Chandigarh, September 2
Short of promising the stars, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) included just about everything else for the Haryana electorate in its election manifesto.

The manifesto was released by INLD secretary general and MP Ajay Singh Chautala and state INLD president Ashok Arora here today.

There were loads of freebies and promises galore for every section of society from farmers to poor, women and unemployed youth, traders to employees and senior citizens. Also, the promises, on the face of it, seemed a tall order by any standard especially without any explanation for their funding source and given the fact that “free” emerged as the keyword in the manifesto.

The INLD tried to woo the farmers by announcing Rs 1,400 per quintal as minimum support price for wheat and Rs 250 for sugarcane, 50 per cent subsidy in agricultural implements and Rs 25,000 per acre compensation for crop destroyed due to natural calamity. Raising the loan limit and reducing the interest rate are among other promises.

The poor will be entitled to 25 kg of foodgrains per month, Rs 3,000 monthly allowance to all senior secondary pass unemployed youth, free-of-cost gas cylinder, connection, stove and water connection to all families while old-age pension of Rs 700 per month will be given to all above 60 years.

Chautala stated that compensation for land acquired by the government would be Rs 1 crore and Rs 50 lakh per acre in the NCR and non-NCR, respectively.

Aggrieved government employees can also take heart for Chautala announced that the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission would be implemented in toto, women would be entitled to 13 months’ salary while also promising a loan waiver up to Rs 1 lakh to all citizens.

Realising the potential of young voters, the INLD has committed itself to holding elections to students’ bodies in colleges and universities, free of cost education for students of degree classes, including professional courses like engineering and medical, two-wheelers to needy girls wanting to pursue higher studies and 50 per cent job reservation in the private sector for the youth of Haryana.

While Chautala and Arora took turns to announce the major promises, party supremo Om Prakash Chautala skipped the programme because of prior engagements.

Asked how the INLD was planning to realise these promises, Chautala said they had left the government with Rs 1,750 crore in the state exchequer. “Though indications are that the Congress has emptied the coffers, we will stop the pilferage and gross misuse of public funds for personal glorification. We will fulfil our promises,” he said.

Rising unemployment, water woes, power problems and collapsing law and order emerged as the key issues the party wants to address. On when the party is likely to announce its candidates, Arora said the party supremo was slated to meet the district heads in Panipat tomorrow and a list of candidates could be out on September 4.