Date:05/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050553890400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

We’ll act as people’s watchdog: JD(U)

Special Correspondent

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Focus on poor: Janata Dal (U) leaders Michael B. Fernandes (left), Shambhu Srivatsava and M.P. Nadagouda, MLC, at a function to release the party’s manifesto, in Bangalore on Sunday.

Bangalore: The State unit of the Janata Dal (United) has stated, in its manifesto, that it will act as a people’s watchdog, irrespective of whether it will be part of the government or not.

Releasing the party manifesto here on Sunday, the national general secretary of the party Shambhu Srivastava said that the party would abide by the principles of value-based politics.

He said that the party would take up a series of measures to uplift the farmers. Some of the measures would include setting up a farmers’ forum for development, ensuring fair price for agricultural produce, providing free electricity to farmers who have up to five hectares, providing interest-free loan to farmers who have two hectares and loan at two per cent interest to those having up to five hectares of land.

The manifesto has covered a range of areas such as urban development, infrastructure, civic amenities, power and industry, education, health and housing and price control.

The main features of the manifesto are withdrawal of the property tax under capital value system and introduction of a just and equitable system in consultation with people.

Allocating Rs. 10,000 crore for pending and new railway lines in the State and connecting all the district headquarters with Bangalore by rail.

The party has stressed on providing free or subsidised medical treatment to the poor suffering from various ailments. The party also aims at setting up a sports centre at every district.

Some of the other measures include monetary help to pregnant women for three months and sinking borewells in each village.