Professional Documents
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WILL
DELIVER
MANIFESTO
LOK SABHA ELECTIONS 2019
INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
“I’ve never broken a promise that I’ve made.”
Rahul Gandhi
Contents
pg 4 Foreword by Rahul Gandhi pg 6 The choice before you
Every single word in the Congress The 2019 elections are crucial
manifesto reflects your voices and for India’s future and our
the aspirations of crores of Indians. children’s future.
pg 9 Detailed plan of action
Kaam, Daam, Shaan, Sushashan, Swabhimaan, Samman.
31 SUSHASAN—GOOD GOVERNANCE
THROUGH INDEPENDENT AND
ACCOUNTABLE INSTITUTIONS
32 Institutions
32 Anti-Corruption
32 Governance, Transparency and Accountability
33 Federalism and Centre-State Relations
pg 53 Appeal
Let us rebuild India. Together,
let us get India moving again.
Foreword by
Rahul
Gandhi
121 PUBLIC
CONSULTATIONS 53
SESSIONS WITH
FARMERS, TEACHERS,
24
STATES AND 3 UNION ENTREPRENEURS,
TERRITORIES IN OVER DOCTORS, LAWYERS
60 LOCATIONS AND ECONOMISTS
Rahul Gandhi
President, Indian National Congress
The 2019 general elections will be held during governance and reforms that strengthen the
Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary year. This foundations of our Republic.
reminds us that these elections are mainly between
2 ideologies. On the one hand is the Indian National The 2019 elections are crucial for India’s future and
Congress which has worked tirelessly to “wipe every our children’s future. The choices before our citizens
tear from every eye,” while building a strong, har- are crystal clear.
monious, prosperous and modern India. On the other
hand is the ideology of the RSS and its affiliates, Do we choose freedom or fear?
which is working to destroy the very idea of India Do we choose harmony or hatred?
that the Mahatma gave his life for. Do we choose inclusion or exclusion?
Do we choose dignity or oppression?
Over the last 5 years of the BJP government, India Do we choose prosperity for all or wealth for a few?
has suffered under the ‘Modi model,’ which has Do we choose results or jumlas?
devastated our economy, impoverished our farmers, Do we choose justice or injustice?
destroyed jobs, divided communities, stoked hatred
and spread fear. It is a model that has stripped the Our allies and other progressive political parties
average Indian of dignity, voice and trust. This is not across the country recognise the importance of
the model India deserves. This is a model that all this moment. We have, therefore, come together
Indians must reject. to defeat the BJP-led coalition and set our nation
on the right course. In this Manifesto, we present
The Congress model is in stark contrast to the BJP to you the only national alternative—the Indian
model. The Congress has always provided transfor- National Congress.
mative development, inclusive growth, responsive
9
Kaam—
Employment
and
Growth
Our pledge is jobs, jobs, jobs. Congress will fill all 4 lakh Central
Government and institutional vacancies before March 2020, create an
estimated 10 lakh seva mitra positions in every gram panchayat and urban
local body, launch a ‘Water Bodies Restoration Mission’ and ‘Wasteland
Regeneration Mission’ to create 1 crore jobs, exempt new businesses
from applicable laws and regulations (except Minimum Wages Act and
tax laws) for a period of 3 years, encourage State Governments to fill their
vacancies, reward businesses for job creation, provide businesses with
fiscal incentives for employing more women, and require businesses with
over 100 employees to start an apprenticeship programme.
10
01 Jobs
Unemployment is the gravest challenge to the country and job creation is the highest priority
for the economy. In the last 5 years, there has been a dramatic rise in unemployment. Today,
unemployment is touching a 45-year high of 6.1 per cent according to the government’s own
figures. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy puts the number at 7.2 per cent. At the
end of this February, 3.1 crore people were actively looking for jobs. Data indicates that total
employment has declined, the labour participation rate has declined and existing jobs have
been destroyed. Every section of society has been affected by growing unemployment and the
destruction of existing jobs: youth, families, women, small business persons, traders, farmers,
daily-wage workers and agricultural labourers.
01. Congress pledges to give the highest priority 09. MSMEs account for 90 per cent of all employment
to protecting existing jobs and creating new jobs. outside agriculture. The definition of MSMEs based
02. In order to underline the link between the growth on capital employed is biased against labour.
of the industry and services sectors and rapid cre- Congress will link the definition of MSME to
ation of jobs, Congress will create a new Ministry employment. A business employing 10 persons
of Industry, Services and Employment. or less will be ‘micro;’ between 11 and 100 will
03. All of the 4 lakh vacancies as on 1 April 2019 be ‘small;’ and between 101 and 500 will be
in the Central Government, Central Public Sector ‘medium.’
Enterprises, Judiciary and Parliament will be filled 10. We will create an Enterprise Support Agency
before the end of March 2020. As a condition for to help entrepreneurs, including start-ups, with
devolution of funds to the healthcare and educa- all-round business support including counselling,
tion sectors and to Panchayats and Municipalities, incubation, access to technology, funding, domestic
Congress will request State Governments to fill all and export markets, and the creation of new prod-
vacancies, estimated at 20 lakh, in the 2 sectors ucts, services and intellectual property.
and in local bodies. 11. We promise regulatory forbearance for Micro
04. We will work with State Governments to create and Small Enterprises. They will be exempt from
new Seva Mitra positions (estimated at 10 lakh) all applicable laws and regulations (except the
in every Gram Panchayat and every Urban Local Minimum Wages Act and tax laws) for a period
Body to ensure the effective delivery of govern- of 3 years from 1 April 2019 or, in the case of
ment services to citizens. new businesses, the date of commencement of
05. Application fees for government examinations business. This means freedom from ‘Inspector Raj’
and government posts will be abolished. until they stabilise.
06. Congress pledges to create lakhs of new jobs for 12. Congress will promote ‘Mass Entrepreneurship’
qualified teachers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and support entrepreneurs to replicate tried and
technicians, instructors and administrators through tested models of businesses in order to meet the
a massive expansion of the education and growing demand for such goods and services.
health sectors. 13. The main job-creating sectors are construction,
07. Para-state workers such as Anganwadi workers, textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, entertainment,
ASHA workers, rozgarsahayaks, preraks, and anude- tourism and retail businesses. We will reward
shaks, form the backbone of the public service businesses that create new jobs by lowering
delivery system. We will increase funding for the the effective direct tax rates and by lowering
relevant programmes and work with State Govern- contributions to the CSR fund.
ments to ensure that all arrears are paid imme- 14. We will provide fiscal incentives to businesses
diately. We will also work with State Governments that employ a certain percentage of women.
and attempt to address all pending contentious 15. Exports create jobs. We will reward export-
issues regarding their salaries and work conditions. oriented industries through tax rebates
In addition, we will expand the ASHA programme and incentives.
and appoint a second ASHA worker in all villages 16. Tourism creates jobs. Congress promises an ade-
with a population exceeding 2500 persons. quately capitalised Tourism Development Bank
08. We will trigger rapid growth of the manufac- to provide low-cost, long-term funds for invest-
turing sector, particularly of MSMEs, through the ment in tourism-related businesses. We will also
provision of world-class infrastructure in industrial offer lower rates of corporate and personal
hubs and cluster towns in order to aid the expan- income tax on tourism-related business income.
sion of current units and the creation of new units.
02 Industry
Congress initiated liberalisation in 1991 with a new Industrial Policy. Taking note of the
changes in the global economy and the Indian economy, Congress promises another radical,
forward-looking Industrial Policy.
The BJP Government mouths empty slogans. Its record is dismal in terms of the growth rate
of Industry sector GVA and gross capital formation in the Industry sector. Congress promises
to reverse these disappointing trends.
01. Congress promises to increase the share of 06. As the UPA did from 2004 to 2014, we will make
India’s manufacturing sector from the current a determined effort to revive stalled projects
level of 16 per cent of GDP to 25 per cent within and bring locked-up capital to use and generate
a period of 5 years and to make India a manufac- employment.
turing hub for the world. Congress believes that 07. We will promote the manufacture and export of
anything that can be made in another country can India’s traditional products like handloom prod-
be made in India. Congress promises that it will ucts and handicrafts that employ lakhs of persons.
adopt policies, formulate rules, levy taxes and 08. Congress will acquire patents, create a patent pool
reward entrepreneurship that will make India a and make advanced technologies available to small
renowned centre of manufacturing. and medium businesses.
02. Congress will work with State Governments to set 09. Controls have crept into the system in the name
up New Industrial Towns with the required infra- of regulations. Congress promises to do a quick
structure and turn them into manufacturing hubs review of the rules and regulations made by
for a variety of industrial products. the BJP Government in the last 5 years and repeal
03. We will announce policies that will help India as many of them as are necessary to free industry
retain its leading position in the manufacture and business from the ‘Control Raj.’
of engineering goods, petroleum products, gems 10. In the last 5 years, tax authorities have been
& jewellery, drugs & pharmaceuticals, garments given extraordinary discretionary powers that have
& textiles and chemicals. throttled industry and come to be described as
04. We will announce policies that will help India gain ‘tax terrorism.’ Investigative agencies have mis-
a leadership position in steel, metals, cement, interpreted the laws and have instilled fear among
machinery, electronic goods, computer hardware, businesspersons. Congress will review these
automobiles etc. discretionary powers and arbitrary actions and
05. Congress will announce a ‘Make for the World’ take steps to allow industry and business to
policy under which foreign and Indian companies function with a large degree of freedom.
will be invited to invest in ‘Exclusive Export-only
Zones’, manufacture and export their entire pro-
duction, pay no indirect taxes and pay a low rate
of corporate tax.
01. Congress promises to augment the total length investment, enhanced production, transparency,
of national highways and increase the pace of efficiency, risk-reward concerns, environmental sus-
construction. The focus will be on improved design tainability, inter-generational equity, accountability,
and quality, maintenance and accountability. competition and appropriate sectoral regulation.
02. Congress promises to massively modernise all 05. We will formulate a policy on Clean Energy in
outdated railway infrastructure. New projects existing power plants that use fossil fuels and pro-
will be implemented in accordance with the best mote Green Energy to enhance the share of solar
international standards of design and quality. and wind energy in the total supply of energy.
03. Road construction and railways can be built using 06. Congress promises to enhance availability of, and
private capital and capacity. Congress will use access to, electricity in rural areas by encour-
sector-specific, tried and tested PPP models to aging investment in off-grid renewable power
increase the supply of these vital public goods. generation with ownership and revenues vesting in
04. Congress promises to review, re-formulate and local bodies. Every village and every home will be
implement the policy on spectrum and on ex- electrified in the true sense. In the long term, we
ploration and extraction of natural resources. aim to substitute LPG used in homes by electricity
The policy will address issues of allocation, capital and solar energy.
05 Rural Development
Congress promises to enhance infrastructure in rural areas and improve the quality of
public goods such as roads, bridges, water supply, sanitation, electricity and schools.
01. In order to fill the gaps in sector-specific schemes c. Use MGNREGA funds to build public assets such
as well correct any unintended bias, we will as primary health centres, classrooms, libraries
empower Panchayats and Municipalities etc.
to design and execute infrastructure projects. 03. Congress promises to connect all villages and
Congress promises to establish a non-lapsable habitations with a population of 250 with a road
Rural Infrastructure Fund that will provide under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
loans and grants to specific infrastructure projects Broadband connectivity will be provided to all
undertaken by Panchayats and Municipalities. village Panchayats by the year 2021.
02. We will launch MGNREGA 3.0 to address issues 04. The allocation to the National Drinking Water
of water security, soil quality and similar issues Mission that has suffered neglect under the BJP
that aggravate farmers’ distress. To this end, government will be increased.
we will: 05. We will pass the Right to Homestead Act to
a. Increase the guaranteed days of employment up provide a homestead for every household that
to 150 days in cases where 100 days have been does not own a home or own land on which a
achieved in a block/district; house may be built.
b. Use MGNREGA labour in the Waterbodies Resto-
ration Mission and the Wasteland Regeneration
Mission; and
01. We will encourage and support micro and 06. Congress promises to establish Aajeevika
small enterprises that collectivise unorganised Kendras (Livelihood Centres) in all major cities
sector workers including waste pickers and scrap and towns where a migrant worker may register
collectors. himself/herself in order to:
02. Congress will ensure that notified minimum wag- a. Access government services;
es are paid to workers in the unorganised sector. b. Access basic healthcare;
03. Congress will ratify ILO Convention 87 (Freedom c. Access crèches and schools for his
of Association) and ILO Convention 98 (Right to or her children;
Organise and Collective Bargaining). d. Access skill development and training
04. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and centres; and
Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be e. Access legal services.
implemented in letter and spirit.
05. Congress will guarantee portability for the ration
card possessed by a migrant worker and right to
access ration articles at the place of work.
01. Immediately after forming the governments in 08. Congress promises to work with State Governments
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as to digitise land ownership and land tenancy
promised, the 3 Congress Governments waived the records and, in particular, recognise ownership
loans of farmers. Congress promises to waive the and tenancy rights of women farmers and
outstanding farm loans in other States as well. ensure women get the benefits of agriculture-
02. We will not stop with just providing “Karz Maafi” related schemes.
or a loan waiver. Through a combination of remu- 09. Congress will promote Farmer Producer Compa-
nerative prices, lower input costs, and assured nies/Organisations to enable farmers to access
access to institutional credit, we will set our Kisans inputs, technology and markets.
on the path to “Karz Mukti,” or Freedom from 10. We will review the prices of agricultural inputs,
Indebtedness. extend subsidies where necessary, and establish
03. Debt is a civil liability and we will not allow facilities to hire farm machinery.
criminal proceedings to be instituted against 11. Congress will repeal the Agricultural Produce
a farmer who is unable to pay his/her debt. Market Committees Act and make trade in
04. In order to ensure priority to the issues affecting agricultural produce—including exports and
the agriculture sector, we will present a separate inter-state trade—free from all restrictions.
“Kisan Budget.” 12. We will establish farmers’ markets with
05. Congress promises to establish a permanent adequate infrastructure and support in large
National Commission on Agricultural Devel- villages and small towns to enable the farmer to
opment and Planning consisting of farmers, bring his/her produce and freely market the same.
agricultural scientists and agricultural economists 13. Congress will formulate a policy on export and
to examine and advise the government on how to import of agricultural products that will support
make agriculture viable, competitive and remuner- farmers and Farmer Producer Companies/Organisa-
ative. The recommendations of the Commission tions and enhance their income.
shall be ordinarily binding on the government. The 14. Congress promises to formulate a policy to enable
Commission will subsume the existing Commission the construction of modern warehouses, cold
for Agricultural Costs and Prices and recommend storage and food processing facilities in every
appropriate minimum support prices. block of the country.
06. Congress also promises to establish a Commission 15. We will revive, strengthen and improve the old
on Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Labour system of ‘Agricultural Extension Services’
to advise on policies and programmes that will and bring the best knowledge and best practices
help them earn income from higher wages and to every agricultural holding in the country.
from non-crop based agriculture such as horticul- 16. Congress will encourage farmers to diversify into
ture and floriculture, dairying and poultry. the production of local varieties of millets and
07. We will completely re-design the BJP government’s pulses that can be procured for the PDS, Mid-Day
failed Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance Meals Scheme and the ICDS programme.
Scheme) that has only enriched the insurance 17. Congress promises a major programme to promote
companies at the cost of the farmers. We will horticulture, pisciculture and sericulture for
direct insurance companies to offer crop insurance diversification and greater income for farmers. We
and charge premiums on the principle of ‘no profit, will launch a national project to double the value
no loss.’ of production in 5 years in dairying and poultry.
08 Economic Policy
India is a developing country aspiring to be a middle-income country by the year 2030.
Wealth creation and the welfare of our people are our 2 principal goals.
Congress economic philosophy is based on embracing the idea of an open and liberal market
economy, creation of wealth, sustainable development, reduction of inequalities and assurance
of welfare of all sections of the people. Such growth will be driven by the private sector and a
viable public sector and underpinned by a robust system of social security.
Our economy is still over-regulated. Structural problems remain. Government control and
bureaucratic interference are aplenty. Regulators have morphed into controllers. There is
growing interference by the courts in economic policies. The BJP Government has reversed
the clock of reforms. Congress promises to undo these distortions and restore an open,
liberal market economy.
01. Congress promises a comprehensive review of up to global size and standards. Congress will
the concept, role and functions of Public Sector set up an India Global Companies Fund and
Banks (PSBs) in order to make PSBs robust and create a policy environment to support Indian-
competitive with healthy balance sheets. owned companies to become global companies.
02. Congress will amalgamate 2 or more PSBs so 09. Congress will encourage the establishment
that there will be only 6-8 PSBs with a national of State-level and Regional-level institutions,
presence and reach. Each of the amalgamated including small banks, to provide bank credit
PSBs will be adequately capitalised. to MSMEs. Congress will also encourage State
03. We will undertake a comprehensive review of the Governments to revive State Financial Corporations
governance structure of PSBs and implement to provide long-term credit and risk capital to
changes to make the PSB an independent com- MSMEs.
mercial banking organisation that is competitive, 10. We will strengthen and technologically-enable
healthy, efficient and profitable. We will abolish Regional Rural Banks and Banking Correspon-
the redundant Banking Board Bureau. dents to accelerate financial inclusion so that
04. Congress promises that PSBs will continue to im- citizens are provided banking services in their
plement policies to serve the larger public interest neighbourhood.
including lending to priority and other disad- 11. Congress will work with the RBI to simplify the
vantaged sectors that are denied adequate credit. KYC process, avoid repetitive verification, and
05. We are concerned by the recent failure of some use a wider range of documents for the purpose.
NBFCs that has affected the bond market, mutual 12. Congress promises to take necessary measures to
funds and the flow of credit. Congress promises develop a deep and broad securities market that
to review and strengthen the regulatory regime will offer products that will attract more investors
of NBFCs in order to prevent such failures and to to the securities market, give them safe and ade-
restore investor confidence. quate returns and offer investment solutions
06. We will take the necessary policy and administra- to their long term needs.
tive measures to develop a robust, deep and liquid 13. We will adopt policies to attract more
corporate bond market, municipal bond market investment—Indian and foreign—in our
and infrastructure investment trusts. financial markets.
07. Congress promises to promote new Development 14. We promise to take hard measures to prevent
Banks in order to provide long-term credit to fraud in the banking, securities and financial
development and infrastructure projects. markets (including money collection schemes)
08. Indian-owned new technology companies face a and deliver swift and deterrent punishment
stiff capital barrier when they are poised to scale- to offenders.
01. Congress promises to work with industry to for innovation and for the deployment of innovative
increase the expenditure on science and technologies in different areas.
technology to 2 per cent of GDP. 08. We will establish a National Mission focused
02. Congress promises to allocate sufficient funds on sunrise technologies such as Big Data,
to promote science, technology and innovation. Machine Learning, Internet of Things, 3-D Printing
03. Congress promises to recruit more scientists to and Manufacturing, and Knowledge Networks.
the various institutes of research and development 09. Congress promises to enhance the India Inclusive
and to fill all current vacancies in the posts of Innovation Fund to provide funds to innovative
researchers and scientists within 12 months. enterprises to scale-up and expand their opera-
04. We will strengthen Science Departments in tions as well as engage with persons at the bottom
NAAC-graded colleges and universities, provide of the economic pyramid in order to promote inno-
them funds for equipment, laboratories and more vation at the grassroots.
teachers, and encourage them to publish their 10. Congress will set up a Scenario Planning and
research. Strategic Futures Office to look at medium-
to-long term strategic opportunities and risks
05. Congress promises to strengthen patent laws and for the country as an aid to informed policy
support Indian inventors and innovators to secure making.
international patent protection. 11. Congress promises to set up a National Data
06. We will create a patent pool, acquire patents and Science Institute with adequate funding and
allow access to patented technology to businesses human resources to train and produce world-class
at affordable cost. Data Scientists.
07. We will revitalise the National Innovation
Council and make it the premier body to formu-
late, debate, analyse and implement strategies
01. Congress will establish a separate Ministry 04. Congress promises to establish a permanent
of Fisheries and Welfare of Fisherfolk. mechanism with neighbouring countries, e.g.
02. We will constitute a National Fisherfolk Commis- Sri Lanka and Pakistan, to resolve problems faced
sion to promote fishing and the welfare of fisher- by fisherfolk and to eliminate conflict, violence,
folk. It will address indebtedness and appropriate coercive action and loss of lives, and to improve
funding mechanisms for fishing. the livelihood opportunities of the fishing
03. Congress promises to recognise inland fishing community.
and aquaculture as ‘agriculture’ and extend to
them all the benefits available to agriculture.
Congress will reverse the trend of declining defence spending under the
NDA government, and will ensure that defence spending is increased
to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces. We will expedite all
modernisation programmes of the Armed Forces in a transparent manner,
categorically address any remaining anomalies in one-rank one-pension
for our Armed Forces, and improve social security, education and health
facilities for our Paramilitary Forces and families.
24
14 National Security
National security is dependent on a sound defence policy, a sound foreign policy and wise
leadership. National security is not enhanced by chest-thumping or exaggerated claims.
01. Congress will reverse the trend of declining de- office of National Security Adviser (NSA). Their
fence spending under the NDA government, and powers and functions will be defined under the law
will ensure that defence spending is increased and both authorities, and the agencies under them,
to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces. will be accountable to Parliament.
We will expedite all modernisation programmes 06. The BJP government left the National Security
of the armed forces in a transparent manner. Advisory Board in limbo between January 2015
02. Congress promises to take strategic and hard and October 2016 and then truncated the body.
measures to defend the territorial integrity Congress will re-establish the NSAB, provide a
of India and ensure the safety of our people. statutory basis to the body, appoint experts from
03. The concept of national security in the 21st century different disciplines and ensure that it will function
has expanded beyond defence of the territory to as a permanent, professional advisory body advis-
include data security, cyber security, financial ing the NSC and the government.
security, communication security and security of 07. Congress promises to rapidly expand domestic
trade routes. Congress promises to evolve suitable capacity to manufacture defence and security
policies to address each of these subjects. equipment. We will create manufacturing capac-
04. Congress will establish the office of Chief of De- ities in the public sector and in pre-qualified,
fence Staff (CDS) to be the principal adviser to security-cleared private sector companies.
the Government on matters relating to defence.
05. Congress will provide a statutory basis to the
National Security Council (NSC) and the
15 Internal Security
Congress promises that it will keep a vigilant eye on the security situation and take every
measure that is required to maintain law and order and to provide a sense of security for every
citizen and for every visitor to India.
01. The key to internal security is intelligence, analy- of the people and win over the Maoist cadres.
sis and quick response. Congress had put in place c. In the case of caste or communal violence,
the Multi-Agency Centre and the NSG regional Congress will put down such violence with a
hubs. Congress had also proposed to establish firm hand using the police forces at its com-
the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and mand, apprehend the instigators and bring
NATGRID. The BJP government dismantled the them to justice. There will be no room for
preparatory work and wasted 5 years. NCTC was self-appointed vigilante groups and moral
put in the cold storage and NATGRID is yet to be policing brigades.
made operational. Congress promises that NCTC 03. Congress will work with State Governments to
will be set up within 3 months and NATGRID will increase the strength of State police forces,
be made operational by December 2019. fill all vacancies, equip and train them, and deploy
02. The most serious threats to internal security them impartially to maintain law and order and
emanate from (1) terrorism, (2) infiltration to detect and punish violators and instigators.
of militants, (3) Maoism or Naxalism and (4) 04. Congress promises to take strong action with
caste or communal violence. Congress believes respect to crimes against women, Scheduled
that each of these threats deserves a separate and Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities. The
distinct response. law will be applied on the perpetrators without fear
a. We promise an uncompromising approach and or favour. They will not be allowed to walk on the
hard measures to put an end to terrorism and streets with a sense of impunity.
to the infiltration of militants. 05. Congress will hold the District Administration
b. In the case of Maoism, the Congress will reso- responsible for riots, caste or communal violence,
lutely fight violent activities. At the same time, large scale crimes against women, and for the
Congress will address developmental challenges widespread breakdown of law and order.
in the areas concerned, enlist the support
Shaan—Pride in Our Hard and Soft Power / 25
16 Foreign Policy
India’s foreign policy was profoundly influenced by the freedom movement and was devel-
oped through the collective wisdom of far-sighted leaders. Unfortunately, foreign policy under
the BJP has been reduced to the whim of one man, has become transactional and has been
marked by outrageous flip-flops. Our national interest has been the casualty. We promise to
reverse these damaging developments and repose faith in our diplomatic corps to advise on,
formulate and conduct foreign policy.
01. Congress affirms its firm belief in the continued 07. Congress will take determined steps to persuade
relevance of the policy of friendship, peaceful other countries to compel Pakistan to verifiably
co-existence, non-alignment, independence end its support to the terrorist groups that it
of thought and action, and increased bilateral shelters.
engagement in its relations with other countries 08. Congress promises to pass a Law on Asylum con-
of the world. sistent with international treaties and conventions.
02. Congress promises to establish a National Council 09. We will re-double the efforts to win for permanent
on Foreign Policy consisting of members of the membership India in the UN Security Council and
Cabinet Committee on Security, scholars, domain the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
experts and diplomats to advise the Government 10. Congress will work with SAARC and ASEAN coun-
on matters concerning foreign policy. tries to enhance the volume of trade, investments,
03. We will work closely with all countries of the world, tourism and cultural exchanges and reap the bene-
and particularly India’s neighbours and the G-20 fits of geographical proximity.
countries, in various multi-lateral forums and 11. Congress promises to establish effective mecha-
institutions. nisms with neighbouring countries, especially Sri
04. Foreign Trade will be an important element of our Lanka and Pakistan, to resolve the problems faced
foreign policy and we promise to make every effort by fishermen, to eliminate conflict, coercive action
to significantly increase trade with other countries. and loss of lives, and to improve livelihood oppor-
05. It was a Congress government that opened tunities for our fishing communities.
India’s economy to other countries of the world. 12. We will strengthen the Indian Council of
Congress promises to strengthen its relations Cultural Relations, expand its engagement with
with other countries through enhanced economic other countries and encourage the Council to in-
co-operation, two-way investments and closer crease the projection of India’s soft power globally.
relations between businesspersons. 13. Congress promises to increase significantly the size
06. Congress is implacably opposed to terrorism any- of the Foreign Service, induct domain experts and
where in the world and promises to work with oth- scholars, open more missions abroad, participate
er countries to eliminate terrorist groups, terrorist more effectively in international organisations,
acts and cross-border terrorism. We will persuade leverage our growing economy and acquire a
the United Nations to constantly review the list of position of leadership in the world.
terrorists and to expand the scope of sanctions.
01. We will increase the strength of border guarding 03. We will accelerate the construction of border
forces—BSF, SSB, ITBP and Assam Rifles—and roads along all borders of India, especially, the
post them on or close to the border to prevent India-China border. We will enhance the capacity of
infiltration, illegal immigration and smuggling. the Border Roads Organisation and create separate
02. We will construct modern, well-equipped Inte- divisions to build roads along the India-China and
grated Border Outposts to provide good working the India-Myanmar borders.
and living conditions for the forces. The distance
between 2 border outposts will be reduced. The
period of posting in high altitude border outposts
will be reduced to 3 months at a time.
18 Ex-Servicemen
01. Under the UPA Governments, Congress accepted lateral entry into the civil services based on
the principle of One Rank One Pension (OROP) their qualifications.
and took 3 steps in 2006, 2010 and 2013 to- 04. We will also allow Armed Forces personnel who
wards implementing the same. In February 2014, retire before the age of 40 years to enter the
the UPA Government decided to close the gap for Central Armed Police Forces at suitable levels
all retirees in all ranks. Ex-servicemen believe that based on their qualifications and physical fitness.
the BJP Government has not implemented OROP to 05. Congress promises to substantially expand the
their satisfaction. Congress promises to remove the capacity of the Armed Forces medical corps and
anomalies in the implementation of OROP. hospitals to cater to the needs of ex-servicemen
02. Congress promises to formulate and implement and their families.
a policy of compensation to the families of 06. Congress will revise the procedure to determine
martyrs that will include full pay and allowances, the disability of injured armed forces person-
funding children’s education, a government job nel and make the determination final subject to
for a member of the martyr’s family and suitable an appeal only at the instance of the disabled
monetary compensation. person. All pending appeals filed by the Ministry
03. Congress will formulate and implement a policy of Defence will be withdrawn.
that will allow Armed Forces personnel, who
retire after a period of colour service or earlier,
01. We will increase the strength of the CAPFs to 04. We will enhance the facilities of health, educa-
meet the growing requirements of border security tion and housing for the personnel of the CAPFs
and internal security and their families to bring them on par with the
02. At any given time, an adequate number of battal- facilities provided for the Armed Forces. We will set
ions will be on rest, recuperation and training up schools on the model of Sainik schools to en-
and will not be deployed on operational duties. hance educational opportunities for their children.
03. Congress promises to ensure increased repre- 05. Congress promises to enhance the status of the
sentation of women to achieve a minimum of jawan and the benefits to the families of jawans in
33 per cent in the force strength of CISF, CRPF cases were the jawan dies in action.
and BSF. Every effort will be made to induct more 06. We will set up a Committee to draft new Service
women into the other border guarding forces, Rules for personnel of the CAPFs.
namely, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles.
01. Congress is committed to protecting the rich 03. We will provide fellowships to artists and crafts-
diversity of India’s art and culture and to ensuring people working in the field of traditional arts and
it flourishes in an atmosphere of freedom and crafts.
creativity. We will resolutely oppose censorship 04. Congress will guarantee artistic freedom. Artists
as well as any attempt to denigrate the art and and craftsmen will enjoy the freedom to express
culture of any group. their views in any form without fear of censorship
02. Sufficient support and funds will be provided or retribution. Attempts by vigilante groups to
to preserve and promote the art, culture and censor or intimidate artists will be viewed seriously
heritage of the groups of people whose identities and action against them will be taken according
are unique and are of anthropological significance. to the law.
21 Tourism
Foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2018 is estimated at about 1 crore. Comparing this number
with the numbers of comparable countries, it indicates substantial under-performance.
Congress will take measures to achieve an annual growth of 20 per cent in tourist arrivals.
Tourism is important for many reasons, the most important being its capacity to create jobs
for people with different levels of education.
01. Congress promises a special tax regime 05. India’s Missions abroad will be tasked with
for tourism-related businesses and income. encouraging more visitors to India from the country
02. We will establish an adequately capitalised to which each Mission is accredited.
Tourism Development Bank to provide low-cost, 06. Visa-on-Arrival Scheme will be expanded to
long-term funds for investment in tourism-related include more countries and more categories of
businesses. visitors. No fee will be charged for tourist visas
03. Congress will work with State Governments to for a period of 3 years.
provide, and improve, the infrastructure in
and around places of tourist interest.
04. Congress will work with State Governments to cre-
ate young volunteer groups to guide and assist
visitors at important places of tourist interest.
22 Non-Resident Indians
Congress affirms its belief that non-resident Indians, wherever they live and work,
are an inseparable part of India.
01. Congress promises to re-establish the 03. We will review and expand the opportunities for
Ministry of Overseas Indians that will be tasked higher education and review the fee structure for
to address the concerns of NRIs including their the children of NRIs in colleges and universities in
safety, conditions of work, social security and India.
health benefits, education of their children, need 04. Congress promises to design and promote an NRI
for financial services and safe return to India. Invest Scheme to offer more opportunities and
02. Congress will task India’s Missions abroad to pay options to NRIs to invest in India. We will establish
special attention to work safety and work condi- a single point of contact and simplify the proce-
tions of Indian citizens in foreign countries. We will dures to enable NRIs to invest in businesses in
appoint a Committee of Overseas Indian Citizens to India.
review the work of the Missions in this regard.
01. Congress promises to re-constitute the National 03. We will encourage citizens to form civil society
Integration Council to promote unity, solidarity, organisations. We will create an institutional
communal harmony, fraternity and reconciliation. framework under which Central and State Govern-
Congress promises to work with the Council to fight ments may consult civil society organisations on
divisive and communal forces that are a danger to formulating policies, implementing programmes
the unity and solidarity of the country. and obtaining feedback on outcomes.
02. Congress will set up an Inter-faith Council 04. Congress will use modern technology along with
consisting of leaders of all religions in order to traditional brick-and-mortar service centres to
promote respect for all religions, mutual toler- increase the role of civil society organisations
ance and fraternity, to hold inter-faith dialogues, in policy and in decision-making.
and enhance cultural exchanges between people
belonging to different religions.
Congress will restore the dignity, authority and autonomy of our public
institutions, which has been eroded by the NDA government, while making
them accountable to Parliament. We believe that self-regulation is the
best way to correct the abuse of media freedom. We will amend the Press
Council of India Act, 1978 to strengthen the system of self-regulation,
protect the freedom of journalists, uphold editorial independence and
guard against government interference.
31
24 Institutions
Never before have the institutions that underpin a parliamentary democracy been so brazen-
ly undermined, denigrated and captured as in the last 5 years. Examples of this include the
Reserve Bank of India, Central Vigilance Commission, Election Commission of India, Central
Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Central Information Commission, National
Statistics Commission and National Human Rights Commission.
01. Congress promises to restore the dignity, au- 04. All government schemes and programmes shall
thority and autonomy of these institutions while be subjected to social audit. Congress promises
making them accountable to Parliament. Congress to enact a Social Accountability Act.
promises that selection and appointment to these 05. Congress promises to amend the Aadhaar Act,
bodies will be transparent and will be with due 2016 in order to restrict the use of Aadhaar to
regard to the importance of institutional integrity. subsidies, benefits and services provided by the
02. Congress promises to amend the Anti-Defection government as was originally intended under the
Law to provide for instant disqualification of a law. Congress also promises that, having regard
Member of Parliament or a Member of the State to the inherent limitations of biometric identifica-
Legislature for proven disobedience to the party’s tion, alternate instruments of identification will be
whip or for withdrawing allegiance to the party or allowed under the law.
for supporting another party. A disqualified mem- 06. Appointments to the Lokpal will be made in accor-
ber shall not be eligible to hold any public office dance with the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
(including that of minister) or be a candidate in an The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
election to Parliament or the State Legislature for a and, in the absence of such a leader, the leader of
period of 2 years from the date of disqualification. the largest Opposition Party will be a full-fledged
03. We will introduce the requirement of public con- member of the selection committee.
sultation before a Bill is introduced in Parliament.
25 Anti-Corruption
01. Congress will enforce anti-corruption laws 03. Congress will also investigate the circumstances
without discrimination under which a number of scamsters were allowed
02. Congress will cause to be investigated several to leave the country and will take determined steps
deals entered into by the BJP Government in the to bring them back and face legal proceedings.
last 5 years and, in particular, the Rafale deal.
01. We will review the distribution of legislative fields 08. Congress promises to revive the Backward
in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution and Regions Grant Fund and the Integrated
build a consensus on transferring some legislative Action Plan that were implemented under
fields from List III (Concurrent List) to List II UPA and achieved significant results.
(State List). 09. The States in the North East have a special place
02. We will reduce the size of Ministries and and there are special provisions in the Constitution.
Departments in the Central Government in such For the North Eastern States, the Congress
areas where sufficient capacity has been built by promises to:
the State Governments. a. Restore Special Category status to the
03. Congress promises to give primacy to State North Eastern States;
Governments in subjects such as school educa- b. Withdraw the infamous Citizenship Amend-
tion, primary and secondary health care, child nu- ment Bill, which caused widespread resent-
trition, drinking water, sanitation and distribution of ment;
electricity, and ensure that the Central Government c. Enhance financial assistance to the Autono-
plays a supportive role to State Governments. mous District Councils in acknowledgement
04. Congress promises to take forward the idea of of their importance to the North Eastern States.
the GST Council of Ministers and establish such 10. Congress will give Special Category status to
Councils for Agriculture, Education and Healthcare. Andhra Pradesh as promised by Dr. Manmohan
05. We will implement the recommendations of the Singh on 20 February 2014 in the Rajya Sabha.
Fifteenth Finance Commission and will urge the 11. Congress promises full statehood to Puducherry.
States to implement the recommendations of their 12. Congress promises to amend the Government of
respective State Finance Commissions. National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991
06. Congress, as the author of the 73rd and 74th to make it clear that the Lieutenant Governor shall
Constitution Amendments, will prevail upon the act on the aid and advice of the Council of Minis-
States to implement those provisions in letter and ters except in matters concerning the 3 reserved
spirit and devolve funds, functions and functionar- subjects.
ies upon the Panchayats and Municipalities. 13. Congress promises a statutory Council each for the
07. We will work with State Governments to empower Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Panchayats and Municipalities through devolution Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar
of funds including a share of GST revenues. We Haveli to deliberate and to advise the Lieutenant
will explore the possibility of direct central grants Governor.
to Panchayats and Municipalities that was tried
successfully in 1988-89 under the Government
of Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
29 Judiciary
Congress promises that the independence and integrity of the judiciary will be maintained
and protected at all costs.
01. Congress will introduce a Bill to amend the Con- 06. Congress will work with the judiciary to improve the
stitution to make the Supreme Court a Consti- administration of courts by introducing modern
tutional Court that will hear and decide cases technology and appointing professionals for court
involving the interpretation of the Constitution and roster management.
and other cases of legal significance or national 07. We will encourage the judiciary at all levels to
importance. adopt technological tools to track cases and
02. Congress will introduce a Bill to amend the Con- expedite the hearing and decisions on cases.
stitution to establish a Court of Appeal between 08. Learned, independent and upright judges are the
the High Courts and the Supreme Court, to hear core of the judiciary. Congress promises to es-
appeals from judgments and orders of High Courts. tablish a National Judicial Commission (NJC)
The Court of Appeal will sit in multiple Benches of that will be responsible for selection of judges for
3 judges each in 6 locations. appointment to the High Courts and the Supreme
03. We will enhance representation at all levels of Court. The NJC will be comprised of judges, jurists
the judiciary for women, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and and parliamentarians and will be serviced by a
other under-represented sections of society. secretariat. Names of suitable candidates will be
04. We will allocate sufficient funds annually to pro- placed in the public domain and the reasons for
vide the necessary infrastructure for the judiciary. selection will be published to ensure that the en-
05. Congress promises to fix the retirement age of tire process is transparent. Once the new system is
judges of High Courts and the Supreme Court at in place, we will endeavour to fill every vacancy in
65 years. The retirement age for judicial members the High Courts or Supreme Court within 2 months.
in Commissions and Tribunals shall also be 65 09. Congress will establish, by law, an independent
years. This will prevent post-retirement assign- Judicial Complaints Commission to investigate
ments for serving judges and allow more opportu- complaints of misconduct against judges and rec-
nities for qualified persons to serve as judges ommend suitable action to Parliament.
or judicial members.
01. Decriminalise laws that are essentially laws direct- 07. Amend the laws to declare that every investiga-
ed against civil violations and can be subjected to tion agency that has the power to search, seize,
civil penalties; attach, summon, interrogate and arrest will be
02. Omit Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code and subject to the restrictions imposed on the police
make ‘defamation’ a civil offence; by the Constitution, the Code of Criminal Procedure
03. Omit Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code and the Indian Evidence Act; and
(that defines the offence of ‘sedition’) that has 08. Amend the Code of Criminal Procedure and
been misused and, in any event, has become related laws to affirm the principle that ‘Bail is
redundant because of subsequent laws; the rule and jail is the exception:’
04. Amend the laws that allow for detention without 09. At the administrative level, Congress promises to:
trial in order to bring them in accord with the a. Release immediately all remand and under
spirit, and not just the letter, of the Constitution trial prisoners facing charges punishable with
as well as International Human Rights Conventions; imprisonment of 3 years or less who have spent
05. Pass a law titled the Prevention of Torture Act 3 months in prison;
to prohibit the use of third-degree methods b. Release immediately all remand and under
during custody or interrogation and punish cases trial prisoners facing charges punishable with
of torture, brutality or other police excesses; imprisonment of 3 to 7 years who have spent
06. Amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) 6 months in prison; and
Act, 1958 in order to strike a balance between c. Institute comprehensive prison reforms
the powers of security forces and the human rights recognizing the principle that prisoners enjoy
of citizens and to remove immunity for enforced human and legal rights and that prisons are
disappearance, sexual violence and torture. institutions of correction.
01. We will scrap the opaque Electoral Bond Scheme least 50 per cent of the EVMs will be matched
that was designed to favour the ruling party. against the physical count of the voting slips in
02. Congress promises to set up a National Election the corresponding VVPATs.
Fund to which any person may make a contribu- 04. We will allocate substantially more free airtime
tion. Funds will be allocated at the time of elec- on All India Radio and Doordarshan at the time
tions to recognised political parties in accordance of elections to recognised political parties in
with criteria laid down by law. accordance with criteria laid down by law.
03. Congress will ensure that EVMs and VVPATs are
tamperproof. During counting, the count in at
32 Police Reforms
01. ‘Police’ and ‘Law & Order’ are State subjects. Con- 04. Congress promises to work with State Governments
gress promises to consult State Governments and to augment the size of their police forces, to
reach a consensus on the police reforms directed fill current vacancies within 18 months and to lay
by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case. down a schedule for annual recruitment, taking
Based on the consensus, Congress will pass a into account anticipated vacancies.
Model Police Act that the States will be advised 05. We will work with State Governments to ensure
to adopt and enact in the State Legislatures. that their police forces reflect the diversity of the
02. The objectives of the Model Police Act will be to population of the State and gives greater represen-
make the police forces modern, technology- tation to under-represented sections.
enabled, people-friendly, and upholders of 06. We will ensure that State police forces reserve 33
human rights and legal rights. per cent of all vacancies in direct recruitment and
03. Provisions will be made in the Model Police Act to: promotion for women constables and officers.
a. Make the State police force accountable to an
independent Police Accountability Commis-
sion as well as to give an annual report to the
State Legislature.
b. Decentralise the police force in the State and
to involve the community in the oversight of the
police force.
c. Cause investigations into cases of communal ri-
ots, lynchings and gang rapes by a special wing
of the State police under the direct command
of the State Headquarters of the police.
01. In recent times, sections of the media have abused 04. Congress will pass a law to curb monopolies in
or surrendered their freedom. Nevertheless, we be- the media, cross-ownership of different segments
lieve that self-regulation is the best way to correct of the media and control of the media by other
the abuse of media freedom. Congress promises to business organisations. Congress will refer cases
amend the Press Council of India Act, 1978 to of suspected monopolies to the Competition
strengthen the system of self-regulation, protect Commission of India.
the freedom of journalists, uphold editorial indepen- 05. Congress promises to pass a law to preserve the
dence and guard against government interference. freedom of the Internet and to prevent arbitrary
02. Congress will amend the Press Council of India and frequent shutdowns of the Internet.
Act to empower the Council to deal with the 06. We will work with State Governments to formulate
menace of fake news and paid news. rules to require the police to extend protection to
03. We will work with the Press Council of India and journalists working in conflict areas or investi-
associations of newspapers and media to formu- gating matters of public interest and to journalists
late and enforce a Code of Conduct on reporting whose lives are threatened or otherwise in danger.
in situations of natural disaster, communal conflict, 07. Congress promises to amend the Cinematograph
riots, terrorist attacks and war in order to ensure Act, 1927 to restrict censorship of films to
a balance between the need to inform, need for grounds of national security and obscenity. We
restraint, maintenance of law and order, and will direct the Central Board of Film Certification
interest of national security. to certify films according to transparent and
reasonable criteria.
01. Congress will scrap the Niti Aayog, which has 02. Congress promises that the new Planning Commis-
proved to be a noisy and incompetent intermed- sion will be a lean organisation with renowned
dler. Congress promises to constitute a Planning economists and financial experts as members as-
Commission with re-defined responsibilities such sisted by a small but high-quality team of scholars
as to formulate medium and long-term perspective from different fields and support staff totalling a
plans and to function as an independent expert maximum of 100 persons.
body to perform crucial functions in a federal
system.
01. Congress promises to pass the Constitution 08. Congress will pass a model legislation to establish
(Amendment) Bill to provide for reservation of a separate investigative agency to investigate
33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and State heinous crimes against women and children and
Legislative Assemblies in the first session of the urge State Governments to enact a law to establish
17th Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha. such an investigative agency.
02. We will amend the Service Rules to reserve for 09. Congress pioneered the women’s self-help group
women 33 per cent of appointments to posts (SHG) movement that today boasts of 87 lakh
in the Central Government. groups. Congress also launched the National Rural
03. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 will be Livelihoods Mission (NRLM – Aajeevika). We prom-
enforced effectively. We will review all laws that ise to launch NRLM-2 to make SHGs a key instru-
stipulate wage rates to provide that men and ment for the economic empowerment of women,
women are paid the same wage for similar work. to increase livelihood opportunities and to usher
04. We will stipulate that every Special Economic Zone in transformative social change.
shall have working women’s hostels and safe 10. We will work with State Governments to imple-
transport facilities to increase the participation ment a programme to provide single, widowed,
of women in the labour force. divorced, abandoned or destitute women a
05. We will repeal any provision of law that prohibits dignified and secure life.
night shifts for women. 11. Congress promises to launch a programme to ap-
06. Sufficient night shelters will be built for migrant point an Adhikar Maitri in every Panchayat to serve
women workers. Adequate number of safe and as a paralegal to educate women on, and assist
hygienic public toilets for women will be provided them in the enforcement of, their legal rights.
in towns and cities. Sanitary napkin vending 12. We will pass suitable legislation to make
machines will be installed in public spaces, registration of marriages compulsory and we
schools and colleges. will enforce the law prohibiting child marriages.
07. Congress promises a comprehensive review of the 13. Congress promises to expand ICDS and provide
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplaces a crèche in every Anganwadi based on need
Act, 2013 and will extend the Act to all work- and demand.
places. We will additionally institute measures
to address all forms of harassment of women.
01. Congress promises a holistic agenda of affirmative 02. We will pass a law to restore the original purpose
action for SCs, STs and OBCs who constitute a little and intent of the 200-point roster system and
more than 75 per cent of the population. Hence, implement it for the institution as a whole.
Congress promises to set up an Equal Oppor- 03. Congress promises to fill all backlog vacancies
tunities Commission, which will recommend reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs in government,
affirmative action strategies and policies to achieve semi-government and central public sector organi-
equality—and equity—in education, employment sations within 12 months.
and in economic opportunities. We will implement 04. Congress promises to amend the Constitution to
the recommendations of the Equal Opportunities provide for reservation in promotion posts for
Commission. SCs, STs and OBCs.
01. Congress has long held the view that dialogue is 04. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and
the only way to understand the aspirations of the the Disturbed Areas Act in J&K will be reviewed.
people of the 3 regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Suitable changes will be made in the text of the
find an honourable solution to their issues. We will laws to balance the requirements of security and
take that path. the protection of human rights.
02. We will adopt a two-pronged approach: first- 05. Building a Union of States that is India is a project
ly, uncompromising firmness on the border and of inclusiveness. Jammu & Kashmir and its prob-
ending infiltration; and secondly, absolute fairness lems deserve a large-hearted approach that will
in dealing with the demands of the people and eschew muscular militarism and legalistic formu-
winning their hearts and minds. lations and look for an innovative federal solution.
03. Congress promises to review the deployment of Congress promises to find such a solution through
armed forces, move more troops to the border to patient dialogue and talks with all stakeholders in
stop infiltration completely, reduce the presence the State.
of the Army and CAPFs in the Kashmir Valley, and 06. Congress promises the people of J&K talks without
entrust more responsibility to the J&K police for pre-conditions. We will appoint 3 interlocutors
maintaining law and order. drawn from civil society to facilitate such talks.
01. Congress promises to restore the Special Catego- 09. Congress will strengthen the North Eastern
ry status to the NES. Council and take steps to expand and reinforce
02. Congress promises an industrial policy for the the original mandate of the Council.
NES. 10. We will cause a comprehensive review of the
03. We will withdraw immediately the widely resented policies and special programmes that are under
Citizenship Amendment Bill introduced by the implementation in the NES and make changes
BJP Government against the wishes of the people wherever necessary.
of the NES. 11. Congress promises to substantially increase the
04. We will ensure that no citizen of India is denied in- budget outlays for infrastructure and social
clusion in the final National Register of Citizens. sector development in the NES, especially for
05. We will address the issue of illegal immigra- railways, roads, communication, connectivity and
tion into the NES through consultation with the tourism. We will provide sufficient funds to address
NES and evolve a consensus on the legislative the development gaps in education and healthcare.
measures that will secure the identity of the 12. We will leverage the rich bio-diversity and natural
indigenous communities. We will also engage the resources of the NES to generate livelihood oppor-
neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar, tunities in sustainable agriculture, horticulture
to address and resolve the issue of illegal immi- and organic farming.
gration into India. 13. We will use modern technology to harness the wa-
06. Congress will strengthen the security of the bor- ters of the Brahmaputra and to find a permanent
ders of the NES with Bangladesh, Myanmar and solution to the problems of flood and soil erosion.
China, resolve any border issues through dialogue We will examine the opportunity provided by the
with the neighbouring countries and make the bor- mighty Brahmaputra to create a multi-modal trans-
ders ‘borders of prosperity and growth;’ and port system in the North Eastern region.
07. We will resolve the pending inter-state issues, 14. Congress acknowledges the importance of
including boundary issues, in the NES through Autonomous District Councils within the NES
dialogue or mediation. and promises to enhance financial assistance to
08. The importance of border trade to the economy these Councils.
of the NES cannot be overstated. Regular export 15. We will ensure that tea garden workers are paid
and import trade will also create huge economic wages and given other benefits in accordance with
opportunities, including more jobs, in the NES. the laws applicable to them and according to the
We promise to take bold and innovative measures bilateral agreements.
to enhance trade in general, and border trade in
particular, with neighbouring countries and other
countries further to the east.
01. Congress promises to uphold the rights of reli- child and promises to support the efforts of State
gious minorities: to non-discrimination, to equal Governments to promote the use of the mother
opportunity in employment, to religious freedom tongue as the preferred medium of instruction.
and to establish educational institutions guaran- 07. We will also support the efforts of State Govern-
teed under Articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 ments to teach the official language(s) of the
of the Constitution. State, as well as Hindi and English to children of
02. We also promise to uphold the rights of linguistic that State.
minorities: to non-discrimination, to equal oppor- 08. We will pass a new law in the first session of the
tunity in employment and to establish educational 17th Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha to prevent
institutions guaranteed under Articles 15, 16, 29 and punish hate crimes such as mob-engineered
and 30 of the Constitution. stripping, burning and lynching. The law will con-
03. Congress promises that rules will be made to tain provisions to compensate the victims and to
ensure that the decennial census accurately hold accountable the police and district administra-
enumerates the number of people claiming a lan- tion for proven negligence.
guage as their mother tongue or as their preferred 09. The Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorized
spoken language. Occupants) Bill, 2014 will be re-introduced and
04. Congress promises to support the promotion of all passed. Waqf properties will be restored to the
the languages of our country including languages legal trustees.
not included in the Eighth Schedule of the Consti- 10. Congress promises to uphold the character of
tution. We will encourage, as far as possible, the Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia
use of such languages, including the languages Islamia as minority educational institutions.
of Scheduled Tribes and Nomadic Tribes, in the 11. We promise that the National Commission for
administration of areas where such languages are Women and the National Commission for
widely spoken by the people. Minorities will be given Constitutional status
05. We support the use of Sign Language that is as in the cases of similar Commissions.
used by millions of people with disabilities.
06. Congress supports the principle that school educa-
tion is best imparted in the mother tongue of the
01. Congress promises a Special Census and the against and stigmatised Denotified and Semi-
enumeration of Denotified and Semi-Nomadic Nomadic Tribes and led to their harassment.
Tribes and the integration of the data in the 04. Congress will work with State Governments to
decennial census. impart education and skills to Denotified and
02. We will examine the feasibility of providing Semi-Nomadic Tribes, especially the children, in
compartmental reservation for Denotified and order that they may find productive jobs and reap
Semi-Nomadic Tribes as citizens belonging to the benefits of economic development.
socially and educationally Backward Classes.
03. We will immediately repeal the Habitual
Offenders Act, 1952 that has discriminated
41 Senior Citizens
Congress acknowledges that about 9 per cent of the population of India is over the age
of 60 years and this proportion will increase.
Congress promises to review current policies on senior citizens and make suitable changes,
taking into account advances in medical science and technology.
01. Under the Right to Healthcare Act, we will 03. Senior citizens can contribute to the development
provide affordable and quality healthcare to senior of the communities in which they live. We will
citizens in hospitals including free diagnostics, create opportunities for senior citizens to do so.
out-patient treatment, medicines and hospital 04. We will take measures to ensure easy access to
treatment. Geriatric wards with sufficient beds will legal services and recourse to senior citizens es-
be opened in every district-level hospital. pecially in cases of neglect, abuse, abandonment,
02. We will introduce well-designed pension and eviction and financial fraud.
health insurance schemes that will guarantee 05. Congress promises to enforce strictly the provi-
insured persons a life of dignity and comfort when sions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Senior
they become senior citizens. Citizens Act, 2017.
01. Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will be included in the Right of Persons with Disabilities
amended to prohibit discrimination on the ground Act, 2016 and to create awareness on the rights
of ‘disability’ or ‘impairment.’ of persons with disabilities.
02. All public services and public spaces, govern- 04. Congress promises to direct all Ministries and
ment offices and private premises will be made in- Departments to cause a quick review of their
clusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. policy statements and programmes in order to
03. We will set up an information portal to enable ensure that they acknowledge, protect and
easy access to information on all 21 disabilities promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
43 Rights Of LGBTQIA+
Congress recognises the sexual diversity among people and promises equality
and equal rotection of the laws to people with different sexual identities.
01. Congress promises to ensure the effective imple- 03. We will direct that gender sensitivity training,
mentation of the judgment in the Navtej Singh especially for the rights of the LGBTQIA+
Johar case. We will protect the rights of the community, be made mandatory in all government
LGBTQIA+ community. departments and organisations including the
02. We will immediately withdraw the Transgender Armed Forces and the Police Forces.
Bill, 2018, pending in Parliament. Instead, Con-
gress will introduce a Bill that will be consistent
with the judgment in the NALSA case. The new Bill
will be drafted in consultation with the LGBTQIA+
community.
Congress promises to enact the Right to Healthcare Act that will guarantee
to every citizen the right to healthcare services, including free diagnostics,
out-patient care, medicines and hospitalisation through a network of public
hospitals and enlisted private hospitals. We will ensure that government
expenditure on healthcare and education will be doubled to 3 per cent of
GDP and 6 per cent of GDP respectively by 2023–24.
45
44 Healthcare
Healthcare, is a public good. Full healthcare is the right of every citizen—
child, adult and senior citizen.
Providing healthcare is a shared responsibility of the Central and State Governments. We
recognise that the principal responsibility for providing primary and secondary healthcare
lies with the State Governments and the principal responsibility for providing tertiary and
super-specialty healthcare lies with the Central Government.
01. Congress promises that the total government 10. India’s current doctor to population ratio is 1:1681
expenditure on healthcare will be doubled to and government doctor to population ratio is
3 per cent of GDP by the year 2023-24. The 1:11,528. Congress promises to increase the
Annual Budgets will indicate the step up in each number of doctors, including specialist doctors,
year in order to achieve the target in 2023-24. significantly by establishing more medical
02. Congress promises to enact the Right to Health- colleges, increasing the capacity of medical
care Act that will guarantee to every citizen colleges and providing scholarships and loans
the right to healthcare services, including free to medical students.
diagnostics, out-patient care, medicines and 11. Congress promises to license pre-qualified
hospitalisation through a network of public institutions in the public sector and private sector
hospitals and enlisted private hospitals. to teach and certify medical professionals such
03. We are of the firm belief that the insurance-based as nurses, paramedics and medical technicians.
model cannot be the preferred model to provide 12. We will promote AYUSH, the Indian systems of
universal healthcare in our country. Congress medicine, in the provision of healthcare services
promises to vigorously promote and implement and especially in preventive healthcare.
the free public hospitals-model to provide 13. Congress will implement a programme that will
universal healthcare. enable State Governments to revamp and equip
04. Congress will substantially expand the free the network of primary health centres (PHCs).
Dial-an-Ambulance service and put on the PHCs will provide all primary health services,
road more ambulances in all the districts of India. including preventive measures and wellness
05. Trauma and Emergency Centres will be estab- services, and become referral centres for serious
lished on all National and State Highways to cater medical cases.
to the travelling public as well as the population 14. We will ensure that all vacancies at all levels
in the surrounding area. in PHCs and in public hospitals are filled within
06. We will expand child healthcare services a period of 1 year.
(pre-natal, post-natal and pediatric) and geriatric 15. We will expand the ASHA programme and
services in all public hospitals. appoint a second ASHA worker in all villages
07. We will implement the Clinical Establishments with a population exceeding 2500 persons.
Act, 2010 to bring accountability to the function- 16. Congress promises to implement the National
ing of private and public clinical establishments. Mental Health Policy, 2014 and the Mental
08. Congress promises to promote, and eventually Health Care Act, 2017 in letter and spirit. We
mandate, the digitisation of medical records will ensure that mental healthcare professionals
on the foundation of a robust ICT infrastructure are appointed in all public district hospitals and
with suitable provisions for privacy, mobility and that mental healthcare services are provided in
inter-operability. such hospitals.
09. We promise to formulate a National Telemedi-
cine Policy based on international best practices.
01. Congress will propose that School Education based on demand and with the co-operation
be transferred to the State List in the Seventh of the State Governments.
Schedule of the Constitution while retaining the 08. It is a matter of grave concern that children drop
subject of Higher Education in the Union List. out of school. We promise to arrest this trend and
02. Congress promises that school education from ensure that every child completes 12 years of
Class I to Class XII in public schools shall be school education.
compulsory and free. Suitable amendments will 09. In order to ensure a uniform quality of education
be made in the Right to Education Act, 2009. We and to improve learning outcomes, Congress prom-
will end the practice of charging special fees for ises to employ technology-enabled teaching
different purposes in public schools. methods and technology-driven, personalised and
03. We are deeply concerned about the quality of ed- adaptive learning tools in all schools.
ucation and poor learning outcomes as reported 10. Most children stop with school education. In
in the Annual Survey of Education Report (ASER). order to make children ready for employment or
Congress promises to attach the highest impor- self-employment, Congress promises to introduce
tance to learning outcomes. vocational training as a compulsory component
04. The teacher is the pivot around whom the entire of school education in Classes IX to XII.
system of education revolves. Teacher training 11. Congress will support the establishment of
and the continuing education of teachers are the special schools for children with special needs.
key to quality instruction. Congress promises to 12. India needs more Universities. Congress promises
increase the capacity, number and quality of Teach- to establish more public universities in the country,
er Training Institutes set up by the government. especially in under-served areas.
Regulation of Teacher Training Institutes will be the 13. We promise to restore the autonomy of colleges
responsibility of the National Council for Teacher and universities.
Education and their funding will be the responsi- 14. We will entrust the Regulation, Grading and
bility of the University Grants Commission or its Funding of colleges and universities to sepa-
successor. A scheme for the periodic and continu- rate organisations. We will provide The University
ing education of teachers will be implemented and Grants Commission or its successor with sufficient
teachers will be required to mandatorily participate funds to make liberal grants to colleges and uni-
in the scheme. versities, based on need and merit.
05. Congress promises to double the allocation for 15. We promise to take suitable measures to include
Education to 6 per cent of GDP in the 5 years Guest, Temporary and Contract Teachers in the
ending 2023-24. A path forward will be laid down regular establishment of Universities so that they
in the regular Budget for 2019-20 and specific receive the benefits due to them.
annual targets will be set. 16. We promise to restore the 200-point roster
06. The Right to Education Act brought to the fore criti- system for appointments to central universities
cal deficiencies in the school systems across the and other central institutes of higher learning.
country. In States where the Act was implemented 17. Congress deeply respects teachers and will
well, many of these deficiencies were rectified. But ensure that serving teachers are represented in
much remains to be done, especially in the educa- the governing bodies of colleges and universities.
tionally backward districts of the States. Congress 18. Congress promises to establish more Institutes
promises increased expenditure to provide basic of Higher Learning in subjects such as medicine,
and adequate infrastructure in every school from engineering, commerce, management and pure
Class I to Class XII that will include classrooms, sciences.
library, laboratory, playground, toilets, drinking 19. We will increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio
water, etc. Hostels will be constructed based (GER) in Higher Education from the current level
on demand. of 25.8 to the level of at least 40 in a period of
07. Congress promises to increase the number of 5 years.
Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodya Vidyalayas
47 Child Welfare
Children are the most valuable human resource of a country. Congress believes that it is the
duty of the Central and State Governments to ensure that every child enjoys all the rights of
a child, especially complete education and full health.
01. Congress promises to expand the ICDS pro- of school education. The ASER Report is an indict-
gramme, increase funding support and increase ment of the quality of instruction in many schools.
the number of Anganwadis. Anganwadi workers Congress will work with State Governments to en-
shall be paid atleast the State minimum wage. sure that a child receives a good quality education
02. Based on need and demand, Anganwadis will and that this is reflected in learning outcomes.
include a crèche to provide day care to small 06. Crimes against children, especially sexual
children and to empower working mothers. violence, are crimes against humanity. Congress
03. Nutritious food is the mainstay of the ICDS promises to take a serious view of such crimes. The
programme. We will closely monitor the coverage number of POCSO courts will be increased, trials
and quality of the programme. There will be a will be put on fast track and the guilty punished.
social audit of the outcomes pertaining to the 07. Congress promises to revamp and improve
improvement of children’s nutrition levels. Child Protection Services with a focus on
04. We will ensure that every child is vaccinated. vulnerable groups of children, the prevention
05. Complete education is dependent on learning of crimes against children, and the after-care
outcomes and the child completing 12 years and rehabilitation of child victims.
01. Congress promises universal access to potable 03. We will pay special attention to access to water
drinking water. The National Drinking Water and democratic sharing of water. We will address
Mission will be reviewed and strengthened. these issues by focusing on storage in dams and
Budget allocations will be substantially increased. water bodies, replenishing ground water and
02. Congress recognises the challenge of water scarcity creating a large participatory programme of water
and promises to create a Ministry of Water to management involving the State Governments,
bring all water-related activities and departments civil society organisations, farmers, other users,
under one authority. Panchayats and Gram Sabhas.
01. Congress promises an action agenda that will place the Himalayan range and the Western Ghats.
India at the forefront of the battle against global However, the livelihood opportunities of the people
warming and for the protection of the environ- living in these mountains will be protected.
ment. At the same time, Congress will defend and 06. Congress will join hands with State Governments to
advance India’s interests in international negotia- stop, fully and finally, the discharge of effluents
tions on Climate Change and the Environment. into the rivers and to clean all the rivers of India.
02. We will constitute, by law, an independent, em- 07. Congress promises to protect the coastal zones
powered and transparent Environment Protection of the country. Recent steps that diluted the coast-
Authority (EPA) to establish, monitor and enforce al zone regulations will be reversed. The coast
environmental standards and regulations. The EPA will be preserved without affecting the livelihood
will replace all other bodies that currently exercise opportunities of fishing communities.
jurisdiction and powers. 08. We will impose a complete ban on the import
03. Congress recognises that air pollution is a of all types of waste.
national public health emergency. We will 09. We will allow the import of sand for construction
significantly strengthen the National Clean Air Pro- and stop the illegal mining of sand in riverbanks.
gramme in order to urgently tackle the problem of 10. We will implement a solid waste management
pollution. All major sources of emission will be plan in every habitation, village, town and city
targetted, mitigated and reduced to acceptable employing modern technology and machinery.
levels. Sectoral emission standards will be set. Those engaged in waste management and disposal
04. We will formulate a comprehensive land and will be assured appropriate equipment, dignity and
water use policy and plan that will include safe working conditions.
measures for the conservation of ecosystems 11. Congress will confer legal and financial powers
and the bio-diversity and wildlife contained upon Panchayats and Municipalities to enable
therein, without affecting the legitimate rights them to partner with State Governments in envi-
of local communities. ronment protection and management and to
05. We will work closely with the State Governments convert the total effort into a grassroots movement
concerned to preserve the rich bio-diversity of involving youth, women, communities and NGOs.
01. Congress promises to re-visit the National 05. Congress promises to develop a modern Climate
Disaster Management Act, 2005 and incorporate Information System, incorporating advanced
changes, based upon the experience gained in the tools of meteorology that will accurately monitor,
working of the Act and in managing natural disas- forecast and disseminate information to key stake-
ters that have occurred over the last 14 years. holders including farmers, fisherfolk and vulnerable
02. We will review the working of the National Disas- households.
ter Management Authority and emphasise the 06. We will increase the allocation to the National
equally important function of preventing disasters. Adaptation Fund and re-visit the guidelines
03. We will not limit disaster management to for the use of the funds to ensure that only
humans and will include it to cover the impact schemes that actually benefit farmers, fisherfolk,
of disasters on wild animals, domestic animals, forest dwellers, artisans and similar persons
pets, livestock, agricultural crops and plantations. are implemented.
04. We will use the MGNREGA programme to execute
public works that will mitigate the impact of
disasters such as floods and droughts.
01. Provide access to all persons to high quality 06. Pass a law to provide adequate safeguards against
internet at affordable rates; unlawful or excessive surveillance and monitor-
02. Uphold the principle of net neutrality to ensure ing and provide for both independent and Parlia-
the internet stays a level playing field; mentary oversight;
03. Regulate the power to shut down the internet 07. Make all government departments publish all
and to prevent arbitrary shut downs; non-private data sets as open data, allowing
04. Promote the development and use of open stan- citizens to access the data without having to file
dards and free and open source software in RTI requests; and
order to enable citizens to avail of government 08. Pass regulations to stop the spread of fake news
services and access government information with- and hate speech and punish those who misuse
out being obliged to rely on proprietary software; digital and social media.
05. Pass a law to protect the personal data of all
persons and uphold the right to privacy;
52 Sports
Congress affirms its belief that India has the potential to become a great sporting nation. Our
sports policy will aim to inculcate in our citizens, especially students and youth, the culture of
sports and fitness and will encourage sports as a career.
01. Congress promises to respect the autonomy of the 05. Congress will allocate sufficient funds to train
Indian Olympic Association and the Apex Body and produce coaches and other technical support
of each sport. Government will work with each personnel in each sport.
body to promote the sport concerned. 06. Congress promises to establish Centres of Sport-
02. Congress will take suitable measures to ensure ing Excellence in different parts of the country
that the Constitution of each sports body is in in order to offer world-class training and coaching
accordance with certain norms and principles, that facilities to sportspersons who meet national or
elections are held according to them, and that international standards of excellence.
there is adequate representation in each sports 07. We will ensure that there is at least 1 community
body for active players, former players and women. sports centre in the headquarters of each block
03. We will make physical education and sports an and in municipal towns and at least 1 multi-sport
integral and mandatory part of the school curricu- coaching centre in every district headquarters.
lum and encourage higher education institutions 08. Congress will ensure that there is at least 1 Sports
to accord sports an important place. Counselling Centre in every district that will
04. Congress promises to allocate sufficient funds to spread awareness about different sports and
create modern sports infrastructure in different counsel and assist aspiring young sportspersons.
parts of the country such as multi-sport stadium, 09. We will allocate sufficient funds to promote
athletic track, football field, astro-turf, tennis, sports among girls and women, persons with
badminton, basketball and volleyball courts, gym- disabilities and disadvantaged groups such as
nasium, swimming pool and velodrome. We will Scheduled Tribes.
entrust the maintenance and management of
each facility to the Apex Body of that sport.
India has suffered terribly over the last 5 years. We promise to provide leadership that brings
We are stuck in a sluggish economy; we are stuck in people together, not one which divides.
joblessness; we are stuck in an unprecedented rural
crisis; we are stuck in a divided society; and we are We are a party that lives up to its promises, not
stuck in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. one that deceives you with hollow jumlas at election
We have a lot of work to do to correct the harm time. With us, you will be sure of a bright future
done in the last 5 years to our people, our freedoms, filled with hope for you and your children.
our economy, our institutions, and our spirit of
togetherness. The Congress is once again ready It is now time for you to make a choice.
to take on this challenge and this responsibility.
With utmost humility, faith in our capacity to deliver,
We promise to repair the damage caused by and unflinching courage to take on every challenge,
a callous, divisive and deceitful BJP Government. we appeal to you to join hands with the Congress.
Let us rebuild India. Together, let us get India
We promise to put India back on the path of moving again.
growth and development, not take her backwards.
Remember:
We promise to empower every man, We have delivered before.
woman and child, not inflict distress. We will deliver again!
53
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