1 week Ago
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has promised free cervical cancer vaccines for girls aged 9 to 16 and two optional leave days for women employees during menstruation. Releasing its manifesto titled 'Maharashtranama', the MVA assured a caste-based census, and monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000, free bus travel and six cooking gas cylinders every year at ₹500 each to women. The MVA has promised to frame a 'Nirbhay Maharashtra' policy and enforcement of the Shakti law for the safety of women and children.
The MVA also assured to provide Rs 1 lakh each to girls after attaining the age of 18 years. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the MVA's vision for the state's progress is based on five pillars – agriculture and rural development, industry and employment, urban development, environment and public welfare. Kharge said the MVA government will carry out a caste census and remove the 50% ceiling on reservation as has been done in Tamil Nadu.
He added every family will get a health insurance cover of ₹25 lakh along the lines of a scheme started by the earlier Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan. The manifesto promises free cervical cancer vaccines for all girls aged 9 to 16 and two optional leave days for female employees during menstruation. It also promises to formulate an inclusive policy to ensure opportunities for differently-abled and LGBTQIA+ individuals across all sectors.
For farmers in the state, the MVA said a review will be conducted to improve the existing schemes and provide support to widows and children of families affected by cultivator suicides. This comes apart from debt waiver up to ₹3 lakh and ₹50,000 incentive for regular loan repayment. The manifesto also assured the establishment of a Youth Commission for the welfare of the youth, ₹4,000 per month allowance for unemployed educated graduates and diploma holders and recruitment for 2.
5 lakh positions in the state government. The MVA has promised a new industrial policy and a dedicated ministry for the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and a separate department to empower self-help groups. A welfare corporation for the organised and unorganised sanitation workers is also among the promises made in the MVA's manifesto.
It also assured immediate measures to control the prices of essential commodities, a monthly waiver of up to 100 units on electricity bills for consumers using up to 300 units and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees..
