Tejashwi's Big Poll Promise for Panchayat Heads
If the INDIA bloc is voted to power, we will also substantially increase the margin money, per quintal, of distributors of the public distribution system (PDS) in the state, Yadav said
NEW DELHI/PATNA: Mahagathbandhan chief ministerial face and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said that if the INDIA bloc is voted to power in Bihar, the Waqf (Amendment) Act will be "thrown into the dustbin". He also promised a remuneration hike, insurance and a pension for the Panchayat representatives.
Addressing back-to-back public rallies in the Muslim-dominated Katihar, Kishanganj and Araria districts, Mr Yadav asserted that his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was never afraid of the communal forces and alleged, "Chief minister Nitish Kumar has always supported such forces, and it is because of him that the RSS and its affiliates are spreading communal hatred in the state as well as in the country. The BJP should be called 'Bharat Jalao Party'. If the INDIA bloc comes to power in the state, we will throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin," he said.
The RJD leader claimed that the NDA government has done nothing for the development of the Seemanchal region, comprising Purnia, Araria, Kishnaganj and Katihar districts. "If we come to power, we will set up the Seemanchal development authority for the overall development of the region. A world-class university will be built here, besides a super-speciality hospital and a centre of the Aligarh Muslim University," he said.
Mr Yadav, without naming Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, alleged, "Some people are trying to divide votes by fielding candidates forcefully, but people should not pay attention to such candidates."
Claiming that this election is a fight to protect the Constitution, democracy and brotherhood, the former Bihar deputy CM said, "People of the state are tired of the 20-year-old Nitish Kumar government. Mr Kumar has become like stagnant water, which has stopped flowing. It's stinking now. Therefore, this NDA government should be thrown out."
"The CM is not in his senses. Corruption is rampant in each and every department of the government. The law and order situation has completely collapsed in the state," Mr Yadav alleged.
Earlier in the day at Patna, the INDIA bloc CM candidate announced that the allowances of the representatives of Bihar's panchayati raj system will be doubled if the Opposition comes to power in the state. He also announced `50 lakhs insurance cover and pension for them.
“If the INDIA bloc is voted to power, monthly allowances of the representatives of Bihar's panchayati raj system will be doubled. We will also substantially increase the margin money, per quintal, of distributors of the public distribution system in the state,” Mr Yadav said.
The Nitish Kumar government had in June increased allowances and other benefits of panchayati raj institution functionaries and ward members across the state.
The monthly allowance of zila parishad presidents was increased to `30,000 from `20,000, vice-presidents (`20,000 from `10,000) and mukhiyas (`7,500 per month from 5,000).
Mr Yadav also promised a hike in the margin money, per quintal, of distributors of the public distribution system in the state. At present. The PDS distributors are currently paid `258.40 per quintal as commission in the state.
Besides these poll doles, Mr Yadav announced that the INDIA block government will provide `5 lakh interest-free loans to barbers, those engaged in the pottery business, and carpenters in the state.
