Good governance and development, says Modi on BJP manifesto

BJP on Monday released its long-delayed Lok Sabha Election Manifesto 2014, promising "modern, prosperous and vibrant India based on ethos and values". 

The party's manifesto was released as polling began on six Lok Sabha seats in Assam and Tripura.  

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi pledged to provide good governance if his party was voted to power in the Lok Sabha election.

Speaking briefly after the release of the BJP's election manifesto, Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party's aim was to provide a strong and united India which would enjoy the world's respect.

"There will be zero tolerance on this issue," Modi said, his voice a little hoarse from the many election speeches he has been giving all over the country.

"If I have to summarise our manifesto in two words, I will say: good governance and development."

The Gujarat chief minister said he would leave no stone unturned to carry out the responsibilities the BJP had thrust on him. 

He promised never to do anything for himself and underlined that he "will do nothing with a sense of revenge".

On the manifesto, Modi said: "This is not an election ritual. It is not just a document. It reveals our party's direction, our aim."

The manifesto was released by BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi.

Joshi said they consulted people all sections of society before finalising the manifesto.

"We formed a 17-member committee for the manifesto. The manifrsot website was started and we received 1 lakh suggestions from rural areas and even from Indians based in the US. We also consulted local institutions; we spoke to teachers, farmers, ladies, disabled and children. We also consulted labourers, artisans and their representatives," he said. Read the full manifesto here 

"We have tried to address immediate problems faced by people such as price rise, employment, black money, policy paralysis and poor delivery or services," he said.

Joshi promised improvement in administration.

"We will bring about e-governance and easing licensing norms for business. We will work for healthy centre-state relationship. We work towards decentralisation of power and participatory democracy. We will bring about administrative, judicial and police reforms. Will work for social justice of SC/STs. We will work for equality of education and employment for minority," he said.

"Food security and rural development will be addressed. We will work towards improving educational institutions and research. We will work for vocational training and development of skills. We have suggested improvement of taxation policy- we are facing tax terrorism at present."

"Banks are in bad state. We will work for their improvement. Will make brand India for manufacturing sector. There will be microfinancing for farmers. We will make 50 new circuits for tourism. Our stand is clear barring multi-brand retail. We will promote FDI."

"We will provide water for every farmer's field and adequate drinking water."

"We will connect river waters. We will connect Jammu and Kashmir with rail freight corridor and improve border and coastal road connectivity. We will work towards concept of 'industry family."

He said 78 per cent of people's money was spent on healthcare.

"We will rectify this. Right to health is every body's right. We will initiate National Health Assurance Scheme and make changes in health policy. We will improve Indian medicine system such as ayurveda."

"We aim to build a modern, prosperous and vibrant India - Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, based on our ethos and values. We have to convert ourselves into a knowledge based society and economy, powered by experience, tools of technology and energy of our people. BJP commits itself to this task and promises to work relentlessly towards this goal, for which we are seeking sixty months," said the manifesto. 

BJP's promises:

- Vibrant and participatory democracy.

- Empowered and inspired people.

- Inclusive and sustainable development.

- Quality life in villages and cities.

- Basic amenities to all.

- Flourishing agriculture.

- Productive youth.

- Involved women.

- Robust physical and social infrastructure.

- Innovative and technologically driven society.

- Globally competitive economy.

- Brand India built on quality.

- Strong, effective and futuristic institutions.

- Open, transparent and systems-based government.

- Proactive, pro-people good governance.

- To build a modern India: the best foundation is our own culture.

- The best tool our own hands; and the best material our own aspirations.

To control price rise, the party promises these steps:

- Put in place strict measures and special Courts to stop hoarding and black marketing.

- Setting up a Price Stabilisation Fund.

- Unbundle FCI operations into procurement, storage and distribution for greater efficiency.

- Leverage on technology to disseminate Real time data, especially to farmers - on production, prices, imports, stocks and overall availability.

- Evolve a single 'National Agriculture Market'.

- Promote and support area specific crops and vegetables linked to food habits of the people.

For employment and entrepreneurship, the BJP says it will:

- Strategically develop high impact domains like labour-intensive manufacturing (viz. textile, footwear, electronics assembly, etc. and Tourism.

- Strengthen the traditional employment bases of agriculture and allied industries, and retail - through modernisation as well as stronger credit and market linkages.

- Harness the opportunities provided by the upgradation of infrastructure and housing, for its job generating potential.

- Encourage and empower our youth for self-employment - incubating entrepreneurship as well as facilitating credit.

- Address the employability issue by initiating a multi-skills development programme in mission mode. Focus will be on job creation and entrepreneurship, in both rural and urban areas.

- Transform our Employment Exchanges into Career Centres - connecting our youth with job opportunities in a transparent and effective manner through the use of technology; as well as providing counselling and training.

To tackle corruption, the party promises to establish a system to eliminate scope for graft through:

- Public awareness

- Technology enabled e-governance minimizing the discretion in the citizen-government interface.
- System-based, policy-driven governance - making it transparent.

- Rationalisation and simplification of tax regime - which is currently repulsive for honest taxpayers.

- Simplification of the processes and procedures at all levels - bestowing faith in the citizens, institutions and establishments.