Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik released his party’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Addressing the gathering at the launch, he claimed that his party BJD (Biju Janta Dal) has fulfilled its promises made to people in 2014. "The BJD, unlike the BJP and the Congress, has stuck to its promises it had made to the people in the 2014 elections," Patnaik said.
The regional Party has focussed on three targets this time: Farmers, women and youth. It has named its manifesto as ‘Naveen Odisha, Sashakt Odisha” (New Odisha, Strong Odisha). The manifesto laid emphasis on women empowerment, Strengthening Odisha’s Farmers and youth.
The party manifesto promised that the ongoing Kalia scheme will continue for all farmers and landless agricultural labours. Patnaik promised that if his party comes to power a Kalia Commission will be set up to monitor the programme in every three years. It also promised to pursue the enhancement of paddy MSP to Rs 2930 with the Central government.
The regional ruling party, BJD also promised reservation of 75 per cent jobs in all upcoming industries in the state for qualified local youth. It ensures that all the State level recruitment fees will be waived off.
Targeting the youth further, the manifesto read that BJD party will provide educational loans at zero per cent interest. And that technical institutes, colleges and universities will be provided free Wi-Fi. All students upon joining college will be given 1 GB internet free, it said.
Women empowerment also was a major theme in the BJD manifesto. The party manifesto promised to provide Rs 5,000 crore government business to the women self-help groups (SHGs) which will provide a profit of about Rs 500 crore. The party manifesto also promised to provide interest-free loans to women SHGs up to Rs 5 lakh.
The party manifesto read that it will provide financial help to poor families for a daughter’s marriage. An assistance of Rs 25,000 for daughters of poor families will be granted. Girl child education will be free from KG to PG level, the manifesto said.
The party also announced a Biju Express Way that will connect North to South and East to West of Odisha. Also, Cuttack will be connected to Bhubaneswar by metro railway, thereby connecting the two most important cities of the state.
In its bid to end regional disparities in the state, the ruling BJD promised to make a special initiative called JUHAR (Joint Upliftment of Habitations and Regions).
The manifesto also aims to end regional disparities by setting up a special initiative called JUHAR (Joint Upliftment of Habitations and Regions). It read, "To reduce regional disparities and fast pace development, we will have Special Development Councils in Bargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Sambalpur districts and Athmallik, Kuchinda and Nilagiri Sub-Divisions”.