• Congress: The Only Choice 2 • Congress or BJP 4 • The UPA Report Card 6 • Landmark Legislation: 2009-2014 8 The Open Manifesto Process: • Our Pledge: A 15 Point Agenda for Socio-economic and Political Transformation 10 Pathbreaking Political Reform • The Detailed Action Plan 2014-2019 14

The Indian National Congress has pioneered an entirely new way in which Table of Contents political party election manifestos are prepared. It is our firm belief that the Indian National Congress Manifesto must reflect the voice and aspirations of 1. A New Future for the Hands that Build the Nation 14 2. Economic Growth 14 the people and a new vision for the country. • An Economic Roadmap for 2014-2019 15 • The Indian National Congress’s 100 Day Agenda for Growth 16 There were several consultations held across the country over a five-month • Accelerating Job Creation and Skill Development 17 period (from October, 2013 to March, 2014) with different stakeholders, to 3. Protecting the Interests of Labour 19 4. Right to Health 20 get their inputs on India’s future growth, development and inclusion agenda. 5. Empowering Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes 21 The Congress Vice President Shri Rahul Gandhi participated in several of 6. Women’s Empowerment and Protection of Children 24 these interactions including those with representatives from Scheduled Castes, 7. Safeguarding Minorities 26 Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities, women organisations, 8. Youth and Student Agenda 27 • Building the Best Education System in the World for our Students 28 youth, labour, industry, Panchayat representatives, ex-servicemen, railway • Promoting Sports 29 porters, rickshaw pullers, salt-pan workers and farmers. In addition to this a • Other Youth Issues 30 dedicated website (www.incmanifesto.in) was established to invite suggestions 9. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj 31 10. Agriculture and Farmer Welfare 32 from all citizens for the Manifesto. A separate website for the “National Student 11. Accelerating Industrial and Manufacturing Growth 34 Manifesto” was also created. 12. Infrastructure 36 • Transport 36 We received tens of thousands of suggestions through these consultations, on • Energy 37 13. Urban Development 38 the websites and social media platforms, phones, emails, etc. These suggestions 14. Housing 39 were carefully considered and have been included, wherever feasible. 15. Environment 40 16. Innovation, Information and Communication Technology 41 We believe this unique exercise has made the Manifesto inclusive and fully 17. Fighting Corruption 43 18. Governance Reforms 43 reflective of the voice of the people of India. • Electoral Reforms 44 • Legal and Judicial Reforms 44 • Police Reforms 44 19. Internal Security 46 20. Defence and Welfare of Ex-Servicemen 46 21. Foreign Policy 47 • An Appeal The Indian National Congress has made modernise the Indian economy and bring regional balance, progress in backward communal harmony, and economic growth seminal contributions to India’s unity, about the information and conmunications areas and a strong conviction that in order and social justice, are two sides of the same integrity, secular polity and democratic technology revolution. In the 1990’s, radical to prosper every citizen must have the coin and must always go hand-in-hand. federalism. We have championed the rights economic reforms were instituted leading to opportunity to evolve to the best of her or of the weaker sections, created conditions for accelerated economic growth and widespread his ability. Ours is a Nation of incredible but The Indian National Congress is the only faster economic growth and have been the economic and social transformation. At the often untapped talent that needs and deserves Party that combines experience and youth, principal instrument of social and economic turn of the millennium, we brought about to be unleashed. wisdom and exuberance, achievement and change, the preferred political choice for a “Regime of Rights” marking a paradigm ambition. crores of women and men. shift in India’s politics and development. We envision an India where power would Beginning with the Right to Information, have been devolved to the grassroots and to The Indian National Congress seeks a renewed Our central values resonate the very idea of Right to Work (Mahatma Gandhi National the marginalized so that they can shape their mandate on the strength of its heritage, its India, that has come to us over the centuries, Rural Employment Guarantee Act), Right to own destiny. record of service, both in and out of power, an India that rejoices in and celebrates Education and the Right to Food, we have and its clear vision for the future. its many diversities, and builds on these launched a radical progressive economic and We envision an India charting a new future diversities to strengthen the bonds of unity social development discourse. rather than rewriting its past; living in through secularism, pluralism, inclusion and harmony, not in turmoil; thriving in peace social justice. This is the India that Mahatma Gandhi envisaged. This is the India for which our Freedom Fighters gave their all. This is the India that the Indian National Congress has always dedicated itself to. Ours is the one Party with CoNg ress a history of a liberal philosophy that has enabled the country to build strong political and economic institutions and transform itself. The Onl y Choice In the 1950’s, the Indian National Congress put India on the path of industrialisation through the public sector, The depth and breadth of its political and rather than suffering in conflict; imbued with ensuring both rapid and balanced regional administrative experience makes the Indian humility, not with arrogance. growth across the face of our country. National Congress most intrinsically aware A massive infrastructure for science and and closely associated with the beliefs, and We envision an India where the government technology was also established. In the 1960’s, principles and need of the people of India. serves the people rather than where people the Green Revolution was launched to make We are the Party that has always believed in serve the government. India self-sufficient in food grains and a direct the idealism and leadership abilities of the assault on poverty. In the 1970’s, further gains youth. We have remained connected with We believe in a simple universal truth: equity were made through the Green Revolution and their aspirations and have been inspired by and opportunity for all. a White Revolution was unleashed that was their restless vibrancy. to make India the world’s largest producer of The Indian National Congress is the only milk. In the 1980’s, economic reforms were Our vision is one of inclusive and sustainable Party that believes that economic growth and launched in response to new challenges, to growth fuelled by agricultural development,

2 3 ince it formation, 128 years ago, The Indian National Congress stands Aware of the challenges thrown up by the Congress is the only natural choice for the Sthe Indian National Congress has in sharp contrast to the divisive and undemocratic and exclusionary politics of people of India. spoken for every section of Indian disruptive ideology of the BJP. We have the BJP, particularly in the recent past, the society and has mirrored India’s “unity always been the secular and progressive Indian National Congress is committed in diversity”. force in this country and strived to unite to confronting these challenges with all religions, castes and communities in the determination. ideological battle against those who would The Indian National Congress’s polarize and divide our society. We do not respond by subverting secular and liberal ethos has a place democratic institutions and blocking for each and every Indian. Our democratic Constitution and Parliament session after session, year after Ours is an inclusive vision. institutions are the cornerstone of Modern year. We do not respond by turning people India. All of us, who wish to build a better against each other and lighting the fires of India and rid the country of poverty and communal hatred. We do not respond by COngre SS or bjp Secular Liberal Nationalism vs Narrow-minded Communalism Inclusive Democracy vs Divisive Authoritarianism

The BJP’s narrow and communal corruption, must respect these institutions proposing either that the structures of perspective denies equality to all. and work through them. They are the democracy be handed to one single person Theirs is an exclusionary legitimate instruments in our hands. or that they be viciously undermined. doctrine. No individual or authority can replace the values and processes of democratic The Indian National Congress responds governance. through legitimate peaceful, democratic and Constitutional means. These are the Peace cannot be constructed on conflict. pillars on which our great Nation stands. It Societies cannot be built on injustice and is for this reason that the Indian National hatred.

4 5 t was the tireless campaign and vision The 2009 Mandate was to safeguard and advance We let the record speak for itself. Iof Sonia Gandhi, President of the the interests of India’s farmers and create an Indian National Congress, that brought environment conducive to their prosperity. • The Congress-led UPA has brought 14 more than the Rs. 7,248 crore it was ten together and gave shape to the United crore people out of poverty in the last years ago. Progressive Alliance (UPA) headed by This has been achieved in substantial measure. ten years. The rate of poverty decline Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has tripled as compared to the preceding • Today, minorities have 43,52,000 bank decade. This is the greatest achievement of accounts in 121 districts of the country. in May 2004. The 2009 Mandate was for empowering the poor and the marginalized, especially the UPA governments, and we are proud The total volume of lending stands at Rs. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other of it. 66,500 crore. Ten years ago, minorities had The work of the Congress-led UPA Backward Classes, minorities and women. 14,15,000 bank accounts. The total volume government was appreciated and the people • In the ten years of UPA-I and UPA-II, of lending was just Rs. 4,000 crore. of India gave us a renewed mandate, with a India achieved an average annual growth larger majority, in 2009. This has been achieved in substantial measure. rate of 7.5%. During the NDA tenure the • Today, 41,16,000 women Self-Help- average annual growth rate was 5.9%. Groups have been credit linked to banks. Chairperson of the UPA, Sonia Gandhi, and The 2009 Mandate was to open the doors of Ten years ago it was only 9,71,182. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, has education and skills, and provide access to • Today, we produce 263 million tonnes of food grains. Ten years ago, at the end of • Today, the total credit to small businesses the NDA tenure its was 213 million tonnes stands in excess of Rs. 5,27,000 crore. Ten of food grains. years ago, credit to small businesses stood at below Rs. 80,000 crore. the upa • Today, the installed power capacity is 234,600 MW. Ten years ago, it was less • Today, the Central Government’s than half at 112,700 MW. expenditure on education is Rs. 79,451 report card crore. Ten years ago, it was Rs. 10,145 • Today, the number of mobile subscribers crore. has crossed 95 crore. Ten years ago, it was a mere 3.36 crore subscribers. Telephone • Today, the total value of India’s international translated into reality the pledges we made in immense opportunities they hold out for our density in rural areas has increased 26 trade stands at US $ 800 billion. Ten years May 2009. biggest asset, our youth. times. ago, it was US $ 142 billion. The 2009 Mandate was for socially inclusive This has been achieved in substantial measure. • Today, coal production is 554 million economic growth with a focus on jobs and tonnes per year. Ten years ago, it was 361 livelihoods, and social justice. The 2009 Mandate was for maintaining peace million tonnes per year. and security and for fighting the challenges This has been achieved in substantial measure. thrown up by undemocratic, divisive and • Today, we have 389,578 km of rural roads exclusionary political and social interests. under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak The 2009 Mandate was to take forward the Yojana (PMGSY). This is more than 7 commitment made by our government in This has been achieved in substantial measure. times the 51,511 km of rural roads ten 2004 promising “A New Deal for Rural India.” years ago. This has been achieved in substantial measure. • Today, the Cental Government’s spending on healthcare is Rs. 36,322 crore, 5 times

6 7 he Indian National Congress-led UPA from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, and Lokayukta Act, 2013 was born out Act will protect livelihood rights of lakhs Tgovernment has had an unmatched record 2013. These laws made the system more of a determination to give the people of street vendors. when it comes to the passage of significant, sensitive to the challenges faced by our a strong, independent authority to act historic and pathbreaking legislation. The women. Penalties have increased and new as a watchdog against administrative 10. The Prohibition of Employment Indian National Congress is a Party that takes crimes were included to make the definition corruption. This authority empowers the as Manual Scavengers and their its commitments to the people as sacred. more women friendly so that the law better people by giving them a high-powered Rehabilitation Act, 2013 not only The Party has worked to realise almost all serves the interests of the aggrieved. forum to tackle corruption in the prescribes stringent punishment for the promises made to the people in its earlier bureaucracy and the political system. employing manual scavengers but also Manifestos and campaigns: 4. In a bid to bring greater clarity on has provisions for rehabilitation of these the subject, the Congress-led UPA 7. In one earliest actions on being re-elected, families. An age-old blot on our society 1. The Indian National Congress led Government enacted a new Companies the Congress-led UPA government will finally be erased. the charge to enact a unique and Act, 2013. This new law, resulting from passed the Right of Children to Free and unprecedented law to safeguard food comprehensive consultations with all Compulsory Education Act in 2009. This security for the poorest. The National stakeholders brings about radical changes law, which guarantees free education Food Security Act marked the realisation that will stimulate entrepreneurship, in primary schools, also puts in place of over a decade of work and has been make it easier to start new businesses hailed as a visionary law by the people.

2. The seminal Right to Fair Compensation LANDMARK LEGISLATION: and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and 2009 -2014 Resettlement Act, 2013 - a key campaign promise of the Indian National Congress in 2009 - was and encourage Corporate Social provisions for minimum standards for enacted after two years of nationwide Responsibility. the establishment of new neighbourhood consultations. This law was a historic schools. victory for our brothers and sisters 5. Mindful that our Nation’s citizens, and working in the agriculture sector. The particularly our senior citizens, deserve 8. The Indian National Congress, which law ensures that land cannot be acquired greater security with regard to their has been firmly dedicated to the cause without the land owners consent, pension funds, the Congress-led UPA of protecting our nation’s environment promises up to four times the prevailing Government enacted the Pension Fund and forests, enacted the National Green market value as compensation and repeals Regulatory and Development Authority Tribunal Act, 2009 to establish a special the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. Act, 2013, to establish a regulator to fast track court to hear disputes related to ensure these funds are protected from these issues. 3. The Indian National Congress led the way unscrupulous individuals. in bringing about historic reform with 9. The Indian National Congress piloted and regard to women’s rights in the form of 6. The Indian National Congress has always passed the Street Vendors (Protection of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013 looked to the people for guidance in Livelihood & Regulation) Act, 2014. This and the salutary Protection of Women the discharge of its duties. The Lokpal

8 9 1.e W will endeavour to bring around two- 2. To support the Right to Health, the India a world leader in agricultural k. We will ensure that growth is socially thirds of our population – the skilled hands Indian National Congress will increase production and agro-industry, taking responsible, and comes from genuine that build India – into the middle class, health expenditure to 3% of GDP and advantage of our national endowments value addition, not from stripping our through a package of basic rights for all provide universal and quality health care and the genius of our farmers. We natural resources or from underpaying workers – formal and informal, organized for all Indians (including free medicines). will focus on increasing agriculture our labour. and unorganized, regular and contractual. To support the right to homestead/ productivity and farmer incomes by l. We will ensure that all our towns and Our aim will be to provide them and housing, we will ensure affordable and increasing investments in irrigation, Gram Panchayats are connected with all low-income families with economic quality housing for all. The Indira Awaas agricultural value chains, cold storage high-speed broadband connectivity security and a minimum standard of living Yojana and the Rajiv Awaas Yojana will be and warehousing, etc. within 18 months. to uplift their condition. The charter of expanded to cover all poor rural and urban f. We will introduce the Goods and m. Serious and systematic efforts have minimum socio-economic rights we will households. Services Tax Bills and a new Direct been made by the Congress-led UPA put in place includes: Tax Code Bill in Parliament and ensure government to track down and recover a. Right to Health 3. Continuing our record of delivering India’s they are enacted within one year. black money. This determined effort b. Right to Pension highest growth rates, we will restore India g. We will ensure that the unpredictable will continue unabated. We will appoint c. Right to Homestead or Housing to 8% plus growth rate within 3 years: risk of retroactive taxation is avoided. a Special Envoy to pursue this agenda. d. Right to Social Security h. We will invest more than 1 trillion e. Right to Dignity and 4. We will provide skills- humane working training to 10 crore youth conditions and provide them with f. Right to Entrepre- employment opportunities neurship that will OUR PLEDGE: over the next 5 years. protect and assist all those who seek to A 15 POINT AGENDA FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC 5. We will ensure that every become entrepreneurs citizen has a bank account AND POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION within the next five years. These new rights will supplement the 6. We will implement the dollars over the next decade on other rights established under UPA-I a. We will ensure that India has a globally National Youth Policy that sets a new vision upgrading India’s power, transport and UPA-II - Right to Food; Right to competitive business and investment- for leadership development amongst youth and other development infrastructure. Information; Right to Education; Right to friendly environment. and for the development of sports. We will We will support more transparent, Employment; Rights to fight corruption b. We will continue to take firm action bring enhanced focus on education for our competitive and better-regulated Public (Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act as well as to control inflation even in a difficult youth and our students. Private Partnerships for both hard and Whistleblower Protection Act); Right to global economic scenario. a. We will expand higher education soft infrastructure development. Identity (Aadhaar) and the Right to direct c. We will promote an open and opportunities with a focus on students i. We will promote a more flexible labour receipt of welfare benefits (Aapka Paisa, competitive economy, open to global from low-income families. policy as needed for maintaining Aapke Haath – Direct Benefits Transfers). and domestic competition. b. We will scale up skill development and competitiveness, while moving towards Together, these rights will provide an d. Our vision is building India as the world training to open up new opportunities international labour standards for our economic platform for people below the leader in manufacturing. We will ensure for upward economic mobility for our workers. middle class to transform their lives and a 10% growth rate in the manufacturing people. j. We will promote greater integration to transform India primarily through their sector with a special emphasis on small c. We will open up our higher education with the global economy and encourage own effort, not through any handouts of and medium enterprises. system to investment from India Foreign Direct Investment, especially the government. e. We will continue on the path of making and from abroad and bring the best in labour intensive sectors.

10 11 available knowledge and teaching to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled income housing and making larger and monitored at every step. our youth. Tribes Sub Plans to ensure focused investments in urban infrastructure, e. We will develop a consensus and bring d. We will move our focus from ‘Sarva spending of funds on weaker sections. especially in multi-modal transport. about legislative amendments towards Shiksha Abhiyan’ to ‘Shreshth Shiksha b. W e will ensure the passage of the effective and meaningful electoral Abhiyan’, making “quality” the centre Scheduled Castes and Scheduled 13. W e will accelerate governance reform reforms. of our agenda Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) including legal, judicial and electoral e. We will strengthen the implementation Amendment Bill, 2013. reform, building on the momentum of 14. We are committed to a series of specific of the Right to Education, ensure the last few months. legislative, administrative and regulatory universal enrolment in secondary 10. We will strongly protect the interests a. We will enact the remaining anti- measures to protect our environment, education, and reduce drop-out rates of the Other Backward Classes, corruption and accountability bills an endowment entrusted to us for the in middle and secondary levels. especially those amongst them that are that were blocked by the opposition; benefit of future generations. We will set most deprived. We will establish a new b. W e will ensure the immediate up a National Environmental Appraisal 7. The protection of minorities is at the commission to inquire into the condition passage of The Right of Citizens and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA), core of the ethos of our country. The of the most backward and marginalized for Time Bound Delivery of Goods a professional agency to conduct Communal Violence Bill, which was Other Backward Class communities who and Services and Redressal of their environmental appraisals in a time-bound drafted and introduced by the Indian have not adequately received the benefits Grievances Bill, Prevention of and transparent manner. National Congress, remains an important 15. The Indian National commitment. We Congress believes will work towards modernisation of its enactment at the OUR PLEDGE: our defence forces is earliest. imperative. The Indian A 15 POINT AGENDA FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC National Congress shall 8. We will continue our ensure that the process focus on empowerment AND POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION of procuring the finest, of women and fight for and most state-of- their security (suraksha), the-art equipment is self-respect and dignity (samman), and of government programmes; and will Bribery of Foreign Public Officials carried out efficiently equality (samanata). recommend corrective measures. and Officials of Public International and transparently, while ensuring rapid a. We will ensure the passage of the Organisations Bill, Prevention of development of our domestic defence Women’s Reservation Bill. 11. We will strengthen the legal and Corruption (Amendment) Bill, The industry. We will continue to protect b. W e will initiate immediate action institutional framework to protect our Public Procurement Bill, Judicial and advance the interests of our defence to formulate a Citizen’s Charter for children. We will improve the working Standards and Accountability Bill and personnel and ex-servicemen. We will Women’s Safety and Security. conditions of Anganwadi and related the Judicial Appointments Bill. continue to follow an unwavering pro- c. We will provide upto Rs 1 lakh as low workers in whose care our nation entrusts c. We will implement a strategy for legal India foreign policy, enhance bilateral interest loans to women through Self- our most precious asset – our youngest and judicial reform that will enhance relationships with our neighbours and Help-Groups for livelihood activities. citizens. quality, responsiveness and timeliness friendly nations, enhance commercial of the judicial system. ties and strive to mobilize support for 9. We will enhance legal protection and 12. We will give a major impetus to d. We will ensure that the permanent membership in the United resource allocation for the Scheduled planned urbanization, creating inclusive recommendations of the second Nations Security Council. Castes and Scheduled Tribes. cities, revamping urban governance, Administrative Reforms Commission a. We will enact central legislation on empowering mayors, increasing low- are implemented in letter and spirit

12 13 4. Creation of a working environment that annum, compared to 5.9 % delivered by the Domestic Product (GDP) by 2016-17, 1. a New Future for enables all such workers to carry out NDA, even as poverty has declined three times and remain below that level always. the Hands that Build work without harassment. We will also faster. The growth under the Congress-led ii. Current Account Deficit: Our Current the Nation ensure humane working conditions; UPA has been faster and more inclusive than Account Deficit can be financed only by It is because of the Indian National Congress any earlier period in India’s history. And it is foreign investment, whether it is Foreign 5. Strengthening of collective bargaining; that employees in the organised sector have not just the acceleration of growth that gives Direct Investment (FDI) or Foreign the Indian National Congress satisfaction. In Institutional Investors (FII) or External been fully protected through legislation and 6. Programmes for upgrading skills and keeping with the long-standing tradition of Commercial Borrowing (ECB) or any are entitled to social security in different income including use of improved the Indian National Congress, we have made other kind of foreign inflow. Hence, ways. While organised sector employment technology. must expand, the reality is that employment the growth process more socially inclusive there is no room for any aversion to in the unorganised sector contributes close to than it has ever been. foreign investment. 2. economic Growth 94% of India’s labour force. iii. Price Stability and Growth: In a The Indian National Congress is committed developing economy we must accept that The UPA governments’ record on growth is to achieving 8 % growth per year, within when our aim is high growth there will In recent years, with the expansion of unparalleled. employment opportunities because of rapid 3 years, to be sustained over the next two be a moderate level of inflation. Reserve economic growth, this segment has expanded. decades. Bank of India must strike a balance In recognition of between price this, in 2008, the stability and growth Congress-led UPA while formulating government passed monetary policy. the Unorganised The Detailed Action Plan iv. Infrastructure: Workers’ Social We will rebuild Security Act, 2008. our infrastructure and add a huge The Indian 2014 -2019 quantity of new National Congress infrastructure. believes that it is time to scale up these The Indian National Congress’s agenda is However, given the economic slowdown Every proven programmes across the country so that all one of social and economic transformation. in the last few years, driven by the global model must be adopted. The Public workers derive benefits from both legislation Growth is essential for this transformation financial crisis, bringing India back on track Private Partnership (PPP) model must be and programmes in the next five years. To to happen and for it to be truly meaningful. to achieve 8% inclusive growth will be an made more transparent and competitive ensure a basic rights and welfare package It is economic growth that creates jobs for overriding priority of the next Congress-led and more widely used. New financing for all working people, the Indian National our youth. It is economic growth that gives government. structures will be created for long term Congress will ensure: funds and pooling of investments. us the resources to invest in our social welfare An Economic Roadmap for 2014-2019 1. Enforcement of Minimum Wage laws; programmes and infrastructure development. v. Manufacturing: We will focus on The nature and quality of growth is equally The Finance Minister in his budget speech manufacturing and especially on 2. Provision of Pension cover; important to ensure that the gains of growth earlier this year has laid out a roadmap of ten manufacturing for export. We propose are equitably distributed. important tasks to be undertaken by the next that all taxes, Central and State, which go into an exported product should 3. Provision of life and disability cover, government. The Indian National Congress be waived or rebated. We also propose health and maternity benefits – free affirms its commitment to this roadmap medicine, old age protection, Provident Over the last ten years, the Congress-led UPA which is outlined below: that there should be a minimum tariff governments have pursued and delivered protection so that there is an incentive to Fund, employment injury benefit, i. Fiscal Consolidation: We will achieve the rapid and inclusive economic growth. We manufacture goods in India rather than housing, education schemes for children, target of fiscal deficit of 3 % of Gross and old age homes; have delivered economic growth of 7.5 % per import them into India.

14 15 vi. Financial Sector Reforms: The government can allocate more resources and entrepreneurship opportunities for recommend environmental clearances recommendations of the Financial for subjects such as defence, railways, our youth. where appropriate in a time-bound and Sector Legislative Reforms Commission national highways and telecommunications transparent manner. that require no change in legislation must that are its exclusive responsibility. 4. Amend the Fiscal Responsibility and be implemented immediately and, for the Budget Management (FRBM) Act to 7. Set up a Regulatory Reform Task Force other recommendations, we must draw a The Indian National Congress’s codify a credible commitment of the for a review of all regulatory processes government to achieve fiscal deficit timetable for passing legislation. 100 Day Agenda for Growth of central government ministries with vii. Subsidies: Given the limited resources, of 3 % of GDP by 2016-17, and stay the intent of repealing unnecessary and the many claims on the resources, While the above presents a medium-term below that always. Set up an independent processes, streamlining the regulatory National Fiscal Responsibility Council we must choose the subsidies that are agenda for reform, the immediate priority is structures and improving ease of doing that will submit an annual report to absolutely necessary and give them only to ensure that the economy gets back on track business in India. to the target of 8 % growth. the Parliament on the progress made in to the absolutely deserving. We will achieving our fiscal commitments. also consider introducing sensible user 8. Put out a clear policy on tax treatment of charges because many more people are While consolidating on the announcements foreign firms and Merger & Acquisitions and progress made over the last year, we 5. Building on the success of the Cabinet willing to pay for better quality services, Committee on Investment and the Project (M & A) transactions while ensuring for example, uninterrupted power and commit to implementing the following that taxes are paid by multinational/ better quality foreign entities in train services. the jurisdiction in We will use which the profits this money are earned. saved to The Detailed Action Plan expand health, 9. Lay out a education and clear roadmap infrastructure. for dealing with viii. Urbanisation: 2014 -2019 immediate issues Our cities of public sector will become banks, including ungovernable, and perhaps unlivable, if Monitoring Group in clearing stalled recapitalisation, Non-Performing Assets we do not address the decay in our cities. agenda within 100 days of forming the next (NPAs), operational autonomy, human government: investment proposals, set up a National Cities have wealth, cities also create Investment Facilitation Authority, a resource development and succession wealth. That wealth should be tapped for 1. Introduce the Goods and Services Tax permanent body headed by the Prime planning in each bank. resources to rebuild the cities with a new (GST) Bills in Parliament and ensure they Minister, and supported by a full-time model of governance. are enacted within 1 year. GST is likely to secretariat, with the explicit mandate of 10. Implement the recommendations of ix. Skill Development: Skill development increase the aggregate revenue which will identifying delayed projects and resolving the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms must rank alongside secondary education, be used to fund the extra investment in inter-ministerial issues to enable rapid and Commission that require no change infrastructure, health and education. university education, total sanitation and transparent approvals to large projects, in legislation and lay out a timeline for universal health care in the priorities of especially in the infrastructure sector. passing required legislation. the government. 2. Ensure that we are on track to pass a new x. Sharing responsibility between States and Direct Tax Code Bill in the first year of Accelerating Job Creation and Skill the new Lok Sabha. 6. Bring a Bill to set up a National Centre: States have the fiscal space to bear a Environmental Appraisal and Monitoring Development reasonable proportion of the financial costs 3. Announce a detailed Jobs Agenda to Authority to conduct rigorous and time- The landmark ‘National Manufacturing of implementing flagship programmes and bound environmental appraisals and must willingly do so, so that the Central ensure that we create 10 crore new jobs Policy’ of the UPA government brought the

16 17 agenda of job creation and manufacturing led various permits, easing access to credit, and a robust monitoring system will be enacted several laws to protect their interests growth on the policy landscape. This policy streamlining the tax enforcement system, put in place to track the manner in which including the Unorganised Workers’ Social incorporates the agenda of creating 10 crore and various other interventions. skills are imparted and certifications given Security Act. We will ensure the effective jobs in the manufacturing sector alone within at the ground level under this scheme. implementations of all such laws. one decade. 5. Create an enhanced framework to 1. The Indian National Congress will ensure promote exports. Waive off all taxes, 9. Community colleges stand at the health insurance as well as pension cover Today, two-thirds of Indians, nearly 80 crore Central and State, that go into exported crossroads of higher education and the Indians, are below 35 years of age. Getting products. Put a minimum tariff real world. We have begun a programme for this group. well paying, decent jobs or entrepreneurship protection so that there is an incentive to to convert 200 existing educational opportunities as they enter working age, is manufacture goods in India rather than institutions into community colleges. 2. The Indian National Congress is their number one priority. While a number of import them. This will be completed within 5 years. committed to the strictest implementation steps have been taken in this direction in the of Contract Labour (Regulation last decade, this remains an overriding national 6. The Congress-led UPA government, 10. The Indian National Congress is committed and Abolition) Act of 1970, to end priority, requiring a lot more to be done. The being fully aware of the importance of to the creation of new and upgrading exploitation of workers and to improve Indian National Congress will announce a skilling to increase employability set up of existing Industrial Training Institutes their welfare and working conditions. Jobs Agenda within 100 days of forming the the National Skills Development Agency (ITIs). Recognising the need to have government. This 3. We will focus agenda will include specially on the following elements: labour working in hazardous 1. The Indian The Detailed Action Plan industries. National Congress is 4. Aadhaar is committed a powerful tool to creation 2014 -2019 of industrial for protecting corridors the interests of to catalyze migrant labour, to coordinate various disparate training quality world-class training methods and economic growth and give a focused as well as ensuring the smooth flow of thrust to manufacturing in the country. efforts of different Central government infrastructure, we will introduce incentives remittances to their families. All migrant ministries, State governments, industry, for Public Private Partnership and engage labour will be covered under the Aadhaar 2. Create 100 new urban clusters around etc. We commit to increasing the world class expertise to ensure our youth programme in the next one year, through existing small and emerging cities and link resources at its disposal and enhance its are best equipped to take on demanding a special campaign. them with power and transport facilities mandate. jobs in today’s globalized world. to scale existing economic activities. 5. The special needs of labour working in 7. Reform the Apprentice Act, 1961, to 3. protecting the plantations, particularly those relating encourage more firms to hire apprentices 3. Increase India’s investment rate to Interests of Labour to housing, will be addressed through 38 % to ensure more new investments in their firms, which has proven to be a The Indian National Congress will extend ongoing programmes. are made to create jobs. very effective way of providing “on-the- 4. Improving India’s ‘Ease of Doing job training” to new employees. social security to the entire labour class, both 6. The Unorganised Workers’ Social Business’ ranking from the current 134 organised and unorganised. Security Act, 2008 has been enacted; this to 75 within 5 years, by streamlining the 8. The Standard Training Assessment and will be implemented in letter and spirit. process for starting a business, getting Reward (STAR) Scheme set up by the The Indian National Congress has stood UPA government will be better funded for the cause and rights of labour. We have

18 19 7. We will set up a Commission to explore 3. The Indian National Congress will comprehensive care and support to all Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and the possibility of bringing all Labour expand the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima persons living with HIV/AIDS. Community Health Officers etc. We Laws under one comprehensive Law. Yojana to enable access to a continuum will work to fill the current vacancies of comprehensive primary, secondary 8. We will launch focused intervention to and improve their competencies 4. right to Health and tertiary care. improve the Child Sex Ratio, within an overall “National Strategy for Care and through nationwide capacity building The Indian National Congress will increase programmes linked to the National 4. The Indian National Congress commits Protection of the Girl Child” from birth health expenditure to 3% of GDP and to adolescence. Health Mission. itself to increasing the Institutional provide universal and quality health care for Delivery Rate. Maternal and child health all Indians. 9. Health and Family Welfare Programmes 12. We will create 6o lakh new jobs in the care will also continue to be a major will be strengthened to achieve a Total focus. We aim to reduce the Infant health sector by 2020 by training The Indian National Congress has endeavoured Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.1 between 2017 Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality and expanding the current teaching to provide quality public health services to all and 2020. Particular attention will be paid programmes for healthcare professionals, citizens. Its forward-looking Schemes have Ratio drastically. to regions which still have a high TFR particularly in the public sector achieved great success. This is reflected in the (above 2.5). decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio and 5. Almost 56% of adolescent girls in India are institutions. We will start a three-year Infant Mortality Rate. The Janani Suraksha anaemic. Anaemia and malnutrition among Diploma Course in Public Health. Yojana, a scheme started to encourage 13. Primary health institutional delivery care infrastructure has achieved great will be strengthened success in increasing The Detailed Action Plan right upto the point the number of of the community beneficiaries from health centre and 7.3 lakh in 2005-06, to nearly 113 lakh 2014 -2019 continuity of care pregnant women in would be assured. 2010-11. mothers endanger the mother’s health and 1. We were the first party to implement 10. India’s success in becoming polio-free causes growth retardation and vulnerability 5. empowering Scheduled development policies as human rights. To through vaccination will be replicated. to diseases in children. This is not just a Castes, Scheduled Tribes strengthen this framework, we now pledge Our goal is to ensure universal coverage socio-economic challenge; it is a political to enact a Right to Health to ensure that of routine immunization through and Other Backward all people obtain easily accessible, quality challenge to which the Indian National campaigns and effective monitoring in Classes health services, based on a combination Congress reaffirms its commitment. districts throughout the country. of public provision and social insurance. The Indian National Congress will continue The new National Health Mission will 6. Almost 60% of open defecation in the to work towards the empowerment of the emphasize both rural and urban health care. world takes place in India. Poor sanitation 11. To ensure effective implementation marginalised sections of society. is a serious health hazard. We will of all health related initiatives, we 2. We will provide for 5 state of the endeavour to provide a functional toilet will work to strengthen the primary The principles of equity and inclusion have art mobile health care vans in every in every school and every household. health workforce including Accredited been weaved into the very fabric of the district, equipped with x-ray and other Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Indian National Congress. It is because of the equipment, to provide health care check 7. There has been a reduction of new HIV Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), initiatives of the Indian National Congress infections in the country by 57%. We ups including, mammography, blood Male Multipurpose Workers (MMWs), that the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes aim to reduce this further and provide tests, etc. and Other Backward Classes have seen

20 21 an improvement in key socio-economic 3. The Indian National Congress will pay for the appropriate skill development 12. The Indian National Congress is indicators. In fact the annual rate of decline ensure the passage of the Scheduled course. committed to creating national consensus for poverty in the period between 2004–05 Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention on affirmative action for Scheduled and 2009–10 has been much higher than of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2013. 8. The Indian National Congress has ensured Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the between 1993-94 and 2004-05 for Scheduled the reservation of 4% of procurement private sector. Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 4. With a strong focus on education and from small and medium Scheduled Caste vocational skills, we will endeavour to and Scheduled Tribe enterprises. We 13. We will take steps to ensure that all The Indian National Congress has enacted establish one Navodaya Vidyalaya type will push for strict implementation of reserved posts are filled and a special drive several laws for the weaker sections including of school of high standards for weaker this norm. will be undertaken to fill all the backlog the Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation sections, in every Block of the country. vacancies in reserved posts in government 9. The Indian National Congress, Act, 2013 to push for rehabilitation of recognizing that dalit women are more and Public Sector Undertakings. these families. The Constitution (117th 5. We will continue to provide assistance socially and economically vulnerable, has Amendment) Bill 2012 to provide reservation to fund the cost of education in both endeavored to work for their upliftment 14. The Indian National Congress is deeply in promotions for Scheduled Castes and private and government institutions for and welfare and will continue to ensure committed to developing a National Scheduled Tribes has been passed by the Rajya Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe dignity through economic and social Action Plan for the Development of Sabha. We will continue to fight the deep- students, with priority to those students empowerment. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and seated prejudices, Other Backward traditional Classes. There shall hierarchies and be a special survey, disparities faced which will be by these sections, The Detailed Action Plan undertaken once socially, politically every five years and economically. to estimate, on 1. The Indian select development 2014 -2019 indicators, the gap National Congress is in the development committed to of these groups. finding a way forward for introducing whose parental income is less than Rs. 6 10. We will encourage and support Scheduled reservation in education and employment lakh per annum. Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs 15. The Indian National Congress will for economically weaker sections of all by providing them easy access to credit ensure that the existing Rajiv Gandhi communities without in any way affecting 6. All Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe and other incentives like tax rebates at National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste existing reservations for Scheduled students fulfilling the admission criteria the initial stages of establishment of and Scheduled Tribe Candidates will be Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other will be provided with universal access to their business etc. extended to students belonging to Other Backward Classes. the Rajiv Gandhi Research Fellowships. Backward Classes. In addition, 1000 overseas scholarships 11. We will focus on development activities 2. We now pledge to enact central legislation for eligible students will be provided for creating social and economic 16. The Indian National Congress will on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled annually. opportunities for Scheduled Tribes. We establish Special Commissions for Tribes Sub Plans so that the development will ensure the stringent implementation Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled 7. Every Scheduled Caste or Scheduled of PESA, 1996 and the Forest Rights and Other Backward Classes to identify Tribes can be accelerated to become at Tribe unemployed graduate or post Act, 2006 to ensure that Scheduled communities within each group which par with other Castes. graduate will be provided with a Skill Tribes are empowered and brought into have not benefited from reservations and Development Voucher of Rs. 10,000 to the mainstream. other affirmative action programmes and which need to be given a special focus.

22 23 2. We will further strengthen and expand 8. Fast-Track Courts will be established psycho-social aid in cases of rape and 6. Women’s Empowerment the scope of the National Commission with ‘in-camera’ proceedings facilities domestic violence against women. and Protection of for Protection of Child Rights, set up in in State headquarters and in regional Children 2007. centres. The purpose of these Courts 12. The Indian National Congress, true to its The Indian National Congress will ensure will be solely to address crimes against long-standing history, will take measures the safety and security of our women and 3. We will also ensure that the strongest women. Mandatory procedure for the to enable increased participation and children. We will provide them equal access to possible action is taken to prevent child rapid conclusion of cases where custody reservation for women at all levels within social, economic and political opportunities. trafficking. of children is involved shall be put in the government. We will ensure that at place. least 25% of the total police officers, sub- The Indian National Congress is a party that 4. The quality of the Integrated Child inspectors and constables at every police has gone beyond the rhetoric and hyperbole Development Scheme (ICDS) 9. We will increase the number of girls station in the country will be women, relied on by most parties when it comes to programme will be vastly improved hostels, particularly in tribal areas and over the next five years. We will ensure the empowerment of women and children. and special incentives will be given to hostels for working women, with day care, the number of women police stations in The Indian National Congress has enacted Anganwadi workers. to encourage women to become well- the country goes up from 500 to 2000 in several women and child oriented Acts, educated and earn their own livelihood. the next five years. including the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, the 13. The Indian Sexual Harassment National Congress of Women at will earmark at Workplace (Prevention, least 30% of all Prohibition and The Detailed Action Plan funds flowing Redressal) Act, 2013, into Panchayats the Criminal Law and Nagarpalikas (Amendment) Act, for development 2013, Commission 2014 -2019 of women and for Protection of children and focus Child Rights Act, on the special 2005, and the Protection of Children from 5. The Indian National Congress is 10. We will ensure that all measures are taken needs of female agricultural labour and Sexual Offences Act, 2012. We have also committed to the enactment of the to make women feel safe and protected. women cultivators. ensured that gender equality and child care Women’s Reservation Bill to reserve We will expedite such measures as the facilities are mainstreamed in government 33 % of all seats in the Lok Sabha, and in creation of functional helplines in all 14. We will encourage the setting up of schemes like MGNREGA. We will continue all State legislative assemblies for women. major towns and cities and rural areas for “Poorn Shakti Kendras” at block level to work for the development our women and prompt grievance redressal for women, to provide a single window mechanism children. 6. We will initiate immediate action to exclusive 24-hour transport facilities and for awareness, information, access and formulate a Citizens Charter for Women’s gender sensitivity classes for police men utilisation of government schemes and 1. The Indian National Congress will ensure Safety and Security. and women, particularly in registering programmes. that all laws for the welfare of children and investigating complaints made by including the Child Labour (Prohibition 7. The Indian National Congress has placed women. 15. The Indian National Congress will provide and Regulation) Act and the Protection a high premium on the education of land rights for women especially single of Children from Sexual Offences Act, women. We will continue with this focus, 11. The Indian National Congress will open women, women-headed households, 2012, will be strictly enforced. to achieve gender parity in literacy. “One Stop Crisis Centres” for women in land for women whose husbands have all hospitals to provide medical, legal and migrated away from villages.

24 25 16. The Indian National Congress will strive 21. Through the NRLM we will provide 2. ‘Priority Sector Lending’ disbursement 6. We will work to create a ready corpus, to clear all pending compensations to low interest loans, of upto Rs. 1 lakh, to for minorities has steadily increased. We along the lines of the Maulana women with missing husbands in areas of women for livelihood activities. will continue to ensure that members Azad Educational Fund for young unrest and conflict and especially border of the minority communities have easy entrepreneurs. Skills development areas including providing employment to 7. safeguarding Minorities access to credit and other incentives programmes for minorities which have war widows and their families. like tax rebates etc., to encourage been carried out successfully in various The Indian National Congress will focus on entrepreneurship. districts, will be implemented across the accelerating concrete, sustainable and long- 17. We will strengthen institutional country. term plans for the welfare of the Nation’s arrangements to provide access to credit, 3. For the effective management of Waqf minorities. properties and in realisation of the specific training and marketing for women in the 7. While much work has been done to promise made in 2009, the Congress- unorganised sector in peri-urban and implement the recommendations of the The Indian National Congress has always led UPA government became the first rural areas. Sachar Committee, the Indian National been at the forefront in promoting Schemes government to pass a law providing clear Congress will work tirelessly to ensure for the welfare of minorities. A separate and guidelines to prevent the usurpation and 18. The Indian National Congress is deeply that every single recommendation is dedicated Ministry of Minority Affairs was mismanagement of Waqf properties. distressed with the continued sexual reviewed and efforts are made for their established under the Congress-led UPA-I The Indian National Congress pledges to exploitation of tribal girls at various continue with this programme. implementation. places, such as hostels, 8. Youth and and continued Student trafficking in Agenda young women The Detailed Action Plan belonging The Indian National to tribal Congress will communities. continue to focus This matter 2014 -2019 on youth capacity will receive building, education, the highest leadership and priority and will be taken up with all State 4. The Prevention of Communal and development. Opening up the political system government. Since then many far-reaching governments and special Schemes will be Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and giving a voice to each and every young programmes in various sectors have been introduced, like through the National and Reparations) Bill, 2013, which was Indian will continue to be a priority area. implemented with significant results. Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) for drafted and introduced by the Indian securing their livelihoods. National Congress will be passed as a The Indian National Congress believes our matter of priority. 1. Numerous scholarships have been youth is our biggest asset. In the past decade 19. The Indian National Congress will work not only have we actively encouraged young distributed to children belonging to the 5. The Congress-led UPA government has with women’s Self-Help-Groups for the minority community. The Corpus of the leadership and political opportunities for all distribution of free sanitary napkins for taken steps to address the conditions but also remained committed to creating an Maulana Azad Education Foundation has of backward minorities by aiming to adolescent girls. been more than tripled to over Rs 700 crore enabling and rewarding environment to build provide them reservation in educational in an attempt to encourage candidates the capacity of our youth to take on roles more institutions and in government 20. The Indian National Congress believes from the minority communities to pursue actively in our country’s future. We spend more employment. We will pursue this matter that society should be more sensitive to opportunities in higher education. This than Rs. 90,000 crore across various schemes the rights of the transgender community. work will be continued so as to ensure closely in Court and ensure that the for the youth, and we will only increase this. This issue will receive separate and that no child who applies for educational policy is implemented through proper continued attention. support is denied it at any level. legislation.

26 27 Building the Best Education System suitable investments and amendments to 7. The Indian National Congress will take 11. The Indian National Congress will in the World for our Students regulations, wherever required. systematic steps to address issues relating continue to expand its support to to discrimination against students from providing interest-free educations loans The Indian National Congress has been 2. We will enhance focus and resources the North East and Jammu and Kashmir. to students at all levels especially to the unequivocal in its emphasis and support for on the implementation of the Rashtriya weaker sections of society. providing affordable and quality education. Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, to improve 8. We will continue to place a special focus We will continue to keep education on the quality of secondary education. We will on ensuring educational access to civil 12. The Indian National Congress is very top of our development agenda. achieve near universal enrolment in strife affected areas and the North East commited to exploring the possible secondary education. region. partnerships with the private sector in Education is the backbone of human the delivery of education. New Public development and is vital to ensuring equal 3. The Indian National Congress will place 9. To focus on higher education, we Private Partnership models will be social, political and economic opportunities a special emphasis on reducing the launched the Rashtriya Uchhatar Shiksha explored and appropriate regulatory systems, accreditation procedures, for all citizens. We enacted the Right to drop-out rate particularly in middle and Abhiyan (RUSA) to provide strategic policies and incentives will be developed, Education Act 2009, which provides for secondary levels. funding to improve college and university free and compulsory education for children to enable private education providers infrastructure. RUSA will help create 70 to take on the challenge of expanding between the ages of 6 and 14 years. As a new universities, provide infrastructure in result, enrolment and improving secondary education, in of children at the particular. primary education 13. Indian National stage has now Congress will reached near The Detailed Action Plan establish a “National universal levels. Youth Commission”, 1.98 lakh primary which will be a schools and 1.1 professional and lakh upper primary 2014 -2019 dedicated focal schools have been point for youth constructed. Under development in all aspects. UPA-I and UPA- 4. We will establish an independent current universities, upgrade autonomous II, the per capita public expenditure on regulatory mechanism to oversee colleges to Universities, and create a new education increased from Rs. 888 in 2004–05 14. We will establish a centralised students State and private institutions to ensure model of general degree colleges and exchange programme to encourage to Rs. 2,985 in 2011–12. Our focus will now standardisation and quality of education. professional institutions. be on improving the quality of education- we National unity. will move from “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” to 5. We will support regional and context 10. The Indian National Congress will set up Promoting Sports “Shreshth Shiksha Abhiyan.” specific curricula as well focus on a “National Commission for Students”, a 1. The Indian National Congress will developing life skills including leadership body which will protect and promote the The Indian National Congress remains strengthen the implementation of building. interests of students. This Commission committed to ensuring that sports the Right to Education Act to ensure will review Constitutional and legal opportunities are expanded and made more quality learning outcomes, adequate 6. We are committed to the cause of special safeguards for students, recommend available and accessible to the youth. infrastructure and facilities in schools, education. We will strengthen facilities remedial legislative measures, facilitate regular teacher training and an optimal for children with special needs and redressal of grievances and advise We will strive to be a Nation where sport in Pupil Teacher Ratio. We will also ensure disabilities. We will also award priority to the government on all policy matters all its forms is promoted and encouraged. quality in teacher training by making developing infrastructure for differently- concerning students. 1. Due to the UPA-II’s recent efforts, India abled persons. has been reinstated as a member of the

28 29 International Olympic Committee. The youth in Railways, Indian Army and other Accredited Social Health Activist 9. rural Development and Indian National Congress will continue Central government departments. (ASHA) workers and various others, to clean up sports administration. We Panchayati Raj must have their contributions recognised will ensure active involvement of former 3. The Indian National Congress remains The Indian National Congress will continue in a meaningful manner. The Indian sportspersons in sports administration. committed to eradicating the problem of to work progressively to ensure the prosperity National Congress will ensure that they drug abuse. A nation-wide assessment of of rural India. are compensated adequately for their 2. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan launched the prevalence of this problem will be services and have access to high quality by the Congress-led UPA government undertaken. Funding will be adequately In the ten years of UPA-I and UPA-II, the rural training and decent working conditions. will be implemented to ensure high provided for drug-rehabilitation centres areas of the country have seen unprecedented quality sporting facilities in every block which will be set up in each district. economic development and improvement in 2. The Indian National Congress fulfilled its of the country. quality of life. For the first time in over two promise and implemented the National 4. The National Service Scheme, launched decades, the increase in rural consumption, at Food Security Act, a statutory guarantee 3. A “National Sports Education University” by the Congress-led UPA government 18%, has outpaced urban consumption. Rural to ensure adequate quantity and quality will be set up to educate students of for graduates, aims to enhance IT literacy, poverty declined at 0.7 percentage points of food at affordable prices to people exceptional talent. There would be a team financial literacy, english communication to live their life with dignity. The Indian of experts who would be continuously per year between 1993-94 and 2004-05. It and other soft skills; to make the youth National Congress will attempt to scouting for declined more than three times faster at 2.3 talent in every expand the focus sport across of the current food the country in security Schemes to the age-group include subsidised of 8-15 years. The Detailed Action Plan pulses and cooking It will have oil for beneficiaries world class of Antyodaya Anna coaches and Yojana. facilities. 2014 -2019 3. The Indian Other Youth Issues more employable. The Indian National percentage points per year in the UPA period National Congress will implement a Congress is committed to increasing between 2004-05 and 2011-12. Universal Pension Scheme, for the elderly, The Indian National Congress will promote funding and reach of this Scheme while destitute, widows and other similar social inclusiveness, employability and prioritising its implementation. Farm wages in real terms increased groups (based on certain exclusions). entrepreneurship development among the impressively after 2004 to reach Rs.184.7 youth. 5. We will seek to ensure priority to per day in 2012-13. Our flagship and 4. We will expand the current Pradhan differently-abled youth with respect to historic programme, the Mahatma Gandhi Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) education and employment opportunities. to ensure that an all-weather road will 1. The Indian National Congress will National Rural Employment Guarantee 6. We will set up government run connect all habitations with a population provide a special youth development Act (MGNREGA) has been a significant employment exchange/ facilitation of 125 persons and above. package (entrepreneurship/employment) contributor in this; on an average 1 in every centers for youth seeking foreign for Left-Wing Extremism affected 4 rural households has sought work under employment opportunities. These will 5. To promote effective access to clean areas with special focus on women and MGNREGA every year. help curtail middlemen/fraudulent drinking water and water for irrigation, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 1. All development functionaries at the recruiting agencies. The Ministry of we will set up a legal and institutional village level who perform vital nation- Overseas Indian Affairs will be the nodal framework, in discussion and with 2. We will start a special drive for recruitment building tasks like Anganwadi workers, agency for this. consensus of States, for water. We will of North East and Jammu & Kashmir Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs),

30 31 also ensure 100% coverage of rural c. Gram Sabhas are strengthened and facilities and ware housing. It will ensure particularly in regions where groundwater habitations for drinking water in the next legally mandated to secure responsible that the farmer gets a much higher value depletion has taken place. five years. and responsive local government; for her or his produce. d. The individual citizen is empowered to 5. Small and marginal farmers own more 6. We will continue to support Self-Help- secure, through the local Panchayat, 2. We will continue to nurture Public than half the country’s total cattle and Groups (SHGs) and assist the poor his or her rights and entitlements and Private Partnerships for increasing buffalo. However, only 12% of the total to set up small businesses. We will set other benefits provided for in the investments in value-chains, cold storage expenditure on agriculture is on livestock up more branches of the Bharatiya Constitution. facilities, grading and standardisation, development. The Indian National Mahila Bank and women only branches quality certification and warehouses. This Congress will place a special emphasis on of other public sector banks. Our 10. agriculture and Farmer will greatly aid in increasing agriculture livestock, fisheries, opening of veterinary productivity and exports. target is to ensure the formation of Welfare schools and centres, fodder development 7 crore SHGs by 2019. through animal husbandry programmes The Indian National Congress will continue 3. We will add 1 crore hectares to irrigated and schemes like MGNREGA. 7. The Indian National Congress will ensure to provide an impetus to agricultural growth, area by completing the radical Water MGNREGA will also be harnessed to 100% modernisation and digitisation of productivity and incomes. We will also stay Reforms Agenda of the 12th Plan, which support the construction of poultry land records to ensure transparency in focused on providing all possible support for is based on Irrigation Management shelters and water bodies for fisheries. land titles. 6. The Indian 8. The Indian National Congress National will increase spending Congress will The Detailed Action Plan to ensure access and substantially quality in agriculture increase education, including Panchayat increasing the funding, 2014 -2019 amount for and especially of number of post- untied funds. We matric scholarships our farmers, in particular women and small will also encourage Panchayats to raise Transfer to Water Users Associations of and research fellowships for veterinary their own resources so that Panchayat and marginal farmers. farmers. This will ensure Gross Irrigated students. representatives, in consultation with Gram Area crosses 10 crore hectares in India. and Ward Sabhas, can themselves decide The Indian National Congress has instituted 7. The Indian National Congress will how and on what to spend their money. schemes like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas 4. The current water use efficiency in increase coverage of crop insurance 9. We will set up a “National Panchayati Yojana. As a result of these measures, the irrigation is 40%. The Indian National schemes, particularly among the small Raj Commission”, with branches in each agriculture GDP growth went up from 2.6% Congress will actively support more and marginal farmers and non-loanee State and Union Territory, so that: (under the NDA) to 3.1% under UPA-I and efficient water use technologies including farmers. Settlement of claims on time, a. Probity and transparency is ensured further to 4% under UPA-II. reuse and recycling of water. We will better crop yield estimation to determine in the functioning of Panchayats and 1. The historic decision by the Congress- complete the historic aquifer-mapping premiums etc., and involvement of their elected representatives; led UPA government to allow Foreign and the groundwater management private sector will be other areas of focus. b. Panchayati Raj functions in line with Direct Investment in multibrand retail programme launched by UPA-II over the Constitution and the laws of the will transform the agrarian economy as the next five years, to ensure sustainable 8. The Indian National Congress will land, especially in tribal areas covered it will create a beneficial value chain from utilisation of groundwater to secure allocate special funds for agricultural by Panchayat Extension to Scheduled farm-to-fork, creating rural infrastructure the livelihoods of lakhs of our farmers, research to develop new technologies Areas Act (PESA); for sorting, grading, packing, cold storage

32 33 for disease management of crops and 13. The Indian National Congress has more We are aware that the deceleration in 3. Special emphasis will be given for livestock, high-yielding-varieties of than doubled the Minimum Support investment in manufacturing has been a enhancing the competitiveness of crops, etc. Prices (MSP) for farmers for wheat and serious concern. We propose to take strong manufacturing. We will encourage the paddy from 2004-05 to 2013-14. The MSP measures to promote the manufacturing allotment of land from existing land 9. The Indian National Congress will for other cereals increased three-fold. We industry. banks for priority sectors to provide an promote resource conservation will continue our endeavour to provide impetus to manufacturing. technologies and agriculture practices higher MSP to increase profitability of 1. Utmost priority will be given to the implementation of the National like integrated farming, organic farming agriculture for our farmers. 4. A patent pool will be created which will Manufacturing Policy to enhance the and develop wastelands for dry land share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% by ensure that the Indian small and medium farming. 14. The Indian National Congress will 2022, which will be achieved by an annual enterprises are able to access world-class provide concessional loans to groups/ growth rate for the sector in the range of technology at affordable cost. 10. We will cover 250 lakh hectares as collectives of small and marginal farmers 12-14%. We are committed to creating watersheds, as part of the dramatically and women farmers upto Rs. 5 lakh to National Investment Manufacturing 5. The Indian National Congress will reformed Integrated Watershed enable them to gain better access to Zones as greenfield integrated industrial introduce the Goods and Services Tax Management Programme launched by inputs and services. townships to make India a manufacturing Bills and a new Direct Tax Code Bill in UPA-II. hub of the world. 16 new world-class Parliament and ensure they are enacted within one year. We 11. There are will also announce a lakhs of Jobs Agenda, with a families in our focus on attracting coastal belts The Detailed Action Plan new investments that depend for job creation, on fishing within 100 days for their of government livelihood. To 2014 -2019 formation. enhance their welfare, a new 6. We will endeavour Ministry of Fisheries will be established 15. The Indian National Congress will strive cities have already been notified across to create a stable and predictable and all steps will be taken to further to lower interest rates for farmers to the country. business environment. We will ensure enhance their livelihood security. ensure they are able to access extension that the interface between government services and agriculture inputs like seeds, 2. The Indian National Congress is and industry is simplified and will usher 12. The Indian National Congress, water, fertilizers etc. committed to the creation of industrial in comprehensive regulatory changes in honouring the commitment made in the corridors to catalyse economic growth and this regard. This will include optimising 2009 Manifesto, enacted the Right to 11. accelerating Industrial give a focused thrust to manufacturing in the use of electronic platforms and Fair Compensation and Transparency and Manufacturing the country. The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial minimising human interface wherever in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Growh Corridor has decisively moved into the possible. Redundant procedures will be Resettlement Act, 2013. The Indian implementation phase. Conceptual weeded out and the E-biz Project will be National Congress will ensure fast and The Indian National Congress commits to planning of the Bengaluru-Mumbai implemented across the country, which fair implementation of the Act such 10% growth in manufacturing and an increase Economic Corridor, Chennai-Bengaluru will ensure ‘single window electronic that farmers, landowners and livelihood in contribution of manufacturing sector’s Industrial Corridor and Amritsar-Kolkata clearances’ platform for all investors, losers get adequate compensation for share to 25% of GDP. We will also support Industrial Corridor has been completed embracing in its fold all regulatory their acquired land. rapid acceleration in exports. and work for implementation of these approvals of the Central and State Corridors will start soon. governments.

34 35 7. The Indian National Congress will and supportive of Foreign Direct in rural areas. We will continue to invest 5. We have over the last decade, used the continue to pay special attention to Investment. in creating an extensive and world-class Public Private Partnership model to unveil industries in the North East. It will also transportation network which will connect world-class airports in Delhi, Mumbai, work to establish better connectivity, 11. The Indian National Congress will people across the country. Hyderabad and Bangalore and the collection centres and market linkages for strengthen multilateral trade systems and 1. The Indian National Congress will launch Airports Authority of India has upgraded these areas and provide special incentives investment flows for future prosperity. a “National Road Transport Safety several others. As the demand for air for entrepreneurs from the region. The Congress-led UPA government has Programme”. Road Accidents will be travel is increasing tremendously, we will embarked on a path of greater economic halved within five years by strong willed upgrade and create new infrastructure for 8. The Indian National Congress will integration. The trade in goods and political commitment to this Programme. air travel across the country. come out with a transparent policy for services has exceeded US$ 1 trillion and The Programme will make every possible development of natural resources and we will ensure that this gets doubled effort to change the road safety culture 6. The Indian National Congress will ensure have a special purpose vehicle for this, within a period of 5 years. while establishing clear road safety norms. adequate funding and timely development which will be responsible for judicious of Regional Rapid Transit Systems. The work of preparation of Feasibility allocation, striking a balance between 2. The Indian National Congress recognizes 12. Infrastructure Studies of Regional Rapid Transit System present requirements and future demands. that the Indian Railways is the lifeline of The Indian National Congress is of the (RRTS) corridors for the three prioritized It will also ensure that an independent the Nation and is committed to railway corridors: Delhi- regulator Sonipat-Panipat, monitors the Delhi-Gurgaon- process of Rewari-Alwar, Delhi- such allocation. Ghaziabad-Meerut is The Detailed Action Plan already being done. 9. The Indian We will ensure these National are fast-tracked. Congress recognizes 2014 -2019 7. We are committed the need to investing in for creating and upgrading the firm belief that infrastructure will serve as flexibilities in the labour market, modernisation. We will ensure effective logistics, infrastructure and development the backbone of India’s growth. We pledge especially in the export-oriented industry, implementation of the recommendations of the port sector in India. We will to spend $1 trillion on upgrading India’s given the cyclical nature of demand. The of the Sam Pitroda Committee. continue to work in this direction. infrastructure in the coming decade. Indian National Congress is committed to protecting the interests of labour 3. The Indian National Congress will ensure 8. The Indian National Congress will through more progressive labour laws. Transport that all million-plus cities are covered by emphasise development of India’s inland waterways, which totals about 14,500 kms India is growing very rapidly and transport High Speed Rail. in length, along with coastal shipping. 10. The policies to encourage foreign direct is a foundational pillar of that growth. The We will work to set up terminals at major investment pursued by the Congress-led Indian Railways is the world’s largest rail 4. We have begun work on the Western and ports and providing adequate road and rail UPA Government ensured that India network and currently carries 822.4 crore Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors, connectivity to inland water and coastal remained amongst the top 3 investment people a year. During the UPA government, which will revolutionise freight, transport terminals and non-major coastal ports. destinations globally. Over the last 4 the total goods carried by the railways doubled in India, making it more efficient. The to 1 billion tonnes. The Congress-led UPA Indian National Congress is committed years, India received foreign investment Energy of US$ 175 billion. The Indian National governments have built or upgraded 17,394 to ensuring these projects are completed Congress is committed to sustaining an km of highways. There has been a ten-fold in a time-bound manner. India’s power generation capacity more than investment climate which is welcoming increase in investment in road construction doubled to 2.34 lakh MW over the past

36 37 decade.o T promote equitable and inclusive Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana commitment to creating inclusive cities, vote and also results in under-franchise access to energy, we have recently increased (RGGVY). revamping urban governance, increasing of urban areas. We will ensure this issue the number of subsidised cooking gas low-income housing, and making large is revisited so that constituencies can be cylinders per household to 12 per year. The 4. We are mindful of the fact that while investments in infrastructure. adjusted to reflect population changes. Indian National Congress will continue to we have worked to increase access to enable the provision of clean, efficient and electricity, its availability remains an With the 74th Amendment to India’s 3. JNNURM was a landmark initiative affordable energy for all. area of concern. The Indian National Constitution devolving power to urban undertaken by the Congress-led Congress will work to improve the quality local bodies, and through the Jawaharlal government; it put the urban agenda 1. The Indian National Congress is Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission committed to the establishment of a and unit consumption of electricity in centrestage with major investments in rural areas. (JNNURM), we have given a major impetus clearly defined policy for fair, transparent to urban development in India. urban infrastructure. We also launched equitable and time bound development a revamped JNNURM-II with more 5. Women being the main energy users of natural resources. The Indian National funding and more powers to local and primary energy suppliers are worst 30 crore Indians currently live in towns and Congress will immediately put in place a cities. Within 20-25 years, another 30 crore governments. JNNURM-II is giving Special Purpose Vehicle for this which will affected by restricted LPG supply. There still exists a strong disparity between people will get added to this. Recognising the priority to the strengthening of human and be responsible for a judicious allocation, challenges of urbanisation ahead, the Indian institutional capabilities, local planning of resources on the basis of usage and urban and rural areas. We need to work and improvement not arbitrarily, in governance. We while striking a balance will continue to between implement this with present The Detailed Action Plan vigour and focus to requirements ensure better sewage and future facilities, roads and demands. 2014 -2019 multi-modal public We will also transport. ensure that an independent regulator monitors the process of natural effectively to increase household access National Congress is committed to adopting 14. Housing resource allocation, in a manner that best to LPG and kerosene, especially the a proactive approach to address them. serves the interests of the Nation. availability to rural households. The Indian National Congress will continue 1. The Indian National Congress will ensure to work towards providing affordable and that Mayors and Municipal Chairpersons quality housing for all sections 2. We will effectively implement the 6. We will give a new thrust to new and have fully functional powers, so that they National Mission on Energy Efficiency to renewable energy, including hydel, solar can operate as Chief Executives Officers 1. The Indira Awaas Yojana will be expanded improve energy efficiency in all areas of and nuclear energy. of cities with executive powers and to cover all poor rural households. the economy including power, transport, responsibilities and not just ceremonial Financial assistance for this will include urban housing, consumer goods and in 7. We will ensure accelerated implemented positions. We will also increase the tenure money to not only construct a pucca rural housing. of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar of Mayors. house but also individual sanitary toilets Mission and launch a “National Wind and drinking water connections. 3. We will work to ensure greater access to Energy Mission”. 2. Urban constituencies are rapidly growing electricity; 100% access in urban from in population and the disparity between 2. For urban areas, the Rajiv Awaas Yojana current 94% and 90% access in rural 13. urban Development constituencies is increasing. This will be expanded to cover all poor urban areas from current 67.3% under the Rajiv The Indian National Congress affirms its undermines the principle of equality of households. The Scheme is expected to

38 39 cover 250 cities by the end of the 2017. (NEAMA) - a professional agency 4. An overwhelming number of women, 8. The Congress-led government launched Funds have already been released to to conduct rigorous and time- especially in rural India still use polluting the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar 162 cities for undertaking preparatory bound environmental appraisals and biomass for cooking, which puts an Mission under which we set the ambitious activities under Slum Free City Planning recommend environmental clearances, unbearable health burden on them. The target of deploying 20,000 MW of Scheme. Our priority will be time-bound where appropriate, in a time-bound and Indian National Congress is committed grid connected solar power by 2022. implementation of this initiative. transparent manner. to providing clean cooking fuel across We will ensure this target is met well the country in an accelerated manner in in advance. 3. We will endeavour to ensure a Right to 2. We will put water conservation at the heart order to address this. Homestead for all poor households. of our programmes for agriculture, rural 9. We will also launch a major new “National and urban development. This will be done 5. We will launch “Green National Mission on Wind Energy” to harness 4. We will endeavour to ensure Title Deeds by focusing all current programmes on Accounts” by 2016-17, to ensure that the power of this clean and renewable are given to those who have been living augmenting water through decentralized the costs of environmental degradation source of energy, which has tremendous on lands for more than two decades. systems, conserving water through all are clearly reflected in India’s national untapped potential in India. means and promoting recycling and reuse accounts. We will also develop indicators of water in all sectors. Water is a public 15. Environment that will provide data to the public on the 10. India is one of the world’s mega right, but also a public responsibility. state of our natural resources. biodiverse countries. We will continue The Indian to give the highest National Congress priority to protecting is committed this biodiversity. to sustainable development in its The Detailed Action Plan true spirit. We will 11. We will continue continue to accord to strongly advance the highest priority and protect India’s to environmental 2014 -2019 interests in inter- protection and national climate and to ensure that all other environmental people in India have the right to a clean We believe that while pricing of water 6. We will engage tribal and forest-dwelling negotiations. environment, which secures their health, must ensure that users internalise ethics communities more centrally in forest livelihood and nutritional well-being. of conservation, it is also imperative management, and ensure they get 16. Innovation, The Indian National Congress has always that it be sustainable and affordable. benefits from forest produce, including Information and prioritised conservation of our national We will promote these principles in all bamboo and other non-timber forest Communication environment. It was Smt. Indira Gandhi our programmes for water and waste produce. We will ensure that revenues Technology who raised the importance of this agenda management. from forest-based activities, including as the only visiting Head of State at the UN from wildlife tourism, are shared with The Indian National Congress will give a Conference on Human Environment, 1972. 3. The Indian National Congress will take local communities. This will serve as a renewed thrust to use of Information and The Indian National Congress has enacted up the cleaning of rivers on a large bedrock for making forest conservation Communication Technology (ICT). various laws for environmental protection, scale. The National Ganga River Basin more durable and effective. including the National Green Tribunal Act, Authority has begun the ambitious task Under the Indian National Congress’s 2010. of cleaning the Ganga River. We will use 7. We will continue to implement the various leadership, the country is moving towards 1. The Indian National Congress will bring similar models of creating empowered, missions under the National Action Plan transformation through ‘Democratisation of a Bill to set up a National Environmental well-funded agencies to clean other on Climate Change with purpose and Information’. Efforts are underway to use Appraisal and Monitoring Authority major rivers in the country. determination. ICT tools to herald transparency, efficiency,

40 41 accountability and accessibility to create more improving public delivery mechanism. level within a specified period of time is 17. fighting Corruption inclusive and responsive structures, which The vision is to transform governance necessary to ensure good governance. are in tune with the needs of 21st century and service delivery in areas such as The Indian National Congress re-emphasizes India. In fields such as agriculture, financial health, education and agriculture, and it’s commitment to better delivery of services 2. Prevention of Bribery of Foreign services, commerce, education and health, unleash local innovation capacity. while eliminating corruption and leakages. Public Officials and Officials of Public this ICT-led Democratisation of Information International Organizations Bill 2011 is revolutionising service delivery, citizen 5. We will ensure the passage of the The Indian National Congress gave the to criminalise bribes offered by foreign interface and accountability through Electronic Delivery of Service Bill 2011. people of India the Right To Information officials and organisations. innovative practices. New tools under this We will, in accordance with the Bill, work (RTI). The RTI has been our most powerful will be the biggest game changer for bringing to effectively deliver all public services weapon in the fight against corruption. Few about larger systems reform. 3. The Prevention of Corruption (like passports, ration cards and driving governments have had the courage to enact (Amendment) Bill, which enlarges the 1. The Indian National Congress will ensure licenses) electronically. legislation that rendered their processes definition of taking a bribe and covering that all Indian residents have a unique more transparent and open to scrutiny. In commercial organizations. Aaadhar number. This will serve as a 6. We will work to establish a Rapidly recognition of a widespread public concern proof of identity and proof of residence. Deployable Multi-Protocol Wireless over the issue of corruption we passed the 4. The Public Procurement Bill, 2012 It will also enable access to services (like Communication system; interoperable Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. regulates public procurement by all opening a bank Ministries and account) for a vast majority Departments of the of Indians. Central government, Central Public Sector 2. The Indian The Detailed Action Plan Enterprises and National bodies controlled Congress is by the Central committed government to to using the 2014 -2019 ensure transparency, Aapka Paisa and fair and Aapka Haath platform for all government across all the services engaged in disaster With the passage of the Right to Information equitable treatment of bidders. This programmes. Direct Benefit Transfer will management. Act, 2005 the Indian National Congress will promote competition and enhance ensure time-bound delivery of benefits empowered the people with the biggest tool efficiency in procurement processes. at the individual’s doorstep, and remove 7. We will ensure effective implementation to fight corruption and ensure transparency corruption and leakages. of the India Inclusive Innovation Fund of public service delivery systems. The recent 18. governance Reforms so that innovative enterprises can landmark Whistleblowers Protection Act, 3. The Indian National Congress will The Indian National Congress will give the profitably, scalably, and competitively 2014 is another step in our efforts to create increase the annual expenditure on highest priority to ensuring accessibility and engage citizens at the bottom of the a society free of corruption. The Indian science and technology to at least 2 % transparency in governance systems. of GDP. This has to come from both economic pyramid. We recognize the National Congress will give the highest priority need for grassroots innovation and will to the passage of the following Bills: government and industry. Steps will be The Indian National Congress will ensure ensure this initiative is well funded. taken to encourage the corporate sector 1. The Right of Citizens for Time Bound that the recommendations of the second to invest in Research and Development. Delivery of Goods and Services and Administrative Reforms Commission are 8. We currently import popular branded Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011 implemented in letter and spirit and monitored 4. The Indian National Congress will hardware in the IT sector. We will give has the potential to be the second RTI. at every step. connect all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats special tax incentives for setting up We will ensure its passage. Redressal with high-speed broadband connectivity manufacturing for such products in of public grievances at the grassroots within 18 months, with a view of India.

42 43 Electoral Reforms progressive and sensitive to the needs of of judges increased by almost 50%. Fast-track of appointing judges through a Judicial people, particularly the poor and the weaker courts have been continued and supported. Commission. The Bill will be enacted We will ensure appropriate electoral reforms sections of society. Many recommendations There has been significant investment in after consultation and consensus building to make the political process more transparent have been made from time to time. The improving the infrastructure and the working over the mechanisms proposed in the and accountable. Judiciary has also made suggestions. We will conditions of judges. Judicial and legal Bill. accord the highest priority to instituting these education has been substantially expanded. The Indian National Congress has always reforms. 4. We will support all initiatives to make demonstrated its steadfast commitment to For the first time in decades, pendency of the higher and lower judiciaries truly electoral reforms. This includes strengthening cases has begun to come down even as new representative of the diversity of our the legal and judicial framework for Legal and Judicial Reforms filings have been going up. In the 2014-2019 society, especially with respect to gender, disqualifying those convicted of specified We will bring in a new wave of far reaching legal period, the Indian National Congress will caste, religion and region. This will be crimes, disqualifying persons convicted of and judicial reforms aimed at transforming bring in a new wave of far reaching legal and done in consultation with and with the crimes against women and weaker sections the current legal system. judicial reforms aimed at transforming the guidance of the Chief Justice of India and and disqualifying those who subvert the current legal system. his/her companion judges and without integrity of the electoral process. The Indian National Congress considers an independent judicial system as a corner stone derogation from the independence of 1. The Indian National Congress is fully of our Constitutional democracy and the the judiciary. in favour of a special Judicial monitoring Accountability system for timely 5. The Congress-led disposal of all UPA government cases involving The Detailed Action Plan introduced elections, for the Judicial introducing Accountability Bill transparency to bring about more in financing of 2014 -2019 transparency in the political activities appointment of and in expanding guardian of the rights and liberties of our judges. We shall make state funding for elections. people and the values of our Constitution. Protection of Human Rights every effort for the enactment of this bill A sound judicial system is also central to our 1. The Indian National Congress remains at the earliest. 2. The Indian National Congress will economic growth and social transformation. committed to the resolute defence of continue its efforts to enact the Women’s human rights in India consistent with our Reducing Delays Reservation Bill to ensure one-third In the last ten years, UPA-I and UPA-II have Constitution and with the international 6. The Indian National Congress reservation for women in Parliament and delivered the largest and fastest expansion law and covenants. government will support all measures State legislatures. of our legal and judicial system ever in our taken by the judiciary to improve court 2. The Indian National Congress will enact management so as to ensure quick and Police Reforms history. The government has produced a clear road map for judicial reform and established a a law to ensure that consensual sexual timely disposal of cases. A strategy will be The Indian National Congress will continue National Mission for Justice System Delivery relations between adults of the same-sex, developed for disposing of long delayed the process of police modernisation. We will and a National Court Management Systems are not criminalised. cases. Due consideration will be given to ensure our police forces are well-trained and Committee housed in the Supreme Court and expanding use of fast-track courts. sensitive to the needs of the citizens. operating under its auspices. The funding of Judicial Appointments the judicial system, including through funds 3. The Indian National Congress has Access to Justice The Indian National Congress believes that made available by the Finance Commission, introduced a Judicial Appointments Bill 7. The Indian National Congress will police administration must become more has witnessed a quantum increase. The number in Parliament establishing a new method continue and strengthen legal aid for

44 45 the indigent. Additionally, we will also 3. We will continue to address the challenge 3. The Indian National Congress has always The Indian National Congress remains establish a cadre of public defenders of Left Wing Extremism with a firm hand. given the highest priority to the welfare of committed to building peaceful, stable and who will assist indigent litigants from We will strengthen the numbers, equipment Ex-Servicemen and their families. One of mutually beneficial relations with all major different social backgrounds. and infrastructure for our security forces the first achievements of the first Indian powers and all our Asian neighbours. posted in these areas, even as we continue to National Congress-led UPA government 1. India will continue to benefit from global 8. We will continue to promote and pursue a development agenda to empower was the creation of the Department of opportunities and contribute to world- strengthen Gram Nyayalayas across the the people in these areas. Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare. In pursuance wide efforts in creating and managing country. of our continued commitment, the Indian institutions to deal with challenges 20. defence and Welfare of National Congress led UPA-II has now like climate change and sustainable 19. internal Security Ex-Servicemen fulfilled the long-standing demand of development, non-proliferation, The Indian National Congress will continue One Rank-One Pension, a key campaign international trade and cross-border The Indian National Congress is committed promise of the Indian National Congress to deal firmly with internal security threats. terrorism. to rapid modernisation of our defence in 2009. This will bring tremendous relief forces. India’s security preparedness will be to the families of Ex-Servicemen. The Indian National Congress has always given based on a comprehensive security doctrine 2. The Indian National Congress will strive the highest priority to internal security. Over that combines conventional and strategic to mobilize support for India’s permanent 4. A “National Commission for membership in the UN Security Council. the last few years, spending has been increased, measures. Ex-Servicemen” will be established to intelligence has been strengthened 3. Global Terrorism and more personnel must be combatted have been recruited with determination in police and The Detailed Action Plan and cooperation. paramilitary forces. We will be engaged in creating a robust As a result, overall framework of incidence of crime intelligence sharing, has reduced. We 2014 -2019 cutting out finacial will continue to flows to terrorist pursue our internal security agenda with 1. The continued and rapid modernisation provide a further impetus to programmes outfits, and stopping money laundering, determination. of our Defence Forces is imperative. The designed for the welfare of their families to address the issue of terrorism. 1. The Indian National Congress recognises Indian National Congress shall ensure and expand opportunities for them in Nation building and other productive the fundamental need to give a sense that this process of procuring the finest 4. India has emerged as a critical bridge state-of-the-art equipment is carried out activities. of security to every Indian. It vows to between the developed world and the in an atmosphere of efficiency and full mobilize all the resources of the State developing world, along with Brazil, transparency. 5. On the strategic front India will maintain to maintain law and order and provide China and South Africa. At the same time a credible deterrence and second strike we have our own unique position that maximum possible security to all Indians, 2. India has emerged as one of the world’s capability. We shall continue the missile against both external and internal threats. largest importers of defence equipment; combines the cumulative heritage of Non- programme to meet potential threats in Aligned-Movement and its advocacy of it is thus imperative to encourage the region. 2. We will ensure that our police forces are indigenous manufacturing in every freedom for African countries and steady support for Palestine. We will continue fully equipped with the modern weapons way. This will also generate substatial 21. foreign Policy and technology. Deployment of specialist employment. To this end, we shall to support the goodwill nurtured for battalions and recruitment of additional work towards giving a fresh impetus to The Indian National Congress is committed decades amongst socialist countries. upgrading our existing manufacturing to the articulation and implementation of a personnel will also be pursued. capabilities while creating new avenues robust and dynamic foreign policy. for expanding military capability.

46 47 5. We will work to strengthen the South We will continue to extend all possible For the Indian National Congress, a Manifesto is more than a catalogue Asian Association for Regional humanitarian and development assistance of promises and pledges to be forgotten after elections are over. Cooperation (SAARC) framework and to enable the Tamil-speaking people and

endeavour to meaningfully realise a South other minorities to rebuild their lives in a Asian economic community, as economic dignified manner. We will work with other It is an agenda for governance to be followed diligently and meticulously. engagement is critical to realising the true countries, to prevail upon Sri Lanka to potential of this region. ensure a credible, objective, time-bound It is an agenda for good governance on which progress must be reported inquiry into allegations of human rights to the people of the country, regularly, in a transparent manner. 6. We expect to proceed with our mutual violations and excesses committed by the efforts with China to work through Sri Lankan forces during the concluding It is in this spirit that the Congress-led UPA government has been releasing established instruments towards a phases of the operations against the a “Report to the People” every year. This will continue. resolution of differences of perception LTTE. about the border and the Line of Actual The 2014 Lok Sabha elections will offer stark choices. Control (LAC), even as our economic 9. For Afghanistan, we believe the real threat cooperation and multi-lateral cooperation is not within but from terrorism from On the one side is the Indian National Congress with its long track record of continue to grow. beyond its borders. If the peace process achievements and accomplishments, with its vision and values bequeathed to it remains Afghan owned and Afghan by a most remarkable generation of Indians led by Mahatma Gandhi. driven, we will work to support it.

The Detailed Action Plan 2014-2019 An Appeal

On the other side is an ideology of hate, bigotry and prejudice, an ideology that 7. On Pakistan we will encourage the new 10. Protecting Indians overseas from negates the very idea of India that has been cherished by us for centuries. government’s stated position to improve exploitation or threats will remain relations with India but calibrate the a paramount concern of the Indian On the one side is the Indian National Congress, which celebrates and rejoices dialogue consistent with delivery on National Congress. in the multitude of diversities of India. accountability for 26/11 as well as

dismantling of the infrastructure of terrorism on Pakistani soil. On the other side is an ideology that seeks to impose uniformity in the name of unity. 8. On Sri Lanka, we will engage with that country to ensure that the Tamil- A vote for the Indian National Congress is a vote for fulfilling the aspirations speaking people and other minorities of the youth of our nation, for ensuring that women lead a life of dignity. have full equality and equal rights under the law. We will continue to press the Economic growth, social harmony, empowerment of weaker sections and Government of Sri Lanka to implement strengthening of democratic institutions have to all go hand-in-hand. the 13th Amendment and create autonomous provinces, especially the It is only the Indian National Congress that will, by its very character, provinces of the North and the East. ensure that this happens.

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