Comparision of Congress and BJP Manifestos - 2009 Lok Sabha Elections

Comparision of Congress and BJP Manifestos - 2009 Lok Sabha Elections

ISSUE	Congress	BJP
Infrastructure	To revive the economy and restore the high growth witnessed in the first four years of the Congress-led UPA Government. - Connect all villages to a broadband network in three years time - Bring the fruits of the IT revolution to more cities and towns. This will help open vast new opportunities for our rural youth.  - New deal for SMEs and for first-generation entrepreneurs by assuring them greater access to collateral-free credit and liberating them from the multiplicity of laws and forms.	The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the largest rural connectivity programme initiated by the NDA Government, will be fully implemented in the first three years. Bring down interest rates for housing loans so that housing becomes affordable. Enhance the capabilities of the manufacturing sector by easing credit availability. Promote SMEs and the retail sector which can generate a large number of jobs. Give a boost to tourism by selecting 50 tourist destinations and investing heavily in their infrastructure.
Jobs	All students admitted to any recognized course in any recognized college/university will be provided, on a need basis, either a scholarship or an educational loan without collateral repayable over a very long period. To ensure that the expansion plans on the higher education front are implemented. To reap the impart skills to a bigger chunk of the below-35 population through an extensive skill development programme so that the employability of youth is enhanced. Funds will be provided to ensure its widest possible coverage.	Arrest the loss of jobs and reverse the trend of joblessness which is far worse than unemployment by making massive public sector investments in job-generating infrastructure. Education will be the Government instrument to reduce poverty, promote health, protect the environment and advance gender equality. Central allocation to education shall be raised to six per cent of the GDP.
Foreign Relations	The foreign policy followed in the past five years has yielded handsome results: the foremost example is the Nuke deal with USA. India's patient but forceful diplomacy has obliged Pakistan to admit that its citizens were responsible for carrying out Mumbai-attacks in November 2008.	The BJP desires good relations between India and the USA, but we will not compromise on either India's national interest or relations with another friendly country. Pakistan: There can be no 'comprehensive dialogue' for peace unless Pakistan a) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure on territory under its control; b) actively engages in prosecuting terror elements c) puts a permanent end to using cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy; d) stops using the territory of third countries to launch terror attacks on India; and, e) hands over to India individuals wanted for committing crimes on Indian soil.
Agriculture	Every small and marginal farmer in the country will have access to bank credit at lower rates of interest. To extend interest relief to all farmers who repay bank loans on schedule. To ensure that farming becomes a profitable occupation. Consider direct income support to farmers in the ecologically vulnerable regions of the country. Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement will be ensured at the doorsteps of farmers.	To make India's farmer debt-free, the BJP will waive agricultural loans. Set up a commission to study the entire gamut of farmer's loans and come up with an actionable solution to the deepening crisis. Provide 35 kg of rice or wheat every month to BPL families at Rs 2 per kg.
Security	Our policy is zero tolerance towards terrorism from whatever source it originates. We have already initiated the process of equipping our police and other specialist security forces with the latest weapons and technology. This process will be taken forward vigorously. More specialist battalions will be raised and positioned in key locations across the country.	Revive the anti-terror mechanism that has been dismantled by the Congress and make POTA more effective. Completely revamp the internal and external intelligence agencies and review the existing system of coordination and dissemination of intelligence inputs. A Digital Security Agency will be set up to deal with cyber warfare, cyber counterterrorism, and cyber security of national digital assets.
Taxes	To introduce a moderate goods and services tax (GST) so that all other central and state-level indirect taxes such as VAT, excise duty, service tax, entertainment tax, luxury tax etc. will stand abolished and bring substantial relief to the aam admi.	Put in place a low tax, low interest regime so that people have more money and their purchasing power increases, which in turn will serve as an impetus for the economy. Exempt income up to Rs 3 lakh from Income Tax. Women and senior citizens will receive an additional exemption benefit of Rs 50,000. Income of all senior citizens by way of pension will be exempt from Income Tax. Dispense with clubbing of agricultural income with other sources of income for determining tax liability on other income. CST will be abolished and GST will be rationalised between 12 and 14 per; FBT will go. Bring back the money (estimated at Rs 25,00,000 crore and Rs 75,00,000 crore) illegally stashed in Swiss bank accounts and tax havens.