Congress assures voters statehood for Puducherry

Puducherry: Statehood for Puducherry, a rational agriculture policy and establishment of new industries form the highlights of the Congress's manifesto for the Union Territory for the May 16 Assembly elections.

Releasing the manifesto here on Friday, senior Congress leader and former Union minister V. Narayanasamy said “Congress is promising a peaceful Puducherry ensuring safety to women and making the State an education hub with employment opportunities to the youth, if voted to power”.

The manifesto promised to reopen textile mills and establish new industries. It expressed the party's commitment to education sector by introducing policies such as securing 50 per cent government seats in all medical and engineering colleges, regulation of school fees and educational loans for poor students.

A rational agriculture policy to safeguard farmer’s interests, setting up of IT park, provision of free set top boxes, holding local body election with 50 per cent reservation for women, increasing the number of  working days under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act.