Women-Centric Schemes To Farmers' Welfare — Ajit Pawar's NCP Releases Election Manifesto

The NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar unveiled its manifesto for the 2024 Maharashtra elections, promising various freebies despite the state's mounting debt of over Rs 7 lakh crore.

The Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, which is part of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, on Wednesday announced a host of freebies in its manifesto for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Despite a mounting debt on the state, which amounts to over Rs 7 lakh crore, the party has promised increased fiscal benefits to voters. 

Ajit Pawar's Promises To Voters Ahead Of Maharashtra Polls

Earlier on Tuesday, the Mahayuti — comprising the BJP, the NCP (Ajit Pawar), and the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) — released the coalition's combined manifesto. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar launched the manifesto at a public meeting in Kolhapur North. 

On Wednesday, Ajit Pawar's NCP released its individual manifesto in Baramati. It also announced constituency-specific promises. Ajit Pawar said: "We shall present the New Maharashtra vision within 100 days of our government formation."

Below are some of the promises in the NCP manifesto:

• The Ladki Behan Yojana disbursement to eligible women, numbering nearly 2.3 cores, would be increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100.


• As many as 25,000 women would be inducted into the police force to ensure women's safety.


• Efforts would be made to reduce the prices of essential commodities.


• Paddy-producing farmers of Maharashtra to get Rs 25,000 per hectare allowance.


• Loans of farmers would be waived.


• Minimum Support Price of eligible crops to be by 20%


• At least 45,000 connecting roads would be built in rural areas of Maharashtra.


• Old-age pension to be increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100.


• Electricity bills would be reduced by 30% with priority to solar energy.


• Rs 10,000 stipend would be disbursed to 10 lakh students each for training.


• As many as 25 lakh jobs would be created in the state.

When asked about the huge debt burden on the state and Maharashtra taking a loan of Rs 82,000 crore in the last financial year, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said that the state has "sufficient budget to fulfil the manifesto promises".