NCP manifesto: Focus on better Centre-State ties via sharing of resources

Mumbai: Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party ( NCP) has focused on building a better Centre-state relationship by introducing a divisible financial pool for all taxes and central surcharges. The party has also promised schemes to improve the state of minorities and Dalits in its election manifesto. The party released its Lok Sabha poll manifesto online on Monday.

"The NCP decided to release the manifesto only online and not hold any event as the Election Commission had suggested that the document should not be released nationally through the media while the first phase of voting was already on," said NCP's national spokesperson Nawab Malik.

The manifesto assured the NCP will strive to frame an effective new policy to have better revenue sharing pattern between the Centre and the states. Central surcharges and cess will be made a part of a divisible pool to ensure better Centre-state ties. The party will take steps to determine the terms of reference of the Finance Commission, the views of states will be taken into account and any difference of view on the terms of reference should be settled in the Inter-State Council.

Adequate representation of states will be made in the Finance Commission. "The party shall endeavour to promote and protect rights of persons belonging to ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities which shall contribute to the political and social stability. The party will promote and protect rights of persons belonging to religious minorities as an integral part of the development of the society and within the democratic framework based on the rule of law, which would strengthen trust and co-operation amongst the minority and the mainstream by giving them special incentives," the manifesto said.

On corruption, the party said it will promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption. The manifesto said the NCP is of the view that sustained and inclusive economic growth is essential for expanding the resource base for development, and hence for economic, technical and social transformation. The party is committed to form an open and equitable framework for trade, investment and technology transfer, as well as enhanced cooperation in the management of a globalised world economy and in the formulation and implementation of macroeconomic and micro-economic policies, critical for the promotion of growth and development.