With the Congress engaged in a bitter battle with the BJP, the state's hinterland is poised to witness an intense electoral contest as it goes to the polls on October 21. The counting of votes will take place on October 24.
The Congress party released it's election manifesto on Friday with a slew of promises. It has promised 33 per cent job quota for women in the government sector, cash incentives to educated jobless youth apart from farm loan waiver within 24 hours of coming to power.
Besides this, the party has also promised in its manifesto to bring in a strong legislation to check the menace of mob lynchings, to drastically cut electricity bills and to counter pollution caused by stubble burning.
On the pattern of neighbouring Punjab where the Congress rules, the party has announced to provide free electricity to farmers with holdings up to two acres.
In its manifesto, the Congress has promised to give Rs 12,000 per acre to farmers for crop failure and drought. The party will also give 50 per cent tax rebate on house tax for women-owned properties.
State Congress President Kumari Selja has said that the party has promised to give students an annual scholarship of Rs 12,000 from Class 1 to 10, and Rs 15,000 for students from Class 11 to 12, from the Scheduled Castes and extremely Backward Classes.
( With inputs from IANS )