Left Front releases manifesto, promises ministry for migrants
The Left Front announced a bunch of election manifestos for employment and economically weaker sections of the people. The draft manifesto was published and posted on the website to solicit feedback. The manifesto will be finalized after making necessary additions or corrections on the basis of feedback.
FollowThe Left Front announced a bunch of election manifestos for employment and economically weaker sections of the people. The draft manifesto was published and posted on the website to solicit feedback. The manifesto will be finalized after making necessary additions or corrections on the basis of feedback.
The draft manifesto mentions how the plan will be implemented from the municipality and panchayat level to the state level to increase employment opportunities in the state. In addition, the Left Front has spoken of some steps to address the people working in the lower and middle class and the unorganized sector.
These include opening of separate offices in the state for migrant or migrant workers and special protection scheme, minimum wage of workers at Rs 21,000 per month, government subsidy on electricity bills up to 200 units, allowance of Rs 2,500 per month for closed factory workers.
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Several announcements, including providing 35 kg of rice or flour per family per month at the rate of Rs. The Left Front has also said that at least 20% of the budget should be allocated for education. It also mentioned that education up to class VIII should be made unpaid and compulsory by the government.
According to the manifesto, land will be acquired after forming a consensus and compensation will be given to families who hand over land for projects. According to party sources, this had been done keeping in view the “faulty” land acquisition of the erstwhile Left Front government in Singur and Nandigram.
The draft manifesto also announces what will not be done as soon as the Left Front or coalition government comes to power. It clearly states that the Centre's revised Citizenship Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), or NPR will not be effective in the state.
The Left Front said, "The concept of discriminatory citizenship will not be implemented in the state." The Left has called for due importance to the resettlement of refugees and the resettlement of citizens who arrived after 1971. Necessary demands will also be made to the Centre for that. It has been announced in the left manifesto that not only the central agricultural law but also the national education policy will not be implemented in this state.”
The manifesto demanded that 50 per cent of the total revenue collected by the Centre be given to the states and that the state be held accountable for GST. The state government has taken a clear stand against the closure or privatization of state-owned enterprises in the state. On the other hand, protection of interests of persons with disabilities, implementation of Mental Health Protection Act-18, establishment of support centres at ward, borough or block level to prevent violence against women and domestic violence.
The other two allies of the United Front, the Congress and the ISF, have been sent drafts of the Left Manifesto. Ordinary people are also being asked. Left Front Chairman Biman Basu said, "Our appeal to all democratic and secular people of West Bengal is to send your important opinion by March 20. We want to announce the program of the next government with the opinion of the people.”
