5 Key Takeaways From BJP Manifesto: Focus On National Security, Farmers

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on Monday, prioritising national security related issues and committing itself to the implementation of the controversial National Register of Citizens across India in phases. The enactment of Citizenship Amendment Bill, by clarifying the apprehensions of the people in the North Eastern states, is also one of the key promises. The document also reiterates the party’s position on the Article 370 and Article 35 (A).

Some of the other key proposals include expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to all farmers, providing pension to all small and medium farmers, making an investment of Rs 25 lakh crores in the “agri-rural” sector, setting up a new ministry for water, launching a new fisheries wealth scheme with an investment of Rs. 10,000 crore to make available infrastructure for small and traditional fishermen, launch of feed and fodder mission to eliminate the shortage of fodder.

On the economic front, the BJP’s manifesto makes a commitment to make India a $5 trillion economy by 2025 and $10 trillion economy by 2032. The BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ also promises to make capital investment of Rs 100 lakh crore by 2024 in the infrastructure sector, in a bid to make India part of the top 50 nations in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index. A few other key promises include new industrial policy for increasing competitiveness of manufacturing and services, MSMEs to be given loans worth Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024 and establishment of a National Traders’ Welfare Board and National Policy for Retail Trade. Interestingly, the manifesto also promises to put an Indian in space in an Indian spacecraft as part of the ‘Gaganyaan mission’.

Here are the five key takeaways from the BJP’s manifesto:

National Security

• Expeditious completion of the National Register of Citizens process in some areas, which have witnessed a huge change in the cultural and linguistic identity due to illegal immigration.
• Committed to implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Bill across the country. The party said it will make all efforts to clarify the issues to the section of population from the north eastern states who have expressed apprehensions.
• Committed to annulling Article 35A and abrogation of Article 370.
• Implementing a coastal security scheme under which modern equipment and funds will be given to the states for establishing coastal police stations.
• Establishment of National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security, Island Information System and National Academy of Coastal Policing.

Farmers

• Expansion of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to all farmers.
• Launch of a pension scheme for all small and medium farmers upon reaching the age of 60 years.
• Investment of Rs 25 lakh crore in the “agri-rural” sector.
• Enrolment in the crop insurance scheme to become voluntary.
• Launch a National Bee-keeping and Honey Mission for additional income for the farmers.
• Launch Fisheries Wealth scheme with an initial allocation of Rs 10000 crore for small and traditional fishermen.

Economy and business

• Increase the size of India’s economy by making it a $5 trillion economy by 2025 and $10 trillion economy by 2032.
• By 2024, making capital investment of Rs100 lakh crore in the infrastructure sector.
• Work towards taking the country in the top 50 of the Ease of Doing Business Index.
• A new Industrial Policy to improve competitiveness of manufacturing and services with an eye on Industry 4.0 in order to gear up for technologies like artificial intelligence and electric mobility.
• Establishment of the National Traders’ Welfare Board and creation of a National Policy for Retail Trade for the growth of retail businesses.
• A new scheme to provide collateral-free credit up to 50 lakh for young entrepreneurs.
• Guaranteeing 50 percent of the loan amount for female entrepreneurs.

Governance

• A new Ministry of Water to unify the water management functions holistically and ensure beer coordination of efforts.This ministry will implement the river interlinking schemes and other drinking water schemes initiated by the central government.
• Launch ’Jal Jivan Mission under which we will introduce a special programme, ‘Nal se Jal’ to ensure piped water for every household by 2024.
• Double the length of National Highways by 2022
• Completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor project by 2022.
• A committee for Easing Citizens’ Interactions with Government (CECIG) to work with experts in reforming citizen’s interface with Government across domains such as taxes, business compliance, rules and regulations for greater simplicity and ease.
• Formulation of a ‘National Policy for Reskilling and Upskilling’ to evolve a flexible and industry responsive workforce which is capable of accessing new opportunities and to insulate it from technological shocks.
• Further revision of the tax slabs and the tax benefits to ensure more cash and greater purchasing power in the hands of middle income families.
• Empowerment and ‘development with dignity’ of all minorities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis etc).
• Bring transgenders to the “mainstream” through adequate socio-economic and policy initiatives.
• Every effort to be undertaken to ensure that the subject of faith, tradition and worship rituals related to Sabarimala are presented in a comprehensive manner before the Supreme Court. Endeavour to secure constitutional protection on issues related to faith and belief.

Reaching 75 Milestones for India by 2022 (75th year of independence). A selection:

• Achieving the target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
• Enabling the creation of 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations
• Ensuring that maximum farmers get income support under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
• Enable investment of ₹ 1 lakh crore in higher education through Revitalising of Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE).
• Establish at least one Atal Tinkering Lab in every block.
• Under a new ‘Entrepreneurial Northeast’ scheme, provide financial support to MSMEs and for employment generation in northeastern states.
• Complete Phase-1 of Bharatmala Project expeditiously.
• Aim to increase the number of operational airports to 150 for better air connectivity.
• Start developing smart railway stations across India.
• Complete the dedicated freight corridor project by 2022.
• Establish 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres under Ayushman Bharat.
• Ensure the availability of banking services within 5 kms of every individual.
• Achieve the goal of Clean Ganga by 2022.
• Work towards digitisation of collections in all national museums.
• Put an Indian in space in an Indian spacecraft as part of ‘Gaganyaan’ mission