Raipur: Congress unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, highlighting key promises that include conducting a caste census, waiving farm loans, and providing free electricity for up to 200 units.

The manifesto was presented by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel during a press conference in Rajnandgaon. Baghel emphasized the significance of the caste-based census, indicating it would encompass scheduled castes, tribal castes, backward classes, the general category, and minorities within the state.

Baghel further explained that the caste census would not only offer political advantages to the backward classes but would also enable the government to formulate a "special policy" for them, along with extending social and financial benefits.

In addition to the caste census, Congress's manifesto outlines several commitments. These include purchasing paddy at Rs 3,200 per quintal, selling gas cylinders at Rs 500 per kg, providing free homes to 17.5 lakh individuals under the CM Awaz Yojana, offering free education from kindergarten to post-graduation, and granting medical insurance of Rs 10 lakh through the Khoobchand Baghel Swastyha Sahayata Yojana. Furthermore, Congress pledges up to 50 percent loan waivers for businesses, as opposed to the current 40 percent, among other initiatives.

The manifesto comprises a total of 20 promises, and it was introduced just days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the BJP's manifesto in Raipur. The BJP's manifesto, titled 'Modi ki Guarantee 2023,' includes plans for a health insurance scheme offering free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh for every family in Chhattisgarh, the establishment of 500 new Jan Aushadhi Centers providing affordable generic medicines, a bonus for beedi leaf collectors, and subsidized visits to the Ram Temple for the state's less fortunate residents, among other commitments.

Chhattisgarh will conduct elections in two phases on November 7 and 17, with the vote count scheduled for December 3. The term of the current Congress-led Chhattisgarh government is set to conclude on January 3, 2024.

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