Punjab Assembly polls: One lakh jobs will be provided every year, says Congress in manifesto

The Hindu :
Two days ahead of the polling for the Punjab Assembly election, the Congress on Friday released its election manifesto with a slew of promises, including ending liquor-sand ‘mafias’, generating one lakh jobs, and providing 170 different government services online to the public.
Party’s State president Navjot Singh and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, along with other leaders, released the manifesto at a joint press conference and said if the Congress formed the next government, the first file that the Chief Minister would sign shall be to give one lakh jobs a year. The leaders said the party would take steps to put an end to ‘mafias’ in the State. “Ending mafia raj by creating government corporations for liquor sale and sand mining would be a priority,” they said.
The Congress in its manifesto also promised to give ?1,100 per month to the women in need, besides eight free cooking gas cylinders per year.
“Free education will be made available to all needy students in government school’s colleges and universities. Scholarships for Scheduled Castes will continue, it will be extended to Other Backward Classes and general category as well,” added the manifesto.
Also, the Congress promised that under the MGNREGA, the wages would be increased to ?350 and man-days would be increased from 100 to 150. Old age pension would be increased to ?3,100, it said.
The government will procure pulses, oilseeds and corn at minimum support price. Besides, free health services will be provided to all in government hospitals, according to the manifesto.
The Congress also promised that 170 government services such as issuing of birth and death certificates etc. would be made online for the convenience of the public.