Telangana polls: People's Front promises farm loan waiver in manifesto

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], Nov 26 (ANI): The People's Front, comprising the Congress party, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) has promised to waive loans up to Rs two lakh for farmers in the state as part of its common manifesto released ahead of the December 7 state Assembly elections.
Among other prominent welfare schemes in the manifesto, the alliance has promised to increase pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2000. Physically challenged individuals will receive a pension of Rs 3000 and welfare for the minority sections of the society, they said in the manifesto.
TJS chief Professor Kodandaram told ANI that the aspirations of the people of the state are aptly reflected in this agenda. "Essentially, when we fought for Telangana we all felt that the water and the resources of this region would benefit everyone and eliminate poverty in the region," Kondandaram said.
"Now we have prepared an agenda that would help us in fulfilling these aspirations. Apart from implementing the agenda, the parties in the People's Front will also implement their own manifestos after being elected to power. Besides the common agenda, we will essentially try to restore democracy and development. Available vacancies in the government will be filled up and we will provide skill development to public institutions to provide employment," he added.
The TJS chief further stated that the first section in the agenda deals with the governance, while the second section promises justice to all those who participated in the Telangana struggle. The remaining sections deal with the economic sectors like agriculture and industries apart from social justice.
Congress' Telangana-unit president, Uttam Kumar Reddy, told ANI that the "Congress manifesto is also ready to be released but this is the common document on which all four parties agreed upon and formed the People's Front. These four parties will form the government and this agenda will be their guiding document."
He further stated that while the People's Front has included few welfare schemes for backward classes and minorities, in the agenda document, their government will ensure the well-being of SC/ST, OBC and other minority sections. He said that they will form a Sachaar committee and a Sudheer committee to look after the minorities and also implement sub-plans for the SC/ST.
Telangana will go to polls on December 7 to elect the 119 members of legislative assembly. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. (ANI)