Karnataka elections: Yeddyurappa releases BJP’s manifesto, promises cow slaughter bill

Bharatiya Janta Party on Friday released its manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka elections in Bengaluru. The manifesto was released by party's Chief Minister candidate BS Yeddyurappa in the presence of various party leaders. The manifesto promises re-introduction of cow slaughter bill, to waive off loans of up to Rs 1 lakh for farmers and weavers.

The BJP said that it would do away with the ACB and revive the Lokayukta. This has been one of the major poll planks of the BJP which has accused the Congress of deteriorating law and order in the state. "We are committed to reducing the burden of debt on our Annadaatas. We will announce a crop loan waiver up to Rs1 Lakh, including all loans from Nationalised Banks and Co-operatives, in our first Cabinet Meeting for the benefit of our Annadaatas," said Yeddyurappa releasing the manifesto. "Welfare of farmers has always been our priority. We will allocate Rs 1,50,000 Cr for various irrigation projects in Karnataka and ensure water reaches to every field in the state", he said.

Here are the highlights of BJP manifesto
*Rs 3,000 Crore Kamadhenu Fund for development of animal husbandry and dairy farming infrastructure and Rs 1,000 Crore fund for expanding veterinary services.
*The "Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation Bill 2012" will be reintroduced.
*Rs 5,000 Crore "Raitha Bandhu Market Intervention Fund" to support farmers during price fluctuations.
*"Raitha Bandhu Department", under CMO, to monitor implementation of all farmer friendly schemes.Rs 1.5 Lakh Crore "Sujalam Suphalam Karnataka Yojane" to complete all irrigation projects by 2023.
*Launch "Mission Kalyani" to rejuvenate all tanks and lakes in the state.
*3 phase power supply for 10 hours for farmers to operate their pump sets.
*Rs 100 Cr "Raitha Bandhu Scholarship" to enable farmers' children to pursue agriculture & allied sector courses.
*1,000 farmers to travel to countries like Israel & China per year to study best practices under the "CM's Fellowship for Agriculture".
*Establish a Rs 10,000 Crore "Stree Unnati Fund" to set up one of the largest women run co-operatives and establish "Stree Unnati Stores" to market its products Loans up to Rs 2 Lakhs shall be given to women only SHGs at 1% p.a.interest.
*Form a Special Investigation Cell, under a woman Police Officer and employing 1,000 policewomen to investigate all pending crimes against women.
*Increase the amount payable at maturity under the Bhagyalakshmi scheme to Rs 2 Lakh.
*Provide free sanitary napkins to BPL women and girl students and at Rs. 1 for other women under the new "Stree Suvidha Scheme."
*Launch the "Mukhya Mantri Smartphone Yojane" to provide women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families with a free smartphone.
*"Ayushman Karnataka Scheme" to provide poor and vulnerable families with a cover of Rs 5 Lakh for treatment.
*Set up 2 "Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences" (on the lines of AIIMS).
*Organise a Special Industrial Investment Summit for Hyderabad Karnataka region in one of the District Headquarters in the Article 371-J region every 2 yearsto attract investment into the area.
*Rs 2,500 Cr "Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Fund" to clean and revive the lakes and rivers of Bengaluru and free Bengalureans from the water tanker mafia.  
*Form "Kittur Rani Chennamma Flying Squads" to attend to distress calls of women in Bengaluru quickly.
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