NEW DELHI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- India's main opposition party "Indian National Congress (INC)" released its election manifesto on Tuesday containing promises broadly for the farmers, youth and the poor.
The INC's President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former INC President Sonia Gandhi were present on the occasion.
Releasing the party's manifesto in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said that it's based on five "Big Ideas," namely "Nyuntam Aay Yojana" (NYAY) or "minimum income scheme" for the 20 percent poorest farmers, Employment Generation, Separate Budget for Farmers, Allocate 6 percent of the country's gross domestic product towards Education, and High-Quality Healthcare through government-run hospitals.
According to him, under the "NYAY" scheme, the 20 percent poorest farmers would be assured an annual income of 72,000 Indian rupees (about 1,041.73 U.S. dollars). Besides, he said his party's manifesto promises to fill up the 2.2 million government jobs lying vacant presently, and also generate 1 million jobs in the "Gram Panchayats" (village councils).
Besides, he added, his party would ensure an increase in the number of employment days guaranteed under the "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act" (MNREGA) from 100 to 150 days annually.
India's seven-phased general elections will begin on April 11, and the results are slated to be announced on May 23.
