Jammu and Kashmir News: The Congress party has launched its ambitious Haath Badlega Halaat manifesto ahead of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The manifesto, presented by AICC chief spokesperson Pawan Khera and PCC president Tariq Hameed Karra at the party office in Srinagar, outlines a comprehensive set of welfare measures targeting farmers, women, and the youth of the region.Promises for farmers and agricultureThe Congress manifesto includes several key promises aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The party has pledged to establish a minority commission within the first 100 days of taking power. It promises insurance coverage for all crops against natural disasters and a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹72 per kilogram for apples. Additionally, the Congress will provide ₹4,000 annually to landless, tenant, and land-owning farming households. Landless farmers cultivating state land will be granted 99-year leases, and a ₹2,500-crore fund will be created for district-level irrigation projects to achieve 100% irrigation coverage.Support for youth and employmentFor the youth, the Congress has promised an unemployment allowance of up to ₹3,500 per month for one year for qualified individuals. The manifesto also includes a commitment to fill one lakh vacant government posts, with a job calendar to be issued within 30 days of coming to power. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections are set to be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with results to be announced on October 8.In a strategic move, the Congress has formed a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference. According to their seat-sharing agreement, the NC will contest 51 seats, while the Congress will run for 32 seats in this crucial election, the first since the abrogation of Article 370.
