SHILLONG:
The United Democratic Party (UDP), on February 17, released its manifesto for the upcoming Meghalaya Elections with emphasis on health, employment, economic growth, agriculture and other sectors.
Revealing the manifesto, UDP spokesperson Allantry F Dkhar said, guided by three cornerstones, the party endeavours to serve the state by providing a government that is clean and corruption-free, effective and result-oriented, fair and impartial towards all citizens.
The party manifesto promises to look into sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism, in addition to tackling law and order problems, ensuring holistic economic growth, and empowering the youth.
For healthcare, the party promised to increase healthcare cover under Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), set up diagnostic centres at sub-divisional and district level, eradication of drug abuse, set up prenatal and post-natal care centres in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate, and research-backed development and promotion of medicinal herbs and traditional healing methods.
For education, the party said that it will provide free textbooks to school-going children from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, set up another state university, special schools for children with special needs, and others.
In the agricultural sector, the party said that minimum support price will be introduced for the farmers, welfare measures for farmers, and others.
On the economic front, the party said that it will revamp the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), develop border haats, encourage hydel projects, improve road connectivity, mission mode development of New Shillong Township, connection of eastern and western bypass roads, and others.
Furthermore, the party promised to review new pension proposals, enhance benefits for pensioners, widows, single mothers, and differently-abled, and ameliorate the plight of Asha, Anganwadi workers, and daily wage earners.
As for youth empowerment, and addressing the issue of unemployment, the manifesto stated skill development and coaching centres will be set up, age bar to be revisited, filling up of all government vacancies, time bound recruitment by MPSC and DSCs, doing away with interview for Grade III and IV positions, and others.
In addition to that, the party also promised to incentivise youth-led enterprises and startups by easing their access to finance, provision for mandatory IT and telecommunications facilities, establishment of sports institutions among others.
As for the tourism sector, the party promised to develop potential tourism sites, revamp the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to develop and promote tourism in the state, promote medical tourism and others.