communal,elements.
;
:-'J ■■
Defeat BJP —
Defeat Communal Forces •
H
In the background of these developments and considering the
fact that the BJP had emergeci in the last elections as the major op
position in parliament and in power in four state legislatures, it still
represents the most consolidated'danger to the very unity and
integrity of our country. It is out'to destroy the very social fabric
that composes India. It is therefore necessary that this communal
challenge be squarely met with and that these forces be defeated in
thecomingeleciidnk.'” 7"7^
s-KHjcatleitfKDOD ge.'.'jOS-q g.'lIXK ;r
iO ■’-'•fgil
. -s •-tubui!* jet
ri^bjj;.e(tc'j .'JjcvGrisnsq
cm-mt zsr/frs nsod f!& svr.i! aldo* aesig s.d) Of ip.Tts: ml/g'-.-'lsJ
ROLE OF THE CPI(MJ?
; ^-itfli.—-r
Thqconsistent, principled and firm role of the CPI(M) and the
Left in maintaining the unity of our country against all divisive and
communal onslaughts is there before the p,ebple.\ ”, ’*
.
The CPI(M) has been in the forefront in the struggle against
cpmmunaHsm. West Bengal and Kerala, are like oasis of harmony
in the otherwise desert'of communal strife.,CP1(M) has-been the
staunchest defender of national unity.’In Punjab alone more than
10
200 CPI(M) members, the best of patriots in contemporary India,
were martyred in the struggle against terrorism. In Kashmir and
elsewhere, the CPI(M) has been in the forefront championing the
unity of India in countering the separatist forces. It has earnestly
defended the concept of social justice and the rights of the back
ward castes, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes. During the last
five years, the CPI(M) and the Left have been in the forefront in
opposing the new economic policies that are bartering away the
sovereignty of our country.
The CPI(M) initiated the strengthening of Left unity in the
present situation. The Left alone with its consistency and firmness
can meet the challenges before the people. During these years, this
•unity inpeopfe’s'struggles, whether on the question of the opposifionto the GATT 1994, privatisation of public sector or the question
of attacks on the rights of the working people, it is the left led mass
organisations that have led the united resistance including four all
India industrial strikes and big mass actions.,
Role of CPI(M) Led Left Front Governments:
In stark contrast to the record of the Congress(I) and the BJP
governments has been that of the Left Front government in West
Bengal which for 19 long years has been in power with its mandate
being renewed in every subsequent election! It has provided the
rhosfstable government independent India has ever seen and
during this period working people of West Bengal have achieved
unprecedented gains. It has been the outpost of communal har
mony and staunchest protector of the rights of the minorities. Its
; ‘record iii-'the implementation of land reforms''protection of the
rights of the. working people, decentralisation of power to the,
panchayats, consolidation of the panchayati raj structure and
taking democracy to the grass roots have all been achievements
unparalleled elsewhere during the last five years..'! i.1 O .71 X-.'
Tripura, under the Left Front rule has.emerged distinct from
the rest of the North East because of the role of the CP1(M) in mainT
'taming the unity if the tribal and non-tribal people in 1 npura, pro
tec tingfhe interests of the tribal community and safeguarding their
rights.•aiggwufs.-jt r-.i ’.c-oridT..-.- o>is m
on.
n
vl
Kerala today has 'some of the best social development
indicators in India like literacy, health etc. it is because of the
11
founda tions laid by the communist led governments in the past. Of
particular significance are the land reformsJnitiatecLand imple
mented by the Left. Whenever the CP1(M) led governments were
voted to office they have left their mark through their policies and
Elect CPI(M) Candidates
Above all, in the existing morass of corruption, criminalisation and moral degeneration it is the CPI(M) and the Left that have
emerged most credible. It is with the above record that the CPI(M)
is appealing to the Indian people to rise to the occasion in these
grave circumstances to defeat the Congress(I) and the BJP.
Vote Left Secular Democratic Forces
The discontent amongst the people against Congress policies
is growing rapidly. On the other hand this growing discontent is
being sought to be exploited by the communal forces for their
political gains.
The people of our country, however, have voted, as in the last
round of assembly elections, against the Congress and BJP wher
ever the Left, democratic and secular forces presented an alterna
tive.'-O
' t '■
' '■ '■
...
• ■"' ■ In this background, it becomes imperative for every patriot to
defeat the Congress and the BJP and in their place elect Left secular,
democratic candidates to the iTfFrtok Sabha so that India can be
saved today in order to change it for the better tomorrow.’1''/" :S
-
^ELECTION PROGRAMME'.<
Takihgiritb'ac’count themulfirdifnehsidriaTcrisis that is afflicting the country..and.the. people/the CPI(M) places before .the
electorate the following programme of demands as a part of its
f electinn platform
electoral platform must be a part’ of the
I wider political struggle to achieve these -demands which will
| strengthen democracy, secularism, national unity; strive for eco
nomic and social justice for the toiling people and to eradicate the
curse of corruption.X
"
'7 ?
7'"
' ' J
txstf.:iUr/:• .czxic.i
;x‘:
1
12
Economy
1.
Safeguard the country's economic sovereignty and
strengthen its self-reliance; reverse the policies of unbridled liber
alisation which undermine our sovereignty.
2.
Stop privatisation of public sector; revise telecom, power
policies, stop privatisation of financial sector; streamline public
sector enterprises, provide them autonomy from bureaucratic
controls and ensure workers participation in management.
3.
Curb price rise and ensure food security by expanding the
public distribution system bringing into its ambit 14 essential com
modities and reduce prices by 50 percent; reduce issue price of
foodgrains.
. .,
4.
Reverse the present industrial policy; new policy to
strengthen indigenous industry and domestic capacities; end to
preferential treatment to foreign investors; entry of foreign capital
to be decided on national priorities and technology' needs
5.
No amendment of the Indian Patent Act of 1970 which will
erode India's sovereign right to develop domestic R&D.
Rights of the Working people- ”
. '■■■:
■;..• 6. Ensuring need based minimum wages for workers, protec
tive legislation for unorganized workers; protection of labour from
severe exploitation; protection of employment and emoluments „
and,inflation linked increase in,wages; Report of the fifth pay .
commission for Government employees to be expedited and implern^ted.:;^;/., ^^-..,:.,-1.;
.
7. Recognition of Trade Unions through secret ballot. 1..
>..
8. Granting of pension to working people as a third benefit;"
one-rank^ohe-penslon for ex-servicemen; upgrading pensions of
all categories of .pensioners in consonance with the cost of. living;
protection of the rights of handicapped employees. ...,IO- ,.p.
e:i ; 9. Handloom Weavers: Yam to be provided at control rate for .
weavers and provide adequate infrastructure for the marketing of .
their goods.
YC?-.'.t... ' iiol.’iieq -. ,-nv
-o»io: vjviinti IsaoiJGr;
,>.Gr.T.-„.,r-.9E cwl j.'wv.i r
Improving Living Conditions''
10.
'
Guarantee right to work as a fundamental right; release ac-
13
cumulated food stocks to start food-for work programmes to gen
erate employment.
11.
Increaseallocationforbasichcalthand sanitation. Stop pri
vatisation of health facilities; ensure provision of drinking water to
all villages and for the control of preventable diseases.
12.
Increase allocation on education and mass literacy. Stop
privatisation and commercialisation of education; the allocation
must be at least 10 percent of the national budget and 30 percent of
the state budgets; free and compulsory education must be guaran
teed by law for all children upto the age of 14 years; syllabus and
curriculum to strengthen scientific temper, secularism, national
unity and integrity.
j
13.
Housing to be accorded the status of basic right; housing
schemes for urban and rural poor to be implemented as an urgent
priority.
14.
A proper water resource policy to prevent the' annual
scourge of floods and droughts; immediate and adequate relief for
those affected by these.
Agrarian Sector
.
•
■ ■ ■nt..-■ ■ >. i irz-
15.
Implementation of land reforms by plugging loopholes in
the law and distribution of land; reversal of laws brought in due to
the new economic policies diluting the land reform provisions;
creation of authentic land reform records; security of tenure for
tenants; provision of homestead land for rural poor!
16.
Greater'plan allocation for spread of irrigation; proper
schemes for crop insurance.
. . .
17.
Central legislation protecting the rights of agricultural
workers, their wages, living conditions and social bencfitsS”^-' ’ ; ..ar.18; Proper facilities for assistance to producers of traditional
crops and protection of markets and sources of raw'materiak;
■ -I):.,19.Expansipnofcreditfacilitiesfor.thepoorpeasantryandagricultural labour.
lie. no grsibnid ed luw
2O.Fishermcn: No licences for deep sea fishing to foreigncom
paniesand joint ventures. Protect rights of fishing people. -’.A ■ "
. e if.inqmQlq'-r: gN’nc • Tjsrj;
.!> ■;
. Social justice--in. irk:; w
Vivc.'jq
■.
21.' Prevention of atrocities' against scheduled castes; end to'
discrimination and strict implementation of laws guaranting equalg
ity;
S{SI
■
.
14
22. Prevention of atrocities against tribals; protection of land,
culture and language of tribal people; granting of autonomy for
compact contiguous tribal majority areas within the framework of
the existing states.
23. Implementation of reservations for scheduled castes/
scheduled tribes and backward classes. Within reservation for
OBCs implement creamy layer principle so that needy sections are
benefitted most. If vacancies exist after application of creamy layer
criteria then they should be filled up by candidates from within the
same comunities. Reservation to be extended to Christians from
converted scheduled castes. ■
Women
•••-• •
. . 24..Protection of the rights of women, stringent measures
against atrocities and crimes against women, implementation of .
legal and democratic rights guaranteed in the constitution; increas
ing opportunities for employment and ensuring no discrimination
in the pay, recruitment and promotion; equal rights in property
and land for women; issuing of joint pattas for ownership.
25.
Equal legal rights for women of all communities; joint mat
rimonial property rights; registration of marriage to be made com- .
pulsory. ...
-■
. •
26.
One-third of the seats in legislatures and parliament be
reserved for women.
,
•■ • .
27.
Children : Suitable legislation to prevent sexual abuse of
children; abolition of child labour; adequate child-care facilities at
workplace.
J
. ’.vj.-tffi'jr.
Io ••;<.. :i nri; gnlJqot ' jq r.qi'shiqu:
Strengthen Secularismfclii;-..
-vq-v/ rioih
'7" ■
16. 28. Immediate legislation separating religion from politics. .
•• ■ •29. Transfer of all cases connected with the Ayodhya disputeto the supreme court under article 138(2) for a speedy verdict which
will be binding on all sides..•.uu'fi.i fr- >
’
. -rn 30. Strict implementation of the status quo of religious places
as of 15th August, 1947.
.'sir ■•... s's*..'
L- 1.
; ■ ■ 31. Protection of just rights of the minorities; implement the
provisions of the constitution to prevent discrimination; strength-1
eningsecurityofthelifeand property of the minorities; backwards
amongst the minorities be given OBC reservations; protection of
Urdu language.. .
. . .>.
.
.. .
15
Strengthen parliamentary democracy
32. Immediately set in motion the process of bringing forward
a legislation for comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure the
eliminationof money and muscle power from electionson the basis
of the Dinesh Goswami Committee’s report; amend Sec 77 of the
Representation of People Act to plug loopholes in enforcing ceiling
on election expenditure of candidates.
3.3- To check corruption, the immediate setting up of Lok Pal
bringing in its purview the prime minister; to be appointed by an
authority constituting representatives of the executive, legislature
and judiciary; streamline functioning of investigation agencies,
protect them from political interference; ensure speedy disposal
and appropriate action.
34.
Strict action against all manifestations of criminalisation of
politics.
35.
Proportional representation in the electoral system.
36.
Reforms in judicial system to provide easy and speedy
relief to the common people. ■ , .
Federalism and Decentralisation
. 37. Restructuring Centre-state relations with more powers to .
the states; legislative measures to ensure balanced economic devel
opment to overcome regional imbalances.
38. Devolution of finances to thestatesendingovercentralisation of resources at the Centre.- : . > .
,39. Protection of the Rajya Sabha as the "Council of States" to
defend the federal structure of our constitution; its members must
belong to the states they are elected from.
40. Decentralisation of democracy to the grassroots; proper
devolution of power to, the panchayats; strengthen panchayat raj
institutions; financial assistance to panchayats to flow through
state governments. ’
■ ; ■ -
Defend National Unity
.\
■. - 41. Immediate announcement of political solution for the
Kashmir problem which must include defence of article 370 and a
-review of the erosion which has taken place since 1953 by the
elected state assembly; granting maximum autonomy within the
framework of the Indian constitution; compensation and adequate
measures for those displaced from the state and a comprehensive
16
economic package for. development, generating employment
opportunities.
Foreign Policy
42.
Defence of the non-aligned foreign policy; world peace
and spirit of national independence; firm resistance against US im
perialist attempts to impose its New World Order; strengthen
international anti-imperialist solidarity; strengthen South-South
cooperation; rebuff imperialsit efforts to subvert our independent
development and resistance to its attempts to impose its NPT and
CTBT; Cancellation of the military cooperation pact with USA.
Culture and Media
43.
State support for expansion of cultural facilities, encour
agement of activities aimed to take democratic culture to the mass
of the people. •
■ "
44.
Implement autonomy for. the official electronic media
updating the Prashar Bharati Act provisions; Legislation to pre
vent growth of monopolies in print and electronic media which is
inherently undemocratic;' no foreign ownership of print media;
ensure stateshave say in media policy and control on doordarshan
and AIR —.. ... ■
...
t: .:
Science -•
•
1
45.
Science and technology policy which encourages creative
work, scientific temper and strengthens th? self-reliant basis of
India's’devclopment.; ‘ ■
1 ■••■o
-j::,.:/.’t fit
..•
jnud
awitc.ri!<,i \
’
46.’Ah environment policy wHicfiis integrated with the needs
of rapid arid sustainable economic development; stringent action
-
against contractors illegally cutting down forests; strict pollution
control against industries using hazardous, technology which .
affect health of workers, the neighbourhood; provision of adequa te
rehabilitation package for persons displaced by develomentproj-
ects,'particularly for advisasis who are ihost affected.'
:
int
■: ...ie-tx.^.'q-'psafel awi rio.’.-.w r.- a -rj ;>•!;/ • v-s'-.- jt
or-.- -'i.llr.v
mhrhbn.-ri Dimins-:vk:
17
It is on the basis of such a programme that the CPJ(M) appeals
to the Indian people to defeat the Congress(I) and the BJP and vote
for the Left, democratic and secular candidates in the coming
elections.
The dangers being faced by the country today demand of
every patriotic citizen a response that they owe both to the moth
erland and to themselves. The CPI(M) with its decades long record
of consistent and selfless commitment to defend our country's
unity and integrity and to advance people's welfare has, during
these last five years, been in the forefront of people's struggles
facing all the grave challenges. Its increased representation in the ■
parliament, strengthening of the Left in parliament and the combi
nation of the Left, democratic and secular forces alone can today
further the struggle to face the challenge of safeguarding our
country and championing the people's interests.
The Indian people have at all crutial moments shown a high
degree of patriotism and strong sense of secular unity in rejecting
those who betray the country's interests and the people's unity.
The betrayers must be rejectedin totality. This opportunity mustbe
fully utilised and the CPI(M) calls upon the electorate to come
forward in unprecedented numbers to ensure the defence of a
democratic, secular, federal, modem India in order to take it on a
path of prosperity, unity' and integrity.'
Defeat Cong.(I)
Defeat BJP
Vote forCPI(M)
Vote for Left Parties
Elect Democratic &
Secular Candidates
Published by Hari Singh Kang from A.K.G. Bhawan, 27-29, Bhai Vir
Singh Marg, New Delhi-110001 on behalf of the Communist Party
of India (Marxist) and Printed at Progressive Printers,A-21, Jhilmil
Industrial Area, G.T. Ro'ad, Shahdara, Delhi-110095 (Ph. 2282B47)
ELECTION MANIFESTO
OF
INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
P Ift
GENERAL ELECTION
(LOK SABHA)
19 9 6
PREAMBLE
Elections to the 11th Lok Sabha will be held shortly.
Election is the life-line of democracy.
An election presents a choice to the people. The choice to vote a
party into government. The choice to vote a candidate to office.
What is the choice today ?
The Congress presents an India with a bright future. The Oppo
sition presents an India that will be thrown back to the past.
The Congress presents an India which is growing, creating
wealth, generating jobs and providing more incomes. The Opposi
tion presents an India which will be stagnant, inward-looking, poor
and likely to become bankrupt.
INDIAN
NATIONAL
CONGRESS (I)
ELECTION
MANIFESTO
The Congress presents an India which rejoices in its unity and
celebrates its diversity. The Opposition presents an India that will be
inflamed by caste and religious passions.' ' ■
The Congress presents an India that has earned new respect
among the countries of the world. The Opposition presents an India
that will be ignored, ridiculed and forgotten.
The Congress presents an India with a stable Government and a
vibrant economy. The Opposition presents an India with a tottering
government and a collapsing economy.
GENERAL
ELECTION
19 9 6
Never before has the choice been so clear. Never before has the
choice been so stark and simple.
•
CONGRESS (I)©
CONGRESS (I) g/
During the freedom struggle, the goal was Independence.
i
THE 1991 ELECTIONS
The nation went to the polls in 1991 to elect the Tenth Lok Sabha.
It was after a period of 16 months of darkness, drift and economic
disaster.
The Indian National Congress promised the people that it will get on
with the task of rebuilding India.
As the Tenth Lok Sabha convened, there was a pall of gloom. Shri
Rajiv Gandhi had been snatched away cruelly. He fell victim to the most
despicable act of terrorism. As in life, so in his death, he upheld the
causes of unity and sovereignty at home and peace and brotherhood in
the world.
The Congress called upon Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao to shoulder the
onerous responsibility of leading a Government which did not have a
majority in the Lok Sabha. Shri P.V.Narasimha Rao, steeped in the
Congress tradition of sacrifice and service, accepted the daunting task.
In his first major address to the nation, he pledged that the theme
song of his government would be Continuity with Change.
During the early years of independent India, the goal was Unity and
Sovereignty.
During the years of nation building, the goal was Growth with Social
Justice.
After the wasted years of 1977 to 1979 and 1990 to 1991, the goal was
restitution of a Government that Works.
During the period 1991 to 1995, the goal was to re-establish a Stable
Government and resume the task of nation building.
It Is because of the support of the people that
•
a minority government could add to its strength and command a
majority in the Tenth Lok Sabha
• the nation could be pulled back from the brink of an economic
catastrophe
• economic reforms of an unprecedented magnitude could be
unfolded
• the pledge of ushering in Panchayati Raj could be redeemed and
power given to the people
• the world could be compelled to take note of India and her stable
Since 1991, the Congress has ushered in unprecedented change.
Never before in the history of India has so much change been
wrought in so short a time. Never before in the history of the world has so
much change been wrought with so little pain or suffering.
How did the Congress work this near-miracle ?
II
THE CONGRESS - A PARTY AND
A MOVEMENT
Let us go back to that historic day when the Indian National Congress
was born. The founding fathers of the Congress recognised that what the
people of India needed was not a mere political party. Because no
political party could unite within its fold the plurality and diversity of India.
The Indian National Congress was, therefore, cast in a different
mould, the mould of a national movement. Its purpose was to mobilise the
Indian people into action and lead them to new frontiers.
polity and resurgent economy
III
THE CONGRESS’ RECORD
The Congress is a unique political party. It mirrors the basic ethos of
a civilisation that is over 5000 years old.
It is the Congress that has created an India which is agriculturally
prosperous, industrially advanced and scientifically developed. Above
all, the Congress has maintained a commitment to democracy. Indeed,
parliamentary democracy would not have taken root in India and
nurtured, but for the Congress.
Many other political parties are one-issue parties. Some exploit caste.
Some exploit religion. There are parties which encourage fanaticism.
The Congress has always rejected these divisive issues.
The Congress reflects differing and divergent interests and recon
CONGRESS (I) ©
CONGRESS (I)
ciles them into a single harmonious national mosaic.
IV
THE CONGRESS THEME:
STABILITY, NATIONAL SECURITY,
HARMONY AND DEVELOPMENT
The Congress Party belongs to you.
It belongs to you regardless of your caste or religion, colour or race.
It belongs specially to the poor; the neglected and the disadvantaged.
It belongs to the worker and the farmer. It belongs to the teacher. It
belongs to the scientist.
It belongs to the soldier who defends the country.
nature of our ancient civilisation.
It is the Congress, and the Congress alone, which mirrors this India.
The Congress pledges that it will remain true and faithful to these
fundamental values of the country.
V
CONGRESS PROMISES STABILITY
Stability is the plank on which rests good governance. It is the
foundation on which rests civil society.
There were only two periods of political instability in India. They were
from 1977 to 1979 and from 1990 to 1991.
These were the years in which the Congress was not in office in the
Central Government.
It belongs to the millions of ordinary men and women who toil every
day.
In 1977, the first non-Congress Government had the numbers on its
side. Yet it failed miserably. Ultimately it fell.
It belongs to the farmers and agricultural workers who produce
record levels of paddy and wheat, pulses and oilseeds, cotton and
sugarcane, tea, coffee and tobacco and a number of other crops.
In 1989, the second non-Congress Government obtained outside
support and thus claimed a majority in Parliament. It was an opportunistic
alliance. The bubble burst in 11 months. That Government also fell.
That is why the Congress has remained true to certain unchanging
values. These are:
Neither their numbers nor their shifting affiliations could keep the non
Congress Governments going for a full period of five years.
• Unity and Integrity
Voted back to office in 1991, the Congress has redeemed its pledge
• Democracy based on the Parliamentary system
of providing a Stable Government.
• Secularism
While the Congress remained united and strong, other political
parties broke up. Several State Governments formed by other
• An independent Judiciary
• Freedom of Speech and Expression and Freedom of the Press
• Stability,.social harmony and development
Neither victory nor defeat in an election has altered the Congress
Party's allegiance to these values. Because these are the values
inscribed in the soul of every Indian.
Because it is these values which can enfold the plurality and diversity
of India.
It is not just unity in diversity; it is unity through diversity.
The Congress alone provides the link between all communities and
sections of society. The Congress alone represents the composite
political parties crumbled.
Through this period, the Central Government has been remarkably
stable.
It was not only a stability of numbers. It was the stability of policies and
continuity of programmes. Indeed for some time it was stability in spite
of the inadequacy of numbers.
The stability envisaged by the Congress is a comprehensive one.
It necessarily includes
i)
National Security
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cars, textiles, paper, cement, steel, fertilisers and medicines. For the first
time, shortages have disappeared. Indians have the choice to buy what
they want.
More jobs are being created every year. In the last five years, over
three crore jobs have been created.
India's GDP has been growing at a satisfactory rate. From just 1 % in
1990-91 to 6.2% in 1994-95 is, by all accounts, a remarkable achieve
ment. 1995-96 will again witness growth of more than 6%.
India’s exports have averaged over 20% growth in the last three
years.
Inflation is down to below 5%, a record for 10 years.
We are today the sixth largest economy in the world. Soon we will be
the 4th largest.
That is the real picture of our economy.
VIII
GREATER SELF-RELIANCE
It is the Congress which first put before the people the goal of selfreliance.
That goal has ben corrupted by some self-styled protagonists of
national interest.
What is true self-reliance ?
True self-reliance is measured by:
• the capacity of the country to save more and invest more.
• the potential of the economy to create more jobs and generate more
incomes.
• the capacity of industry and agriculture to absorb more investment
and better technology.
• the capacity of the country to pay for the import of capital goods and
raw materials.
• the capacity of the Government to pay for the import of essential
articles like fertilisers, edible oils and petroleum products to meet the
needs of the people.
8
• the capacity of the Government to repay the national debt and to pay
the interest charges.
The poor countries of the world are not self-reliant. It is the affluent
countries which are self-reliant.
Our goal is to make India affluent. Our goal is to make India truly
self-reliant.
IX
PEACE IN PUNJAB
As many as twenty seven candidates were killed by the terrorists
when elections were ordered in Punjab during Shri Chandrashekar's
regime as Prime Minister. Therefore, hours before the installation of the
Congress Government, elections in Punjab were cancelled. Punjab was
still torn and reeling under terrorism.
The Congress picked up the thread from where it had left it in
November 1989.
Fencing on the border was resumed. The Punjab police was entrust
ed with the job of restoring law and order.
Within months, there was a gradual return to peace and law and
order.
The Congress Government then took the courageous decision: to
hold elections to the Punjab State Legislature and Lok Sabha.
Elections were held. The Congress was returned to power with an
overwhelming majority.
That marked the beginning of a new era in Punjab. Elections to the
Legislature were followed by elections to Nagarpalikas and Panchayats.
Today, the people of Punjab rule themselves through their elected
representatives.
Today, there is peace in Punjab.
There has been a tremendous increase in economic activity.
Both industry and agriculture are thriving as never before. Indian and
foreign companies are flocking to Punjab to make massive investments.
Punjab is a testimony to the statesmanship and wisdom shown by
9
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Prime Minister Shri P.V.Narasimha Rao, in handling an explosive
situation.
X
A NEW BEGINNING IN KASHMIR
He dreamed of a vibrant grassroots democracy with women, the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes sharing power and exercising
authority.
But the Opposition Parties combined to defeat the Bills in Parliament
in 1989.
Rajiv died in 1991, his dream unfulfilled.
The State of Jammu & Kashmir was relatively peaceful until Novem
ber 1989.
The pitch was queered during the rule of Janata Dal. The Janata Dal
was aided and abetted by the BJP.
Together they sacrificed the interests of the people of the State for
political expediency. Together they destroyed the bond of trust and
friendship between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of
India.
The Congress has strained every nerve to rebuild this bond.
The Congress believed - and continues to believe - that the people
of Jammu and. Kashmir deserve a Government of their choice.
The Congress has, therefore, promised that Jammu and Kashmir can
enjoy a large measure of autonomy within the framework of the Indian
Constitution. Article 370 of the Constitution of India shall stand.
• The Congress believes that elections - howsoever difficult - are the
only way to break the gridlock in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao revived that dream.
The Constitution Amendment providing for Panchayats and
Nagarpalikas came into force on 24th April 1993.
Seats at every level, including that of President or Chairman have
been reserved for SCs/STs.
30% of the seats are reserved for women.
Elections have been held in all but three states of India to Panchayats
and Nagarpalikas.
A silent revolution has taken place in the towns and villages of India.
Its full impact will be felt in the next few years.
There are only 4000 MPs and MLAs representing the people in our
political system. In a population of 95 crore, that was not enough.
30 lakh representatives at the grassroots -- one-third of whom are women
- will now emerge as leaders of the people.
XII
Elections have already been ordered for the Lok Sabha from J&K.
The Congress further pledges to hold elections to the State
Legislature. The Congress pledges to restore democratic government
in that State.
XI
PANCHAYATI RAJ
RAJNITI TO LOKNITI
Shri Rajiv Gandhi’s last great legislative initiative was the introduction
of the Constitution Amendment Bills to provide for Panchayats and
Nagarpalikas.
MANDAL REPORT IMPLEMENTED
PEACEFULLY
Reservations for the Backward Classes was an idea of the Congress.
Jawaharlal Nehru made this into a Constitutional Principle in 1952.
Reservations became a part of the Congress Party's social justice
programme.
Since then, Congress Governments have successfully implemented
reservations for the Backward Classes in several Congress ruled States.
He dreamed of restoring power to the people. .
In 1990, due to its ham-handed and opportunistic approach the
Janata Dal Government triggered a virtual caste war in several parts of
India.
He dreamed of a government close to the people.
,
The election of a Congress Government in 1991 brought peace to a
11
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society that was threatened with disruption by caste strife.
Quietly, but firmly, Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao's Government
implemented the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.
outlay by three times more, to around Rs.90,000 crore, in the next five
years during the Ninth Plan.
The record speaks for itself.
In the four year period - July 1991 to July 1995 :
27% of the jobs were reserved for the Other Backward Classes
(OBCs) in the Central Government and in Public Sector Undertakings.
e 115 lakh families were assisted under the Integrated Rural Develop
Today, even in the IAS and IPS, OBCs have been appointed, thanks
to the implementation of the Mandal Report by the Congress Govern
e 8.12 lakh wells were constructed under the million wells scheme.
ment.
A National Commission for Backward Classes has been established.
1
A National Backward Classes Finance and Development
Corporation has been established with an authorised capital of Rs.200
crore. Its object is to promote economic and other developmental
activities for the Backward Classes.
XIII
ANTI POVERTY PROGRAMMES
The abolition of poverty remains the foremost objective of the Con
gress Government.
Since the days of Shrimati Indira Gandhi, Congress has declared its
'faith in programmes which attack poverty at the grassroots.
The very poor in India do not have property. They do not have jobs.
Often they do not have work.
Needless to say they do not have houses, or sanitary latrines.
Till recently the village artisans did not have efficient tool kits
for improving their production.
These are some of the reasons of poverty.
These issues have been addressed by Congress Governments
through a number of anti-poverty programmes.
The P.V, Narasimha Rao Government has enlarged and expanded
these programmes. It has also introduced new programmes.
The investment in rural development and poverty alleviation during
the period 1991-1996 has been Rs.34,000 crore. This is thrice the
amount spent in the previous five years. It is proposed to increase this
ment Programme (IRDP).
• 28 lakh houses were constructed free of cost for Scheduled Castes/
Scheduled Tribes, freed bonded labourers and other people below
the Poverty Line under the Indira Awas Yojana.
® 2.60 lakh villages/habitations were covered under the rural drinking
water supply scheme.
• 21 lakh sanitary latrines were constructed under the rural sanitation
programme.
® 4.21 lakh tool kits were distributed to 3,87,696 rural artisans all over
the country.
• 1.2 lakh groups consisting of several lakh persons were benefilted
under the Development of Women and Children in the Rural Areas
Scheme (DWCRA).
• 13 lakh youth were trained under the scheme of Training of Rural
Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM).
• 7,837 projects were approved and Rs.160.85 crore were
released to 1,600 voluntary agencies for rural development.
The greatest success has been the creation of work - work which
translates into incomes for the very poor and assets for the country.
Employment Assurance Scheme to provide wage employment for
two persons in the household and agricultural labourers was introduced
in 3198 Blocks in 391 Districts.
Wage employment under Jawahar Rozgar Yojana was intensified in
works based upon local needs and priorities.
These Employment Schemes would be expanded to provide wage
employment to all persons seeking and needing it. This is the way
poverty is being attacked.
13
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XIV
NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMME
The Congress Government launched a National Social Assistance
Programme on the 15th of August, 1995. This programme has three
components and allocation of funds in the last two years has been over
Rs. 1500 crore.
A National Old Age Pension Scheme provides Rs.75 per month to
destitute persons of 65 years and above This will benefit 54 lakh people.
A National Family Benefit Scheme provides a lump sum benefit of
Rs.5000 in case of natural death and Rs. 10000 in case of accidental
death of the primary bread earner of a family below the Poverty Line and
aged between 18 and 64 years.
A National Maternity Benefit Scheme provides a lump sum assistance
of Rs.300 to a pregnant woman above the age of 19 years below the
poverty line. This is estimated to benefit 46 lakh women each year.
XV
AGRICULTURE
Farmers are the backbone of our country and the economy. The
Indian National Congress has always given the highest priority to them.
The Eighth Plan outlay for the Ministry of Agriculture was
enhanced to Rs.10,000 crore as against a little less than
Rs.3,500 crore in the Seventh Plan, an increase of over 180%.
No Government ever gave farmers such high remunerative prices by
way of Minimum Support Price as was done by the Congress during the
last 5 years. Thus the Minimum Support Price of paddy which was Rs.230
per quintal in 1991-92 was increased to Rs.360 per quintal in 1995-96.
Similarly the support price of wheat was increased from Rs.275 per
quintal to Rs.380 per quintal over the same period.
As a result of policy initiatives and special programmes introduced,
the agriculture sector has become more competitive and efficient. Indian
agriculture has been freed from controls of domestic and international
trade which have substantially enhanced the opportunities for
our farmers to reap remunerative returns.
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Our progressive policies have enabled farmers Io reach now heights
of production and productivity. Higher production and productivity
has in turn led to higher wages, enhancing the purchasing power
of the rural poor.
Foodgrain production has increased to a record level of 19.1 crore
tonnes in 1994-95. A major thrust wa^given to horticulture - the Eighth
Plan outlay on horticulture is Rs. 1000 crore against an expenditure of only
Rs.24 crore in the Seventh Plan. India is now the largest producer of fruits
and second largest producer of vegetables and coconuts in the world.
The production of milk has increased substantially from 5.39 crore
■ tonnes in 1990-91 to above 6.3 crore tonnes in 1994-95. Total agricultural
exports have increased from about Rs.5,000 crore in 1990-91 to over
Rs. 10,000 crore in 1994-95. For the first time the export of marine
products crossed US $ 1 billi6n in 1994-95.
From a position where we used to import agricultural products, the
agricultural sector today has become a dynamic outward looking sector,
helping the economy by producing enough to meet the country's needs
and also by earning valuable foreign exchange.
Our agricultural production strategy has moved to encompass all soil
and agro-climatic conditions specially in the rain-fed areas and droughtprone areas, in which the bulk of our rural poor reside. Watershed
development projects for sustainable development of these areas have
been launched under National Watershed Development Projects for
Rain-fed Areas (NWDPRA), Drought-prone Areas Programme (DPAP)
and Integrated Wasteland Development Projects (IWDP).
DPAP has now been extended to 946 Blocks in the country and its
outlay has been more than doubled between 1991-92 and 1995-96. Its
guidelines now provide for greater people’s participation through
Panchayats, Watershed Associations and self-help groups.
Another important step which has been in active consider and which
will be implemented forthwith, is de-licensing of the Suger industry.
The time has come when in overall terms, Agriculture needs to be
accorded the status of an Industry. This will be done now, since all the
other steps required in this behalf have been completed.
To protect the interests of Traditional Fishermen in the Coastal areas
and to ensure the growth of joint ventures to be established under the
Deep Sea Fishing Policy, the recommendations of the Review Committee
15
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under the Chairmanship of Shri P. Murari will be processed and
implemented.
XVI
ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES
Essential commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, palmolein and
kerosene are distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) at
prices generally lower than the market price through fair price shops.
•In 1992, the Congress Government launched a scheme to
revamp the PDS in 1752 backward blocks falling in drought-prone areas,
desert areas and hill and tribal areas. Additional commodities like tea,
soap and pulses are also distributed through the Revamped PDS shops.
Additional allocations of foodgrains have been earmarked and foodgrains
are distributed at prices lower than even in the PDS. The most vulnerable
sections of our population are served through the Revamped PDS.
The PDS subsidy bill in 1995-96 was Rs.5,500 crore. The objective is
to benefit the very poor and bring them relief.
The Congress promises to extend the Revamped PDS to 694 more
blocks.
XVII
SCHEDULED CASTES
The National Commission for SCs and STs has been conferred
constitutional status and has recently been reconstituted.
The National Commission for Safai Karmacharis has been constitut
ed and has been in operation for the past two years. The Commission
looks into the specific problems of Safai Karmacharis and recommends
specific programmes for elimination of inequalities in status, facilities
and opportunities for them.
A National Scheme was launched in March 1992 for liberation and
rehabilitation of Safai Karmacharis so as to eliminate the inhuman
practice of carrying night soil and filth on head by the end of the Eighth
Five Year Plan.
A separate Finance and Development Corporation for extending
concessional finance to Safai Karmacharis for starting self employment
16
projects is being set up with an authorised capital of Rs.200 crore.
Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, now
made through an executive order under Articles 15 and 16 of the
Constitution, will be provided for under suitable Acts to be made by
Parliament and the State Legislatures.
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atroci
ties) Act and other applicable laws will be reviewed, amended and
strengthened with the object of ensuring quick justice to the affected
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Rules under SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 have been
modified with effect from 31.3.95 wherein payment of compensation to
the victims has been increased manifold and the procedure for payment
has also been simplified.
The Congress Government amended the Constitution in order to
continue the reservations for SCs/STs in promotions.
In order to honour Dr. Babasaheb Amedkar and to disseminate his
message of social justice and social emancipation, the
Dr. Ambedkar Foundation has been set up as a registered society to
manage and administer the long term schemes and programmes
identified during his centenary celebrations.
Dr. Ambedkar University in Lucknow has been converted into a
central univeristy.
Dr. Ambedkar Chairs have been instituted in 9 Universities in India.
Dr. Ambedkar Overseas Scholarships are awarded to meritorious
students for pursuing advanced studies:
Dr. Ambedkar National Award has been instituted for promoting
outstanding contribution in the field of social understanding and work
done for weaker sections.
XVIII
TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED)
was established in 1987 with the primary aim of marketing Minor Forest
Produce and surplus agricultural produce collected by the tribals so as
to get them remunerative prices and to eliminate the middlemen who
.exploit the tribals.
17
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The authorised share capital of TRIFED has been increased from
Rs.50 crore to Rs.100 crore. The turnover of TRIFED has
gone up 10 times from Rs.40 crore in 1990-91 to Rs.400 crore during
1995-96.
Tribal Commission under Article 339 (1) of the Constitution will be
constituted soon to report on administration of Scheduled Areas and
welfare of Scheduled Tribes in States.
XIX
BACKWARD CLASSES DEVELOPMENT
Congress Government took the historic decision to provide reserva
tion of 27% to socially and educationally backward classes in civil posts
and services under Government of India on 8th September, 1993.
The OBC candidates were given age relaxation of three years and 3
additional attempts in Civil Service Examinations.
A permanent statutory Commission for Backward Classes has been
set up to make recommendations to the Government for inclusions/
exclusions .of castes in the Central List of OBCs.
The National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corpora
tion has been set up with an authorised share capital of Rs.200 crore for
' providing concessional finance to the poorer sections of backward
xx
WOMEN
Women have been in the forefront of the Congress while championing
the causes of the people and in the freedom struggle.
Apart from the legislative and other measurers taken from time to time,
the Congress Government has set up the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh to
develop a network of credit services for women working in the informal
sector and to support self-employment ventures.
The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana has been launched for the welfare of
women. A woman who deposits Rs.300 in the post office will get Rs.375
after one year. A sum of Rs. 1,000 crore has been set aside for the scheme
which will make our women self-confident, self-reliant and independent.
The Congress Government has established the National
Commission on Women. Besides, there is a Commissioner for Women’s
Rights to promote the social well-being of women and check atrocities
and violence directed at women.
The Congress Government has already provided reservations for
• women in Panchyats and Nagarpalikas. By a suitable amendment in the
Constitution, Congress will provide reservations for women in State
Legislatures and Parliament.
XXI
classes for setting up self employment ventures. During the last four
years'Rs'. 146.5 crore has been disbursed so far.
The Pre-Examination Coaching Scheme has been introduced with
effect from 1992-93 to prepare candidates from Other Backward Class
es and Minorities for competitive examinations. The number of candi
dates coached under the scheme during the past three years has been
around 6,630.
A new scheme for welfare of street children has been started under
which NGOs are given financial assistance for care, protection and
development of street children. 81 centres have been set up under this
scheme covering 37 important cities.
A new scheme for setting up homes for the aged was launched in
1992-93. Under this scheme 209 old age homes, 239 Day Care Centres.
and 29 Mobile Units have been functioning.
18
WELFARE OF MINORITIES
The Congress regards all Indian citizens as equal.
Yet we recognise Minorities of several kinds because we recognise
the special disadvantages that they suffer and the special help that they
need.
This is not appeasement. This is heeding the call of the
Constitution of India.
Equal status to all people and protection of the Minorities are funda
mental features of the Indian Constitution. They are also the fundamental
features of any plural society.
The cornerstone of Secularism is the security of the Minorities.
The cornerstone of a civil society is the security of all people.
The Congress will leave no stone unturned to secure the life and liberty
19
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of all the people including the Minorities.
The Congress regards the 15-point Programme for the welfare of
Minorities as a charter of duties. The programme will be reviewed from
time to time, revised and updated.
For instance, a Rapid Action Force, consisting of young men of all
communities, has been established. They are stationed at sensitive
places. Although new, it has already shown its mettle and earned public
confidence.
The Congress Government has established the National Minority
Finance and Development Corporation with a capital of Rs.500 crore.
The Corporation will support projects and schemes that will promote the
well-being of Minorities.
The Minorities Commission has been given statutory status.
The Congress Government has enacted the Protection of Places of
Worship Act, 1991. The status of all places of worship as it existed on the
day of Independence will be preserved. No one can now misuse any
place of worship to divide Indian society. '
After wide-ranging discussions and consultations with Muslim Mem
bers of Parliament, Members of Central Wakf Council and other leaders
of the Muslim community, a comprehensive legislation to amend and
.consolidate the law relating to’ the administration of
Wakfs has been enacted. The Wakf Act has come into force with effect
from 1.1.96.
The Maulana Azad Education Foundation has been set up as an
independent entity with a Corpus Fund of Rs.30 crore with a’view to
promoting education amongst educationally backward Minorities in
particular and the weaker sections in general.
XXII
PERSONAL LAWS
The Congress has made its position yery clear on the question of
Personal Law. The Congress believes that there should be no imposition
by Government of any change in the Personal Law of anycommunity or
any section of people. Such changes, against the wishes of the commu
nity concerned, would neither be favourable nor acceptable, if attempt
ed in the name of uniformity.
20
XXIII
WORKERS
The Congress is proud of the role played by the Indian workers in
accelerating the pace of industrial development. The interest of workers
has always been uppermost in the minds of successive Congress
Governments.
It was Shri Rajiv Gandhi who set up a high level National Commission
on Rural Labour when he was Prime Minister. The Government of Shri
P.V. Narasimha Rao has taken important steps to implement the recom
mendations of the Commission and in extending social security and
insurance schemes to various sections of unorganised labour.
The Congress Government has raised the eligibility limit for payment
of bonus from Rs.. 2,500 to Rs.3,500 per month and the ceiling for
calculation of bonus from Rs. 1,600 to Rs.2,500 per month. Earlier it had
increased the ceiling under the Payment of Gratuity Act to enable
workers to get gratuity upto Rs.1 lakh.
XXIV
EX-SERVICEMEN
The Congress Government issued orders in March, 1992 sanctioning
“one time increase" in pension with effect from 1st January, 1992
involving a recurring expenditure of about Rs. 140 crores. About 8.3 lakh
defence pensioners will benefit under this scheme. Till April, 1995 over
5 lakh pensioners have already, been sanctioned one time increases
under this scheme.
The Congress Government has also undertaken various steps for the
welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. Amounts of financial assis
tance provided from Raksha Mantri's Discretionary Fund to ex-service
men in penury for marriage of their daughters, repair of house, education
of children and medical treatment have also been enhanced.
XXV
WELFARE OF DISABLED PERSONS
In the last’four years, a number of initiatives have been taken for
promoting the welfare of disabled persons.
21
CONGRESS (I)
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A comprehensive legislation for safeguarding the rights of persons
with disabilities and enabling them to enjoy equal opportunities and
participate in national life will be introduced shortly.
A National Finance and Development Corporation with an authorised
share capital of Rs.400 crore and a paid-up share capital of Rs.200 crore
has been set up to extend concessional finance to the disabled for self
employment projects and promoting technical skills.
A National Trust for welfare of persons with mental retardation
and cerebral palsy will be set up for which a Bill was introduced
in the Lok Sabha last year.
The Indian Spinal Injury Centre has been set up in collaboration with
the Italian government to provide treatment to persons suffering from
spinal injury.
XXVI
YOUTH
ry education in 42 of the educationally backward districts of the country.
This programme is focussed on the education of girls and disadvan
taged groups such as girls, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and
children with disabilities. This programme, which is in operation in 42
educationally backward districts of the country would be extended to all
districts soon.
In more than 300 districts of the country total literacy campaigns have
been taken up. The National Literacy Mission has made big strides and
its achievements have been acknowledged widely. These total literacy
campaigns would be further strengthened with special emphasis upon
marginalised groups like child workers, pavement dwellers, migrant
labour, etc.
Despite tight fiscal constraints, the Central Plan budget allocation for
education has gone up by over 90% in the last three years. The Congress
Government's commitment to education can be seen from the fact that
Plan investment in elementary education has gone up by 130% in the
same period.
The Congress Government of Shri Rajiv Gandhi lowered the voting
age from 21 to 18. Millions of young men and women have thus been
given an opportunity to participate directly in the political process.
The Congress is committed to ensuring universal access to elemen
tary education by the year 2001, laying particular emphasis on the Girl
Child and imparting a strong vocational bias to secondary education.
The population of India is getting younger. About 60% of the popu
lation is below the age of 40. That is 55 crore people.
A Committee on National Youth Programmes has been set up under the
Chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
Access to Technical education, Vocational education and Higher
education would be expanded and improved through distance learning
modes, open schools and open universities.
Emerging areas of technology and management would be encour
aged, supported and nurtured through centres of excellence.
XXVII
EDUCATION
XXVIII
The Congress Government of Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao has made a
public and firm commitment to spend 6% of the country’s GDP on
education. This would mean a doubling of investments in education by
the turn of the century.
POWER
The Congress Government launched a new mid-day meal programme
to increase nutrition and improve school attendance of 11 crore children
in classes I to IV in three years. In the very first year of the scheme, 3.4
crore children have been covered.
Power is essential infrastructure for agriculture and industry. There is
also growing demand for electrification of households. Development
and prosperity means increased consumption of power. The improve
ment in the quality of our lives depends to a large extent on the reliable
supply of power.
With the best of efforts, the country is able to add about 4500 MW
every year through public investment. A full 20% of the 8th Plan outlay
An innovative programme has been launched for overhauling prima
22
23
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has gone to the power sector alone. The demand for power is about
14.0Q0 MWs per year for the next 10 years.
Hence the Congress Government took a decision to encourage the
entry of private and Indian companies in the power sector. More private
investment would release Government resources to be used in social
sector programmes. A 1000 MW power station, if implemented in the
private sector, would release Rs.3,000 crore which is the annual expen
diture on the education sector. Thus investments in education could
easily double.
The full effect of the Congress Government's policy of encouraging
foreign and Indian private companies in the power sector will be felt in
the years to come. The last four years have been a learning process for
both the Government and companies involved.
In the last five years, between April 1991 and March 1996, power
generation in the country has grown steadily despite considerable odds.
While in 1990-91, 286.7 billion units (BU) of electricity was generated in
the year 1995-96 the generation was 379.8 BU, i.e., an increase of 93.1
BU, which, in percentage terms, represents an increase of 32.5%.
During this period the annual per capita consumption of electricity in
the country grew by almost 24 % to approximately 330 units.
Even this level of growth is not adequate and efforts are being
intensified to meet the growing demand for power which is annually
increasing by about 8%.
The plant load factor, denoting efficiency of available capacity, rose
substantially from 55.8% to 63%.
The Central Public Sector Undertakings in the power sector have
shown a superb performance and made record profits of about Rs. 1800
crores in 1995-96 and are now paying dividends to the Government
regularly.
Besides electrifying about 75,000 new villages, over 21 lakh agricul
tural pumpsets in the rural areas were energised in the last five years. To
improve the general health of the electricity sector, special efforts are
being made to reform and restructure the State Electricity Boards so that
their functioning becomes more viable and responsive to consumer
needs.
CONGRESS (I)
abroad and nearly 140 projects aggregating to about 66,000 MW of new
capacity and involving an investment of Rs. 2,50,000 crore
are at various stages of active processing. Given political stability,
continued infusion of such massive investment into the power sector is
sure to be achieved.
XXIX
FERTILIZERS
The production of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers has reached
an all time record level of 104.3 lakh tonnes.
Fertilizers are also imported liberally. Thus, the availability of fertilizers
has been ensured to fully meet demand at all times. In fact, at times there
has been a glut.
Seven expansion projects in the public and cooperative sectors
involving an investment of Rs.4200 crore are under implementation.
The price of Urea continues to be heavily subsidised. On every tonne
of Urea sold to farmers, the Government of India bears a subsidy of
Rs.2500. The sale price of urea in India is the lowest among our
neighbouring countries.
To ensure that there is no shortage in the supply of fertilizers to our
farmers, the Congress Government has taken steps to initiate joint
ventures abroad. Projects in Iran, Oman and Tanzania are being finalised.
Fertilizer factories owned and operated by organisations of farmers'
cooperatives like KRIBHCO and IFFCO have turned in excellent perfor
mances. They have major plans to set up new fertilizer plants in the
country.
XXX
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND POSTS
The Congress Government has ushered in a revolution in telecommu
nications.
The National Telecom Policy of 1994 is a landmark development. The
Opposition parties criticised this policy, but the Government's stand was
vindicated by the judgement of the Supreme Court in January, 1996.
Overwhelming response has come from investors within India and
24
25
CONGRESS (I)
CONGRESS (I)
In the last four years, 1.38 lakh villages have been provided with
telephone facilities. Out of 2,43,555 Gram Panchayats, 1,55,410 have
been provided with telephone facilities. By 1997 all villages and gram
panchayats will be on the National Telecom network.
STD Public Call Offices have doubled in the last four years, providing
gainful employment to nearly 10 lakh unemployed educated people in
the country. All the 500 District headquarters, 90% of Sub-division
headquarters and 85% of Tehsil headquarters have been provided with
STD facilities. In this way telecommunications is being used to bring the
country closer together.
To ensure that more and more Indians have access to the latest
telecommunication technology at affordable prices, the Congress Gov
ernment has taken far reaching steps along with private sector participa
tion. The private sector will mobilise resources and obtain the mdst costeffective equipment, the Department ofTelecommunications will contin
ue to be a major provider of telephone services.
The postal system continues to play a vital role in our country. In order
to speed up transmission of money orders, a Satellite Money Order
service has been launched covering 75 locations. This will enable
instantaneous transfer of money benefiting lakhs of users in villages and
towns.
markets for rural and small scale production enterprises.
All the steps taken by the Congress Government in the field of
industrial and trade policy will create a new environment for small scale
businesses. Improved technology is already flowing into the small scale
sectors and new markets both in India and abroad
are being opened up.
XXXII
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
The Public Sector belongs to the people.
The savings of the people, tapped as borrowings and taxes, have
gone into the Public Sector.
Our experience with Public Sector enterprises has been mixed.
Some enterprises have always done well. Some have been turned
around recently. Others are chronically sick.
Some enterprises were put in the Public Sector because of security
and strategic considerations. They will remain in the Public Sector.
Over Rs. 1',50,000 crore of the people’s money has been invested in
the Public Sector. The annual return is less than Rs.3,000 crore. This is
grossly inadequate.
XXXI
SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY
The restructuring of the Public Sector is therefore of the highest
The Congress is deeply conscious of the critical role that small scale
industry plays in our economy. One of the very first steps taken by the P.V.
Narasimha Rao Government was to announce a package of policy
priority.
The Congress Government has set up a National Renewal Fund to
fully protect the interests of labour and to provide adequate funds for re
training and skill development. Almost Rs 2,000 crore has been allocat
measures in July 1991 to strengthen the small scale industry.
ed to this Fund in the last two years.
A full-fledged Small Industry Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has
started functioning. New legislation has been introduced to ensure timely
profitable. The Congress is committed to achieve this goal.
payments to small scale entrepreneurs. Bank facilities have been strength
ened in about 100 centres in the country where there is a cluster of small
scale units.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission has been revived. A
Rs. 1000 crore investment programme is under implementation to
modernise these industries. This will creat lakhs of jobs and open new
26
The goal is to make these enterprises productive, efficient and
XXXIII
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
. Successive Congress Governments have been deeply committed to
the development of Indian Science and Technology. It is because of this
27
CONGRESS (I)
CONGRESS (I)®
sustained support given by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Shrimati Indira
Gandhi,
Shri
Rajiv
Gandhi
and,
since
1991,
by
Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, that India has emerged as a leading nation in
the development and application of Science and Technology.
Only five countries in the world have designed, built and launched
satellites into space. India is one of them.
The INSAT satellite series are being used extensively for telecommu
nications, TV broadcasting, weather forecasting to our farmers and in
giving early warning on disasters like floods.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has developed
The Congress Government is committed to providing an open,
accountable and responsive administration at all levels.
The Congress Government is committed to the principle that all
executive action - administrative or quasi judicial - shall be according to
law.
The accountability of all to Parliament will remain supreme.
The Congress is committed to an independent judiciary. The ac
countability of all to the law and to the judiciary shall also remain
supreme.
many processes for several vital and essential drugs. This will help in
timely production of these drugs. And at a cost which is one third to one
fifth the price of the imported drugs. These include drugs for the
The revolutionary Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika initiative will place
power in the hands of people where it truly belongs. The strengthening
of local governments will make the administration more accountable to
treatment of Malaria, Gastro-enteritis, Cancer, T.B. and AIDS:
the people.
The Congress will take steps to set up a Lok Pal. It will ensure that all
those Congressmen and Congresswomen elected to public office will
New technology programmes have been launched to modernise
tanneries, improve recovery of sugar and improve productivity of fish
farms.
make a public declaration of their assets.
The country's atomic energy programme has been consolidated in
the last five years. About 700 MWs of additional power capacity has been
added. Nuclear technology is being used in preservation and storage of
food, introduction and extensive use of high yielding and insect and
. drought resistant varieties of ground-nut, moong and urad, high yielding
varieties of bananas, cleaning of sewage, etc.
All elected representatives belonging to the Congress will
declare their assets on the day they enter upon their offices.
They shall also make a declaration of their assets on the day they vacate
Impressive progress has also been made in fields like computers,
robotics and lasers.
STRONGER DEFENCE
For the first time oral polio vaccine will be manufactured in the
.country. This will benefit 20 million children who are born every year.
Bio-technology applications to develop new varieties of cotton and
rice and to improve the yield of our livestock population are now
undergoing extensive transfer from laboratory to the field.
their offices.
XXXV
The Congress Governments have a proud record in securing the
defence of India.
Every Congress Government has added to the strength of India's
defence.
The period from 1991-1996 has been another period of strengthening
India's defence forces.
XXXIV
The important achievements of this period are:
ACCOUNTABILITY
• The commissioning of the main battle tank 'Arjun'.
• The successful launch of Prithvi, Nag and Akash missiles and the
The people elect their representatives. Election carries the obligation
of accountability.
28
successful completion of the Agni project.
, • The development of the light combat aircraft (LCA).
CONGRESS (I)
CONGRESS (I)
• Commissioning of INS Shankul and India joining the select club
of countries possessing frontline technology for submarine
construction.
By the turn of the century, India's defence forces will have the most
versatile main battle tank and the most modern military aircraft of its kind.
The Indian defence forces have always been soldiers of peace..
Following the great traditions of the past, Indian defence personnel
were deployed abroad in several countries including Kampuchia, Soma
lia and Rwanda as part of the UN peace keeping missions to these
countries.
and Consulates have been opened in Shanghai and Mumbai.
With Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao’s highly successful visit to the United
States in 1994, the relationship between the two countries is growing
closer by the day and the United States continues to be India’s largest
trading partner and the single largest investor country.
A large number of bilateralagreements have been signed with Russia
covering the entire spectrum of political, economic, technological and
defence relations with Russia.
India’s ties with countries like Japan, UK and Germany have greatly
expanded following Shri Narasimha Rao’s visits. These countries are
taking greater interest in India’s economic and social development.
XXXVI
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The world has changed dramatically in the last five years. Indian
foreign policy has had to face new challenges arising out of fast moving
global political and economic developments. The Congress Govern
ment under Shri P.V.Narasimha Rao has adopted a pragmatic and
flexible approach to meet these challenges and has reoriented foreign
policy to make it an effective instrument for furthering India's economic
and political objectives.
India's prestige in the world has been restored by the Congress
Government. The country is now respected and sought after. The
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made India a full
dialogue partner - an honour that India now shares with the US, the
European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. By be
coming a full dialogue partner India becomes a major player in the
economic and security policy consultations involving some of world’s
most dynamic and fast growing countries.
A large number of developed and developing countries have sup
ported the inclusion of India as a permanent member of the UN Security
Council.
Prime Minister Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao's visit to China in 1993
resulted in the conclusion of the historic agreement on the maintainance
of peace and tranquility along the line of actual control. It is an important
step towards cordial relations and harmony between the two giant
countries. Bilateral trade with China has registered a rapid expansion •
30
India has always had close ties with developing countries. Traditional
friendly relations with countries in the Gulf region, Iran and the Central
Asian Republics have been further cemented and upgraded and given
a tangible economic dimension.
New and close relationships have been forged with emerging eco
nomic powers like Israel, South Korea and South Africa.
A path-breaking development in India’s foreign policy has been the
launching of a regional economic cooperation initiative around the only
ocean that takes its name from a country - the Indian Ocean. The Indian
Ocean Rim Initiative launched in March 1995 will cover all areas of
cooperation.
The SAARC nations took a significant step forward and launched the
SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) with effect from 7th
December, 1995. They have resolved to usher in a Free Trade Area
(SAFTA) by the year 2005 and preferably by the year 2000. India’s
pioneering role in promoting SAPTA and SAFTA has been recognised in
the South Asian region and elsewhere in the world.
The long-standing problem between India and Bangladesh relating
to the Tin Bigha corridor was finally resolved by the Congress Govern-
,ment of Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao.
The voluntary return of Sri Lankan refugees to their homes com
menced in January, 1992.
A landmark agreement for the development of the Mahakali river was
finalised with Nepal. A large number of India-funded projects were
31
CONGRESS (I)
CONGRESS (I)
b)
commissioned in Nepal and Maldives.
An important border trade agreement was finalised with Myanmar
thereby promoting trade, including border trade, for the benefit of the
local people on both sides.
a great advance in the future
Our vision for the next five years, containing the main items for better
life, is as follows :
Better Life
The Congress Government has taken every step to establish cordial
and good relations with Pakistan. It proposed a series of confidence
building measures that were, unfortunately, rejected by Pakistan. Shri
P.V.Narasimha Rao has repeatedly said that India is ready to discuss
bilateral issues with Pakistan without any preconditions and to resolve all
outstanding differences peacefully.
• Houses for houseless poor
The Congress favours a nuclear weapons free world and will continue
efforts for total and complete disarmament, particularly nuclear disarma
ment. Our nuclear policy is geared for peaceful purposes.
o
We are deeply concerned that Pakistan is developing nuclear weap
ons unabated. They have already inflicted four wars upon India. In case
Pakistan persists in the development and deployment of nuclear weap
ons, India will be constrained to review her policy to meet the threat.
A PLEDGE
The Congress Government at the centre has fulfilled almost all the
promises made in the manifesto of 1991. It has amply demonstrated that
the Congress is a doer and not just a talker. Its main concern has always
been and will always be for the emancipation of the poor and their early
entry into the middle and higher classes of the society.
In the foregoing pages the Indian National Congress has revealed a
vital and important agenda. It is an agenda that will provide the nation
with strength and stability and take us forward.
Internal peace and harmony, national security and political stability
are the sine qua non of a strong India: An India that can hold its head high
in the world. The Indian National Congress, as in the past, pledges to
strive for these goals vigorously without any compromise or let up.
Within the framework of a large agenda contained in this Manifesto
the Congress presents the following concrete programme which will be
implemented straightaway upon securing the mandate of the people.
This programme is necessarily composed of:
a)
e Jobs for jobless ; Near full employment by 2002 A. D.
• Cheaper Rice and Wheat for the poor
• Drinking water for all habitations
• Mid-day meal for all primary school children
Improved health and education facilities for all children
• Complete implementation of Operation Black Board all over the
country by end of IX Plan
• Broad gauge Railway all over the country
• Rail or Road linkage to all villages
• Empowerment of women, including by Reservation in Legislative
Bodies.
• Age of superannuation of 37 lakhs Central Government Employees to
be raised as may be recommended by the Pay Commission.
• Remunerative prices for farmers
Detailed comments on these and other important items of the
programme are given hereunder:
1.
Economic and Institutional Reform
(i)
To carry forward the momentum of economic reform and restructur
ing of economic policies to achieve a higher trajectory of economic
growth, efficiency and competitiveness in all production sectors
and achieve 8 to 9% growth in GDP per annum.
(ii)
To initiate Rural Structural Transformation, consistent with and
supportive of national reform. The main objective is to transform
rural areas and backward regions to prosperity, with a diversified
economic base, rural industrialisation and reduced rural-urban
gap in transport, communications and services.
(iii)
To extend and enhance support to our scientists and technologists
consolidation of past achievements and
33
32
CONGRESS (I)
CONGRESS (I)
and foster rapid utilisation of science and technology in all. our
national tasks, specially defence.
(iv)
(v)
tutional provisions relating to Panchayats and Nagarpalikas to
scheduled areas.
Intensify promotion of agro-processing, tiny and household enter
2.
Removal of poverty and unemployment
prises, ventures and activities through improved arrangements for
infrastructure and credit facilities and freeing them from bureau
cratic and procedural formalities.
(i)
Extend the Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) to all 4997
blocks in the country and intensify the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana
(JRY), to provide wage employment to all adults seeking and
Re-orient agricultural science and technology, extension and other
support systems towards rainfed and drought-prone areas and
extend Watershed Development Projects for conservation of water
and protection of land with people’s participation. The entire
rainfed and dry areas in the country would be covered through
these watershed development projects.
needing such employment.
(ii)
Extend the Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS)to all the
3T98 backward blocks in the country and to families residing in
Urban slums. Reduce the issue price of rice and wheat distributed
in RPDS blocks by Rs. 2.00 per kg.
(vi)
Continue and strengthen the policy reforms, price incentives and
input subsidies which have improved the relative profitability of
agriculture and have enabled our farmers to reach new heights of
production and productivity.
(iii)
Extend Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)to all 4997
blocks in the country and ensure arrangements for nutritional
support equivalent to 150 gms of foodgrains per day to all the
eligible pre-school children and expectant and nursing mothers.
(vii)
Time bound implementation of the recommendations of the Com
mittee on Revitalisation of Land Reform Administration and
Computerisation of Land Records (P.S.Appu Committee), in con
sultation with the States.
(iv)
Extend the National Mid-Day Meal Programme to cover all elemen
tary schools in the country and enhance the quantum of foodgrains
supplied per child from 3 kg. per month to 5 kg per month, with the
condition of 20 days’ attendance of the child per month in the
academic year.
' (viii) Usher in a new policy for cooperatives to restore their democratic
structure and autonomy of management.
(ix)
(x)
(xi)
Formulate the Ninth Five Year Plan in time with wide ranging
34
Provide skill development and self-employment opportunities to all
literate youth belonging to poor households through intensification
of Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and the Prime
consultations especially with the State Governments.
Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY). ■
Enhance the functional and financial domain of self-government
institutions established under Constitution (73rd and 74th Amend
ments) Acts and support measures for training and decentralised
planning at the micro-level.
The Congress promises near-full employment by 2002 AD on the
Ensure-that District Planning Boards as envisaged under Article
243 ZD of the Constitution, are established in every State at the
district level to initiate, integrate and consolidate participatory local
level plans.
(xii)
(v)
Implement the recommendations of the Committee of Members of
Parliament and Experts on the law concerning extension of consti-
following basis:
Estimates of additional employment generated in the first three
years of the Eighth Five Year Plan have been made on the basis of
Provisional Estimates of GDP for 1992-93, Quick Estimates of GDP
for 1993-94 and Advance Estimates of GDP for 1994-95 released
by the Central Statistical Organisation and estimates of employ
ment elesticities made in the Planning Commission. According to
these, additional employment opportunities of the order of 187.8
lakh are estimated to have been generated during the first three
35
CONGRESS (I) (I?
CONGRESS (I)®
years of the VIII Plan, implying an average rate of employment
growth of 2.03 per cent per annum. During 1995-96 and 1996-97
employment is likely to grow by 150 lakh, making a total of 337.8
lakh during the Eighth Plan.
provide health education as well as health services to all the
school children through the help of primary school teachers and
primary health-care providers.
If these efforts are stepped up through intensive implementation of
Special Employment Programmes as mentioned in Chapter XIII
and growth of 7 to 8% is achieved during Ninth Plan Period,
achievement of 100 to 110 lakh jobs in a year and a total of 660 lakh
jobs during 1997-2002 is feasible. This would give near fulfillment
of the objective of employment for all by 2002 AD.
A comprehensive survey on the status of drinking water in rural
habitations conducted during 1991-93 has revealed that even after
almost completing all the main villages, there are still a large
number of habitations without adequate source of drinking water or
chemical contamination of water through excess of fluoride, iron,
arsenic and salinity. All these habitations would be provided with
safe drinking water sources through intensification of outlays and
Enhance the quantum ofbenefits to persons from poor households
implementation of Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme by
(iii)
(vi)
under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) being
implemented with the active participation of Panchayats and Mu
nicipalities to:
(a)
Rs. 100 per month for old persons above 65 years of age; and
(b)
Rs. 500 for maternity assistance.
(vii)
Extend Mahila Samriddhi Yojana to group savings and activities of
rural women and provide facilities at their doorsteps for opening of
accounts and receipt of interest income. Bring about a five - fold
increase in the number of accounts opened.
(viii)
Take all measures for substantial reduction of Child Labour and
total abolition of Child Labour from hazardous industries.
3.
Basic needs and human development
(i)
Ensure that 6% of the country's GDP is spent on education and
intensify all related activities for promotion of capability and involve
ment of teachers and provision of school buildings and educational
aids on a mission mode to achieve universalisation of elementary
education
and
foster
excellence
in
higher
education.
(ii)
36
Launch a national sanitation programme to intensify public health
and immunisation activities; to secure a disease-free atmosphere
in the country, with the involvement of Panchayats, Nagarpalikas
and NGOs. Implement innovative school health programme to
the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission.
(iv)
The 1991 census has revealed the total rural housing shortage
comprising of houseless rural families or those living in unservice
able rural kachcha houses as 1.3 crores. The Indira Awas Yojana
will be expanded to provide a pukka house to all these households.
(v)
Launch a massive housing programme to provide savings-linked
housing loan assistance at subsidised rate of interest, with life
insurance cover to benefit all economically weaker sections house
holds in rural and urban areas. This scheme will be administered
through HUDCO and other housing corporations, boards, develop
ment authorities, cooperative societies and NGOs and with direct
credit from LIC, GIC etc. and will be designed to benefit one crore
households.
(vi)
Strengthen the post-harvest activities, cold storage, pre-cooling,
refrigerated marketing and transport facilities in the country, there
by minimising post-harvest losses and enhancing the incomes of
the cultivators in these districts.
(vii)
Protect our biological and environmental heritage through strict
vigilance over pollution, denudation and displacement and promo
tion of sustainable development through participatory mechanisms
such as Joint Forest Management Groups.
(viii)
Introduce a system of "proximity benefits" in favour of a specified
number of villages adjacent to a large industry, to be funded out of
the funds of the industry upto about one per cent of its outlay. Details
37
CONGRESS (I)
will be worked out at an early date after the new Congress
Government takes over.
4.
Special measures for excluded sections of our society
(i)
Formulation and implementation of a national strategy to promote
full participation and equality, of persons with disability in all
CONGRESS (I)
(V)
Simplification of procedures and slrenglhening of judiciary for
disposal of all pending cases in three years.
(vi)
The National Security Council formed in 1990 proved to be un
wieldy. The Congress Government, after it came to power in 1991,
has made a thorough reappraisal of the aspects of national security
and a new blueprint, suited to the Parliamentary system of Govern
ment, has been evolved. At the apex is the Cabinet Committee on
National Security (CCNS) with three Cabinet Sub-Committees on
Internal Security, Defence and Foreign Policy. A strategic policy
group will contribute to the CCNS, assisted by the Joint Intellegence
Committee and a strategic technology sub-group. Experts from
outside the Government could be associated with these groups,
giving a wide scope for fresh ideas and papers to be produced for
the decision of the CCNS. f’he new body will be set up as soon as
programmes of rural development and other social sectors under
the newly enacted legislation for disabled persons.
(ii)
Enhance the allocation of funds and intensification of the activities
of the Commissions and the Corporations established for the
welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Class
es, Minorities, Women and disabled persons, to pull up their socio
economic development and to deal with gaps and missing links in
their development process.
(Hi)
(iv)
Extend the reservations for certain excluded categories in deserv
ing cases, such as Dalit Christians and for Women in Vidhan
Sabhas and the Lok Sabha.
Appoint a Commission on Tribal Areas under Article 339( 1) of the
Constitution to report on good administration of Scheduled Areas
and welfare of Scheduled Tribes in States and implement its
the new Congress Government takes over at the Centre.
6.
Vigilance and anti corruption
(i)
Appoint a high powered Commission consisting of eminent jurists,
parliamentarians and administrators to recommend
legal, administrative and enforcement measures to control and
contain corruption and implement these measures within 6 months.
(ii)
Establish LOKPAL with jurisdiction over all political offices, includ
ing that of the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers.
(iii)
Reduce the amount of discretion obtaining in administrative deci
sion-making, including at Minister’s level, so as to render them
public, transparent and accountable.
(iv)
All members of Parliament, Legislatures and local bodies to de
clare their assets, when assuming office and when leaving office.
(v)
Review the work of the enforcement agencies al the Centre and in
the States with a view to accord adequate autonomy and insulation
from interferences in discharging their duties.
(vi)
Involvement of the public in vigilance and control of corruption
through public hearings, access to information and promotion of
voluntary organisations in this area.
recommendations within one year.
5.
(i)
National Security and Integration
Relentless fight against terrorism and all other anti-national activi
ties with special developmental efforts in States and
regions which continue to be disturbed.
' (ii)
Strengthen the steps taken by the Centre, with States' cooperation,
to protect our borders on land and sea in dealing with infiltration of
foreigners, smuggling and narco-trafficking.
(iii)
(iv)
Elimination of criminal nexus with influential segments and control
of organised crime, that has come to vitiate our social, political and
administrative structures.
Central support for modernisation and training of police service,
aimed at improving their response, quality of investigations and
accountability to crime and treatment of offenders.
38
39
CONGRESS (I)
(vii)
Strengthening of internal vigilance and anti-corruption mecha
nisms for preventive and punitive vigilance in all Government,
Quasi-Government and Public agencies / organisations.
Our is a commitment to provide an effective Government for a stable
polity, based on performance, a commitment to preserve and promote
the Unity and Integrity of India in which every section of the Great Indian
Nation can live in harmony and in pursuit of happiness.
Vote Congress for:
• Stability
• Progress
• National Unity
•Secularism
GIVE CONGRESS (I)
A MASSIVE MANDATE
Issued by General Secretary (Incharge Publicity)
All India Congress Committee (1), 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi.
40
Printed at Frontier (Elec) Press. Okhla Industrial Area. New Delhi -110 020
Voters have been called upon to elect their representa
tives to the 11th Lok Sabha, and to several state assem
blies. The coming poll is crucial for the future of the coun
try, for its development, its unity and integrity, its seculardemocratic set-up, its clean and healthy democratic life.
Heavy responsibility rests on voters to elect those who are
pledged to and capable of ensuring this.-
Congress No Longer Fit to Rule
The Congress regime which started as a minority gov
ernment, and later acquired a majority by engineering de
fections has thrown the country into a deep and allround
crisis.
The Rao Government’s economic policy has unfolded it
self as ‘pro- rich’ and ‘anti-poor’, as aggressively pro-multi
nationals and monopolies and anti-public sector industries
and local industries.
Despite the Government's tall claims of declining infla
tion, the comman man finds the- prices of foodstuff and .other
daily necessities soaring beyond his reach. The market
remains withiri the clutches Of profiteers and black
marketeers. Yet the Rao Government, when it came to power
in 1991, had solemnly pledged to bring down prices to the
level of tire previous year. This has turned out to be noth
ing but a hoax to deceive the suffering people.
Foodgrains production and stocks are at a record level,
but per. capita consumption is declining and offtake from
public distribution system has fallen due to lack of pur
chasing power of the masses.
The value of the rupee is sliding sharply and trade deficlt is growing.
Budget deficit continues to be high and unchecked,
chiefly due to squandering of public funds and profligate
spending by the powers that be.
Domestic savings stagnate at a low level.
The country’s debts have reached astronomical figures.
The problems of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and
disease so far from being tackled, are getting aggravated as
a result of structural adjustment programme dictated by
the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and
the new trade regime imposed by the World Trade' Organi
sation. The worst victims of the new economic policies are
the people below the poverty line.
.........
" The policy of liberalisation, globalisation and privatisa
tion has struck a heavy blow at the self-reliant path of de
velopment for a big country like ours with abundant re
sources. Public enterprises built with the sweat and toll of
our people are being privatised, and public assets are be
ing given away to private parties, - both foreign and Indian.
MNCs are acquiring grip over vital sectors of our economy
and in. consumer industries, depriving large sections of Our
■people of their livelihood. In collaboration with local mo
nopolies they are capturing large space in our markets,
pushing aside local artisans, small scale industries, and
even some medium and large scale ones.
The much tom-tomed figures of growth do not reflect a
picture of development with social justice,'but a distorted
■ picture of affluence for the top 7 or 8 crores of oiir popula
tion,’ and misery and insecurity for the rest 85 crores.
■Under the Rao regime heavy blows were struck at the
.secular foundations of our Republic.' A sense of aliena
tion and insecurity overtook the minorities,1 who do not
look upon this government as a protector of their life and
2
3
property.
Corruption has reached new qualitative dimensions un
der the Rao govt., with every passing day exposing a new
scam, each bigger and more scandalous than the one eaj*Her. Securities scam, sugar scam, disinvestment scam,
Bailadilla deal, telecom scam, railway gauge scam, Purulia
arms-drop scandal,' the defence scam, and now the havala
racket have polluted our democratic system and life. Even
the country’s security has been at stake in some of these
scams.
There is today a growing nexus between money power
breeding corruption and the latter breeding criminals and
mafia elements who manouevre politics with the help of their
benefactors. The growing criminalisation of politics, the
politicisation of criminals and criminals rising to high posi
tions represent a grave danger to democracy and social life.
A creeping paralysis has overtaken the executive pil
lar of our democracy during Rao's tenure allowing grave
issues to remain unresolved and for unsolved problems
to become festering sores. The legislative pillar has been
rendered ineffective and blocked due to the insensitive
ness and total lack of accountability and transparency
of government and its unabashed partisanship. Sev
eral times, it had to be the third, the judicial pillar which
had to take decisions and issue directives because of
the executive's failure to discharge its own duties and
responsibilities..
The Congress is clearly unable and unfit to rule the
country any longer according to constitutional imperatives,
with 7 serving ministers having to resign and chargesheeted
for corruption, with 2 more ministers who had resigned
earlier being similarly indicted,and with the prime minis
ter himself under a cloud. It is itself in a state of disarray,
haying suffered a split. The country is‘no longer safe in
Congress hands. Its chances of gaining a majority on
its own, are non-existent.
_
' The slogan : “Give me stability, and 1 will give you
progress” hides the truth that unless there is real progress
in eliminating poverty, unemployment and other ugent prob
lems of the poor in this country, there can be no stability.
BJP Is No Alternative; It is Nowhere Near Power
The BJP has been loudly claiming to be the ‘party in
■ waiting’, the alternative to the Congress. But its claims
have come a cropper. Much before the polls, it stands thor
oughly exposed.
With an eye on power, it took recourse to out and out
communal propaganda, distorting the humane essence of
religion and is misusing religion for gamering votes. .In an
act of mediaeval frenzy it demolished a place of worship. Its
< action stirred up communal hate and poision on both sides
that led to a spurt of riots and took hundreds of innocent
lives.
'
: It has attempted to put up a new face by talking of ‘cul
tural nationalism’. But getting desperate after corruption
and inner dissension caught up with it, the BJP has started
openly espousing the so-called ‘Hindu Agenda’ of the Vishwa
Hindu Parishad. Every single element of the BJP's cultural
nationalism is aimed against the minorities,and is a denial
of the pluralism and^multifacetness of Indian society and
culture, which is the basis of our secularism.
Its so-called 'economic nationalism' is a crude mixture
of swadeshi demagogy and actual support to liberalisation
policy of the Congress. After bravely denouncing Enron
and threatening to throw it into the sea, it quickly struck a
fresh deal with the self-same Enron.
■ Caught in the havala net, the BJP has no face to talk of
a crusade against corruption and of upholding high moral
values and probity in public life. Its state governments
notched -up a record of scandals that match that of the Con
gress, - the tendu leaf scandal, the saal seeds and opium
husk scandals in M.P. under the BJP governments, the dal
scandal in Maharashtra, the tractor scandal in Rajasthan,
4
the land grab by BJP-RSS outfits in U.P., M.P. and Rajasthan.
and others too numerous to be mentioned. The Congress
rulers sank into the mire of corruption through four and
a half decades of power. The BJP governments did so in
less than four and a half years. Its crusade against cor
ruption has ended in fiasco.
It is the same with dissidence and violent faction fights
within each state outfit of the BJP. The Khajuria-Hajuria
fight in Gujarat has caught the attention of the whole coun
try. It has tom to shreds the BJP’s boast that it is a ‘party
with a difference', a disciplined party. With only a whiff of
power, its power-hungry members are at each other’s
throat.
A grave aspect of the havala racket is the fact that it
was a conduit for siphoning money to the Kashmiri mili
tants, as also to BJP leaders and Congress ministers. This
came out 4 years back, yet the patriotic conscience of these
honourable gentlemen did not speak up. And now it is re
vealed that Dawood’s criminal associates and hitmen found
shelter both with a BJP MP and a Congress minister. The
Congress and the BJP are thus tarred with the same
brush.
In Maharashtra, the BJP-Shiv Sena government uncer
emoniously wound up the States Minorities Commission
.and the Srikrishna commission. It withdrew 1500 cases filed
under the Prevention of Atrocities (Against Scheduled
Castes) Act. All these expose the BJP and its allies' in
grained hostility to minorities and dalits. The reaction
ary ugly face of the ruling BJP was also seen in the shame- ■
ful rally organised.by it in Jaipur ‘honouring’ the five rap
ists of Bhanwari Devi.
The BJP and its allies cannot therefore be an alter
native to the Congress. The Indian people will not agree
to jump from the frying pan into the fire. The BJP can
hardly expect to better its earlier performance at the
polls.
5
Country Needs A Real Third Alternative
What'the country needs today is a functioning govern
ment at the centre - a broad coalition of left, secular and
democratic parties and forces which will keep both the Con
gress and.the BJP away from power, and which is sworn to
carry out an allcriative programme corresponding to the
most urgent demands and aspirations of the common peo
ple for eliminating poverty, -unemployment, illiteracy and
■ disease. ■ ,
.
The awakening of the hitherto oppressed and deprived
masses, the dalits. backward classes and women, has raised
the question, of their empowerment in political and social
life. Only a coalition of the left, secular and democratic
parties and forces can pave the way for this, ’
The left parties have a decisive role to play in forg
ing such an alliance, and in carrying through their pro
gramme. People have seen that it is only the left parties
which' are not tainted by any scams and scandals. The left
has always stood up for the people; for their demands and
grievances,- organising and leading, struggles outside par
liament and acting as .‘people’s tribune' inside parliament.
■ It is only the CPI and the left who have firmly opposed all
attempts by Imperialism, their agents and proxies to sub
vert our economic and political sovereignty or threaten our
national security and integrity.
The CPband the left has consistently fought againt all _
brands of commuanlism and upheld our best traditions of
humanism, tolerance and brqtherhood. The CPI and the
left have made tremendous sacrifices for defending national
unity against all divisive and separatist forces.
Upholding accountability and transparency in public life,
the CPI has been regularly submitting its audited accounts
to the authorities for scrutiny and demanding that all reg
istered parties do the same.
pie. Only this can prove to be the salvation of the country.
The Third Alternative’ has to become the first inside the
11th Lok Sabha.
The CPI puts forward the following programme and tasks
in the present situation and will strive for its implementa
tion.
Programme
For Economic Development on Self-reliant and
Democratic Lines : The Indian economy needs reforms
for ending bureaucratic controls and cutting red tape,
but not by introducing liberalisation, globalisation and
privatisation which erode its economic sovereignty and
weaken its self reliance. Such policies must be halted
and reversed.
'The public sector has to be defended from the wholesale
attack ofprivatisation. Curp for the ills of the public sector
enterprises should be sought within the public sector itself
and not by automatically privatising them. In all cases care
must be taken to protect the interests of the workers through
adequate compensation, retraining and redeployment.'
Management of public sector enterprises shall be
professionalised and democratised through workers ‘par
ticipation, and made efficient and accountable.’
Vandalising of public assets by handing them over to
private parties or disinvesting them invariably below par
should be discontinued. Funds already obtained through
disinvestment should be utilised for revival and modernis
ing of the concerned units.
Indian industries and agriculture shall be given all en
couragement and help to utilise scientific and technologi
cal know-how within the country and constantly upgrade
it, geared towards areas of health^ environment, food, shel
The CPI will work for the victory of such a ‘Third Al
ternative', which alone can meet the requirements of
the situation and the aspirations of the comipon peo-
ter and energy.
The interests of small and medium scale industries shall
be defended through easily available credit, greater market
6
7
accessibility, and ao forth.
Fifty percent of the budget shall be set apart for develop
ment of agriculture, horticulture, pisiculture, animal hus
bandry and so forth,, ensuring irrigation and supply of in■ puts at reasonable prices to the peasantry. Subsidised in
puts, such as irrigation, power, credit, and other help shall
be extended specially to small and marginal farmers.
,
Remunerative prices shall be fixed for agricultural pro
duce, and reasonable prices to the consumers.
■ A rational land and water management shall be under
taken through a national.water policy, which safeguards
agriculture from droughts and floods, and helps to solve
inter-state disputes on water sharing.
.Crop and cattle insurance shall be extended all over the
country.Land reforms have to be carried forward. There must be
vigorous implementation of land ceiling laws and distribu
tion of surplus land degraded forest land and cultivable
waste lands to agricultural'workers. All attempts to re
verse land reforms shall be halted and opposed.
Need-based, minimum wages to be fixed and implemented
for agricultural workers and for other sections of unorgan
ised workers; comprehensive central legislations which pro
vide social security and labour protection, to agricultural
workers and construction labour 'shall be’ adopted.
The livelihood of artisans, weavers, fishermen and selfemployeds who are threatened by inroads of Big Business
and MNCs shall be protected. Natural resources for their
livelihood shall be safeguarded.
Strong efforts should be made to unearth black money,
check tax evasion and mobilise to the full domestic re
sources for productive investment and prevent their
misutilisation for speculative purposes. Rate of domestic
savings has to be raised by curbing government
entravagance and checking unbridled consumerism.
Planned efforts must be made to reduce our external and
internal debts within a time-bound period.
Foreign investments to be sought and MNCs Io be per
mitted only in specific areas of the economy where there is
need for high technology and resources, and within an overall
plan of national economic development. Foreign capital can
be desirable for productive investment on a selective basis
but not for speculative profits, or for grabbing shares and
ultimate control of local industries.
Retrograde amendment of our Patent Laws, which ob
struct our R & D and are harmful in national interests
should be opposed. To promote R & D there must be a cess
on industries.
Environment : Protection of our land, water, forests, air
and public health from growing environmental hazards and
predatory actions arising from greed for profits. Promote
nature conservation through community efforts and peo
ple's participation. Afforestation through the help of vil
lage dwellers in and around degraded forests must be un
dertaken.
Provide safe drinking water to all villages and localities
of urban poor. Evolve a national scheme for supply of do
mestic fuel.
Jobs for all : Expansion of educational and employment
opportunities for the youth. Enshrine right to work as a
fundamental right in the Constitution and provide unem
ployment dole. Evolve a comprehensive youth policy which
takes into account the right to work and education.
Employment guarantee schemes should be for a mini
mum of 200 days in a year at national minimum wage.
Education for alj : Free and compulsory education for
all citizens upto the age of 14 with training in productive
skills. While charitable institutions and private societies
have an important part to play in the educational field, op
8
9
Opportunities for smaller entrepreneurs and self: employeds to develop shall be expanded.
There must be balanced development so-as to prevent
large-scale migration from one region to the other.
Agricultural Development
pose privatisation and commercialisation of education. Six
per cent of the GNP to be allocated for education.'.
Launch National Literacy Campaign for achieving total
literacy within a time-bound period. Mobilise youth and
students for the campaign.
Child Labour and Bonded Labour : The shame of child
labour and bonded labour must be eliminated. Children
must be . in schools and not in’jobs. To ensure this, net
work of schools easily accessible to children must be cre
ated.
' To ensure presence of children in schools and guard
against drop- outs ’Food for Education' Scheme must be
implemented, providing 1 Kg of foodgrain for every child for
every day of schooling.
''
1
Child abuse, especially sexual exploitation of the girl child
must be severely punished.
Bonded labour must be rescued and rehabilitated, and
a national minimum wage must be enforced.' National Com
mission on Child Labour and Bonded Labour must be con
stituted with powers for implementing and enforcing suit
able measures.
Food Security for all : With nearly 40 percent of our
people below the poverty line, food security is the most im
portant step. Food security is also a fundamental right. It
means that all people must be ensured economic access to
balanced diet, safe drinking water, and therefore access to
resources for livelihood. The new economic policies and
the WTO trade regime are today further jeopardising this
food security. This must be prevented.
The public distribution system must be strengthened and
must cover all items essential for life, of good quality and at
prices pegged for a periof of 4-5 years. Food security should
not be jeopardised in the name of encouraging exports, which
particularly hit the poor.
"1 •'
Vigorous price control measures must be undertaken,
and all reliefs given in the budget shall be transferred to
consumers.
I
10
Health care for all: Private hospitals and nursing homes
are not substitutes for a chain of health centres in both
urban and rural areas.
Government and ESI hospitals and dispensaries, must
be set up with necessary equipments and all essential drugs,
medical and paramedical staff.
Maternity and child welfare centres in every villages and
urban ward to be run by panchayats’and municipalities
with special financial grants Provision of old age homes and
medical care for the aged. Homes for abandoned women.
Drug prices must be controlled and monopoly grip on
production of drugs must be countered by developing pro
duction of basic drugs in the public sector.
Anganwadi and village health visitors must be paid rea
sonable wages and allowaces for discharging their vitally
important task.
Campaign against the menace of liquor and drug abuse,
against HIV/AIDS and all communicable diseases must be
•vigorously carried out.
Social Security : Social security and labour welfare
' measures to cover rural and urban workers in all sectors,
providing for medical facilities, pensions and other benefits.
Identity cards to be issued to members of the work-force in
the unorganised sector, including rural labour so that they
can claim social security benefits.
With growing longevity and increasing number of retirees
from different services, industrial establishments etc., the
number of pensioners in tire country is growing fast. Pen
sion is the most important element of any scheme of social
security. Therefore a well thought out policy on pension
has to be evolved and implemented, which includes the fol
lowing aspects : i) adequate pension, the minimum not to
be less than the minimum wages fixed in different
employments, ii) parity in pension between employees of
similar cadre and length of service, iii) same rank-same
pension in the army and other services, iv) creation of a
pension fund attracting reasonable interest on investment,
11
v) pension linked to cost of living index-, vl) machinery to
begin payment promptly on retirement.
. i Handicapped, disabled, blind persons constitute no less
thfen 10 per cent of the population. They have to be given
special facilities for education, and reservation of at least 3
per cent in jobs.
Ensure proper rehabilitation and pensionary benefits for
ex- servicemen and their dependents.
Defence of Rights of SC, ST, Women, Minorities and
other:
We stand for firm defence at the rights- of the SC, ST,
backward classes, minority communities, women, children
and other weaker sections. The policy of reservation must be
fully implemented. Efforts must be made to extend reserva
tion to private sector which has become imperative in the
context of liberalisation of our economy. The BJP-VHP stand
that, “the rights and privileges accorded, to SC and STs will
be withdrawn on their conversion" will be firmly opposed.
Atrocities, against SC, ST, women shall be resisted and
the guilty punished. A special court in .each sensitive dis
trict shal be set up in keeping with the- spirit and purpose of
the SC ST (Prevention- of Atrocities) act, 1989. People’s re
sistance to growing atrocities on women shall be organised.
There must be provision for free legal aid .by government to
women in all cases of dowry deaths, abduction, rape.
Towards Gender Equality : “Equality between women
and men is a matter of human rights and a condition for
social justice and is also necesary and fundamental
perrequisite our equality, development and peace”, says the
Beijing Platform adopted at the World Conference on Women,
1995. Having made a beginning with panchayats and mu
nicipal committees, the next step should be to reserve onethird seats for women in state assemblies and parliament.
Ensure women's access to credit, diversified vocational
training, information on legal rights, and other facilities to
further, the advancement of women and girls. Equal legal
and social rights for women of all communities should be
ensured.
'
12
Equal remuneration for women and men must be strictly
enforced. Safety for wopien in public and private spheres
of life should be ensured, by vigorously combating sexual
harassment and creating a violence-free society.
Set up hostels for working women and creches for their
children. ’
Ownership of land and houses should be registered in
the names of both husband and wife.
Special Provisions for Tribals :
Tribal majority areas within states should be guaran
teed autonomy under special provisions of the Constitu
tion, and. where it is viable separate statehood can be ex
tended as in the case of Jharkhand. Scheduled Areas have
been excluded from the operation of the panchayat acts.
The present vacuum should be filled by implementing the
Bhuria Committee recommendations so as to give them the
right to village self-governance as per democratic customs
of the tribal people. Tribal land must be protected from al
ienation by nontribals, and land already alienated shall be
restored to the original tribal owners.
Housing : There should be a democratic housing policy
and popular control over real estate transactions which gen
erate black money. A vigorous programme of house con
struction both in rural and urban areas, by distributing
house-sites and building material to the landless, by un
dertaking house construction for slum-dwellers and arrang
ing all civic facilities to slums, by extending cheap housing
loans to the middle classes and controlling prices of build
ing material should be undertaken.
Defence of Democratic Rights : Repeal of all undemo
cratic and repressive laws. Defence of democratic rights and
civil liberties. Reform and overhaul of the police forces.
Defence of our Pluralist Culture :
Democratic and secular cultural policies incorporating
the humanist and tolerant teachings of the social reform
ers shall be pursued. The pluralist character of our great
13
culture shall be upheld.
Ideological and cultural Invasion threatening our tradi
tional cultural, moral and literacy values shall be resisted.
The drive to spread feudal and unscientific-ideas, obscu
rantism, mysticism, superstitions, obscenity, glorification
of crimes and violence shall be rebuffed.
Languages :
,
.
|
■
■
.
,
.
All languages shall be encouraged to develop as modem '
' languages, and due recognition given to: the rights of Urdu
and Sindhi under article 345 or 347 of the Constitution.'
Secularism ■: Defence of secularism as .the basic tenet of
our Constitution, from attacks by all brands of communal
forces.
■ 1
* • x Effective intervention of secular' forces and administra-. tion in the fight against communalism, so that, the people
belonging to the minority communities can feel sense of
security. At the same time, giving priority to the genuine
grievances of the minority community regarding discrimi
nation in the matter of jobs and other economic spheres,
more avenues for eduction, end to the mismanagement of
wakf properties etc. .All cases related with Ram templeBabri Masjid dispute shall.be referred to supreme court
under Article 138(2), and its decision shall be binding:
Restructuring Centre-State Relations : Centre-state
relations should be restructured in the true spirit of federalism, giving greater powers and financial resources to
states, as recommended, by the Sarkaria Commission. Fate
of any state government to be decided only on the floor of
the House, and partisan and arbitrary use of Art. 356 for
dismissing state govts, to be stopped.
Revive and function the Inter-state Council.
Real decentralisation to be carried out by conferring more
. power and financial resources to elected bodies at district,
block and, panchayat levels.
Defend Art. 370 of the Constitution in relation to J .& K,
and rectify the erosion that has taken plape in it. Evolve
an economic and political package on the basis of consen
sus among all national and state parties.
North-East Region : 'Hie Govt, of India should lake ini
tiative for dialogue with the insurgents/militant movements
in the North East without any pre-condition from anyside,
so as to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Corruption must be fought at all levels : Lok Pal Bill,
which includes .within its scope legislators and also the
prime minister should be adopted. Lok Pal institutions
should be set up at the centre and in the states to investi
gate corruption charges against ministers and bureaucrats.
Transfers and postings which are a fertile source of cor
ruption should be done by a committee of senior officials.
Citizens' Committees composed of personalities of wellknown integrity to be set up at different levels, for rousing
public opinion and with right to initiate proceedings before
Lok Pal institutions, and for resisting extortions of money
and other mafia-type crimes.
Persons with known criminal records should not be put
up, nor allowed to contest as candidates in elections.
There should be more transparency in government, in
all deals of contract and supply, and the Right to Informa
tion must be established, so as to make administration more
accountable to the people and their elected bodies.
Electoral Reforms : Electoral reforms must be carried
out comprehensively and not piecemeal as suits the occa
sion. The Representation of Peoples Act should be amended
to i) curb money and muscle power, ii) ensure state funding
specially in the form of necesary election material, iii) en
force model code which bans communal propaganda and
appeal for votes in the name of religion, and iv) ensure that
everybody can exercise his or her right to vote.
Foreign Relations : Oppose defence link-up with the
US and joint naval or other forms of military exercises.
Armed intervention or economic blockade and blackmail
by imperialist powers, mainly the U.S. against socialist and
other developing countries must be firmly opposed. The
Non-aligned Movement to be reinvigorated in the present
world context.
15
DEfHlT CONGRESS (I)
DEFEAT BJP
• India to remain firm in her principled refusal to sign the
Nucldar Nonproliferation Treaty, which permits the legitimlsatlon of weapons of mass destruction.
Positive and active role to be played for developing South
Cooperation between all developing countries, and extend
ing cooperation among the SAARC countries.
Our Appeal
The CPI believes that this is a programme for national
revival, for development with social justice, for defence of
the country’s unity and integrity, for defence of our demo
cratic values and institutions which require clean political
parties and untainted leaders as prerequisites.
O It is a programme for solving the problem of poverty, un
employment, illiteracy and disease, that besets our country.
O It is a programme that meets the most urgent demands
and aspirations of the common people, of our dalits and
soshits, of our children and youth who are our future.
Oit is a programme that can be implemented rind fulfilled in
the present circumstances.
The CPI appeals to all voters, to elect candidats of
the CPI, of other left parties, of our secular and demo
cratic allies. It appeals to all voters to defeat the Con
gress and the BJP and bring this alliance of left, demo
cratic and secular forces to power.
The forthcoming elections have to lead to a radical
change in the balance of forces in our country. The deca
dent and corrupt Congress regime must be thrown out
of power if the road to progress is to open for the people.
The voters must demonstrate their firm belief in those
forces and parties which will stand unswervingly against ,
Congress misrule and BJP's divisive threat to national
unity and integrity.
Only the democratic, left and secular forces, acting
together, can lead the people to a new order capable of
defending our economic and political independence
based on social justice for all.
,
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Manifesto
of the
SAMATA PARTY
April, 1996
India, the world’s most populous democracy, is passing
through trying times. We face confusion and helplessness on
many counts. The implications ofthis are serious. At a moment
when the Indian people have to choose representatives for the
Eleventh Lok Sabha, there is a widespread fear of
destabilisation and disintegration of the country. The task of
nation-building would suffer the most if this psychology
spreads. The Samata Party, while recognising these
unfortunate trends, is of the firm belief that the Indian people
have the vitality, strength and determination to face these
challenges. The real task is that of the right type of mass
mobilisation and political education.
India is one of the oldest civilisations of the world.
We have inherited a glorious heritage and a vast pool of rich
traditions. The age-old Indian tradition is to solve all problems
through mutual discussion, cooperation, goodwill and
understanding of each others view points.. This is the essence
of democratic functioning. The parliamentary system can
survive only ifthe options for dialogue and discussion amongst
the people of divergent approaches and points ofview are not
closed. The real strength of the democratic process lies in its
capacity to resolve all issues by accommodating each others
opinion and reaching consensus. It is unfortunate that this
approach is being given the go by. We seem to have come to
a situation wherein a meaningfill dialogue on national issues is
tending to become a near impossibility. As a^mnsequence,
problems get complicated and parliamentary institutions,
instead of being places for finding solutions, get involved in
acrimonious and meaningless debates with utter disregard for
long-cherished and healthy parliamentary norms. The
supremacy of the parhament is getting questioned. It is
distressing that the present government has abdicated its
responsibility to take timely decisions on issues that agitate
the minds of a vast majority of the Indian people. The inaction
on part of the government promotes a sense of despair
amongst the people and introduces a variety of avoidable
distortions in the functioning ofthe parliamentaiy system. The
basic tenets ofthe parliamentary system of governance provide
for separation ofpowers between different wings ofthe State.
In a situation when any one of the three wings of the state,
namely, the executive, legislature and judiciary, fails to
discharge its duty or honour its obligations, there is bound to
be a multiple of serious impheations. When accepted norms
are put aside, strains develop resulting into unhealthy
consequences.
‘
The threat of decay and distortions in our
parliamentary system has to be met with determination. It is
the demand of the tunes that we not only agree and identify
the basic challenges before the nation but also unhesitatingly
resolve to give due respect to divergent view points. Nonacceptance ofthis principle can only threaten the very existence
of democratic institutions. The dignity and grace of
parliamentary institutions has to be preserved for real national
reconstruction.
In our long history we have faced many vicissitudes
but we never lost confidence and faith in the vitality and
strength of our people. This is how we could gain
independence through sacrifice and cooperation by the masses
2 '
of tliis country. In the recent past one discovers that instead
of relying upon the cooperation and strength of the Indian
people, a tendency has developed among the policy makers to
depend upon outside advice. There appears to be an utter
lack of historical and world perspective. It has never happened
in any part of the world that people from outside helped in
solving their problems. India is not going to be an exception.
The plurality of Indian culture respects and protects
the identity of religious, linguistic and ethnic groups. The
rights of each entity to pursue its aspirations has been
recognised and adhered to in our long history. This has been
a virtuous tradition of India.
The world is today desperately needs to protect the
environment. The teacliings of the seers, saints, gurus and
sufis for centuries have been to live in harmony with nature.
We have always respected and protected nature. The religious
beliefs and rituals have meant protection ofnature in its various
forms. While the world today is seized of the issue of
sustainable development, our people had perceived such a thing
thousands of years back. It is unfortunate that all these values
have been ignored and relegated to the background. Now
time has again come when we should reassert all that is morally
and ethically correct. Indian thought and tradition has been
for austere living. The Indian philosophy of simple living was
not born out of any foreign influence. It was based on mature
thought that we must lead life in full harmony with the nature.
Tliis is fundamental to our philosophy.
There is no denying the fact that in the long history
while respect for a good many of the rich traditions continues
one needs to also recognise the unfortunate deviations from
the well accepted norms and philosophy for a civilised society.
Many distortions have crept in. We areOking critical
challenges from religious fanaticism, caste acrimony and other
such dogmas. Propagation of divisive philosophies has given
impetus to social tensions and weaken us as a nation.
State’s Abdication of its Role
The last few years have witnessed fundamental changes
in India’s economic policies that sought to pursue national
ideals of a just society. The vision of a new India which inspired
millions to give un-hesitating support to the struggle for India’s
political independence has been pushed aside under
questionable influences. The objective of self-reliance for the
country has been given up. The process of planned
development for social and economic change has been
disrupted and sliift in policies is from planning to dependence
on market forces to resolve the country’s problems.' The role
of the state is being reduced to the minimum. 'Bydoing this
state mechanisms would loose all orientation and relevance to
problems of poverty, health, education or concerns1® ruralurban .divide, inter-personal disparities or'growing
concentration of economic power in the hands of a few. The
Directive Principles of State Policy would be reduced to mere
rituals. ' .
'
. India suffers from continuance of extreme disparities
in wealth, income and consumption. In this situation
dependence on market oriented mechanisms for allocation of
national and scarce resources can only mean denial of essentials
foi the vast poor majority and abundance for the rich. The
free market system cannot but be unjust on the one hand and
most unstable on the other. In the absence of any corrective
measuies. the market system only accentuates disparities
lurthci. Abolition of the planning process amounts to denial
4
to the peopiRheir expectation to meet the basic needs. The
Indian state cannot run away from discharging its national
obligations.
Dependence on a free market oriented system would
free big business and powerful groups to exploit the system
for promoting vested interests. The perils of corruption and
free ground for operation of business lobbies for influencing
government policies and programmes does not need fresh
emphasis. The last four years have witnessed direct onslaught
by national and international business on the country’s
parliamentary institutions. Businessmen have sought to gain
control over national institutions.
A large part of the Indian press is owned, controlled
and managed by big industrial houses. In spite of a large
number ofindependent professional journalists the mass media
in India is no way fr ee and independent to play its due role in
a developing country. Of late, a number of private television
satellite channels have been established. The private channels
gain wide viewership because they provide cheap and low
quality entertainment. These channels pose a serious threat
to the national value system. India cannot allow herselfto be
dominated by western thought, materialist culture and the life
styles as projected and prom'oted by the satellite channels,
controlled by non-Indian business interests. The same holds
true of the serious threat that the easy commercial revenue
from advertisements poses to introduce distortions in the
country's own TV network. Mass media cannot be only a
source of entertainment; it will have to be an instrument of
healthy education aud norms of public behaviour.
The new policies have defacto made all regulations
infructuous. The abolition of regulations to protect the
handicraft, rural, small and medium industries and the
vulnerable sectors or which seek to promote new economic
activities in less developed regions would have to be reversed.
The rescinding of restrictions on foreign investments through
dilution of FERA and dropping out of even the apology of
monopoly regulations that India had, will have to be
reexamined in the light of recent experiences.
In spite of large scale propaganda and claims made by
the government it remains a bitter reality that India has not
been able to have even a single dollar of surplus on the foreign
exchange account. Imports of non-essentials and by MNCs
have grown fast whereas big business and MNCs have failed
to promote India’s export capabilities. The only source of
comfort is from the rural and small scale sector who have
contributed significantly in earning net foreign exchange.
Internationally also, people have been opting for handmade
goods. The onslaught of large corporations from within and
outside on this sector will have to be stopped.
nation canWrestored. These principles and programmes shall
be rooted in the ideology of Democratic Socialism, which is
indeed the only relevant ideology of the future. It brings
humanism through a decentralised polity and equity which is
the sine qua non of democracy. Democratic Socialism
incorporates 1) Equity and Social Justice, meaning social,
political and economic justice, 2) Secularism, meaning respect
for the plurality ofreligions while preventing the use of religion
by the state or by parties and individuals for political purposes,
3) People’s Nationalism, based on the equal participation of
the plural identities and cultures of our country to fight
hegemonism of every kind and build a rich civilization together
in spirit of true federalism.
Based on these inalienable principles, the party will
seek to ensure:
The Common Man Should not
Lose Faith in the System
a)
The creation and continuous generation of employment
and the establishment of the Right to Work as a fundamental
right.
Today, the common man and woman is fast losing faith
in the ability of the state to provide a just system ofgovernance.
Where each effort towards seeking justice is forced to become
a major struggle, the will of the citizen is easily sapped.
b)
To strengthen indigenous production particularly agro
and rural based industries both in the small scale and village
sector.
In simple terms, the suffering and growing apathy of
the people can be traced to a combination of corruption,
unemployment, and lack of respect for human dignity. At an
intangible but very real level the loss of national self-respect
and sovereignty can be added to the international face of India.
c)
To increase social and economic equality of the
deprived classes, the toiling and disadvantaged poor of the
upper castes, unorganised workers, dalits, tribals, minorities,
and particularly women through preferential opportunities.
The Samata Party believes that the time has come to
reassert the ideals that inspired our freedom movement and to
provide the people of India with clear, radical and credible
policies through which the dignity of each citizen and of the
d)
To assist the farmer to produce more and to protect
our agriculture from the evil effects of the new International
Trade Regime.
6
7
e)
To establish industrial democracy and to have workers’
participation in management of enterprises.
f)
To strengthen the concept of a genuine federal polity
and decentralization by establishing the four-pillar model of
the state both politically and through grass roots democracy.
g)
To remove the disparity between urban and rural
sections of society.
h)
i
To reestablish morality in public life and create a
corruption free society.
i)
••
To protect the heritage of the freedom movement and
of the struggle for social justice.
Social Tensions
Since 1990, there has been an accentuation of tensions
on the issue of implementation of the Mandal Commission
Report. It is unfortunate that such a controversy should have
been allowed to create an atmosphere ofmutual distrust among
different sections of the society. The Mandal Commission
itself has said that casteism should find no place in Indian
society. While fulfilling the obligations enshrined in the
Constitution with respect to backward classes, it is inevitable
to give certain facilities to certain castes who have been
traditionally backward for centuries. However, this should
not preclude giving similar benefits to economically weaker
sections of other castes. Creation ofjobs should get the first
priority. When the total job opportunities are actually
shrinking, just continuing declarations on reservation bring
no solace to the concerned people. A balanced practical
8
approach vW be in the larger interest of the nation as a whole
and the backward classes in particular.
The party will ensure that the concept of social justice
is understood and implemented in all its facets so that no
deprived section feels alienated from the process. The
implementation of the Mandal Commission report cannot be
piecemeal affair without focus on the provision of expanded
educational facilities, employment and access to land and water
resources. Reservations alone are not enough to struggle
against the evil of feudal systems. The emergence of the
consciousness ofa new strength amongst traditionally deprived
classes, which include the backwards, dalits, tribals and women
will be channelised so that a just economic and political order
provides the backdrop for their potential.
In the political realm, continuous expansion-of
democracy will be ensured. Democracy has proved more
effective than any other single factor in the empowerment of
the dalit and backward communities. For meeting the menace
of social inequalities, reservation in government jobs is a
concrete step. Government jobs are a way of participating in
the functioning ofthe state. This measure demands continuous
vigilance as well as constant enlargement of educational
opportunity for young men and women ofthese communities.
Otherwise, it may not create the necessary impact towards
reduction of social inequalities.
Secularism and Protection of Minorities
India is proud of its cultural heritage and ofthe rich
contributions from various religions over the centuries.
Therefore, India’s identity is larger than any single religious
or ethnic category. Only a secular state and respect for ail
9
religious will secure and strengthen that idenffty. A point that
should always be remembered is that in the geographic vastness
that India is, and the religious, ethnic and linguistic diversities
that abound in it, a minority in one part of the country is a
majority in another.
Communalism which is another name for religious
bigotry, is no stranger to Indian politics. It claimed the life of
Mahatma Gandhi. And it has claimed countless otherfives in
the decades after freedom The demolition oftheBabri Masjid
and the events that followed it have created conditions which
threaten to strike at the very basis of our nationhood.
An issue which has threatened to divide the country is
the disputed structure at Ayodhya. The unfortunate episode
of 6th December, 1992 has saddened all who believe in the
rule of law and peaceful co-existence of all sections of the
people. That episode is a great tragedy in the history of this
country with such a rich heritage where people of all faiths,
religions, races, communities and castes have lived with amity
and goodwill for centuries. Any suggestion that Ayodhya can
be made a precedent at other places like Mathura and Kashi
has to be unequivocally rejected and deplored. The political
leadership must encourage the two communities involved to
find an amicable solution to all outstanding issues in a manner
acceptable to all and in keeping with the dignity and self-respect
of each community.
The party will wage a relentless campaign to instil in
every Indian irrespective of his refigion, the spirit of tolerance
and brotherhood which alone can provide the antidote to
bigotry.
"
10
The creation of opportunities for employment and the
sustenance of dignified livelihood will pave the way for
smoother social transitions. In order to achieve the objectives
of additional employment and improving the production
apparatus alongside with the other objectives of equality in
society, the Samata Party will ensure that the capital outlay
for eveiy added job raises efficiency and production while still
enabling the increase in employment. This necessarily means
the conditioning of technology to the level of what is
appropriate for our needs. Economic technological
decentralization will be coupled with the devolution of political
power. This alone can infuse new life into the-old limbs of
India by providing maximum possible initiative to the people
in their smallest units consistent with the integrity of tire nation.
Decentralisation and Federalism
Through a new concept of federalism the Samata Party
will demonstrate the actual sharing of power at multiple levels
and not be limited to the political game of state-centre accords
which remain unfulfilled. Border states are the sentinels of
our countiy and will be accorded the highest respect and
priority in development.
We believe that democratic cooperative movement,
owned and controlled by its members, is our people’s best
hope for economic and social justice. It shall be our endeavour
to create the conditions for an autonomous, self-reliant and
democratic cooperative movement in our country.
Cooperatives alone could assure remunerative price to the
producer and fair price to the consumer for essential articles
or commodities. They could strengthen our democratic fibre
and are the most effective instillments of socio economic
transformation. Just as the 73rd and 74th Amendments have
11
liberated Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika Institutions, we are
committed to free cooperatives from the clutches of
bureaucracy; restore them to their members; and strengthen
cooperatives to genuinely serve all sections of our society.
Towards Full Employment
Today the absolute number of the poor in the country
exceeds the total population of India at the time of
independence. The number ofunemployed and underemployed
is staggering and continues to rise from year to year. More
than one-third of our rural population is unable to find work
of a remunerative kind for most of the year. In the urban
areas, over 40 million persons are unemployed - an eight- fold
increase since 1960. And the government has officially
announced on the eve of Independence Day, 1994 that the
number of unemployed will reach a colossal figure of 94 million
by the end of the Ninth Plan, which, of course, is an
underestimate. This state of affairs will not be allowed to
continue.
Unemployment and poverty are overlapping aspects
of social misery which is not inevitable. The misery is
aggravated by wrong economic policies, and a lasting and
sustainable solution of this lies in creating a people oriented
system of production that ensures apd enlists the widest
participation of the masses. The Samata Party will reverse
the past .trend of anti-employment and anti-people economic
policies that had reduced the right to livelihood to only a
privileged section ofthe population. The policy ofreservation
and social justice cannot benefit the vast mass of people if
jobs do not increase.
12
Povertj^JIeviation
Creation of employment opportunities is the key to
removal ofpoverty and therefore to the progress ofthe Nation
as a whole. It is necessary to encourage every sector that
provides employment. The traditional crafts, cottage and
village industries and small-scale industries provide a big
avenue for creation of jobs. The handloom sector has
traditionally given jobs to a large number of persons when
compared to the organised sector in terms of per capita
investment. Indian crafts and the production of bandloom
sector has a large market abroad and if properly channelised,
these sectors can not only provide employment but can be as
economically viable and vibrant as the organised sector. Direct
poverty - alleviation programmes have their own relevance
and should be passed. However, the existing employment.
programmes need to be streamlined and made more efficient
so that the benefits reach the targeted sections, and leakages
are reduced. A powerful efficient and dedicated cooperative
movement can play a purposeful and effective role in this
regard.
The party will not only recognize the right to livelihood
as a fundamental right of every citizen but also discharge the
inalienable responsibility associated with this right by creating
jobs and other opportunities of employment for each person
by developing economic activities in such a manner that along
with the creating of socially desirable goods, necessary and
sufficient conditions for full employment are created.
This is a task which will be addressed with all the
determination and resources at its disposal. A development
strategy which ensures maximum employment and social
justice along with faster growth in all sectors of production,
13
be it agriculture, industry' or services, will be formulated and
effectively implemented.
shocking part of it all is that a large number of such workers
continue to be bonded, even after 47 years of independence.
Agriculture and Rural Economy
Even in the irrigated areas which have benefited from
new technology, subsidised inputs, special credit facilities and
procurement at support prices, the small and marginal farmers
as well as agricultural labourers have been neglected and
compelled to turn to other sectors in search of employment.
The rural economy and the agriculture sector, in which
three-fourths of our people are engaged and which have vast
potential for employment, have been persistently neglected.
The state of rural infrastructure roads, means of transport and
communications and information systems - is so pathetic that
many rural areas remain cut off from the mainstream. This
deficiency makes them especially vulnerable to natural
calamities such as floods and droughts. The provision of social
services - education, health and sanitation - in rural areas is
dismal.
Land and labour are our most precious assets and their
prosperity is correlated. It will be our highest policy objective
to ensure that the enormous potential of these resources are
realised and the corresponding benefits are enjoyed by those
who have so far been deprived. Policies which do not serve
this purpose will have to be modified. Land reform policies
must be effectively implemented and the discriminatory features
in the price and marketing policies adversely affecting
agriculture and rural labour must be removed.
Two-thirds of our cultivable land is still dependent on
rain-fed agriculture and large areas which are potentially
cultivable have been classified as waste lands. They are being
starved of attention, investment, technology and organisation.
Likewise, the segment of agricultural labourers comprising
mainly scheduled caste/scheduled tribes have been denied
adequate and just conditions of work and wages. The most
14
The increase in the creation of irrigation potential from
3 million hectares to 5 million hectares every year, can raise
the productivity of land and also provide massive employment.
Big dams are costly and also compel large scale destruction of
forests and submergence of large cultivable areas, besides
massive displacement of people. Minor irrigation projects
which cost only one-tenth of the major irrigation projects will
be preferred to big dams.
Till now the agricultural sector received less than onefifth of the Plan resources. The industrial sector and other
non-agricultural sectors, which received the lion’s share of
developmental resources, generated employment opportunities
at a much lower rate than the growth rate of work force. This
neglect has become more conspicuous during the last decade.
As a consequence, irrigation facilities, extension services, social
overheads and infrastructure have deteriorated. This state of
affairs will be changed. Fifty percent of the Plan resources
will be invested in the agricultural sector every year until the
deficiency of infrastructure and social services are adequately
made up.
The plan for agriculture will consists of 1) improvement
of existing cultivation, 2) protection ofthe Indian farmer from
the provisions of GATT/WTO, 3) extension of areas under
cultivation and farming. There will be emphasis on minor
15
irrigation, small dams, and earthworks. Redistribution of land
will be regarded not merely as an act of social and economic
justice but also as a measure to increase production through
voluntary development. Land will belong to the tiller.
Ejectments from lands and houses will stop. A family of five
persons engaged in agriculture will be left with a maximum of
three times the unit of land that a family can cultivate without
employing hired labour or mechanization. All lands made
available for distribution will be allotted to landless labourers
or poor farmers so that no agricultural family lives without a
sense of ownership in the village. Co-operative agriculture
will be encouraged in consultation with those willing to
participate in such an endeavour.
A policy of parity of agricultural and industrial prices
to provide the necessary incentive to farmers to produce more,
and to give them remunerative prices will be implemented.
This alone will ensure adequate food, adequate remuneration
and a balanced diet for the poorest, based on basic nutritional
needs.
Oppressive Price Rise
Contrary to the frequent and emphatic claims of the
government for having controlled price rise, the real and most
hurting problem for vast majority of consumers is the
phenomenal rise in prices in general and essential consumer
goods, in particular. T'he Whole-sale Price Index as
constructed by the Government does in no way give a true
picture. The same holds true of Consumer Price Indices. The
truth is reflected in the price rise of rice, wheat, cloth, variety
of industrial goods for consumers, medicines and other basic
goods. With their approach to reduction in consumer subsidies.
as dictated by international bodies, the present government
16
has withdrawn from its obligatory role of providing essential
consumer goods at reasonable prices to the vulnerable sections.
The present rise has originated from many causes. One,
the linking of Indian economy with the industrialised and
advanced countries who have a high standard ofincomes; two,
lowering of investments in essential consumer goods; three,
withdrawal of subsidies to agriculture; four, encouragement
to wasteful competition through un-necessary and artificially
inflated intermediary costs of sales, advertisements and higher
trade margins. Price rise is undoubtedly caused by the
imbalance hi demand and supply of essential goods. There
are a variety of luxury goods for which prices have indeed
fallen. The overall production of basic necessities has not
risen because of lower investments and absence ofprice policy
and regulations.
The Samata Party believes that it is the responsibility
of the rtate to regulate prices effectively and expand as well
as build public distribution system for the vulnerable sections
of the society. Providing subsidies to the poor and farmers in
a developing country with vast income differentials is essential
to reduce the disparities and improving the lot ofthe poor and
weaker sections. In fact, on the contrary, there is a case, for
eliminating the direct and indirect subsidies to the rich and the
corporate sector. The phenomenon of low or zero-tax
companies is now a legend. States adopting highly subsidised
PDS directed at the poorest should get the central support.
Drinking Water & Fuel
Undoubtedly there are many public demands that need
urgent attention of the state. The most critical task deserving
the highest priority has to be the provision of clean and
adequate drinking water especially in villages which suffer
17
chronically from water shortage. The same holds true of the
fuel in rural areas.
Lack of access to clean and germ-free drinking water
at a reasonable distance has been a bane of our villages and
city slums. Rural masses particularly children often fall victim
to a variety of debilitating diseases due to this problem. This
not only saps their energy, but also robs them of income as
they cannot engage themselves in productive work. Providing
clean drinking water within the neighbourhood contributes to
increased production and productivity, reduces pressure on
health services and releases the burden on women folk who
are more often engaged in fetching water for the household.
Developmental schemes will be meaningless unless they
address themselves to this basic issue.
Given the crucial importance ofthese two requirements
it is obligatory that we now evolve a time bound programme
for solving the problem of potable water and fuel. The Party
pledges itself to finding an effective solution to these issues
within the next four years.
Forests and Tribals
Over the last thirty years deforestation.has occurred
at an alarming pace due to which the economic position of a
• large section of people living in forest areas has deteriorated.
The resulting increase in wood prices has rendered the
producers of toys, carts, mats, baskets etc. unemployed. The
scarcity of fuel wood and fodder has caused unbearable
hardships to women who have to travel long distances in search
of these items. Deforestation has also reduced the availability
of minor forest produce like edible seeds, roots and tubers
aud mahuwa flowers, which economically sustain the majority
18
of populWm living in forest areas. In fact, deforestation has
resulted in low nutrition, lower employment and earnings and
higher indebtedness, leading to dependence of forest
population on contractors aud bureaucrats.
A massive afforestation programme will be undertaken
to ensure the right to livelihood to adivasis living in forest
areas and also for improving the ecological balance, for
preventing soil erosion, preserving sub-soil water, preventing
silting of dams and rivers and even promoting forest-based
industries.
Education and Health
An obstacle in the betterment of our rural population
is the virtual neglect of sufficient investment in education and
health facilities. It is a national disgrace that after decades of
independence* and in spite of the Constitutional injunction,
more than two-thirds of our population in rural areas remain
illiterate and in poor health. We cannot ever hope to occupy
our rightful place amongst the nations of the world as long as
these shameful conditions persist. Much-more importantly,
our ability to solve the basic problems of poverty,
unemployment and social disparities depends vitally on
improving the physical and mental capabilities ofthe vast labour
resource available. The state has systematically starved
education and health sectors, especially following the structural
adjustment programme sponsored by the World Bank, of
necessary resources and other support, while wasting
enormous amounts on the creation of capital assets benefitting
the rich and privileged classes of society. The Samata Party
will reorder priorities so as to ensure that -within the shortest
possible period the realisation of the objectives of universal
literacy and access to basic education and health facilities to
all citizens are realized. The party will make compulsory and
uniform primary education one of its major planks for action
19
and link it with the struggle to liberate child labour.
Self-Reliance to Overcome Debt and Dependence
The policies pursued by the Congress government has
resulted in retrogression by increasing foreign dependence
through growing commercial borrowings and expansion to
transnational corporations. This has resulted in a stupendous
increase in foreign debt to more than $90 billion. Under
pressure from the World Bank, the government has been
inexorably surrendering one commanding height of the
economy after another to transnationals. The Samata Party
will take corrective action by increasing emphasis on self-reliant
production systems to save the country from the fate of some
ofthe highly indebted countries ofthe world. There i§ a strong
need to, shed dependence on. foreign capital, restore
autonomous decision making and implement people oriented
development priorities. The Samata Party wholly commits
itself to this.
At the national level, increasing recourse to public
borrowing has resulted in increasing the burden of internal
debt which has increased beyond Rs. 200,000 crore and as a
consequence, interest payments have already become the most
important component ofnon-plan expenditure. This is a burden
on future generations. This unbearable burden on our children
will be eliminated by raising taxes from those who have
immensely benefitted by the anti-people policies of tile
government.
Reversing the trend from external dependence to selfreliance and employment and orientation of the system of
production will clearly involve a radical change in priorities
and methods ofplanning and development administration. To
support such a transformation of the pattern and priority of
development,..suitable reordering will be done in investment
20
priorities. Investment decisions will be formed by careful
choice of techniques which must accord with the social
objective of employment maximization and utmost feasible
dispersal of production system and the compulsions of
conservation of environment, capital and energy
Panchayats and Devolution of Power
Translation of socio-economic ideas requires suitable,
autonomous and well-endowed representative institutions
which allow for mobilisation and creative use ofthe knowledge
and energies of the masses of the people throughout the land
including the remotest villages. An effective decentralised
system of administration and a rational distribution offinancial
resources among all the operating institutions from the village
up to the centre are essential for generation of employment
opportunities on a wade-spread basis in the shortest period
possible. For this purpose, the party will ensure that a minimum
of 50 per cent of the centre’s aggregate revenue resources
devolve to the states. Similarly, it will urge the states to devolve
a minimum of 50 per cent oftheir aggregate revenue resources
to panchayats/urban bodies. The tax system will provide for a
rational phasing of public debt which is too high to be tolerated
by future generations. The Rs. 1 crore presently channelled
through MPs to each constituency will be transferred and
equally distributed to panchayat bodies in each constituency.
States refusing to hold panchayat elections will not have the
benefit of these funds.
Foreign Technology, Investment and Appropriate
Technology
Foreign investment and technology will be allowed very
selectively, based purely on national needs and interests. While
the public sector should be allowed to retain its role at the
commanding heights hi important infrastructural and service
21
areas, its extension and haphazard growth intounnecessary
areas will be checked. Public sector institutions will be allowed
complete autonomy with no scope for political or bureaucratic
misuse. Alongside, colonial patterns of administration which
reinforce alienation between the ruler and the ruled will be
revamped, in order to create a close relationship between the
administrative officials and the people so that responsive
' bureaucracy is the norm.
Welfare
Welfare programmes will be given priority particularly
in the area of health, housing, education and social security
for the aged, single women headed households, and where no
able bodied adult of earning capacity exists. These will be
phased in orderto replace welfare with self sufficiency through
a gradual supportive process.
Women’s Empowerment
We make a clear choice in favour of labour intensive
technology against capital intensive technology in several fields.
No consumer items which can be produced by the masses in
the small sector should be allowed to be manufactured by large
industries. Transnationals and large corporations operating
in the production of such articles, as soap, biscuits, sweets,
jams and pickles, matches, soft drinks, salt, masalas will be
phased out and these items will be reserved for small units.
No one can be against the adoption of capital intensive
technology in those fields where it is essential: in
petrochemicals, some defence industries, steel making, machine
manufacturing and so on. But in all such cases, the gains of
technology will not be allowed to be appropriated by a few.
Special emphasis will be laid on such fundamental and applied
research as is necessary to acquire self-sufficiency and take
the country forward in the areas ofmetallurgy, machinery, alloy,
steel, power generation (industrial transformers), high speed
locomotion and rolling stock and also in heavy chemicals and
pharmaceuticals. A reasonable share of organised industrial
profits must be diverted for research and development in these
very areas.
22
Only a radical policy in relation to women’s full and
dignified participation in the development of society will set
the country on a completely different path, putting it well ahead
of others, lire Samata Party believes that there can be no
overall social, economic and political justice without giving
primacy to the cause of women’s uplift.
In order to ensure their fullest participation in public
life incentives will be provided for education, along with legal
and property rights, social security, minimum wages and job
protection, in the organised and unorganised sector.
Educating women has a major impact on social change.
Special efforts will be made and incentives provided for the
education of the girl child. Ofthe one billion illiterates in the
world, two thirds are women. The regional disparities in
women's education will be urgently redressed.
To create an environment suitable for equal
participation of women there will be provision of a appropriate
social suppoi t facilities such as day care, making career patters
flexible, revision of administrative rules and customary
practices for decision making to adapt them to the needs of
both male and female decision makers and managers, and to
reconcile family and public responsibilities. The party will
initiate legislation for the reservation of constituences for
23
women candidates in rotation for one-third of threats in both
the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
W .. ,
To respect the widespread demand for control on the
ready availability of liquor, a massive awareness campaign on
its ill effects and a voluntary rejection motivated by people’s
power will be initiated. The spread of AIDS, drug abuse and
liquor abuse is directly related to unemployment and poverty
hi post-colonial societies and will be tackled on a war footing
with the active participation of women.
Foreign Policy
India is a nation with a definite human mission and,
civilisational message. But it is unfortunate that we fail to
pursue a foreign policy which reflects the urges of the nation.
Our foreign policy establishment appears to be mesmerized
by the imperatives of so-called globalisation at the cost of the
vital interests of our country’s workers, kisans, entrepreneurs.
scientists and researchers and other working people. It has
failed to adequately protect our national interests in terms of
security, sovereignty and strength. The Samata Party will
reorient its foreign policy so that we make our own contribution
to the world community in its quest for peace, co-operation.
and development.
India gained freedom and identity due to the
mobilization of millions of Indian people under the leadership
of Mahatma Gandhi against colonialism and slavery. The
people of India w'ere moved by the visions of a new world
system on the basis of freedom, justice, equality and prosperity
for all the people in all the nations.
It is unfortunate that we have not been able to develop
friendly and cordial relations with our neighbours and it has
resulted in our marginalisation in international economic and
political affairs of this region. Thus our weakness in the global
24
arena is^couragiug terrorist activities in our country. The
most powerful western forces are pressurising us to succumb
and sign unjust international treaties like NPT. While we stand
for a nuclear armament free world, India will reject any treaty
in this regard which is discriminatory. The country will keep
her options open.
It is the national duty of the Samata party to review
the foreign policy priorities in a maimer so that - a) there is
topmost priority to our national security, economic interests
and political sovereignty, b) there is an atmosphere of mutual
trust and active co-operation with all our neighbours as well
as effective deterrence to terrorist and secessionist activities
c) there is greater unity and understanding among all post
colonial nations for a joint endeavour to end the prevailing
international caste system and to resist the forward march of
MNCs at the cost of freedom and sovereignty of these nations;
d) there is a global movement for people to people friendship
across the national frontiers and a desire for the
democratisation of the UN so that it becomes the stepping
stone for the formation of a world government based upon
equality of all the nations, and e) there is active involvement
of India in international movements to ban research and
development in the weapons industry, protection of
environment, promotion of human rights along with
preservation of national sovereignty, joint efforts against
international terrorism and creation of new bodies and forums
to put effective check upon increasing unaccountability of some
ofthe more prosperous and better armed nations in the world.
Since the strength and effectiveness of a nation’s
foreign policy is directly related to its domestic situation and
the will and determination of its people to seek a role in
ordering the affairs of the world, India will have to first come
to terms with the many social and political conflicts it faces at
home and their deleterious effect on our economic progress.
25
before it can once again boldly assert its international role. In
the meanwhile, it must continue to strengthen the existing
formal and informal fora of the countries of the Third World
so that in the inevitable confrontation between the weaker
countries of the world and the rich nations and then- MNCs,
India,is able to provide leadership to the weak. The emphasis
ofthe party will be to work for democratisation of international
political and economic relations to support democratic urges
and aspirations ofpeoples in all nations and with other regional
groupings to stimulate economic co-operation in South Asia
and work for reducing areas of conflict with neighbours to
ensure harmonious relationships conducive to tackling the
common problem of underdevelopment in the region. The
party firmly rejects the theory of dominance and deterrence,
and respects the right of the weakest and smallest of nations
to assert their right to political and economic sovereignty.
Defence of Human Rights
Creating sense of patriotic fervour and pride in our glorious *
heritage from Gautam Buddha and Mahavir to Mahatma
Gandhi will be a part of the strategy to make the people,
particularly the youth, appreciate the glory that is India.
Electoral Reforms
Free and fair elections are the very essence of democracy.
By that token, India’s democracy has been distorted to a
caricature. Elections have come to mean a display of money
and muscle power, with the people being reduced to passive
spectators. The Samata Party with initiate urgent electoral
reforms so that elections may once again become a contest
between parties and ideologies with the people as active
participants. Towards this end, the party will initiate legislation
based on the recommendations of the Dinesh Goswami
Committee with any justified modifications.
Human rights are fundamentals of a civilised society.
They are enshrined in the Constitution of our Republic. It is
unfortunate that some ofthe most obnoxious and reprehensible
laws such as TADA, NSA, ESMA, etc. negate the very spirit
of our Constitution. The party will make human rights an
essential plankof its policies and will repeal all anti-democratic
laws.
We believe that politics and governments in India will
begin to relate to people and their problems only when the
people begin to intervene decisively to chart their destiny. That
is, when people’s power - lok shakti begins to assert control
over state power - raj shakti. We pledge the Samata Party as
an effective instrument ofpeople’s power - to implement these
policies and programmes. But it is only the people who can
give strength to such an instrument. And we invite you to do
it.
Support to Indian Cultural Traditions
Creation of Smaller States
The Samata Party will ensure the preservation of Indian
culture through support systems for the sustenance growth
and dissemination of cultural activity based on the vast variety
of traditions in India. It will promote at various levels cultural
events that will provide clean and wholesome entertainment.
Demands have often been raised to carve out smaller
states in view of the inability of certain areas to draw' attention
of policy makers, thus remaining backward. Also, being part
of a larger state, aspirations ofpeople of specific identity often
?7
26
fail to get due attention. Far from leading to disintegration of
the nation, timely action on such demands will help, create an
environment ofpeace and progress. Administratively too, such
a move will help address peoples’ problems in an effective
manner. The Samata Party stands for the setting up of a States
Reorganisation Commission to make recommendations on all
demands for smaller states.
Our Commitment
The Samata Party seeks to transform the power
structure for the realisation of the democratic rights of dalits,
adivasis, backward classes, women, minorities, peasants and
unorganised workers, working class and other exploited
masses, unemployed youth and physically handicapped. It will
strive to abolish the extreme disparities caused by the injustices
of class and caste.
It stands for the decentralisation of political and
economic power, autonomy and people’s participation of state;
region, district and village level.
It will be guided by the aspirations of a true People’s
Nationalism and Secularism so that the people of India can
rightfully enjoy the plurality of Indian culture, respect and
protect the identity and genius of all religious, linguistic and
ethnic groups and unite them for common aspirations.
It believes in a Just Development Strategy which
secures the right to work, puts education and health as top
priorities, promotes social equity, reduce regional disparities,
pi meets environment, promotes swadeshi, self-reliance and
appi opriate technology, supports domestic industry particularly
28
the small-scale and cottage sector, creates facilities and support
systems for Indian industry to flourish in order to face the
challenges of the domination and take-over by multinational
companies, defends civil liberties and national sovereignty, and
fights corruption, consumerism and criminalisation.
It believes in a Democratic World Order in which South
Asian people’s solidarity, cooperation among Third World
Countries, a democratically structured United Nations,
universal demilitarisation and banishing of nuclear weapons
will be matched with the strengthening of its own polity,
defending its border states and restoring India’s image as a
strong, non-violent country.
Our Appeal
Elections for the Eleventh Lok Sabha provide an
opportunity for the people of the country to give a new
direction and orientation to our polity. The Party recognises
the existence ofwidespread political confusion and frustration
among the people. Samata Party, however, believes that the
dialogue among all sections including those who hold differing
view points on issues before the nation must be continued. It
is only through free and frank exchange of views that the
country can help evolve right solutions. The need of the time
is to shun all purposeless and futile confrontations.
We are determined to work for the poor, downtrodden.
exploited and neglected citizens of our land with their active
cooperation and understanding. We specially call upon the
youth ofthe country to extend their helping hand to this noble
cause. It is our firm belief that how-so-ever over burdened
with problems, the people ofthis country have the vitality and
29
courage to unitedly meet all challenges.^ was the united
action of the poor masses that made it possible to overthrow
the mighty British. As compared to those dark days of our
history, we are now blessed with many points of strength.
Therefore, we must look forward to a bright future. We must
seek to get unanimity on basic issues and evolve appropriate
mechanisms for effective solutions.
We assure the people of India that we will rise up to
their expectations and create a new political culture to fulfil
our promises.
Published by: Smf. Jaya Jaitly, General Secretary,
Samata Party, 16, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi
-110 001. Phone(s) 371 3330, 371 3363
Copy ordered : 2000
Copy printed : 2000
Printers: M/s Chapaighar, Shankar Nagar Extn., Delhi.
30
*
Published in public interest by
'S
Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI)
and
Voluntary Action Network India (VANI)
IE ELECTION PROCESS
WTEK KNOW-HOW
Published in public interest by
Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI)
40 Institutional Area, Behind Qutab Hotel
New Delhi-110 016, INDIA
&
Voluntary Action Network India (VANI)
H-17/1 Malviya Nagar, New Delhi-110 017 INDIA
e
PREFACE
1 he Constitution of India provides an opportunity to all
adult citizens of India to choose their representatives. This
is a statutory right granted under the Representation of the
Peoples Act. It encompasses a number of civil and political
rights in order to help people to effectively exercise their right
to vote. The role of a voter is of utmost significance in India.
But due to number of maladies that exist in election
management a sizable number of voters are not in a position
to participate effectively in the electoral process. Recognising
the voters rights and the need for making them aware of the
election process, VHAI and VANI have decided to bring out
a series of booklets and posters with a view to educate and
sensitise voters about election laws and rules, code of
> conduct, etc., and mobilise them to play a positive role in the
electoral reform process. This booklet is the first step
towards it.
This booklet is based on the basic information provided
by the Election Commission Publication titled — “Maladies
in Election Management System” and other materials. We
hope that through our efforts the voters would get an
opportunity to know and exercise their basic rights.
We at VHAI and VANI are thankful to the Election
Commission which has recognised weaknesses in the election
management, which in turn enabled us to take this step. We
are also thankful to all those who have given their valuable
suggestions and comments.
A combined effort by all those working at VHAI and VANI
has made it possible to make it a reality. The text of this
booklet has been prepared by Seema Gaikwad, Anil K.Singh
of VANI and Dr. Yash Chauhan, a freelance journalist.
This booklet is published in public interest.
(ALOK MUKHOPADHYA Y)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Voluntary Health Association of India
40 Institutional Area, Behind Qutab Hotel
New Delhi-110 016. INDIA.
(ANIL K. SINGH)
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Voluntary Action Network India
H-17/1 Malviya Nagar
New Delhi-110 017. INDIA
INTRODUCTION
The Independent India witnessed a vast change to the
society. It adopted a constitution which elaborated upon the
rules regarding choosing a leader. The Independence gave
the people of India universal adult franchise. The right to vote
covers many civil and political rights in order to help people
to effectively exercise their right to vote. Thus, voters play a
significant role in a democracy. A democracy is based upon
their awareness, knowledge and understanding. The citizens
of India select the office-holders for the organised community
through an election. The Indian voters have played a significant
role. In the history of India, the voters have proved that they
cannot be won by any type of bribes. But sometimes the
election system takes such turns that the voters become a
playcard. The voters are debarred from casting their votes
either because of the weaknesses in the system of election or
they fall prey in wrong hands. The selfish politicians always
look at the weakness in the election process so as to use it to
achieve their self-interest. Realising the effects of a weak
election system, there have been discussion on the
improvement in the election process and there have been
many suggestion as well. Successive election commissions
have given their own suggestions and recommendations
which strongly establishes that there are certainly some
maladies in the election management in India. Withstanding
the need of a real change and the importance of a voter’s
knowledge this time the Election Commission has taken out
a roll which outlines the boundaries of the election process.
In this roll the maladies or weaknesses that are witnessed at
different phases i.e. - Pre-election, during the election and
Post-election are outlined. This roll gives us an opportunity
to know and understand an election better.
C
PREPARATION OF
ELECTORAL ROLLS
The electoral rolls are prepared and revised with reference
to a qualifying date. The electoral rolls are now being nonintensively revised every year so that the same are kept upto-date and the latest rolls are available for any election.
Thus, one copy of each such revised electoral roll for every
constituency has to be kept as a permanent record. Though
the preparation of electoral rolls is the first and most important
aspect in an election process, it is sad to notice the lapses in
the procedure. Let us discuss what leads to the existence of
weaknesses in preparing an electoral roll.
01 Inadequate publicity of rolls revision programme
It is often seen that common people are ignorant about
the preparation and revision of an electoral roll. The
temporarily employed officials such as government
servants or school teachers for emuneration don’t always
visit each and every house and gather all necessary
informations. They rather make some correction in the
electoral rolls which are supposed to be revised. Thus,
their insincerity put the names of common mass away
from the roll. The voters sometimes do not register their
names in the electoral rolls because of lack of information.
They do not have the knowledge that they can otherwise
3
go and register their names in the election commission
itself. Thus, the lack of information regarding election
process and the importance of a vote make the common
disinterested at the time of registration. It is the duty of
the enumerator to enter the names of people of every
household in the electoral rolls. The citizens must be told
about the importance of an electoral roll. Thus adequate
publicity must be made about the revision of rolls.
02 Exclusion of working voters not found at home
In India, especially, in rural areas it is a very common thing
that men go to work and women stay back doing the
house-hold chores. Thus, it is usually seen that the house
wives and the children are available at homes when the
enumerator comes for the registration of the names. The
male members ofthe families are out at work. This puts an
enumerator in a difficult position to obtain all the
information such as age and also the names ofsuch people
are not included in the rolls. According to the rule an
enumerator must obtain all the information in detail and
must cover all the households. But the enumerator does
not bother to visit these houses again some other time.
03 Apathy of political parties
The political parties who are the centre of gravity in the
election process do not show any interest in the
preparation of the electoral roll. Rather they are more
concerned about how to influence people through their
own process of election compaigning. And if any party
shows some interest in this, it is seen that they do it to
include their supporters’ names in the roll. Some selfish
parties even try to delete the names of the people of their
4
opposition parties. Sometimes there are instances where
a whole area of village is omitted from the list.
04 Mushrooming of J. J. colonies before the enumeration
Generally people from villages migrate to the towns in
search of jobs and try to settle down in J.J. Colonies.
Because of this there is an increasing rate of population
and number in J.J. Colonies in these towns every year. So
the problem arises when the time for registration of these
areas comes as people are not traced because they tend
to move from one place to another. The enumerators do
not take pains to visit these areas and the people of that
area do not show any interest in registering their names
as they are ignorant of the importance of an election.
05 Fictitious enumerations
It is really a difficult task to prepare a roll with the correct
names ofthe voters in a vast country like India. Normally
self interest people try to enter the wrong names in the roll
and sometimes names ofthe eligible voters remain unlisted
from the roll. Sometimes the whole area is also left out
from the list. The problems of foreign nationals, non
resident Indians also come into the limelight. Sometimes
the names of minors and also the dead are included in the
list Some names are repeated in the list and the informations
regarding the voters is wrongly put. It is important to
avoid such things because this might cause inconvenience
to a number of people.
06 Non-availability of competent officers
Normally school teachers and government officials are
employed temporarily to collect all kinds of informations
and prepare the electoral rolls. Since this is a temporary
occupation for them and there is no commitment from
the higher office, they do not work sincerely. The
officers superior to them also maintain a clever attitude
towards the work. Thus, there is always a lack of
efficient officers and workers with the Election
Commission. This problem can be solved if they are
given proper training and solid commitment. But there
are no specific provisions available now towards this.
The attitude of commitment towards the work has to be
imbibed within these people.
07 Non publication of draft rolls in polling stations
Though there is a provision to publish the draft rolls in
each polling stations, it is often seen missing. As a result
of this the common people do not get to know whether
his or her name is on the draft rolls. He/she does not try
to register his/her name (as a result) because of ignorance
and thus he/she loses his right to vote. This leads to
impersonation as the various interest groups become
active to capture a vote.
08 Non availability of forms for claims and objections
A voter can fill up a form (form no. 6) of objections or
claims if his or her name is wrongly entered in the list.
For this there is a provision but generally forms are not
actually available at the time of need. It is baseless to
raise objections verbally as verbal objections are not
recorded by the officers. Even if the objections are
recorded in the forms special attention is not given and
a solution is brought half-heartedly. The hostile attitude
6
of officers responsible for registration makes it difficult
for the voters to get anything solved. To avoid any sort
of problems the proper forms should be made available
easily.
09 Unreliable citizenship documents
Many voters do not have reliable documents to prove
their citizenship. The inquiry in the absence of these
documents takes a long time. Sometimes foreign nationals
are included in the rolls and it is difficult to trace them.
Some provisions are needed to be made either to inquire
the document on citizenship of voters or to issue a
citizenship (authentic) card to each voter.
10
Non availability of appellate officers
If there are any mistakes or confusions concerning the
electoral rolls or if any body complains then he or she
wants to appeal in the appellate office, this is not an easy
job. As the appellate officer is not accessible easily the
voters have to go through a lot of difficulties finding him.
Sometimes the voters don’t even have the information
about the existence of an appellate officer. In the
consequence he/she can’t make an appeal and the election
is conducted with the wrong electoral rolls.
11
Duplicate registration in disputed areas
The enumerators sometimes hesitate to go to a disputed
area because of fear from various spheres. At the same
time they cannot omit the whole area. Thus duplication
is done. Generally it is found that a duplicate registration
is made in disputed areas.
7
12
Faulty updating of last part of rolls
The preparation of electoral rolls takes a long time. The
roll is updated every time before election takes place in
an area. This requires a lot of hard work as it involves
visiting people regularly and collecting informations.
The enumerator avoids to do such hard work and thus
the last part of electoral rolls are not (corrected) updated.
The enumerator updates it on his own rather than putting
the fact.
Thus, a sincere commitment towards the work on part of
the enumerator, proper training of these people.may help
in improving the situation. It is the duty of officials and
citizens who are aware to make the common mass aware
of the importance of an electoral roll. Since the electoral
roll is the most basic thing which enables a person to cast
a vote, it should be the concern of each individual..
8
SETTING UP OF POLLING STATIONS
The polling stations are supposed to be set up keeping in view
the convenience of voters, election officials and above all the
safety ofthe place. There are many things which can affect the
voting and one of them is the situation of the booth. Though
India has witnessed elections for several times now, not a
single election has passed off incident free. The badly situated
polling booths can be a cause of disturbance. Let us look at the
areas where there is a lack ofproper placing ofpolling booths.
01 Polling stations for weaker sections
Generally weaker sections are vulnerable and thus are
liable to get motivated and pressurised by influential
people ofthe area easily. The influential bit take advantage
of this and as a result this affect the casting of votes. In
this framework a number of problems arise when a
separate polling station is not set up for the weaker
sections. Thus, it is advisable to set up separate polling
station for the weaker section in their own localities. This
would not only help avoiding the disturbance but also
would be favourable for people.
02 Location of polling station at a distance beyond
prescription
According to the rules of the commission a distance is
9
demarcated for setting up of a polling booth. But it is not
practised. Generally the polling stations are set up in such
a way that voters find it difficult in reaching the booth. As
a result the voters stay away from exercising their
franchise. Attention must be given towards the setting up
of the booth. A polling station should be situated in such
a place which is suitable for the election officers and
voters also.
03 A number of polling stations in the same building
Large houses or big buildings take the look of a typical
election office at the ti me of polling because a number of
polling stations are set up at such buildings. In such
places it is normal for the voters to face a lot of difficulty
in identifying their polling booth and there is every
possibility of overlapping of votes. It is wrong from the
administrative point of view.
04 Last minute change in polling station
The change of polling station in the last minute leads to
a thin percentage in polling. This creates a havoc among
the voters. The last minute change confuses the voters.
This confusion can be avoided if the polling stations are
changed before-hand and the voters are informed well
before the polls.
05 Proximity of polling stations to political offices
As a rule the office of any party or any candidate should
be 200 meters away from the polling stations. But this
is not maintained. If the political offices are near the
polling stations, there is every chance of motivation
coming from the political parties or candidates in the
10
fray. They can create problems for some voters and can
go upto the extent of promoting forged voting. They can
also try and motivate the election officers, engaged in the
polling stations.
06 Temporary structures leading to vitiation
It is often seen that polling stations are set up in a tent or
in a makeshift room. This is done when a concrete
construction is not available. These types of polling
stations are at danger all the time. There is every fear of
stealing of ballot boxes, impersonation of votes in such
places. Efforts must be made to set up permanent polling
stations where there is safety and security rather than
having make-shift arrangements.
Thus, setting up of polling booths play a significant role
in an election. Since it affects the polling these must be
set up wisely and must be convenient to everybody.
Once in a day introspect on factors that are threatening the rule
of law in our democracy — co-relate them to the extent true, with
the electoral system and the built in difficulties to elect responsive
and honest representatives and sustain their responsiveness.
— Election Commission
11
MALADIES BEFORE POLLING
1 he pre-election phase plays a crucial role in an election
process. This is the time when most of the important work
is done. The officials are given orientations. Various
political parties become active and start working towards
achieving their self-interest. Though this is the phase
when a base/platform is built, many manipulative tactics
are followed by different people at different places.
Here we have discussed a few which are most commonly
found.
01 Transfers of inconvenient officers and posting of
pliable officers on key positions
The practice of transfers and appointments of favorable
officers is an old practice by the ruling party. The ruling
party appoints the favorable officers before the election
so as to get their work done effortlessly. In this situation
there is a possibility of creating problems at the time of
election. The Returning Officers and District Election
Officer are also transferred to places suitable to the party
in power so as to avail the unnecessary services easily.
The officers who are rigid in their principles are transferred
to difficult places as they do not fall into the hands of the
leaders.
12
02 Inauguration of new schemes and projects just
before the election
The ruling party brings out new projects and schemes
just before the election. The motive behind this is to
motivate the voters. Even the opposition party starts
new schemes to catch the attention of the voters. Apart
from this the projects (which started earlier) are delayed
and postponed till the election time so that it will be fresh
in voters mind and they believe that it will be a beneficial
factor in grabbing votes. Fresh schemes come to the
limelight just before the election.
03 Dummy candidates
Various parties put up dummy candidates to distribute the
votes. Sometimes in the last minute the dummy candidate’s
candidature is canceled or withdrawn by the party itself.
These withdrawals are made in exchange of money.
Sometimes it also happens that the candidates withdraw
their candidature in favour of their own party. Thus their
votes get transferred to their own party candidates. This
thing is seen in almost every election. At the same time the
agents of dummy candidates play an important role in
influencing the polling and counting stations.
04 Prevention of nomination of weak candidates
The adult citizens of India who fulfill the requirements to
contest election in an independent country like India. It
is often seen that some people come to the election
ground to contest election non-seriously but rather to get
some profit or to achieve some self interest. A number
of problems arise out of this practice. In India, where the
13
rate of illiteracy is high, this system creates a bad impact
in the election process. It is difficult to stop such
candidates and in this process there is a chance that the
election process is affected. This is mainly done by the
people who are not really confident and are weak.
05 Bribery and horse trading
Cases of bribery are often heard during an election.
Parties bribe candidates to bring them to their side. These
types of incidences before the election affects the
performance of the opposition parties in the election.
There are inci-dents that a person changes his party just
before the nomination. This is practiced either to catch
an influential person or where the party does not have a
proper candidate to nominate.
06 Hesitation of good persons to join the fray
As we see there are many people who are famous for
working among people fortheir upliftment and develop
ment. They are respected among common people. But
they prefer to stay away from the politics. They stay
away because of certain reasons such as use of muscle
and money power in an election. Generally such people
spend their lives working for people but do not prefer to
represent people in the assembly or parliament. This may
be because of the existing and increasing corruption in
the election process that good people are not stepping
into the politics. In the process we lose the opportunity
of the service of good people.
07 Caste/community based selection of candidates
The caste and community have made such a drastic entry
14
into the politics now that the candidates are even selected
by the political parties on the basis of caste and religion.
Different parties fall into the competition of caste and
community feelings. This is not only a danger to the
process but also to the common people who are supposed
to form the government.
08 Nomination of party candidates on death bed with a
view to have the election countermanded
This is practiced as an instrument to cancel the election.
The person who is seriously ill is nominated so that if he/
she dies during the election process, it would create
sympathy for his party. This can attract sympathy votes.
Normally a person from the family of the dead is nominated
for the election. This makes certain for that person to
win the election. In this way the political parties do not
hesitate to practice such methods to capture some votes.
09 Nomination with forged signature of proposer
Normally the forged signatures of the proposer are put in
the nomination forms if the proposer is not located and
thus the rules and regulations of the election process is
violated. There is no provision available to punish this
forgery case.
10 Multiple nomination from more than one
constituency
There are incidents that a candidate files his/her
nominations paper from more than one places. This is
prevalent in our election process. But this makes an
election more extravagant. Suppose a candidate has filed
15
his/her nominations from more than one place and wins
in more than one place. After winning he/she is supposed
to resign from the other constituencies and retain only
one. Thus another election has to be held for the other
place so as to choose a representative. This means extra
expenses. Sometimes a person contests from a place he/
she is not familiar with. In this case he/she has the
possibility of winning if he/she has a name or his party
is unknown in the area.
11 Staggering of elections due to shortage of police
forces
The elections are scheduled keeping in view various
things. The police play a vital role in maintaining law and
order and security during election. They are deployed in
a polling area to keep a vigil on the law and order
situations of the areas. Many times the elections have to
be staggered due to shortage of police forces. The
election commission is unable to hold the election at all
the places simultaneously because of the shortage in the
police force.
Lodge complaints/prosecution against illegal acts as per relevant
law.
16
THE PERIOD OF ELECTIONEERING
The period of electioneering witnesses a lot of expenditures
and use and misuse of government machinaries is done. Even
the help of musclemen is taken without any hesitance. We
have made an attempt here to discuss some of the aspects
which affect the election process and are hardly realised by
those who claim to serve the people.
01 Wasteful election expenses
In our country countless expenses are made during the
elections. The use of vehicles, big cut-outs, posters,
distribution of shawl, blankets, sarees, liquor are prevalent
and largely seen during an election. This is done to
motivate the common mass. The amount of money spent
in this process is sometimes more than crores in one
constituency. The parties fail to realise that this money
can be used for better purposes. The general opinion
among party people is that the larger amount one spends
on election, the better it is. Unfortunately, this is true to
some extent. It is morally and legally wrong to spend
more than a specific amount at the time of election.
Steps have been taken to strengthen the rules of the
election commission regarding this but it needs to be
more rigid.
17
02 Non accounting of expenditure of political parties
Nobody really bothers to keep an account of the
expenditure made during the election. Even if one wants
to, it is difficult. Because a large amount of money used
in the election is black money which is contributed by
rich industrialists and other influential people who have
some or the other self interest. This money is collected
and spent in such ways that sometimes the candidate
does not even get a track of its expenditure. The rule that
each candidate has to give a detailed account of daily
expenditure is a welcome feature from the election
commission this time.
03 Misuse of personal security staff
During the election the candidates misuse their personal
security staff and threaten the other party or people or all
rather than protecting themselves from any kind of evils.
They use them in creating violence and disturbances.
The ‘goonda’ element is encouraged by them. Hard rules
must be made for these kind of people to curb all the
misuse of the security staff.
04 Intimidation of voters and candidates
In a country like India where money and muscle power
are on the rise in election process it is difficult for the
weaker section to cast their votes fearlessly. They have
to face all sorts of threats and pressures which come from
different parties. The parties can go up to the extent of
putting an entire area in difficulty if they come to know
that the particular area is against them. Sometimes
pressure is applied on opposition candidates to withdraw
18
the nomination. In this way many candidates are debarred
from contesting the election.
05 Mobilisation of musclemen
The local ‘dadas’ of an area become active during the
election time. Most of the candidates desire that as many
dadas as possible should be with them. They do not
hesitate to spend money towards mobilising the
musclemen towards them. It is seen that some candidates
try hard to bring the musclemen out of jail (by owning
any method) with the hope that they (the candidates) will
be secured and these dadas capture booths. It is very
common that an election witnesses disturbances/ violence
like shoot outs, beatings and various other things. The
musclemen are employed by different parties. These
musclemen do not have a commitment towards any
candidate. They only run after money. Thus they stick
to the candidates who gives/offers more money.
06 Creating disturbance in public meetings
The election process includes holding of different public
gatherings/meetings by different parties. The party people
take to disturbance and try to create problems in public
meetings if it is organised by an opposition party. They
put their own people in the meeting so as to do the
hooting. They do not hesitate to use all sorts of methods
to spread disturbance and violence.
07 Defacement of party poster, arches etc.
Various party candidates find pleasure in tearing of the
posters and banners of their opposition parties. This is
19
done mostly during the night. They even exchange the
posters of the opposition and replacing with other posters.
Defacement of the posters of the opposition is done.
These posters do not give any clue as who has done that.
Sometimes posters depicts the conflict between various
parties.
08 Communal and caste based electioneering
Communalism and casteism have become an indispensable
part of an election. A candidate is elected on the basis
of caste and communalism. It is often seen that if a parti
cular caste is dominating in a locality then a person of
that particular caste is nominated to contest the election.
Election campaigning is also made on the theme of caste
and religion. They make it a point to use it in election
matters. Rules must be made to keep these kinds of
people out who advocate religion and caste during
election and divide people on caste and religion line.
09 VIP’s visits on so called official business
Different parties arrange official tours of VIPs for
campaigning so as to influence and mobilise people
towards them. Inauguration of some bridge, hospitals or
roads by some minister just before the election is very
common and a normal activity that is often seen. This
behaves as a favour for party candidate. This is illegal
and wrong but people take advantage of the maladies of
the election management.
10 Misuse of Government property in election
The use of government guest houses in various states by
the ruling party is very common. When election meetings
20
are held in parks and public places little attention is given
towards its consequences. Apart from this the aircrafts
and other government vehicles are used by the ruling
party as if it is their right. All the expenses incurred due
to this is paid by the government itself.
11 Indiscriminate use of loudspeakers and other
instrument
In India an election cannot be imagined without a
loudspeaker. But it is used so badly that it affects the
peace and harmony of the society. It is used even late in
the night. Late night meetings are held where the
loudspeakers are used, as a result it disturbs the public.
As a rule a loudspeaker must not be used after 11 p.m.
but the police or any other government officials do not
take any step to stop this.
As we have seen from the above discussion there is a lot
to be done to bring the election system and keep an
election free from any kind of fear, violence and
disturbances.
21
DAY OF POLL
The election process reaches a crucial point on the day of
poll. The excitement and enthusiasm among voters are easily
noticed when they eagerly come to cast their votes. Sometimes
there is a disgusting look as well. Since there are many
untoward incidents that take place during the voting, let us
look at few of them generally.
01 Forcible booth capturing
Booth capturing has become a significant system in our
electionprocess. Th is happens in rural areas mostly where
the people are not really aware of these things and the
police is not active also. It is noticed that under-developed
areas have a higher rate of booth capturing. The poor
people who are ignorant of the tick mark are forced to on
aparticular symbol by the musclemen. The polling officers
are helpless in this situation as they re-main as mute
observes. It so happens that when people come to cast
their votes they are told that they have already exercised
their franchise. Their innocence and ignorance do not
allow them to raise their voice. Sometimes booths are
captured secretly by bribing or threatening the election
officers. Sometimes people are collected so that possible
voters of the opposition party are kept away from casting
their votes.
22
02 Immobilisation of police forces and central observers
The polling agents of the political party try and create
various situations so as to attract the voters towards
them. This makes the police inactive and the central
observers can not do their work effectively. Sometimes
tricks are played to dissuade the police forces from
keeping a vigil on the polling station such as violence in
other areas so that police and observers kept away for
that partner policy booth.
03 Misuse of vehicles
There, is no such rule that the voters would be taken to
the polling stations and dropped back at home on the day
of the poll. Vehicles are not supposed to be used for this
purposes. But the vehicles are seen to be used for this
purpose during the poll. The different parties practice
this so as to influence the voters.
04 Impersonation
In our country impersonation is practiced widely but a
few cases really come to the limelight. This is done
generally in the early hours on the day of the polling so
as to refuse the actual voters to cast their votes. Generally
or normally the Indian voters are calm in nature. They
do not prefer to set up an inquiry and thus do not give a
written complaint. Sometimes the representatives of the
candidates also do not say anything on impersonation. In
the absence of local polling agent who can recognise
voters this can be done easily.
05 Misuse of media for electioneering
Different media, especially the government media are
23
misused during the election. The ruling party candidate
try to transmit the news and message about the work
they and the government have done. Various leaders can
be seen very often on T.V. during the election.
Newspapers also play a vital role. The candidates try and
put negative remarks and news of their opposite group so
as to create a bad impression of their opposition among
the mass. This destroys the unbiased reputation of the
media and makes the voters thoroughly confused. Thus
the voters become indecisive as to whom to vote.
06 Misuse of law and order machinery
The ruling party candidates in different states and even in
the center use the law and order machinery in favour of
their candidate during the election. For example, drawing
out the police from the area where there is possibility of
disturbance by their candidates and by becoming rigid with
the opposition candidate and in the areas where the
disturbances will act as a favour towards the election. The
law is violated by the party members themselves. The party
people provoke the common man against their opposition.
07 Misuse of illicit arms and ammunition
One of the main reasons of violence during the election
is procurement of illicit arms and ammunition. In some
states the supporters of each candidate own arms illegally.
These are collected very secretly before the election. The
different political parties have such stronghold in the
process of selling and buying of weapons that the
administration cannot do anything. The news of raids by
the police on the arms and ammunition is heard but this
is just a little proportion to what actually is hidden.
24
08 Misuse of licensed weapons
There are people who have acquired licensed weapons.
These people are contacted by different political parties
with a purpose of chancing upon the weapons. Sometimes
they succeed in their process and thus licensed weapons
are misused. Generally administration order for deposition
of fire arms but due to political influence ruling party
people ignored and administration kept close eyes.
09 Ministers as polling agents
Polling agents are recruited at different polling stations.
The representatives of the political parties are put on the
desks. But sometimes the ministers are seen as polling
agents. This can create a favorable wave for the party he/
she belongs to - thus influencing the people.
Since the above incidents are illegal, strong action must
be taken against those who try and create disturbances.
The voters must be kept away from any kind of pressure.
Boycott political meetings in which black money and official
machinery is used.
25
DISTURBANCE DURING THE
COUNTING
Counting being an important aspect, a slight negligence may
lead to unprecedented events. Proper attention is most needed
during the counting. Though there is a lot of care already
taken there are still a lot to be done.
01 Wrongful/biased objection of votes
The polling officers sometimes are biased and accept or
reject the ballot papers arbitarily. They do it because they
have an intention behind this. The acceptance and
rejection of votes/ballots sometimes affect the final result
of the election. Besides this, wrong entry in the report
is also noticed. Sometimes the last minute recruitment of
counting agents also create problems. Sometimes
ministers are recruited as counting agents also. In this
situation the ministers influence the other officers as
counting officers.
02 Manipulated entry in the result-sheet
Sometimes it is found that election officials manipulate
the entry on result sheet. The hearing of election disputes
gets delayed in the court. This itself is a long process. A
lot of time is wasted in this process and the effect of this
26
does not remain powerful. The election commission is
kept away from this process. A thorough inquiry is not
done in this and the lost candidates cases are not dealt
properly. It is taken for granted that the opposition
candidate has lost the elections and any allegation against
him/her is not justifiable.
03 Improper storage and preservation of polled materials
and records
The polling records are not kept and maintained properly.
Sometimes important papers are destroyed and thus no
record is maintained regarding that. The materials and
other things used in an election process are not maintained
properly and scientifically. By this the problem of
arranging the materials all over again come up and this
costs a lot of money.
04 Crowding of counting centres
The counting process puts people in excitement and thus
it is seen that usually the counting centres are found to be
crowded. Sometimes some of them make an entry to the
counting hall itself. It creates a lot of problem for the
counting agents and the other officers deployed for
counting of votes and there to look after the law and
order situation.
Discourage the frivolous and non-serious proxy candidates to
protect the dignity of election.
27
REPOLL AND ADJOURNED POLL
01 Biased recommendations for repoll
Repolling is done when there is a problem with the
polling and a case is filed. But sometimes polling
officials recommendations are biased and made by different
influential leaders to conduct another election in different
areas. This is done when there is a fair chance of their
winning the battle.
02 Reuse of missing ballot papers for repoll
Instead of making fresh ballot papers for the repolling,
the old ballot papers are used - thus violating the election
rules as a whole. The missing ballot papers are put into
use. This is done to favour some party candidates.
Mobilise honest citizens into organised groups — To exert
systematic pressures on honest and forthnight citizens only to
come into the election arena — To thwart in an organised manner,
injustice, corruption, and abuse of law and let rule of law prevail.
28
POST ELECTION MALADIES
r
®
01 Victimisation of forthright officers
The maladies in election do not just confirm to the pre
election and election era, it rather continues after the
election also. If any officer has been forthright during the
election he/she faces a lot of problems after the election.
The officers fall victims of the party who comes to
power. They are transferred to problem areas or are
given such posts which do not have any power.
02 Non-prosccution of cases of electoral offenses
The disturbances and violences are not given due
importance once the election is over and also the booth
capturing incidents are not properly investigated once
the election is over. The problem craters of the
previous election are seen to be creating problems in the
next election as well. But no step is taken to stop
them. An election in a particular area is counter
manded only when there is proper and solid reason.
Sometimes the proofs and all kinds of facts are not
needed to cancel polling. This happens if an influential
party wants it.
29
03 Past election reprisals against voters and areas
If a candidate loses the election from a place but his or
her party comes to power, he takes a revengful attitude
towards the area where he was defeated. He/she neither
looks at the developmental work in the area nor pays any
attention to the complaints of the people of that area.
Some candidates who win in the election show a cold
attitude towards the people from whom they did not get
the vote. This attitude is also maintained towards a
particular community and caste sometimes.
Collect and Diseminate maximum possible information about
successful and stable democracies in the world.
30
MANIPULATIVE TACTICS OF THE
RULING PARTY
01 Pre-election period
The ruling party starts the preparation to gain in the
election well before the election. First the workers working
for preparing the electoral rolls are manipulated by the
party and the names of the voters who are against them
are omitted from the roll. The officers who do not agree
with the returning officer are transferred and thus the
path is cleared. The police is misused by the ruling party
to achieve their self-interest. Parole is granted to favourite
musclemen by the ruling party so that they can be used
in the election process. The government officers are
given benifit such as bonus, pay increase etc. before the
election so as to motivate them towards the ruling party.
02 During the poll
The ruling party uses the government machinery to the
fullest during the election. Government vehicles are used
to reach up to the voters, government officials are also
used in the election process and favorable officers are
recruited for the election work. By this the ruling party
holds a upper hand in manipulating the other polling
officers and also the common people.
31
03 Misuse of Presidential Rule
The ruling party prefers to use the presidential rule as an
instrument to catch vote if a state is under it. The
presidential rule is lingered till the condition is in favour
of the ruling party. The ruling party has the authority to
impose a presidential rule. The ruling party sometimes
portray the opposition against the interest of the people
of the area.
32
MISCELLANEOUS
The election process is not followed properly due to the lack
of adequate training of the polling staff. An election involves
a lot of intricate proceedings - thus there is a need of a
thorough knowledge of the process by the officers involved/
engaged in the process. The common sense is not applied by
the staff and they pass the problem to the higher official and
each problem is taken technically. This creates a lot of
confusion-this makes a simple thing a complex one. They
behave like government officers rather than representatives
of the election commission. There is a lack of knowledge of
election rules among contestants and supporters.
'
The chief election commissioner is appointed by the
President on the recommendation of the political executive.
This way the appointment becomes a political one. Political
affiliation is involved in some stages of the process. Other
election commissioners are also appointed in the process,
without any constitutional security.
The deputy election commissioners are appointed against
cadre posts out of the securing bureaucrats. This way the
ruling party appoints the favorable officers whenever and
wherever the centre desires and also can transfer an officer,
if he/she is unfavourable.
33
The election commission does not have a secretariat of
its own and with independent service rules. The commissions
officials are subjected to UPSC.CAT, Vigilance Commission
and other institutions like this governing the servants of the
union. The loyalty of the Chief Electoral Officer, Returning
officer, Law and Order machinery is divided among the
Election Commission and the government. This is why the
election commission cannot exercise its power fully on them.
The election commission does not have any concrete
right to stop the interference of the ruling party from time to
time. Fragile law to control the role of money power and to
punish the electoral offender also affects the work of the
election commission.
Do not be misled by false propoganda ■— do not be swayed by
populistic programmes.
34
CONCLUSION
Keeping in view the above discussed points, it must be
everyone’s concern to work towards having a free and fair
and a proper election. Every citizen of the country wherever
he/she may be, whichever field he/she is involved in must
come forward and make the unaware citizen an agile one.
Since the non-govemment organisations have a history of
working for the people and with the people, let us make an
appeal to all those engaged in the voluntary sector to raise
awareness of over the gravity of the situation and work
accordingly. We all deserve a good democracy, thus let us
work towards achieving this.
35
Making of any false declaration in connection with the preparation
or revision of an electoral roll or the inclusion of entry in or from
an electoral roll is an offence under section 31 of the Representation
of the People Act, 1950.
— Election Commission
WHAT A VOTER MUST KNOW
♦ Anyone who is 18 years old on 1st January of the election
year, is eligible to vote.
• If eligible, immediately register as a voter.
• Use of religious place or historical monuments for
electioneering is prohibited.
• In the event of any irregularities immediately inform the
polling officer.
• ILLEGAL:
— Campaigning on the basis of caste and religion.
— Campaigning within 48 hours of election.
— Camps of candidates within 200 metres of the polling
booth.
— Candidate’s vehicles carrying the voters to the polling
station. Avoid such facilities, if offered.
• Every two kilometre a polling booth is set up.
• Generally voting takes place from 8 am to 5 pm.
RIGHT TO VOTE IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT
USE IT WITH DIGNITY AND DILIGENCE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY CONTACT
THE ELECTION COMMISSION, VANIOR VHAL
Published in public interest by
Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI)
40 Institutional Area, Behind Qutab Hotel
New Delhi-110 016, INDIA
&
Voluntary Action Network India (VANI)
H-17/1 Malviya Nagar, New Delhi-110 017 INDIA
Your Vote is not
Only a Simple Mark
ITISYOURPOWIR
To Firm Your Gov&nment
• Anyone who as 18 years old on
1st January ©f the election year, os
eligible to vote.
• If eligible, immediately register as a
voter.
• Use of religious place or historical
monuments for electioneering is
prohibited.
• In the event of any irregularities
immediately inform the polling officer.
POLLING booth
ILLEGAL*.— Campaigning on the
basis of caste and
religion.
— Campaigning within
48 hours of election.
— Camps of candidates
within 200 metres of the
polling booth.
— Candidate’s vehicles
carrying the voters to the
polling station. Avoid
such facilities, of offered.
o Every two kilometre a polling booth is
set up.
o Generally voting takes place from 8 am
to 5 pm.
•
J
1
J0
|B|a|
hl
U
I^GHT TO VOTE IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGIfT
USE If WITH DIGNITY AND DILIGENCE
■
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY CONTACT
THE ELECTION COMMISSION, VANI OR VHAI.
Produce in Public Interest
■_ J
JO
ZtC
PUBLISHED BY:
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(Near Qutab Hotel), New Delhi-110016.
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ma
DESIGN BY MASTERLINES
Janara Pranalike
People's Manifesto
for the consideration of voters and candidates
participating in elections to the
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, March 2010
evolved by
Bengaluru Janara Vedike I Bangalore People s Forum
A Forum of various progressive organisations including:
Urban Research Centre, The Avenue Road Traders Associations, Slum Jagattu, Sangama,
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Parishkaran, Nightingales Medical Trust, Maraa, Kilikili,
Janasahayog, Jana Arogya Andolana Karnataka, Hasiru Usiru
, Garment and Textile Workers Union, Environment Support Group (Environment, Social Justice
and Governance Initiatives), Concerned for Working Children, Community Health Cell,
Centre for Education and Documentation
, Bengaluru Slum Janara Kriya Vedike, Aneka, Alternate Law Forum, ActionAid
I fll
J
lit c5b l.Ian
Table of Contents
Table of Contents................................. '■.................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction:................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Governance.................................................................................................................................................................. 2
BBMP Administration:........................................................................... ...................................................... 2
Ward Committee Functioning:.................................................................................................................... 2
Ward Committee Representation:............................................................................................................... 3
Budget for BBMP:.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Urban and Regional Planning:......................................... ........................................................................... 3
Representation:
................................................................................................... 3
Public Health............................................................................................................................................................... 4
Accessibility................................................................................. ............................................................................... 4
Mobility and Public Transport.......................... ...................................................................................................... 4
Culture.......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Parks and Open Spaces...................................... ...................................................................................... «............... 6
Heritage........................................................................................................... ............................................................. 6
Natural Resource Management.............. ................................................................................................................ 7
Trees and Urban Forestry:............................................................................................................................ 7
Lakes:..................................................................................................................................................................7
Forests:............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Public Education......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Social Justice................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Protection of Unorganized Workers....................................................................................................................... 9
Welfare of Elders.................................................................................................... ....................................................9
Child Labour..;.......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Children’s Rights................................................................................................................... ?................................. 10
Urban Poverty.................................................................. ..........................................................................................10
Animal Welfare......................................... ................................................................................ .............................. 10
Planning for Disasters.............................................................................................................................................. 11
Waste Management.................................................................................................................................................. 11
Contact details for various sections:.................................................................................................................... 12
Janara Pranalike/ People's Manifesto
Introduction:
All efforts of the Karnataka Government to deny the people of Bangalore their fundamental
right to choose their local government has been defeated by landmark decisions of the Hon'ble
Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Karnataka in response to Public Interest
Litigations. As a result elections to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will now be
held on 28 March 2010.
Bengalureans have been denied their due right to shape their city for over 7 years due to the
absence of an elected body. In this period a highly unaccountable and centralised bureaucratic
raj took over, giving very little opportunity for citizens to be involved in local decisions. The
impact was apparent everywhere: quality of basic services significantly declined, even as
money and public resources were invested in projects and schemes in a wholly nontransparent
manner.
The opportunity now exists to renew our tryst with local democracy and begin shaping our city.
Municipal elections are key drivers in shaping our city. Choose the wrong candidate, and vote
on the wrong set of issues, the impact is likely to be irreversible. Contrarily, if candidates were
to agree to People's real issues of concerns, and get voted, they are likely to follow up on
election promises during their term in office.
With this in context, many not-for-profit voluntary and public interest organisations working
with a variety of communities and on a range of issues met over the past several months to
collate a People’s Manifesto. Several meetings and discussions within and across sectors was
the basis of preparing this Manifesto which is a distilled version of various progressive policies
and measures that we feel people of Bengaluru deserve. The list of issues and concerns raised
in the Manifesto are meant to be indicative and not all comprehensive.
We urge you as a Voter or Candidate or Public Spirited Campaigner to use this Manifesto as a
basis to make a wise choice while participating in the BBMP elections.
Governance
There must be meaningful and total implementation .of the Nagarpalika Act. This can be
achieved in the following ways:
BBMP Administration:
>
BBMP should be administered by a Mayor-in-council system, wherein the mayor will be
elected from amongst the BBMP corporators for a non-recurring period of 2 Vz years.
>
As a progressive initiative, the office of Mayor must alternate between different genders.
>
BBMP Council should function in an inclusive manner that would ensure meaningful
participation of all marginalised religious and non-religious minority groups.
Ward Committee Functioning:
>
Democratic participation must be deepened by constituting ward committees in every
ward, as a basic unit of urban governance.
>
Ward Committee members must be directly elected.
>
A progressive and inclusive Bangalore can only be achieved by ensuring Ward
Committees are allowed to function autonomously. This has to be done by ensuring that
adequate administrative and financial resources are available for the healthy
functioning of Ward Committees.
>
Ward Committee meetings should mandatorily be held at least once every month and
must be forums open to the wide public at all times.
Janara Pranalike/ People's Manifesto
Ward Committee Representation:
>
Members elected to Ward Committees must be representative of the diversity in society
and particularly ensure due representation for women, Dalits, minorities, urban poor and
such other vulnerable sections of society. Representatives of children should be
encouraged and facilitated to take part in the ward committee meetings.
>
Special Children's Ward Committee meetings should be organised similar to Children's
Grama Sabhas now mandated for all Panchayats.
Budget for BBMP:
>
BBMP Budget should be evolved from the ward level up, and done in a transparent,
accountable and participatory manner.
>
All obligatory and delegated municipal functions of the BBMP should be adequately
funded. Lack of resources should not be a reason for not implementing such functions.
>
All investments in existing or new projects should only be undertaken as a component of
the BBMP Budget. External financing and borrowings, therefore, can only be accepted if
they are part of the BBBMP Budget.
>
Social equity considerations must be fundamental to allocation of resources in the BBMP
Budget.
>
There must be proportionate allocation and distribution of resources in projects, and this
must be based on the actual populations of vulnerable groups, such as urban poor,
women, children, elderly, disabled, transgenders, street and working children, etc.
>
Revenue earnings from land and property transactions within BBMP jurisdiction must be
allotted for sustenance of BBMP.
Urban and Regional Planning:
>
Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) must immediately be constituted as the
planning agency, as required per the Nagarpalika Act.
>
BBMP shall implement projects, schemes and infrastructure based on plans developed
by the MPC.
>
Existing para-statal planning bodies such as BMRDA, BDA, etc., which are undemocratic
and non-participatory, must be phased out. Their technical competence could be
integrated into MPC.
>
BBMP should become the preeminent agency for implementing projects and schemes
relating to the items listed in the 12tn Schedule of the Constitution. Consequently,
funds, functions and functionaries that are distributed in various para-statal agencies
dealing with issues such as food, water, shelter, primary health, education, etc. must be
reallocated to work under BBMP.
>
Extraconstitutional and illegal bodies, such as ABIDe, must be immediately abolished.
All projects promoted and undertaken by ABIDe and such other bodies must be
suspended forthwith, and subjected to a thorough review of a Joint Legislature
Committee and also by the BBMP.
Representation.'
>
Reservation of seats in BBMP must be in conformance with applicable National and
State Legislations and Policies.
>
BBMP should become an example by ensuring that the Council and all Committees
under its jurisdiction will reserve 50% of seats for women, and also ensure adequate
representation for people with disabilities.
Public Health
>
The fundamental right of Health for All must be protected in all BBMP's programmes.
>
All health facilities managed by BBMP must be transformed into comprehensive Primary
Health Centres. Care must be taken to ensure that a Primary Health Centre is available
for every unit population of 50,000, and a sub-centre for every 10,000 people.
>
Ward Committee should play a fundamental role in monitoring and planning of health
services, especially of Public Health Centres and sub-centres.
>
Public heath facilities should not be privatised.
>
Adequate financing should be provided to run public health facilities to meet evolving
standards.
>
No user fees should be charged in any BBMP health centres.
>
Essential medical supplies must be provided in adequate quantities and at no cost to
the patients.
>
Patients' Grievance Cell should be established in all health centres/Public Heath Centres
and a toll-free telephone number should be instituted to ensure quality services free
from corruption.
>
Communities with special needs should be provided health services through specialised
interventions of Community Health Experts.
>
BBMP should play a leading role in regulating against extortive practices of private
healthcare providers.
Accessibility
>
All urban infrastructure and public use buildings must be fully accessible.
>
Public commons and institutions such as roads, stations, airports, bus stands, banks,
hospitals, schools, public offices, parks, etc. must be made fully accessible.
>
BBMP must conduct regular audits of all such facilities to ensure full accessibility.
>
BBMP must set up a special cell to protect and implement the rights of people with
disabilities.
>
The needs of the disabled and children must be fully met in designing and developing
pedestrian infrastructure.
>
Disabled Information Systems must be integrated into all plans and schemes developed
from the Ward level up.
Mobility and Public Transport
>
All spaces of mobility must protect and preserve the right of way of pedestrians and
cyclists.
> All roads and neighbourhoods of Bangalore must be pedestrian and cyclist friendly.
> Cycling lanes must be secure and interconnected to ensure one can cycle anywhere in
the city as a major means of travel. All streets must necessarily be shaded with closed
canopy trees to encourage cycling and walking as carbon-neutral modes of transport.
>
BBMP must set up a cell to support carbon-neutral practices like cycling and walking
Janara Pranalike/ People's Manifesto
>
Pedestrian-crossings should be mandatorily be at grade, that is, at surface level.
>
Prioritized right of way and protection must be assured for pedestrians, cyclists, people
with disability, children and senior citizens.
>
Signal-free corridors must be scrapped forthwith, as they threaten the lives of the
disabled, children and the elderly, and cause needless displacement of livelihoods and
properties.
>
Popular public places, business and city centres should be pedestrian and bicycle only
zones on weekends.
>
BBMP must institute a comprehensive accident support and rehabilitation package for
victims of road accidents.
>
Public transport vehicles must be given priority on all roads.
>
Plans evolved by MPC should be the basis for developing all public transport and
mobility areas.
>
Public transport facilities must be economically accessible to all economic classes
>
Urban poor, migrant workers and climate refugees should benefit from subsidized daily
and monthly public transport passes.
>
Strong disincentives, such as high parking fees, should be introduced to discourage the
use of private vehicles in densely crowded areas and city centres.
>
Arterial roads must be decongested by disallowing parking.
>
Investments made in public transport must be economically viable and equitable. Bus
Rapid Transit systems, which are cheap, accessible and functional, should be preferred
over expensive and unviable projects like the Bangalore Metro, High Speed Rail Link,
Monorail and elevated roads.
>
BBMP should make optimal and intelligent use of streets and other transport
infrastructure. A good way forward is avoid investments in wasteful and disruptive
projects, such as road-widening, flyovers, underpasses, etc.
>
Ward Committees must integrate various departmental inputs in instituting Traffic
Calming measures and thus build safety on roads.
Culture
>
BBMP must actively encourage the arts and cultural practice in Bangalore.
>
Ward committees and the wide public must be involved in organising cultural events, art
projects and such other activities.
>
Artistes must be involved in regularly organising urban arts and culture festivals.
>
BBMP must constitute a Standing Committee to encourage and finance cultural events
and also address grievances.
>
Art and aesthetics in the public realm should not neglect the representation of local and
regional cultural diversity.
>
Moral policing should be actively discouraged, and thus protect artistic license.
>
Ward Committees should support community media spaces, such as public art projects,
film and documentary festivals, street theatre, etc.
Janara Pranalike/ People's Manifesto
Parks and Open Spaces
>
Park, playgrounds and open spaces are public commons and should be protected from
any and all encroachments.
>
Access to all public commons must be free of cost.
>
BBMP must create and protect dedicated play spaces for younger children and play
grounds for older children in each ward.
>
All parks and playgrounds must be fully accessible. Play equipment must be sensitively
designed to accommodate the needs of disabled children.
>
Park furniture and play equipment must be maintained in excellent condition.
>
Parks must be made useful for all users, and not just for walkers.
>
Children must have unrestricted access to parks at all waking hours, and the design
should allow unstructured and free play.
>
Parks must be open from early hours of the morning to late hours of the night, and
should be well lit, safe, sanitary and provided with toilet and drinking water facilities.
>
Ward Committees, parents, children and the elderly should be fundamentally involved in
decisions relating to the creation and maintenance of parks and open spaces.
>
Parks should not replace playgrounds and vice versa.
>
Every ward should have the right mix of parks and open spaces, including play space for
younger children and playgrounds for teenagers and younger adults.
>
Parks and open spaces should be a safe walking distance from the neighbourhoods.
>
Historical parks such as Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, etc. should be fully and freely accessible
and must be evolved into spaces of environmental and cultural education.
>
BBMP should actively resist any effort or attempt to restrict entry to parks and open
spaces based on ID cards or such other retrograde and unconstitutional methods.
>
There should not be any restriction to enter parks and open spaces oh grounds of class,
caste, creed, religion, gender, etc.
Heritage
>
BBMP should evolve a comprehensive policy to protect the city's heritage.
►
BBMP should set up a Standing Committee on Heritage Conservation which should be
backed by an interdisciplinary panel including architects, artistes, urban planners,
sociologists, anthropologists, ecologists, environmentalists, archaelogists, foresters, etc.
>
BBMP must initiate active steps to declare old neighbourhoods, canopied streets, old
markets, and the like as living heritages in conformance with UNESCO Convention for
the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
>
Heritage conservation should focus on the need to protect living heritage, natural
heritage, streetscapes, crafts, craft skills, vernacular heritage, and other intangible
heritage in addition to monuments and structures.
>
All heritage sites should be maintained well and be accessible to all.
> BBMP should encourage schools and colleges to be involved in heritage conservation.
>
Heritage zones should be labelled with uniquely identifiable signages to build awareness
amongst the wide public of the heritage that surrounds them.
>
Projects documenting Bangalore's heritage (both tangible and intangible) via video,
writings, audio and any other media should be encouraged.
> BBMP should actively encourage heritage conservation by building a network of cultural
ambassadors and sponsors.
Natural Resource Management
BBMP must constitute a Standing Committee on Environment, Tree Protection, Urban Forestry,
Watershed Management and Biodiversity Conservation to aid in the conservation of the city's
biodiversity, greenery, lakes, watersheds, etc. The task of this Committee should also involve
building public awareness on various ecological and environmental issues of the city. An
interdisciplinary commitee of advisors including landscape ecologists, urban forestry
professionals, limnologists, ecologists, environmentalists, etc. may be set up to assist the
Committee in discharging its functions.
Trees and Urban Forestry:
>
BBMP must work with the Forest Department in immediately developing a database of
all trees in its jurisdication in conformance with the Karnataka Preservation of Trees act,
1976.
>
Old canopied streets, tree and park lined avenues, gunduthopus and devarakaadus
must be declared as Heritage Zones and also protected as wildlife corridors for birds
and other tree dwelling animals.
>
Tree planting and green roofing must be actively encouraged as a means of controlling
noise and air pollution and also to create cool micro-climatic zones.
>
The utility of tree shaded areas in conserving energy of buildings-must be actively
highlighted, and unnecessary tree felling must be actively discouraged in public and
private areas.
>
Tree Patta schemes (providing the patta holder recovery of usufructs^ must be
>
All roads must be shaded with trees to encourage carbon neutral and healthy practices
such as walking and cycling, and also as protective measures for street vendors.
>
Large scale plantation of endemic and locally useful trees must be undertaken to bring
back lost greeney to Bangalore. The target must be to plant 1 crore trees in the next
five years.
>
BBMP must actively support socially and ecologically sensitive methods of protection,
restoration and maintenance of lakes and lake systems.
>
Ward Committees and local communities should be actively involved in all efforts
relating to management and protection of lakes.
>
All decisions relating to lake rehabilitation or development must only be taken through
statutory Public Consultations particularly involving those whose livelihoods depend on
the waterbodies.
>
All lakes within BBMP jurisdiction must be protected and maintained as public commons
and ecologically viable spaces accessible to all and no privatisation must be encouraged
or allowed.
>
BBMP must recommend to the State Government to declare all lakes within its
introduced to encourage planting and protection of endemic trees in all neighbourhoods.
Janara Pranalike/ People's Manifesto
jurisdictional limits as reserved forests so as to provide them heightenend protection
against pollution, encroachment and destruction.
>
All Raja Kaluves must be rehabilitated as water conservation zones by developing
appropriate vegetation, tree cover and tackling water pollution.
>
Encroachments must be dealt with strictly with a humanistic approach that does not
violate the Right to Housing of the urban poor.
>
In peri urban areas of Bangalore city, where wetlands still exist, land owners must be
provided incentives to practice agriculture, horticulture, tree farming, etc.
Forests:
>
BBMP must play an active collaborative role to protect urban forests from
encroachment, waste dumping and other such destructive activities.
>
BBMP must assist the Forest Department in protecting biodiversity rich areas and
encourage activities of Ward Committees and local communities in conservation of
these forests as spaces for environmental education and ecological appreciation.
>
Wildlife Corridors in urban areas must be protected from urbanisation, encroachment
and all forms of pollution.
>
Degraded and encroached forest lands must be recovered and developed into tree parks
with endemic species.
Public Education
>
BBMP must set up a Standing Committee on Education to review quality of education,
provision of safe and secure infrastructure (including from fire hazards), space for play
and cultural activity, nutrition of children and provision of wholesome'education.
>
An extensive network of aganwadis and ICDS centres must be provided, and near
schools, work areas and in all neighbourhoods.
>
Mid-day meal schemes must be provided without any prejudice to cultural norms. Mid
day meals should be provided to children in need during school holidays.
>
BBMP must not shut down schools or privatise educational facilities in its jurisdiction.
>
BBMP must build its capacity to undertake maintenance of all State run schools in its
jurisdiction.
>
Living facilities in BBMP run hostels for students must be maintained at the highest
standards, particularly ensuring safety of girl students.
Social Justice
>
BBMP must set up a Standing Committee on Worker Protection, Employment Generation
and Social Security with an intention of promoting self-employment, provision of social
security to those employed, social assistance to the destitute and ensure labour and
occupational rights are protected.
>
BBMP should be an equal opportunity employer and ensure due representation is
provided to women, disabled persons (3%), transgenders, minorities, etc.
>
BBMP must fully implement fully labour and occupational safety laws in all its projects
and schemes and have zero tolerance for violators.
Janara Prana li ke/ People's Manifesto
8
>
BBMP should be guided by the National Policy on Street Vendors and ensure livelihood
spaces of the poor on the streets and other public spaces are not compromised in any of
its schemes and projects.
>
BBMP must ensure that day and night creches are available offering complete childcare
and must be accessible to all.
>
BBMP must strengthen and fully implement Swarna Jayanthi Shahari Rozgar Yojana
(SJSRY) as a means to provide gainful employment to urban unemployed and under
employed poor. SJSRY staff should be placed in each ward and the finances allocated in
the budget must be spent on creating jobs and not allowed to lapse.
>
BBMP must have least tolerance for violation of the law on equal wages for equal work.
>
BBMP must organise regular health camps for all workers.
Protection of Unorganized Workers
>
BBMP must prohibit engagement of contract labour in its works as a step towards
preventing exploitation of workers.
>
BBMP must ensure strict compliance of the Contract Labour (Prohibition and Regulation)
Act in any work involving contract labour including construction work, factories, and
other private enterprises.
>
BBMP must evolve specific welfare scheme and policies for workers in the unorganized
sector and build awareness on the various schemes made under the Unorganized
Workers Social Security Act, 2009.
>
BBMP must evolve awareness and practices to ensure that workers in the unorganized
sector who belong to the SC/ST communities become beneficiaries in various scheme
under the 18% budget.
>
BBMP should permit any construction project only when the applicant has demonstrated
total compliance with Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, the Building and other
Construction Workers Act, the Minimum Wages Act, Equal Remuneration Act and
Contract Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. Further, the permit must be based on
demonstation of provision of a detailed 'Construction Workers Residential Quarters and
Living Conditions Plan1 that includes details relating to the living conditions in terms of
quality of housing, latrines, water supply, electricity, creches, etc.
Welfare of Elders
>
BBMP must set up Day Care Centres for the elderly with provision of multiple services
like recreation, physical fitness regimes, integrating assistive technologies and should
be fully accessible.
>
Focussed Healthcare for the Elderly must be a component of all public healthcare
delivery systems.
>
Elderly must be provided free access to public transport systems within BBMP
jurisdiction.
>
BBMP must ensure decentralised and comprehensive distribution of nutritive food
programmes for elders in poor families.
>
BBMP must introduce a Pension scheme for the elders in need.
Janara Pranalike/ People's Manifesto
I
tJ
d.! i- ' < < fe ■ —
Child Labour
#
>
BBMP must immediately implement a comprehensive, multi-pronged, bottom-up,
decentralised and participatory approach to addressing the problem of child labour in
Bangalore.
>
BBMP should adopt an enabling and empowering strategy in dealing with child labour,
and ensure that its policies and programmes do not criminalise or harm working
children.
>
Consultations with working children must form the basis for developing and
implementing schemes and programmes that respond to child labour.
>
BBMP plans and schemes must be child rights friendly based on micro and the macro
effects that cause child labour.
Children’s Rights
>
BBMP must implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
>
All city plans, schemes and projects must be based on consultations with children on
lines of "bala gramasabhas" held in Panchayats.
>
BBMP must set up systems of social/community monitoring within each Ward
Committee to assist children in times of crises and to prevent violations of their rights.
>
BBMP must allocate adequate resources to tackle issues that affect children directly or
indirectly.
Urban Poverty
>
BBMP must provide sale deeds to all residents of the 225 slums withiA its jurisdiction.
>
No slum eviction should be undertaken without providing comprehensive and humane
rehabilitation as per the due process of law.
>
BBMP must suitably act to ensure that no one in the city is left homeless.
>
Day and Night Shelters must be adequately provided to support the needs of street and
working children and other destitute people.
Animal Welfare
>
BBMP must ensure that animal rights are fully protected.
>
The Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme for street dog management must be
strengthened by involving Ward Committees.
>
Progressive waste management practices and strict regulation of abattoirs must be
undertaken to prevent explosion of street dog and rodent populations.
>
Humane catching practices of stray animals must be introduced.
>
BBMP must develop a strong team of Animal Welfare Inspectors.
>
Pet trade must be strictly regulated by enforcing registration.
Janara Pranalike/ People’s Manifesto
>
Conditions in which animals are housed must meet applicable standards.
>
BBMP must work with Forest Department and Karnataka Biodiversity Board to enforce
ban on import and trade in exotic species.
>
A crematorium for pets and other animals must be established.
Planning for Disasters
>
BBMP must establish a Disaster Management Cell to prepare, avert and respond to all
natural and unnatural disasters.
>
Disaster preparedness must be heightened in the general population through
systematic and comprehensive education programmes through Ward Committees.
>
BBMP must flood proof low lying areas on a priority basis.
>
Wards must be the repositories of maps and designs of infrastructure such as water
supply and distribution systems, storm water drains, land use, building plans, electricity
supply and distribution and such other information in order to assist quick responses in
the event of a disaster.
> Hazardous processes and industries manufacturing explosive and volatile
products, must be phased out from densely populated areas.
Waste Management
>
BBMP must be comprehensively in-charge and totally responsible for managing the
city's solid waste.
>
Privatisation of solid waste management should be phased out as it breeds corruption
and has resulted in a public health crisis.
>
Pourakarmikas should be provided all aids and comforts required for their occupational
needs. They must be provided free comprehensive health care and any casualty should
be dealt with under the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1923.
>
BBMP must adopt progressive, low-cost, environmentally friendly solid waste
management programmes based on segregation of waste at source.
>
BBMP must ensure that there should not be any mixing of the municipal waste stream
with biomedical and hazardous wastes.
>
All neighbourhoods should develop composting and recycling units. Only noncompostible, non-recyclable, hazardous and biomedical wastes must be removed in
their segregated forms to appropriate landfills.
>
Only hazardous wastes that cannot be recycled or composted should be sent for safe
treatment and sanitary landfills.
>
BBMP must take initiative to punish violators of laws relating to Municipal Solid Waste,
Hazardous wastes and Biomedical Wastes.
>
Landfills must be developed only in full conformance with applicable laws, in particular
the Environment Impact Assessment Notification and should not be located near human
settlements and ecologically sensitive areas.
>
BBMP must ensure that waste is not dumped on road-sides, in lakes, in forests, in
surrounding farm lands, etc.
Contact details for various sections:
For enquiries on specific issues please contact:
Organisation
Contact Person
Ph Number
Email
Kshithij.Urs@actionaid.org
Action Aid
Kshitij Urs
98454 52242
Alternate Law Forum
Clifton D'Rozario
94481 35832 clifton@altlawforum.org
Aneka
Shubha Chacko
92434 46105 shubha.chacko@gmail.com
Bengaluru Slum Janara
Kriya Vedike
Ganesh S
93429 26841
Centre for Education
and Documentation
Walter Mendonza
94907 53601 walter@doccentre.net
veena@doccentre.net
Veena
Sowmya K R
25531518
skssouharda@yahoo.co.in
Premdas E
25531518
premdas@sochara.org
Concerned for Working
Children
Kavita Ratna
94489 90480
kavitaratna@gmail.com
Environment Support
Group (Environment,
Leo Saldhana
94483 77403 leo@esgindia.org
Social Justice and
Governance Initiatives)
Bhargavi Rao
94483 77401
bhargavi@esgindia.org
Garment and Textile
Workers Union
Jayaram K R
9845019056
gatwu@rediffmail.com
Hasiru Usiru
Vinay Sreenivasa
Sheshadri Ramaswamy
98805 95032 vinay.sreenivasa@yahoo.com
9845568182 prepress555@rediffmail.com
Community Health Cell
22128569
Janasahyog
Jana Arogya Andolana
Karnataka
Premdas E
25531518
Kilikili
Kavita Krishnamoorthy
98807 42028
kavitha@kilikili.org
Maraa
Deepak Sreenivasan
93437 63497
deep.srin@gmail.com
Nightingales Medical
Trust
Dr.Radha Murthy
98440 37381
nightingales@vsnl.net,
nightingalesmt@gmail.com
Parishkaran
John Joseph
9449023257
Samarthanam Trust for
the Disabled
Ravi G
98860 32928 ravi@samarthanam.org
premdas@sochara.org
john@parishkaran.org
Sangama
Revathi
99452 31491 sangama@sangama.org
Slum Jagattu
Isaac Arul Selva
94804 52037
The Avenue Road
Traders Associations
Sridhar G V
98450 15036
Dileep Shah
93428 80924 tarcal947@gmail.com
Urban Research Centre
Gururaj Budhya
94488 49353 gururajabudhya@gmail.com
slumjagatthu@gmail.com
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