Ajit Pawar's NCP Releases Manifesto, Promises to Raise Ladki Bahin Scheme Aid to Rs 2,100

Mumbai: NCP led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday unveiled its manifesto for state assembly polls, promising to raise amount of Ladki Bahin scheme's monthly financial assistance to Rs 2,100 from present Rs 1,500.

For farmers, party promised to raise Shetkari Sanman Nidhi scheme amount from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per year.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is contesting vember 20 assembly elections as part of ruling Mahayuti alliance, which also comprises Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ).

NCP, which is fighting elections from 52 constituencies, also unveiled constituency-specific manifestos for all assembly seats it is contesting.

manifesto was unveiled separately by party president Ajit Pawar in Baramati, by its state unit president Sunil Tatkare in Mumbai, and working president Praful Patel in Gondia. NCP candidates and local leaders also released poll manifestos in ir respective constituencies.

Pawar unveiled both party's state-level manifesto and constituency-specific manifesto for Baramati.

Speaking on occasion, he said, "We will present New Maharashtra Vision within 100 days of government formation." In manifesto, party promises to increase amount given to eligible women under Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana from existing Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 per month.

This initiative will be largest monthly DBT (direct benefit transfer) in Maharashtra's history providing benefits of Rs 25,000 each per year to over 2.3 crore women, it said.

manifesto, which gives 11 promises, talks about increasing old pension from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 per month.

For farmers, party has promised to raise Shetkari Sanman Nidhi from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per year, combining support from both central and state governments.

It also talks about waiving farm loan and giving 20 per cent additional subsidy for all crops sold under Minimum Support Price (MSP). Besides this, NCP also gave an assurance of Rs 25000 per hectare bonus for paddy farmers.

"We have resolved to build more than 45,000 'panand' roads in rural parts of Maharashtra. This is biggest plan to develop rural agricultural infrastructure," manifesto reads.

party's or promises include a commitment to create 2.5 million jobs and provide monthly stipends of Rs 10,000 to 1 million students through training. It also promises Rs 15,000 monthly salary for Anganwadi and ASHA workers, to reduce electricity bills by 30 per cent while prioritising solar and renewable energy.

"We vow to implement measures that will curb prices of essential commodities, making m more affordable for everyone," manifesto document said.