As Chhattisgarh Votes For Phase-1 Today, A Look At Key Promises Made By BJP And Congress In Their Manifestos

Chhattisgarh Assembly Polls: The state is voting today in the first phase of elections to decide if Congress will stay or the BJP will take the reign or if there will be a hung assembly.

Congress's Ghoshna Patra Vs BJP's Sankalp Patra: Which party will make it through Chhattisgarh elections this year? ( Image Source :PTI )

Chhattisgarh Elections 2023: People of 20 constituencies of Chhattisgarh are voting today in the first phase of two-phased assembly polls in the state. Over a month of campaigns, rallies, numerous speeches, massive blame games and rows have led to this day when the fate of candidates from 20 seats of the 90-seat assembly will be locked in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). While accusations and attacks are common directions leading to power, it is the promises that prove to be fruitful for the parties.

The run-up to the Chhattisgarh elections has had its share of assurances that the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in the state gave to the people. As voters prepare to exercise their franchise, here's a list of key promises that the two parties made to the people of Chhattisgarh.

Congress's 'Bharose Ka Ghoshna Patra 2023-28'

1. The Congress party, like last time, promised to waive the loans of farmers. It said last time in 2018, it waived the loans worth ₹9,272 crore of 18.5 lakh farmers. Loans of Self-Helf Groups (SHGs) will also be waived.
2. Congress assured to buy 20 quintals of paddy from each farmer at Rs 3,200 per quintal.
3. The party promised to conduct a caste census in Chhattisgarh if it returns to power in the state.
4. The party announced free education from KG to Post Graduate for all in schools and colleges run by the state government.
5. As per the manifesto, Congress said it would collect the Tendu leaf at Rs 6,000 per standard sack in place of the existing Rs 4,000. It added that tendu leaf collectors will additionally get an annual bonus of Rs 4,000
6. Congress promised to increase the annual allowance to those without land to Rs 10,000 from the existing Rs 7,000.
7. The party promised to launch the Mahtari Nyay Yojana scheme for mothers and sisters. A subsidy of Rs 500 per cooking gas cylinder will be given to women of all income groups and the same will be directly deposited into their bank accounts under this scheme.
8. Congress also promised to provide 200 units of free electricity for every household in the state.
9. It said houses will be provided to 17.5 lakh poor families in the state.
10. Under the Dr Khubchand Baghel Health Assistance Scheme, poor people in the state will get free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh in place of the present amount of Rs 5 lakh. It added that those in the APL category will get up to insurance up to Rs 5 lakh in place of the existing Rs 50,000.

BJP's Sankalp Patra: 'Modi Ki Guarantee'

1. BJP has promised to launch a 'Krishi Unnati Scheme' under which it will procure 21 quintals per acre paddy from farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal.
2. The saffron party said it would also launch the 'Mahtari Vandan Scheme', under which married women will be given financial assistance of Rs 12,000 per year.
3. It assured people to fill one lakh vacant government posts in Chhattisgarh in a time-bound and transparent manner.
4. BJP has also promised to sanction funds for the construction of 18 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The party said that every house in Chhattisgarh will have a tap water connection within two years under the 'Ghar Ghar Nirmal Jal Abhiyan'.
5. BJP said it would collect Tendu leaf at Rs 5,500 per standard sack, collectors will be given addition bonus of Rs 4,500 while collection will be done for 15 days.
6. It said it will provide Rs 10,000 financial aid to landless farm labourers under Deendayal Upadhyay Krishi Majdoor Kalyan Yojna.
7. Under Ayushman Bharat scheme, annual insurance beneift would be increased to Rs 10 lakh fron existing Rs 5 lakh per family, the party said in its manifesto.
8. Women from poor families will get cooking gas cylinders at Rs 500 each.
9. Students will be given a monthly travel allowance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to commute to college.
10. Another crucial promise by the BJP is that it will take people of the state on a visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.