M A I N   N E W S

Party sets the 2014 poll agenda with ambitious wish list
KV Prasad/TNS

Jaipur, January 20
The Congress today recommitted itself to representing the country’s “middle ground” and rejected the “outdated ideologies and obscurantist” philosophies of Opposition parties and promised to approach people on the basis of performance, stability and good governance.

the Jaipur Declaration The party will continue to create new opportunities for educated and aspirational middle class It promises to create 10 million jobs every year and impart skills training to youth The rights of the minorities have not been fully secured and urged the government to make efforts to protect these Nepotism in its structure is a cause of concern and needs to be arrested Women’s quota & their safety The party said it remained committed to the cause of one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures and suggested that for safety of women, a prescribed percentage of the total police officers, inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables at every police station in the country must be women.

Adopting the 56-point Jaipur Declaration at the end of the All India Congress Committee session held here at the conclusion of the Chintan Shivir, the party said it will continue to be at the forefront of fighting corruption, especially at the bureaucratic and political levels.

The party acknowledged that there is a rising educated and aspirational middle class, especially in the urban areas. It will continue to create new opportunities for them and a climate conducive to their advancement. It also promised to create 10 million jobs every year and impart skills training to youth to take up these jobs for the young workforce.

Referring to special focus on the rights of the minorities, it said, these have not been fully secured and urged the Government to make all efforts to protect these. The recommendations of the Justice Sachar Committee were relevant and should serve as a guide to the Government when it implements the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme and other minority-related programmes.

The party said it remains committed to the cause of one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures and suggested that for safety of women, a prescribed percentage of the total police officers, inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables at every police station in the country must be women. Eventually, the proportion shall be not be less than 30 per cent.

It said while the party takes pride in adapting itself to the changing situations, it needs to be in a better position to harness new information technologies and use them to communicate effectively to the people through the traditional and social media.

“The social media can give the party useful feedback on how the people perceive the Government and what they expect from it. Regional and local media will also be actively engaged”, the declaration noted.

The document maintained that nepotism in its structure is a cause of concern and needs to be arrested. When leaders recommend a candidate they must won responsibility in the case of failure.

The party said the number of terms for presidents of Pradesh Congress Committees and District Congress Committees should be restricted to two and the tenure should not be more than three years.