BJP releases Haryana poll manifesto; promises interest free crop loan

The BJP on Sunday released its election manifesto for the October 21 Haryana assembly polls and said this was a "commitment paper" that represented all sections of society. The BJP, which described its poll manifesto as a 'Sankalp Patra', promised to give a collateral-free loan of up to Rs 3 lakh to people belonging to the scheduled caste community, if voted to power again.

It also pledged to give interest-free crop loans of up to Rs 3 lakh to farmers. "It is a commitment paper and it is a serious and studied document. A lot of effort has gone into its preparation. This is a pragmatic and practical paper," BJP national working president J P Nadda said while addressing the media here.

"This commitment paper represents all sections of the society. Its focus is on addressing a person sitting on the last pedestal," he said. The party also promised to provide skill training with an outlay of Rs 500 crore to 25 lakh youths.

There will be old-age pension of Rs 3,000, Haryana will be made tuberculosis free and farmers' income will be doubled by 2022, as per the manifesto. The focus will also be on comprehensive healthcare, said Nadda, adding that 2,000 health and wellness center will be set up.

He said 1,000 'khel' (sports) nurseries will also be set up in the state if the party is voted to power again.