Congress claims for employment reform ahead LS polls

India's main opposition Congress party said on Tuesday it would expand an existing jobs programme to guarantee 150 days of work a year to rural households and provide additional help to farmers if the party wins a general election starting next week.

"Unemployment is the gravest challenge to the country and job creation is the highest priority for the economy," the party said in a manifesto that identified farm distress and security for women among its main priorities.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act currently provides for 100 days of employment a year.