Delhi polls 2015: Congress promises populist measures in manifesto for Assembly elections

NEW DELHI: Facing a tough electoral battle, Congress today made an array of promises in its manifesto like significant cut in power rates, wi-fi facilities in public transport, waving off pending water bills and ensuring a graft-free administration if voted to power in Delhi.

The party also promised to set up cyber cafes, carry out major expansion of Delhi Metro, give concessional metro passes for students, increase pension to all deserving categories to Rs 2,000 per month, hike the salary of aganwadi workers by upto 50 per cent and provide 24x7 diagnostic centres in the state-run hospitals.

It said it will work towards slashing power tariff to Rs 1.50 per unit for consumption upto 200 units per month against current rate of Rs 2.80 which includes subsidy of Rs 1.20. The party said it will also cut tariff for higher slabs.

In the 16-page manifesto released jointly by DPCC Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely, party's Delhi Election Campaign Committee Chief Ajay Makhen and AICC-in-charge of Delhi P C Chacko, Congress highlighted achievements during the UPA rule as well as that of the Sheila Dikshit dispensation.

Lovely termed manifesto as "Gita and Quran" to the party, saying it has made promises which could be fulfilled.

"We will provide 200 units of electricity for domestic use at Rs 1.50 per unit, and cheaper rates thereafter. And we will wave off old water supply bills," Lovely said, while noting a second part of the manifesto will be released in the next few days.

Power tariff has been a major issue and a section in Congress feels AAP could make a spectacular debut in 2013 Assembly polls as the party had promised to cut the rates by 50 per cent.

Lovely said if party comes to power, it will set up cyber cafes in all constituencies and ensure wi-fi facilities in public transport. "With an aim to connecting with students with e-education, our government will set up internet cafes in all constituencies and wi-fi services in all modes of public transport in Delhi."

AAP had also promised to provide free wi-fi facilities across the city.
Congress had faced a severe drubbing in the Assembly polls in 2013 as it could win only eight seats in the 70-member house.