Left Front's Manifesto: Job Creation and Investment at the Core of Bengal Elections
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kolkata, April 4 (NationPress) On Saturday, the Left Front, led by CPI(M) in West Bengal, unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections, emphasizing industrial growth and job creation.
The document outlines plans to boost public sector employment by filling all vacant positions within the state government and to stimulate the private sector through substantial investments facilitated by modifications to the state's industrial policies.
During the manifesto launch, veteran CPI(M) leader and Left Front chairman Biman Bose assured the populace of 120-day jobs in urban locales and 200-day jobs in rural areas, with a daily wage set at Rs 600.
Additionally, it promised a transparent recruitment process for filling vacant government positions, whether through the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) or the West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC), aiming to complete this within five years.
Significant pledges also include a 1.5 times increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 16 agricultural products, provision of free electricity up to 100 units, strict enforcement against illegal water body filling, and women's empowerment through the establishment of 20 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) over the next five years.
Moreover, the Left Front plans to introduce a specialized health insurance scheme for senior citizens and an old-age pension scheme with a monthly cap of Rs 6,000.
The manifesto will also target the creation of dedicated educational institutions and healthcare facilities for minorities and backward classes.
Following the manifesto release, Bose highlighted the urgent need to tackle the massive debt that has accumulated over the last 15 years under the Trinamool Congress government. He emphasized the importance of reducing wastage and non-essential spending.
Bose remarked, “The ruling party often discusses state development while overlooking the Rs 7.14 lakh crore debt accumulated since 2011, which was merely Rs 1.92 lakh crore when they took office. We will prioritize debt servicing through expenditure rationalization.”