Priyanka Gandhi: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday promised to provide free education till class 12 as well as allowance to the students in the poll-bound state Madhya Pradesh. Addressing a rally in Mandla district ahead of the November 17 assembly elections in the state, Priyanka also reiterated the promise of caste census and claimed that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and tribals are not getting jobs commensurate with their share in the population. Are meeting.
The Congress leader said, “Recently, Bihar conducted a caste census and it was revealed that 84 percent of the people in the state belong to OBC, SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) categories. But their number in jobs is very less. To know their exact number and to do justice to them, caste census should be conducted in the country.
He said, “The BJP government at the Center does not want to talk about this…Injustice is being done to OBCs and tribals. They are not getting jobs as per their numbers. He said, we want them to be counted to provide them justice. He announced several ‘guarantees’ including implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees by the Congress if it comes to power in MP.
He said that not only free education will be provided to the students from class one to class 12th but under the Padho Aur Padhao scheme, Rs 500 will be given to the students of class one to eight, Rs 1,000 to the children of class eight to ten and Rs. Children of class 11th and 12th will be given Rs 1,500 per month. The Congress leader claimed that tribals who collect tendu leaves for livelihood are being given shoes instead of bonus.
Priyanka said in the public meeting, “The size of these shoes also varies. They may be getting commission… Do shoes, slippers, umbrellas represent your respect? Is it your honor? You should be respected for your labor.”
He said that BJP did nothing for the people in the last 18 years of its rule in Madhya Pradesh. He alleged that BJP remembers the people during elections and announces various schemes. Referring to corruption scams related to Vyapam examinations, mid-day meal scheme and scholarships, the Congress general secretary said there have been at least 250 scams in the state, where the BJP has been in power for almost 225 months.
“It is unfortunate that employment opportunities have not been created in 18 years of BJP rule,” he alleged. Instead looting is going on. Emotions are being stoked in the name of religion to divert attention from inflation and unemployment at the time of elections.” Referring to former Prime Minister and her grandmother Indira Gandhi, the Congress leader said she is somewhat similar to her and hence, They will have to be more responsible towards the people, especially the tribal population.
He told the gathering that his grandmother used to say that tribal culture is unique because it protects, nurtures and worships nature and believes in simple living. He said that the tribals had great respect for the former Prime Minister and they used to call her “Indira Mata”. The Congress leader said, “Indira ji provided the lease of (forest) land to empower you. It is the tradition of Congress to make you the owner of your land.”
He said that his party brought the Forest Residents Act, Panchayat Raj, Midday Meal and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Employment Act (MNREGA) for the welfare of tribals and to stop their migration. The Congress general secretary alleged, “Now the BJP is coming with these facilities. “Also, your rights are also being snatched away one after the other. When the Congress government came to power in Madhya Pradesh from December 2018 to March 2020, you got the lease (forest land lease), which has been stopped.”
He said that if the Congress government is formed, there will be OPS in the state, gas cylinder for Rs 500, monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women, loan waiver scheme for farmers, 100 units of free electricity per connection and 200 units at half price, assistance to farmers for agricultural work. Free electricity connection up to five HP will be given and caste census will also be conducted.