The document makes the same old promises of doubling farmers’ income by 2022, housing for all and bridging the doctor-patient ratio
The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 8, 2019, released its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, calling it the ‘Sankalp Patra’. The same old promises like doubling farmers’ income by 2022, housing for all and bridging the doctor-patient ratio have been made in the document.
Speaking at the event, incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the manifesto revolves around the three most important issue currently: ‘Rashtrawaad’ (Nationalism), ‘Antyoday’ (Uplifting the weakest sections) and ‘Sushashan’ (Good Governance).
He further said if he comes to the power, the new government would constitute a Jal Shakti Mantralay to tackle the emerging scenario related to the water crisis. A special task force will be created to explore how optimum use of river water can be done.
The BJP manifesto promises piped water to every household by 2024. The government claimed that it has constructed nine crore toilets under the Swachch Bharat Mission and now it will focus on solid waste management, if it comes to power again.
Mentioning climate change, the manifesto says the government has promised to establish renewable energy capacity of 175 GW by 2022. So far, it has established a capacity of 76.87 GW and will keep working to achieve the target.
In the manifesto, the BJP says that it will offer special help to Himalayan states in the form of ‘Green Bonus’. This will be for forest conservation. The manifesto talks about air pollution. The BJP has promised to focus on 102 most polluted cities to resolve the issue of air pollution.
About public health issues, the incumbent government has focused on service delivery. It has promised to reduce the doctor-patient ratio to 1:1,400. It has also claimed that further reform in the health sector would continue. It will open hospitals and medical colleges in every district with the help of the private and public sectors.
The BJP has also underlined the fact that it has been successful in providing wheat, rice and millets to 80 crore people at subsidised rates. If the party comes to power, it will include sugar into this list, says the manifesto.
About employment, the manifesto says the government will select 22 champion sectors and make a policy to create employment. Similarly, about women empowerment, the government underlines its commitment to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and legislative assemblies. If the party comes to power, it will keep trying to achieve this target, says the manifesto.
The manifesto said the party would ensure that 60,000 kilometres of national highway is constructed by 2024. While speaking on the occasion senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh said that the target of a ‘Swachch Ganga’ would be achieved by 2022.
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