Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has issued a manifesto promising several initiatives to the public. The manifesto, dubbed as the ‘Didi’s Pledge’, includes a commitment to provide home delivery of rations and distribute 10 free cooking gas cylinders to BPL families, among other welfare schemes. The TMC manifesto vows to abolish the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal. The document was released by ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya, Derek O’Brien, and Amit Mitra.
Promise to Control Fuel Price
Former Finance Minister Mitra stated that if the TMC forms a government with the opposition coalition ‘I.N.D.I.A’, it will be committed to fulfilling all these promises. While there is no ‘I.N.D.I.A’ coalition in Bengal, the TMC is allied with it at the central level. Mitra accused the BJP-led central government of deliberately depriving Bengal by withholding funds under the guise of ‘politics of revenge’. He claimed that in the ‘Didi’s Pledge’, it has been promised to abolish CAA and NRC. The TMC has also pledged to control petrol and diesel prices through the establishment of a stabilization fund.
The TMC manifesto also promises an increase in the education subsidy and old age pension for scheduled caste individuals. The pension for the elderly will be raised to Rs 1,000 per month, totaling Rs 12,000 annually. The minimum subsidy recommended by the Swaminathan Commission will be provided to farmers. The manifesto also mentions providing ration at home and offering tuition and scholarships to every trainee. The scheme similar to West Bengal’s Kanyashree will be implemented nationwide, and a Rs 10 lakh insurance scheme will be introduced.
The manifesto also promises an increase in higher education and old age pension for scheduled caste individuals. Chandrima Bhattacharya stated that every trainee will receive tuition and scholarships, and students will be provided with a ‘Students Credit Card’ for educational opportunities.
