Pledges White Paper, accountability for terror victims
500,000 jobs, enhanced women’s security, & major infrastructure projects
Reconstruction of 100 temples, improved healthcare, & education support
Jammu, Sept 06:The BJP on Friday released its ‘SankalpPatra’ (manifesto) for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, providing 25 guarantees which include issuing a white paper and ensuring accountability for all the victims of terrorism besides restoring 100 “ruined temples” in Kashmir.
The manifesto, released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a press conference on the first day of his two-day tour to kick start the party’s election campaigning here.
Reading out the guarantees included in the manifesto prepared by a committee headed by former deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh after nearly a month-long exercise,
Shah said, “By wiping out terrorism and separatism, we will make Jammu and Kashmir a leader in development and progress in the nation.”
“We will publish a white paper and ensure accountability for all victims of terrorism, for this we willfast track cases, bring justice to the victims and ensure rule of law in the region,” reads the manifesto.
To ensure the safe return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandit community, the BJP said it will launch the ‘TikaLalTaplooVisthapitSamajPunarvasYojana’ (TLTVSPY).
“We will also expedite the rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees, POJK refugees and internally neglected communities like Valmiki and Gorkhas. We will ensure that the displaced persons of Jammu division get all the due benefits, security and protection that the displaced persons from Kashmir are given,” the party said.
The BJP said it will conduct a “free and fair” census, unlike yesteryear, thereby ensuring proper decision making, focusing on inclusive development, with targeted interventions for marginalised communities.
“We will undertake the reconstruction of Hindu temples and shrines under Rishi Kashyapa Pilgrimage Rejuvenation Drive. We will restore 100 ruined temples and further develop existing temples, including the Shankaracharya Temple, Raghunath Temple, and Martand Sun Temple, with the active participation of religious and spiritual organizations,” the BJP said.
The manifesto pledges to enhance women’s financial security through the ‘MaaSammanYojna,’ which will provide Rs 18,000 annually to the senior-most woman in each household. Additionally, the party plans to support women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and provide two free LPG cylinders each year to beneficiaries of the PradhanMantriUjjwalaYojna.
On the employment front, the BJP aims to create 500,000 job opportunities and offer Rs 3,000 per year as a college allowance under the ‘PragatiShikshYojna.’ The manifesto also promises to supply tablets and laptops to students in remote areas. In terms of regional development, the BJP plans to set up three regional development boards and focus on tourism and industry in districts including Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, and Kathua.
The manifesto includes ambitious infrastructure projects such as developing Dal Lake into a world-class tourist destination, establishing an amusement park in Tatto Ground, Srinagar, and creating an IT hub in Jammu City. Gulmarg and Pahalgam are set to be developed into modern tourist towns, and the Tawi River Front will be rejuvenated similar to the Sabarmati River Front.
For housing, the BJP proposes free allotment of 5 marlas of land to landless beneficiaries through the ‘AtalAwasYojna’ and aims to address issues faced by 7,000 existing MSME units in the region. Utility relief measures include addressing outstanding bills for power and water consumers, while the ‘HarGharNal Se Jal’ scheme will improve access to drinking water. Old age and disability pensions are set to be tripled to Rs 3,000, and healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat will be increased by Rs 2 lakh.
Educational and healthcare enhancements include adding 1,000 new seats to existing and upcoming medical colleges, and increasing the PM-KisanSammanNidhi to Rs 40,000. The manifesto also outlines the construction of 10,000 km of new rural roads and prioritizes major infrastructure projects like the Sadhna Pass Tunnel and Katra-Banihal Railway Tunnel. Metro services in Jammu and Srinagar will be expedited, and 100 ruined temples will be reconstructed.
Addressing social issues, the BJP plans to tackle illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi settlements. The manifesto also promises a free and fair census to ensure effective decision-making and inclusive development for marginalized communities.
The manifesto also talked about the party’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir and said “after years of struggle and sacrifices for ‘EkVidhaan, EkNishaan, EkPradhaan’, we have fully integrated Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India”.
“Today, the barriers of separation, discrimination and exploitation have been demolished in Jammu and Kashmir. New people-friendly initiatives are shaping the socio-political landscape,” it said.
