CPI(M), BJP criticise Rahul Gandhi’s poll guarantees in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced five poll guarantees for Kerala, CPI(M) and BJP leaders on Sunday criticised the promises, with some leaders claiming they would not be implemented.
Rahul had announced free travel for women in KSRTC buses, Rs 1,000 per month for girls studying in colleges, an increase in welfare pension to Rs 3,000 per month, a family insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh interest-free loans for young entrepreneurs.
State Finance Minister K N Balagopal told reporters that people are well aware of the guarantees made by the Congress party.
“When the UDF was in power, the welfare pension was only Rs 600 and payments for 18 months were pending. People also remember reports that 24 persons committed suicide after being denied retirement benefits in KSRTC,” he said.
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He said that during the UDF regime, many KSRTC buses were non-functional.
“Now we release around Rs 72 crore to KSRTC every month for paying pension alone. Apart from that, we release Rs 50 crore every month for the salary of KSRTC employees. After proper management, KSRTC is now functioning properly,” he said.
Balagopal said the LDF manifesto would be released soon.
“People know that promises made by Congress were never implemented. People in Kerala will not fall for their words. On the other hand, we have implemented all the promises we made, and they were completed by November last year,” he said.
He said that despite the Centre allegedly denying funds, Kerala has managed to survive, but the situation is very different in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh.
“Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister recently went to Delhi, saying the state has no money to pay salaries. The announced DA and salary revision were withdrawn,” he said.
Balagopal also alleged that in Telangana, where the Congress is in power, the chief minister had said salaries to employees cannot be paid on the first day of the month.
He also claimed that appointments in government departments have been suspended in these states.
“They are declaring these guarantees not to implement them. It has to be taken only in that way,” Balagopal said.
Industries Minister P Rajeev said the public, after hearing the guarantees announced by the Congress, had started remembering the days when the UDF government was in power.
“During the UDF regime, KSRTC was on the verge of closure. Where will the promises of such people reach?” he asked.
Rajeev said that, out of the Rs 2,000 welfare pension currently given in the state, the UDF government's contribution was just Rs 100.
“Even that amount was only promised but not given. Only the LDF government under V S Achuthanandan paid the pending amount. With such a history, these promises are being made,” he said.
Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said that if the guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi were implemented for even two months, KSRTC would collapse and there would be nothing left to pay employees' salaries.
“They don’t know about KSRTC as much as I know about it. Rahul Gandhi announced a similar free bus travel scheme in Karnataka. I saw a report that Karnataka SRTC is now under severe loss and crisis,” he said.
He said that when the LDF in its previous election manifesto promised Rs 2,000 welfare pension, Congress leader V D Satheesan had termed it a bribe to get votes.
“Now they have promised Rs 3,000 welfare pension. Is that not a bribe for them now? Will the people of Kerala believe the promises of the Congress?” he asked.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Congress guarantees were merely political drama.
“They give tall promises to poor people. But after the election, they cheat people. This is the politics of the Congress,” he said.
He said that Congress governments in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, which came to power promising welfare schemes, are now facing severe financial crises and development has stalled.
“The Congress party will go to any level to get power. It is not for development but for corruption,” he alleged.
He also referred to the farm loan waiver announced before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
“After coming to power, the CAG found that there was 30 per cent corruption in the scheme,” he alleged.
“Congress does this to get the votes of poor people, come to power and then indulge in corruption,” he added.
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India, Vietnam elevate ties to enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership; set USD 25 bn
New Delhi (PTI): India and Vietnam on Wednesday elevated their ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership and set a USD 25 billion annual trade target by 2030 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam held talks focusing on expanding bilateral ties in areas of trade, defence, and critical minerals in the face of increasing geopolitical upheavals.
Following the Modi-Lam meeting, the two sides signed as many as 13 agreements which will provide for deeper two ways engagements in a range of areas including digital payments, rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, education, banking and culture.
Modi and Lam also deliberated on the situation in the Indo-Pacific amid China's increasing assertiveness in the region, and agreed to continue to contribute to the rule-of-law, peace, stability, and prosperity.
It is understood that China's growing military muscle-flexing in the South China Sea also figured in the delegation-level talks between the two sides.
Elected as president earlier this month, Lam began his first state visit to India on Tuesday, leading a high-level delegation for a three-day trip.
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"A decade ago, Vietnam became India's first comprehensive strategic partner in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) . Since then, our relations have made rapid and comprehensive progress," Modi said in his media statement.
"Building on this strong foundation, today we are elevating our relations to the level of Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We will now advance our partnership to even higher goals," he said.
"Our cooperation will reach new levels in every area ' culture, connectivity, and capacity building, as well as security, sustainability, and supply chain resilience," Modi added.
He noted that the bilateral trade between India and Vietnam has doubled in the last decade to reach USD 16 billion and that the target now is to increase it to USD 25 billion by 2030.
Modi also cited a plethora of agreements signed between the two countries to emphasis that the economic engagement is expected to witness a significant upswing going forward.
"The MoU between our drug authorities will now increase access to Indian medicines in Vietnam. Exports of Indian agricultural, fisheries, and animal products to Vietnam are also set to become easier. Very soon, Vietnam will taste India's grapes and pomegranates," he said.
The two sides also agreed to update the India-ASEAN trade agreement by the end of this year.
"This will provide a new impetus to trade and investment between India and all ASEAN countries. New initiatives in critical minerals, rare earths, and energy cooperation will ensure the economic security and supply chain resilience of both countries," Modi said.
"To boost financial connectivity, we have today decided to enhance cooperation between our central banks. India's UPI and Vietnam's fast payment systems will soon be linked. Furthermore, we are strengthening state-to-state and city-to-city cooperation between the two countries," he noted.
Modi said India is grateful to Vietnam for its strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and standing with India in its fight against terrorism.
"In this era of global turmoil and economic challenges, thanks to their talent, good governance, and economic reforms, India and Vietnam are emerging as the world's fastest-growing economies," he said.
"Now, through our enhanced strategic partnership, we will support each other's rapid growth. As the Buddha's teachings say, 'If you light a lamp for someone else, it also illuminates your own path'," Modi said.
He also described Vietnam a a key pillar of India's Act East Policy and Vision Ocean.
"In the Indo-Pacific region as well, we share a common outlook. Through our strengthening defence and security cooperation, we will continue to contribute to the rule-of-law, peace, stability, and prosperity," he said.
The prime minister said India will broaden its relations with ASEAN with Vietnam's cooperation.
In his remarks, Lam said both sides agreed to deepen political trust and elevate security cooperation.
Last year, the two sides inked a pact to set up a framework for submarine search, rescue and support mechanism. They also signed a letter of intent (LoI) to strengthen bilateral defence industry collaboration.
