Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attacks Congress manifesto
New Delhi, Apr 3 (IBNS): Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday criticised manifesto launched by the Indian National Congress and said it is "pro-terrorists" and "anti-armed forces".
Criticising the manifesto over the proposed amendments to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA, the Union Minister said: "It is an effort to weaken the armed forces."
In the manifesto, the Congress has proposed to reduce the presence of the Indian Army and central armed police forces (CAPFs) in the Kashmir valley.
The party also proposed in in its manifesto that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed.
Releasing his party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2019, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said his outfit, if comes to power, will abolish criminal contempt against farmers who fail to pay up their debts.
"We have seen how Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, VIjay Mallya looted our country and went abroad. But our farmers are honest people. If we come to power, we will make sure farmers, who fail to pay up debts, do not face criminal contempt but civil contempt," Gandhi said months after Congress made electoral gains in Hindi heartland boasting on the issue of farmers' loan waiver.
Gandhi was accompanied by his mother and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and other senior Congress leaders at the manifesto-unveiling programme.
Trying to address the farm distress, Gandhi proposed an agricultural budget much similar to how Railway Budget is conducted.
Following the footstep of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Congress chief announced his government would increase the number of working days under scheme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
Gandhi promised a minimum of 150 working days guarantee for poor people, 50 less than what has been promised by Trinamool Congress chief Banerjee.
Promising in business sector, the Congress chief said his party will let people start business without any permission up to three years.
"Up to three years, no one will require permission to start business. All bank doors will be opened," he said.
Gandhi on Tuesday reiterated his NYAY scheme, which will help people attain minimum income of Rs. 12,000 per month.
Accusing the Narendra Modi government of reducing funds for education, Gandhi, who is an MP from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, promised to utilise six per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in education sector.
Strengthening government-run healthcare facilities will be the primary object of the Congress, Gandhi said.
"We don't have trust in private hospitals. We will strengthen government-run healthcare facilities. All poor people will have access to high quality treatments," the opposition leader stated.
In 2014 Lok Sabha Election, Congress had suffered a major electoral blow as the country's oldest party was reduced to 40 odd seats.
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