Tamil Nadu Congress Election Manifesto | Assembly Elections 2016 - Congress will usher the Governance of Kamaraj in Tamil Nadu

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TAMILNADU GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION - 2016
CONGRESS ELECTION MANIFESTO
RELEASED BY:
TAMILNADU CONGRESS COMMITTEE
Sathiyamurthi Bhavan, Chennai.

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Congress led UPA Governments Achievements
The Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi & Vice President Shri Rahul
Gandhi have undertaken strong effort by empowering the people by
guaranteed Rights through Parliamentary enactment creating new history
“rights based legislation” under the Congress led UPA Governments within
the last decade.
These Rights given to our people should be implemented by State
Governments with the participation of the Central Government on various
heads of expenditure.
The following enactments by UPA-1 & UPA-2 can be highlighted by giving
and guaranteeing Right to people to live a life with dignity & enhancing
their status & standard of life.
These revolutionary legislations implemented by our Congress led
Governments have had tremendous political, economical, civil, social and
cultural impact in ensuring progress and betterment of the lives of various
sections of our society.
• Food Security Act which primarily ensures providing hot cooked
food take home too for children aged between 6 months to 14 years
and mothers. It further ensures livelihood security to farmers by way
of remunerative prices, access to inputs, credit, irrigation, power,
crop insurance, etc.;
• Right to Education Act which guarantees 25 percent reservation
of seats in schools for marginalized children staying close to these

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best schools. Enhancing the high standard education with access to
modern facilities to children.
• Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act which
guarantees assured employment in a financial year to every
household who register for such employment with Panchayat. It
allows for using the scheme to SC, ST and small farmers to improve
their own water resources, Cultivation, maintain and creating
community assets leading to village Swaraj.
• Forest Rights Act which protects the rights of Scheduled Tribes
and Other traditional forest-dwelling communities to land, house,
schools, hospital and other resources.
• Right to information Act ensured transparency and empowered
common citizens to question the Government and aided Institutions
on the expenditure of tax payers money and utility of invested assets.
• Hindu Succession Act for the first time secured the rights of
women in inheritance at par with men creating equal rights.
• Reservation for Women in Nagarpalika and Panchayati Raj
Institutions.
• Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenging Act
provided dignity and ensured compensation, educational access to
other amenities with alternative employment.

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• Protection of livelihood & Regulation of Street Vending Act
safeguarded the rights of millions of street vendors.
• National Health programme to access to modern treatment
of all category and Ambulance 108.
• Protecting the Property right of the people from
indiscriminate State acquisition of land damaging lively
hood through new Land Acquisition Act - 2013.
The ADMK Government has not only failed to implement these guarantees
and utilize the funds allotted by the Congress led Central Government, but
also in some cases has exploited the same. Eg. Food grains provided under
Food Security Act have been used for Amma canteen and National Health
programme as Amma Pharmacy etc as renamed State Governments
schemes.
The DMK led Congress alliance getting power will fully implement these
schemes to the people’s satisfaction.
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THE TAMIL NADU LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTION - 2016
ELECTION MANIFESTO OF
TAMILNADU CONGRESS COMMITTEE
SALIENT FEAUTURES
Congress party shall
1. Eradicate corruption and ensure good governance in Tamil
Nadu.
2. Establish Lok Ayuktha.
3. Implement total prohibition.
4. Evolve a detailed rational agriculture policy.
i) Ensure fair price for the agriculture produce as recommended by
Dr. M.S.Swaminathan commission and thereby ensure a 50 percent
more price over and above the actual expenditure incurred in the
cultivation of paddy, sugarcane and other grains.
ii) Extend the operations of Ulavar Santhai.
iii) Ensure 100 percent grant for drip irrigation systems.

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iv) Ensure minimum price for agriculture produce like vegetables and
fruits. Efforts will be made to provide cold storage warehouses to
preserve perishables at every block level.
v) Efforts will be made to provide value addition manufacturing units to
promote vegetables, fruits production in rural areas.
vi) Conversion of fertile lands into housing plots will be summarily
banned in rural areas.
vii) Loans borrowed by agriculturalist from nationalized banks and co-
operative banks will be waived totally due to severe drought and floods
and other disasters.
viii) We will take up with the Central Government the need to amend
Rules of the National Agricultural Crop Insurance will be amended to
ensure compensation to individuals and their land holdings affected by
natural calamities.
ix) By way of undoing the distress faced by the agriculturalist during
AIADMK regime, the field price of Sugarcane will be raised to Rs.3,500
per ton (now Rs.2,850 per ton) and Rs.2,000 per quintal
(now Rs.1,520 per quintal) for paddy.
x) Ensure free uninterrupted electricity by planning and implementing
new power projects. The power supply will be alternated according to
the requirements of different types of crops.
xi) Credit cards will be introduced to the farmers to avail agriculture
Jewel loan for 4 percent interest to avoid running around with
“Chitta and Adangal” and other outmoded documents. Agricultural
jewel loan will be sanctioned without interest from the agricultural co-
operative societies. The interest will be borne by government.

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xii) New power connection will be ensured to farmers in a time bound
programme.
xiii) Efforts will be made to improve ground water resources through farm
ponds in the rural areas.
xiv) Ensure fair price for coconut products (Copra).
xv) To encourage the use of the solar power 100 percent subsidy will be
granted to the farmers to install agricultural pumpsets and lights.
xvi) The palm tree growers will be protected at any cost.
xvii) Minimum wages to agriculture laborers will be ensured.
xviii) The agricultural farms will be saved from the menace of wild animals.
xix) The Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Programme will
be extended in such a way without affecting agricultural operations
and it will be linked with agriculturists farm work. This scheme can be
implemented just as the Kerala government implementing by linking
the works with the Agriculture related works.
xx) A pension of Rs.2,000 per month will be dispersed to all farmers over
and above 60 years.
xxi) Public ponds, lakes and tanks will be desilted. The farmers will be
allowed to take the vandal from ponds & lakes.
xxii) Organic farming will be given top priority.
5. Evolving New Educational Policy.
i) Free education from Pre KG to PG will be given to all without any
discrimination.

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ii) Commercialization of education will be stopped.
iii) Education through mother tongue will be given priority.
iv) Navodaya Schools will be established in all districts without affecting
the language / unity of Tamilnadu.
v) Budgetary provisions for education will be enhanced.
vi) Basic infrastructure facilities ear marked for Backward and Dalit
students for backward and Dalit students will be provided in the
hostels.
vii) Basic amenities with quality food will be provided to the students
staying at the Backward and SC/ST hostels.
viii) By way of protecting the linguistic minorities, efforts will be made to
open classes appropriately as per their demand.
ix) Collection of excess fees and donations will be banned.
x) The quality of Higher education will be enhanced on par with
international standards.
xi) Efforts will be made to reach all the benefits expected from the Right
to Education Act-2006 introduced by UPA government headed by
Congress Party.
xii) Efforts will be made to guarantee 25 percent reservation to the poor
and economically weaker sections of the society in private schools.
xiii) Efforts will be made to introduce serious reforms in education to set
right the deteriorating education levels in Tamil Nadu.
xiv) The quality of District Libraries will be upgraded and new libraries
established in all districts.

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xv) Skill upgradation and development programme for the students will be
ensured through training.
xvi) A Medical college will be established in every district.
xvii) Higher education institutions on par with IIT, IIM and IISC will be
established in Tamil Nadu.
xviii) Sports will be given special importance.
xix) Besides egg and banana, Milk will also be provided to the children
including Anganvadi under the Noon Meals Scheme.
6. Enhancement of industrial growth and development.
i) Due to the faulted policy of the AIADMK government, the industrial
development was very much affected substantially in the recent past.
To retrieve Tamil Nadu from this inertia a new policy will be evolved.
ii) Industrial licenses will be granted through a single window clearing
system.
iii) The problems faced by small and micro level industries will be
eradicated.
7. Enhancement of power generation.
As there is an acute power shortage in Tamil Nadu over a long period of time
industrial development has been adversely affected. Efforts will now be made
to attract investments for power generation through new power projects, and
also through wind mill farms and solar power projects. Priority will be
accorded to solar power generation especially to those who tap solar energy

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for nine months in a year. Efforts will be made to implement the scheme in
residential areas through appropriate subsidy by Govt.
8. Administrative reforms.
Of late, there have been interferences by the ruling partymen in day to day
administrative matters and consequently there have been problems with the
functioning of the government. Thus it is required for the government
administration to function without outside interference in a transparent
manner. It will be made mandatory to respond to the representation of
grievances of the individuals within 15 days. To ensure the government
services to reach in proper time, Right to Service Act will be enacted.
9. Good governance in local administration.
Steps will be taken to realize dreams of our former Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi’s Panjayatraj Rule in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu local administrative
bodies suffer for want of money and devolution of power, this is detrimental to
the people’s participatory democratic rights. This will be reversed by releasing
the local administrative bodies from the clutches of the present ruling party
and way will be paved for their independent working. The autocratic tendency
of the contractors who, in connivance with the ruling party shall brought to a
grinding halt.
The independent functioning of the Election Commission for the conduct of
local body election will be made fare and free. The reservation for women in
local body administration will be increased from 33 percent to 50 percent.

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10. Protecting the natural resources.
The natural resources have been swindled by the private parties during the
rule of AIADMK. This looting of natural resources has been confirmed by the
Sahayam Commission. A new policy will be evolved regarding the using of
natural resources with atmost transparency. This will enhance the revenue
generation of the government.
11. Resolving the river water disputes.
The neighboring states of Tamil Nadu are taking untiring efforts in denying
our rights in sharing the waters of Kaveri, Mullai Periyar and Palar,
Tamilnadu Congress party will fight for establishing the rights of our state at
every stage.
12. Protecting the social justice
Suitable efforts will be taken to allot 27 percent reservation ensured by
Congress Government in 2006 in all the central government educational
institutions and the congress party will strive for reaching the benefits to all
concerned.
Efforts will be on to get reservation in the private sector.
13. Public Health policy
Efforts will be taken for more allocation of funds for the public health
department; filling of the vacancies in government hospitals; and for
increasing the number of beds in every hospital.

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14. Reforming the public distribution system
Smart card will be issued within 10 days to those applicants for family ration
card. All the items under the provision of ration card will be issued in one
day in a month uniformly.
15. Welfare of Government Employees
The recommendation of the 7th
pay commission by the central government
shall be adopted in the state in toto. All the privileges enjoyed by the central
government employees will also be made available for the Tamil Nadu state
government employees.
Nutritious noon meal and Anganvadi workers, cooking helpers, drinking
water tanks maintenance workers and contingent staff will be made
permanent and their salary and other allowances will be given on par with
the government employees. Government Employee’s Welfare Board and
Police Welfare Board will be instituted.
16. Protection of minority welfare.
Minorities’ religious properties will be protected’ maintained and assistance
will be provided to reconstruct them. All the required help will be provided to
perform the pilgrimage to the holy places by the minorities.
17. Welfare of the SC/ST
Efforts will be taken to fill up the SC/ST backlog vacancies by conducting
special drive. The SC/ST welfare commissions have been functioning now in
the 12 States in our country. Likewise, SC/ST commission will established in
Tamilnadu also. Separate Govt. Order will be issued to ensure reservation for
SC/ST people under private sectors.

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The land given to SC/ST people under the Punjami rights have been forcibly
taken over and the title rights were changed. Efforts will be taken to restore
the rights and the lands to the SC/ST people in Panjami Scheme.
THADCO bank will be started to grant loans to SC/ST people besides the
grant of subsidy by the THADCO so as to promote self employment among
them.
The allotment made in the budget for the SC/ST should not be diverted and
this was made a punishable crime by the then Andhra Pradesh Congress
government by an enactment. The same act will be enacted in Tamil Nadu
also to prevent the diversion of SC/ST sub-plan fund to other purposes.
Efforts will be taken to initiate action to protect the Scheduled Tribes rights
as per the Forest Rights Act enacted by the Congress Government in 2006.
Steps will be taken to pave concrete roads to approach the burial ground for
the use of the dalits in every village. Suitable legislation will be enacted to
prevent to call humiliatingly the dalits settlements as “Cheri” or “Colony”.
18. Fishermen issues and Solutions
Suitable efforts will be taken to include fishermen community under
Schedule Tribe category. During the period of ban on fishing, compensation
will be paid at the rate of Rs.150 per day amounting to 6000 for 40 days.
Deep sea fishing will be encouraged and a fishing harbour at Mookkaiyur in
Ramnad District will be built. The attempt by BJP to relocate Kolacchal
Harbour to Inayam area is stoutly opposed by the fishermen. Therefore, the
commercial Harbour at Kolacchal will be built as planned.

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19. Labour welfare
Minimum monthly salary of Rs.15,000 will be ensured to all the employees.
The welfare of quarry workers shall be protected. The Tamil Nadu
Construction Workers’ Welfare Board will be reformed. Workers at salt
quarters will be provided Rs.3000 per month as living expenses during rainy
season. Efforts will be made to provide houses for the homeless. Reasonable
wages will be fixed for salt workers and implemented.
20. Welfare of the Unorganized Labour
All the 17 welfare boards constituted for the unorganized labour have been
dysfunctional during the AIADMK regime. They will be made active.
A compensation of Rs.5,00,000 will be provided to the families of all the
labourers who lost their lives in accidents and free hospitalization will be
provided to those who met in the accidents.
Drivers of autos and taxis will be provided loans with low interest to
purchase vehicles for their livelihood. Auto-fares will be streamlined.
21. Weavers’ welfare
As in the case of peasants, weavers will also be provided free electricity. To
market the products of the weavers, ‘Handloom Market’ will be established.
Weavers’ Cooperative Bank will be established.
22. Welfare of the Physically Challenged
Welfare Board for the Physically Challenged will be reformed. 3 percent of
the govt. jobs will be reserved for the physically challenged. The jobless
physically challenged will be given Rs.1,500 per month.

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23. Welfare of the Minorities
The defects in implementing 3.5 percent reservation in education and jobs
for the Backward Class Muslims will be rectified. The religious property of
minorities will be protected. Measures will be taken to protect the religious
rights of the minorities.
24. Senior Citizens’ welfare
The practical difficulties in obtaining Old Age Pension will be removed. The
minimum old age pension will be raised to Rs. 2000 per month. All the senior
citizens will be given free travel in Public Transport System. 60 year old
people will be provided with the Senior Citizens’ Midday Meal Scheme will be
implemented.
25. Welfare of the Third Gender
2 percent reservation will be given in government jobs for the third gender.
26. Hindu Charitable Trust Department
Enough measures will be taken to protect and maintain the temple
property. Political interferences will not be allowed to misuse the temple
properties.
27. Coovum Renovation Programme
Measures will be taken to renovate Coovum and it will be promoted for
tourist purposes.

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28. Expansion of Metro Rail Project
The Congress led UPA govt.’s Chennai Metro Rail Project with the
investment of Rs.14,000 crores. This project will be expanded to
Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy & Salem.
29. Non Traditional Power Generation Resources
A clear policy will be devised to tap Solar energy. Wind mill electricity
producers’ outstanding amount will be settled immediately.
30. Kancheepuram Silk Park
The initiatives taken by the earlier UPA-II government in establishing a
Silk Park at Keezhkadirpur village near Kancheepuram in 75 acres of land
at the estimated cost of Rs. 266 crores will be brought to fruition.
31. Memorial for Sivaji Ganesan
October 1, the birth day of Tamil Actor Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan
will be celebrated as ‘Art Renaissance Day’. Memorial for Sivaji will be
constructed at the allotted site by the Tamil Nadu Government. As per the
High court Order, the Sivaji Statue at the Marina Beach in Kamaraj Road
will be relocated in between the statues of Perunthalaivar Kamaraj and
Mahatma Gandhi.
32. Live Telecast of Legislature proceedings
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and other states telecast the live proceedings of the
legislative assembly. This was not allowed by AIADMK Government. Steps
will be taken to live telecast the legislative proceedings and debates of
Tamil Nadu Assembly.

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33. Tamil as Official Language
In Tamil Nadu teaching of Tamil will be made compulsory and efforts will
be taken to promote Tamil in all spheres.
Efforts will be made to make the use of Tamil as official language in
High Court.
In the well-known historically significant Mamallapuram, a park to promote
sculpture will be established.
A chair will be instituted to promote Tamil in the internationally well
acclaimed Harvard University.
34. Looting in the cinema theatres will be curbed
Highly fixed cinema ticket fare of Rs.125 to Rs.150 will be reduced which
enables the common man to view and enjoy the cinema in the theatres.
35. All rivers will be linked
To promote agricultural practices, a number of schemes will be introduced,
especially, ‘Athikkadavu - Avinasi’ project, ‘Senbagavalli’ Reservoir project,
‘Elumichai’ River dam project, ‘Noyyal’ River project, ‘Vellai Neer’
canal project, ‘Tamirabarani’ water project, ‘Nambiyaru’ project,
‘Karumeniyaaru’ project.
36. Creation of job opportunities
According to details available in 2015 with the Tamil Nadu Government
employment exchange records, the number of candidates who have
registered for employment has crossed 92 Lakhs.

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In 2011, it was 67 Lakhs and now it has gone to 92 Lakhs. Perhaps, this is
the achievement of AIADMK government. Efforts will be made to ensure
job opportunities for all those who have registered with the employment
exchange within a span of years by upgrading their skill as per the
requirement of the industry and service sector.
37. Protection of Sri Lankan Tamils rights
Efforts will be made to ensure equal opportunities, equal rights under the
provisions of the Rajiv Gandhi Agreement, which provided for 13th
constitutional amendment in Sri Lankan Constitution. This will serve as a
protective cover to secure the safety and security of the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Efforts will be on for the continuance of welfare measures initiated by the
Congress led UPA government.
38. Steps to Implement Natural Disaster Management in Tamilnadu
The Congress led UPA government brought in a legislation in 2005 to
establish a National Disaster Management at National Level. As per this act
all States should established. State Disaster Management. But the AIADMK
government as usual adopted a dilly-dally approach.
After a delay tactics by AIADMK Govt. recently established a State Disaster
Management without any effective functioning. Now efforts will be taken to
make Disaster Management Systems function effectively at District and
Taluk levels in Tamilnadu.
39. Co-operative elections
Efforts will be made to conduct co-operative elections in a fair and impartial
manner.

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40. Public Libraries
The department of public libraries of Tamil Nadu has been in the fore front
for a long time. However, in the past few years, the functioning of the public
libraries has been jeopardized due to corrupt practices. Action will be taken
to set right the functioning of libraries. The AIADMK took pains to thwart
the functioning of Anna Centenary Library. Efforts will be made to make
Anna Centenary Library to function according to the original purposes and
objects of the library. In this regard, it may be pointed out that the High
court of Madras not only passed strictures on government’s failure to act
but also appointed a commission to enquire into its functioning. Steps will
be taken to maintain the effective functioning of all libraries in Tamilnadu.
41. Revival of Legislative council in Tamil Nadu (Upper house)
Every effort will be made to the revival of Legislative Council in Tamil
Nadu. People belonging to neutral gender, blind and other differently abled
person will be given representation in the council.