Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The manifesto outlines several key initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents across the Union Territory. Among the highlights is a promise to provide ₹18,000 annually to women heads of households, marking a significant step towards empowering women in the region.
Other promises include an increase in the PM Kisan Nidhi allowance by ₹4,000, bringing the total to ₹10,000 for farmers, along with a 50% reduction in electricity tariffs for agricultural activities. College students in J&K can also expect ₹3,000 annually as a transportation allowance. Additionally, the manifesto guarantees a 20% reservation for Agniveers in government jobs and a pledge to construct 10,000 km of new rural roads.
The manifesto emphasizes “conducting a free and fair census” to ensure targeted interventions for marginalized communities, and a promise to expedite the sustainable mining of the 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits found in the region.
Unveiling the manifesto, Shah highlighted a substantial decline in terror-related incidents over the past decade, citing a 70% drop in such occurrences and a steep reduction in stone-pelting incidents since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Shah also stressed the BJP’s commitment to economic growth in the region, noting that ₹80,000 crore of investment proposals have been received since the revocation of Article 370. Key infrastructure projects such as the Chenab railway bridge, Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel, and the Delhi-Katra Greenfield Expressway have been undertaken in recent years, contributing to the region’s development.
Other key promises in the BJP’s manifesto include:
Two free cooking gas cylinders annually for poor households.
Reimbursement of coaching fees up to ₹10,000 for two years for students.
Distribution of tablets and laptops to higher secondary students in remote areas.
Creation of 500,000 job opportunities in the region.
Setting up IT hubs, pharmaceutical parks, and regional development boards.
Rebates on water and power bills, and a ₹10,000 subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
Increasing old-age pensions from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000.
Expanding Ayushman Bharat coverage from ₹500,000 to ₹700,000.
Additionally, the manifesto promises to equip Village Defence Guards with automatic weapons, ensuring better security in the region.
Shah addressed the National Conference’s (NC) stance on reviewing reservation policies, assuring the public that the BJP would not allow any changes to the reservations for Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Pahadis. With a focus on security, infrastructure, and economic development, the BJP’s manifesto outlines an ambitious plan to shape the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
