The Telugu Desam Party's latest agenda

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: With the main objective of eliminating the economic inequalities, the Telugu Desam Party has promised to implement a slew of measures aimed at empowering every section of the society by all means.
The Telugu Desam Party's manifesto for the 2009 elections said ensuring economic security, food security and health security would be top on its agenda if voted to power in this month’s elections.
Prime among the promises made by the TDP in its 64-page election manifesto are: a “unique” Cash Transfer Scheme for the “vulnerable sections”, free color television distribution to below poverty line families, comprehensive health insurance covering ailments from fever to heart problems, creation of 1250 Modern Development Corridors for generation of about 25 lakh jobs, creation of a Rs 1000 crore market stabilization fund for the agriculture sector and a Rs 500 crore Farmers’ Protection Fund, a monthly unemployment benefit of Rs 1000 to unemployed youth, creation of 50 lakh jobs in government and private sectors as well as self-employment, special grants to entrepreneurs for setting up industries in rural areas and supply of cooking gas for Rs 150 per cylinder.
The government would create a Rs 5000 crore corpus fund and also pool up another Rs 5000 crore from banks as loan for employment generation through industrial development. This would give a major boost to the economy besides empowering the youth, Chandrababu pointed out while releasing what he called the "sacred document."
On Telangana, the TDP leader said they would take all required “legal and political” steps for creation of a separate state immediately on coming to power.
“The TDP has been a pioneer in implementing welfare schemes in the country. Our proposed Cash Transfer Scheme will also be a trendsetter and help eliminate the economic inequalities in the society,” Chandrababu pointed out on the occasion.
Under the CTS, a poorest of the poor family would get Rs 2000 a month, a poor family Rs 1500 and a middle-class family Rs 1000 a month. This would help such families get better education for their children and also ensure food security and health security.
“Implementation of this scheme is very much possible. We shall shut the mouths of the critics of this scheme by implementing it successfully if voted to power,” the Telugu Desam chief asserted.
All eligible poor would be provided housing at Rs one lakh per unit.
Observing that television was the prime source of infotainment and not a luxury, Chandrababu said the free colour television offer would provide a wealth of knowledge to the poor besides being a source of mental relief from their daily toil.
The TDP president also promised to enact a legislation to check political corruption in the state. “Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and his family stand testimony to the unabashed political corruption. The election affidavits filed by Rajasekhara Reddy and his son Jaganmohan Reddy in 2004 and 2009 speak volumes of their personal wealth creation,” the TDP chief said.
Stating that the agriculture sector too would be promoted to the international level on par with the Information Technology sector, he said an Agriculture Development Authority would be set up under the chairmanship of Chief Minister. Small and marginal farmers would be provided interest-free farm loans up to Rs 25,000. “For loans over Rs 25,000, only 25 paise interest will be charged. Weavers will get institutional loans at just 10 paise interest,” he added.
The TDP, if elected to power, would also consider implementing a five-day week for state government employees.
“If I become the Chief Minister again, my first official signature will be on the file related to transfer of powers to the local bodies. The second file will be the CTS, CTV and comprehensive health insurance schemes,” Chandrababu promised.