Maharashtra Assembly polls 2014: Congress promises free electricity, tablets to poor students if it comes to power

MUMBAI: Facing a difficult election, the Congress has promised free electricity and loan waiver to farmers and freebies, like free Tablets, to poor students. However, most of the promises, if implemented, will make the state, which has a debt of over Rs 3 lakh crore, bankrupt.

In the past too, the Congress had promised similar freebies, including free electricity, but went back on its word citing financial constraints. That has, however, not stopped former CM Prithviraj Chavan and former Union Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde frm making big promises .

The manifesto also promises free education to girls till their graduation. For maid servants, over 55 years, the Congress has promised a one-time assistance of Rs 25,000. Widows and ‘abandoned women’ over 60 years of age havebeen promised a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 per month. The party has promised landless agricultural labourers two acres of agricultural land or four acres of un-irrigated land. On being confronted over unkept promises, Shinde said,

"We have implemented 75% of our promises. No one can implement all the promises mentioned in the manifesto."Some of the other promises include compulsory self-defence training for girls.

Gratuity that is currently paid to employees on the basis of 15 days salary would have to be paid on the basis of 30 days salay if the Congress comes to power. The party has promised to implement the Ranganath Mishra and the Sachchar Committee reports if it is voted to power.