CHENNAI: Asserting that it was prudent to have a vision document in place, Union road transport, highways and shipping minister, Nitin Gadkari, who released the document for Assembly election here, said the top priority of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre was to develop waterways, railways and roads. “These could not only accelerate economic growth but also create jobs,” he added.
The check dams, to be modelled on the projects in the BJP ruled states, would help to recharge the ground water level and in addition enhance the extent of catchment areas. The BJP would remove all encroachments from water bodies and also inter-link all rivers in the state. Promising religious freedom, the document assures to enact anti-conversion law and protect the properties of all the temples. Devotees visiting the temples need not pay fee for darshan as it will be made free and all encroachments in the temples would be removed within six months of coming to power.
Joining the numerous parties in ensuring total prohibition, the BJP said it would implement the prohibition policy introduced by Rajaji in 1937, immediately after coming to power. The BJP also promised to implement the UDAY scheme, take steps for holding jallikattu from next year and find a solution to the attacks on fishermen by the Lankan Navy. Apart from promising a separate budget for agriculture, the document said Rs 15,000 would be given per quintal of turmeric, Rs 4,500 as procurement price for sugarcane and Rs 2,500 for paddy. It also promised the waiver of all loans availed by farmers and also to pay the interest component of all the loans availed by farmers, besides constituting a separate committee to fix adequate price for their produce. It said if the BJP forms the next government, it would take over sand mining.
