Bharatiya Janata Party - BJP - Economic Policy and Election Manifesto

Congress Manifestos


15.8.2014

BJP Manifesto : Lok Sabha Elections 2014

Economic Revival


We will bring back credibility and trust in government, re-sowing confidence in the India story domestically as well as internationally. Through consistent, long-term policies, we will not just spur the process of economic growth, but also ensure that it is stable as well as balanced.

We will:
- find out solutions, which are effective in the short run and lasting in the long run.
- strictly implement Fiscal discipline, without compromising on funds availability for development work and asset creation
- allocate resources efficiently and effectively to re-energize the engines of growth.
- re-visit the policy framework for investments both foreign and domestic to make them more conducive.
- undertake Banking reforms to enhance ease and access, as well as accountability.
- we will encourage Savings as an important driver of investment and growth.

NPAs
NPAs have increased sharply over the past few years and the trend continues. BJP will take necessary steps to reduce NPAs in Banking sector. Also, BJP will set up a strong regulatory framework for the non-banking financial companies to protect the investors.

Taxation
UPA Government has unleashed 'Tax terrorism' and 'uncertainty', which not only creates anxiety amongst the business class and negatively impacts the investment climate, but also dents the image of the country. BJP realizes the importance of having a Tax Policy Roadmap, so that people are aware of the future and plan accordingly. We will:
- provide a non adversarial and conducive tax environment
- rationalize and simplify the tax regime
- overhaul the dispute resolution mechanisms
- bring on board all State governments in adopting GST, addressing all their concerns
- provide tax incentives for investments in research and development, geared towards indigenization of technology and innovation

Foreign Direct Investment
Barring the multi-brand retail sector, FDI will be allowed in sectors wherever needed for job and asset creation, infrastructure and acquisition of niche technology and specialized expertise. BJP is committed to protecting the interest of small and medium retailers, SMEs and those employed by them. The FIPBs (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) functioning shall be made more efficient and investor- friendly

Agriculture - Productive, Scientific and Rewarding

Agriculture is the engine of India's economic growth and the largest employer, and BJP commits highest priority to agricultural growth, increase in farmer's income and rural development.

BJP will:
- increase public investment in agriculture and rural development.
- take steps to enhance the profitability in agriculture, by ensuring a minimum of 50% profits over the cost of production, cheaper agriculture inputs and credit; introducing latest technologies for farming and high yielding seeds and linking MGNREGA to agriculture.
- Put in place welfare measures for farmers above 60 years in age, small and marginal farmers and farm labours.
- Introduce and promote low water consuming irrigation techniques and optimum utilization of water resources.
- Introduce soil assessment based crop planning and setting up mobile soil testing labs.
- Re-orient pest management and control programmes.
- implement and incentivize the setting up of the food processing industry that has remained just a plain talk till now. This will lead to better income for farmers and create jobs. We aim to set up 'agro food processing clusters', with high value, export-quality and vacuum packed food processing facilities, etc.
- Focus on the quality, productivity and trade of spices.
- Set up the 'Organic Farming and Fertilizer Corporation of India', to promote organic farming and fertilizers, and provide incentives and support for marketing organic produce.
- Introduce rotation farming for herbal products, based on geographical mapping, to enhance the income of farmers.
- Implement a farm insurance scheme to take care of crop loss due to unforeseen natural calamities.
- Strengthen and expand rural credit facilities.
- Promote horticulture, floriculture, pisciculture, bee-keeping and poultry for generating jobs and income for rural India
- Promote fish farming and aqua culture. Measures would be taken for the welfare of fisherman
- Create Cluster based storage systems (e.g. Rice cluster, Wheat Cluster, Veg - Fruit cluster, Spices cluster).
- Introduce the concept of consumer friendly farmers' market to reduce wastages and increase incomes and risk coverage.
- Reform the APMC act.
- Work with the states to set up seed culture labs in each district and regional agriculture innovation labs to conserve agro-biodiversity and to identify and preserve rare indigenous varieties.
- Explore setting up of regional Kisan TV channels.
- Give high priority to poverty alleviation in rural areas.
Genetically Modified (GM) foods will not be allowed without full scientific evaluation on its long-term effects on soil, production and biological impact on consumers.
Land acquisition is a contentious issue due to the opacity of the land acquisition process. BJP will adopt a 'National Land Use Policy', which will look at the scientific acquisition of non-cultivable land, and its development; protect the interest of farmers and keep in mind the food production goals and economic goals of the country. It's implementation would be monitored by the National Land Use Authority, which will work with the State Land Use Authorities to regulate and facilitate land management. The power and functions of the National Land Use Authority would be similar to those of other regulatory bodies.

Industry - Modern, Competitive and Caring

We should no longer remain a market for the global industry. Rather, we should become a Global Manufacturing Hub. We have to encourage our industry to innovate and collaborate internationally. We have to encourage industry to produce efficiently and cost-effectively.
Economic freedom implies that Government will not get in the way of the freedom of individuals to start and operate legitimate businesses. Increased economic freedom will break open the economic space to new entrants, especially in the form of small and medium-enterprises, creating jobs and prosperity. Particularly:

- We will ensure that a conducive, enabling environment is created making 'doing business' in
India easy.
- We will focus on cutting the red tape, simplifying the procedures and removing the bottle- necks.
- We will ensure logistics infrastructure, including stable power.
- Our attempt will be to move towards a single-window system of clearances both at the centre and also at the State level through a Hub-spoke model.
- We will put in place a mechanism that will ensure that the Central and state governments work in close coordination and synergy while giving clearances to mega projects.
- Decision-making on environment clearances will be made transparent as well as time-bound.
- We will set up World class Investment and Industrial regions as Global Hubs of Manufacturing.
- We will set up a task force to review and revive our MSME sector (Micro and Small Medium scale
Enterprises); enabling it with better access to formal credit and technology for modernization.
- Frame the environment laws in a manner that provides no scope for confusion and will lead to speedy clearance of proposals without delay.

Manufacturing

A strong manufacturing sector will not only bridge the demand-supply gap leading to price stabilization, but also create millions of jobs and increase incomes for the working class. Above all, it will increase the revenue for government and lead to import substitution to bring down the import bill. We will make India a hub for cost-competitive labour-intensive mass manufacturing. To give boost to manufacturing, BJP will:
- Accord high priority to the growth of manufacturing, so that we can create enough jobs in the country. This sector must grow fast to ensure employment and asset creation.
- Take steps for Interest rate rationalization and have a clear tax policy to remove uncertainty and create investor confidence.
- Take all steps; like removing red-tapism involved in approvals, to make it easy to do business, invest in logistics infrastructure, ensure power supply and undertake labour reforms, besides other steps to create a conducive environment for investors.
- Increase the public spending on R&D and Incentivize R&D investments by the industry to increase the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.
- We will facilitate setting up of software and hardware manufacturing units.
- Encourage Indian companies to go global and we will support Indian companies in this endeavor.
We believe that Indian entrepreneurs have the capability to take on global markets.
- Set up trade facilitation to ensure easier customs clearances and visas for business travel.
- Initiate a Government - Industry Dialogue, a channel for regular interface with the industry.
MSMEs (Micro, small and medium enterprises)
BJP considers that the role of SME sector is crucial for the economic development of our country. The sector needs to be developed by providing international linkages for exports, availability of credit through a dedicated SME bank, supply chain efficiencies, adoption of IT, support in R&D and innovation, and a policy support for enhancing the mandate to purchase from SME for large scale projects. Overall goal is to enhance the competitiveness of the SME sector leading to a larger contribution to our economic growth and employment generation.
Cooperative Sector
Every effort will be made to encourage the cooperative sector. BJP commits to review the existing laws with regards to the cooperative sector, and will amend the multi-state cooperative act to remove lacunae and anomalies.

Handicrafts

We will move up the value chain of the sector driven by a focus on Quality.
- Market linkages - both national and international
- Access to credit and information and skills upgradation
- Value addition will be encouraged through avenues like - branding, packaging and technology.
Artisans
Schemes will be drawn for skills upgradation and enhancement of business opportunities for artisans like smiths, weavers, carpenters, hair-dressers, shoe-smiths, and potters.

Services - Driven by Quality and Efficiency

Business and Trade
The modern era is an era of exchange. Over-regulation needs to be addressed to stop the harassment of the businessmen and traders. At the same time, we have to set up transparent systems, which ensure credibility of our goods and services. At the same time, the bottlenecks in transporting and exporting them have to be removed. Also, the flow of information about our tradable items has to be made available to the rest of the world.
- Focus on Zero defect products.
- Build world class Ports; connecting them with roads and rail to the hinterland so as to drive the maritime trade of the country.
- Air Cargo facilities will be enhanced throughout the country.
- An Export Promotion Mission will be established integrating all stakeholders.
- Current accounts deficit will be brought down aggressively by focusing on exports and reducing the dependency on imports. Value addition on our products will be the biggest task.
- We shall work with the State governments to usher in the GST in an appropriate timeframe. For implementing the same, a robust IT network system will be put in place.
- We will embark on the path of IPRs and Patents in a big way.
- Take all necessary steps to protect the interest of retailers, small traders and small vendors and equip them with the latest techniques and methods to modernize them and make them competitive.
- Commit to ensure that the retailers and SMEs don't have to spend time and money for seeking multiple licenses to start the business. There will a system in place to avoid harassment of small traders.
- Ensure easy availability of institutional credit.
- Review obsolete and multiple laws to reduce and simplify them.
- Remove ambiguity in rules to make way for prompt decisions without any scope for discretion.
- Telecom revolution has touched length and breadth of the country but there is significant scope and necessity to improve the quality of voice and data to fully leverage the potential.

Tourism - Untapped Potential

BJP recognizes the role tourism and hospitality can play as a foreign exchange earner and its ability to create millions of jobs every year. Tourism plays a key role in socio-economic progress through creation of jobs, enterprise, infrastructure development, and foreign exchange earnings.
BJP realizes that the tourism sector needs a clear plan for growth, and BJP commits to initiate a mission mode project to create 50 tourist circuits that are affordable and built around themes like: a.) Archaeological and Heritage, b.) Cultural and Spiritual, c.) Himalayan, d.) Desert, e.) Coastal, f.) Medical (Ayurveda and Modern Medicine), etc. This will lead to creation of infrastructure and employment around each tourist circuit and help in boosting revenue generation.
Specialized course in tourism will be started for capacity development. Safety and Security of tourists would be accorded due priority.

Labour Force - The Pillar of Our Growth

BJP recognizes the fact that the labour is the key to the revival of the economy and so are the laws governing them. We believe in promoting a harmonious relationship between labour and the industry, with both playing an important contributory role in economic growth and development.
We will ensure that the interests of labour in the unorganized sector are protected.
For the organized labour, we propose to encourage industry owners and labour to embrace the concept of 'Industry Family'. This concept, in which industry owners and labours bond as a family, is guided by the principles of efficiency, skill development and upgradation, productivity, appropriate wages and perquisites, and security towards this end. We will:
- issue identity cards to the unorganized sector labourers, and arrangements will be made to provide them good quality health and education services. Also, their skills will be upgraded through appropriate training programs.
- extend access to modern financial services to labour - including considering the option of setting up a dedicated Workers Bank.
- bring together all stakeholders to review our Labour laws which are outdated, complicated and even contradictory.
- strengthen the Pension and Health Insurance safety nets for all kinds of labourers.

Housing - No Longer a Mirage

We will roll out a massive Low cost Housing programme to ensure that by the time the nation completes 75 years of its Independence, every family will have a pucca house of its own. It will be an innovatively designed scheme that dovetails various existing programmes and also encourages the housing sector by appropriate policy interventions and credit availability including interest subventions, where necessary.
Our proposed programme will further ensure that these houses are equipped with the basic facilities of toilet, piped water supply, electricity and proper Access. To do this we will amongst others:
- Prioritize all our resources towards this goal.
- Leverage on land as a resource in urban areas and demand for unskilled labour in the rural areas.
- Innovatively structure the programme to converge and dovetail various existing programmes, while adding the missing links.
- Simultaneously encourage the overall housing sector, through appropriate policy interventions and credit availability and interest subvention schemes.

Physical Infrastructure - Better than the Best

India should no longer be limited by its infrastructure. In fact, we have to create robust infrastructure, which drives growth. For this purpose, we have to devote ourselves for a decade. We have to think big. Also, looking to the expansion in our population as well as social and economic activities, we have to build our infrastructure in a futuristic way. Growth of this sector means the growth of cement, steel, electricity and many other associated industries and directly leads to massive job creation. To achieve this, we will take following steps.
- Work on the Freight Corridors and attendant Industrial Corridors will be expedited. This will result in the faster movement of people and goods.
- Remote states like those in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir will be connected with the rest of India through world class highways and rail lines.
- National Highway construction projects will be expedited, especially Border and Coastal highways.
- Every village will be connected through all-weather roads.
- We shall modernize existing and operational Airports, and build new ones especially connecting smaller towns and all tourism circuits. In addition, there is a potential for inland air transportation to various remote and local locations in the country. Such air strips will be developed so that low cost air travelling becomes possible within the country.
- We will evolve an economic model of Port-led development. India is blessed with a long coastline.
We will modernize existing ports on one hand, and develop new ones on the other - stringing together our Sagar Mala project.
- Public Private Partnership would be encouraged to tap into private sector resources as well as expertise. An institutional framework would be established for the same; while regulators would be given greater autonomy as well as accountability.

Next Generation Infrastructure

We will:
- set up Gas Grids to make gas available to households and industry.
- set up a National Optical-Fibre Network up to the village level; and Wi-Fi zones in public areas.
- harness our advanced satellite technology and expertise for development.

Transport

The BJP realizes the importance of travel for the vibrancy of the economy and social unity. BJP will:
- Create a public transport system, which can reduce the dependence on personal vehicles for transport, thereby, reducing cost, time to travel as well as ecological cost.
- Launch an Integrated Public transport project which will include roadways, railways and waterways.
- Develop waterways for passenger and cargo transport.
- Develop National logistics network for faster movement of goods.

Railway

Indian Railways is the lifeline of the country. It will be modernized, strengthened and upgraded to serve passengers as well as the country's economy. This will be done in a planned manner focusing on national development, rather than political exigency.
- Hinterland will be connected to the ports through strategic new Rail networks.
- Agri Rail network will be established - with Train Wagons designed to cater to the specific needs of perishable Agricultural products like milk and vegetables as well as light weight wagons for salt movement.
- Tourist Rail - including Pilgrimage Rail.
- Railways Modernization, inducting of state-of-the-art technology.
- Special focus on developing skilled human resources to meet future demand.
- Prioritize Safety and invest in long required overhaul of stressed infrastructure, strict norms and warning systems.
- Modernize and equip all stations with requisite infrastructure and public utilities.
- Convert all unmanned crossings into manned crossings in a phased manner.
- Initiate R&D for indigenous railways, coach design and signals.
- We will launch Diamond Quadrilateral project - of High Speed Train network (bullet train).

Water - Make It Reach to All Homes, Farms and Factories

Trends indicate that India would be a 'water stressed' state by 2050, and the gap between the demand and supply would be 50%. BJP recognizes the seriousness of the issue. Also, most importantly, potable drinking water is not available to the entire population despite more than six decades of independence. Water is a dwindling resource, with the threat of water scarcity looming large. We will address this in a comprehensive manner across multiple dimensions. BJP remains committed to giving high priority to water security.
- Launch the 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchayee Yojana' with a motto of 'har khet ko paani'. We will launch multi-pronged 'water strategy' for reducing farmer's dependence on monsoon. Increase irrigated land by completing the long pending irrigation projects on priority.
- We will nurture ground water recharge harnessing rain water to reduce dependence on ground water.
- Encourage efficient use, water conservation, recycling and rain water harvesting.
- Sewage treatment plants to prevent the pollution of rivers.
- Desalination plants for drinking water supply in coastal cities.
- Inter-linking of rivers based on feasibility.
- Examination of ground water to eliminate toxic chemicals, particularly arsenic and fluorides. To ensure drinking water security to all. We will:
- Encourage setting up of drinking water supply grid in water scarce areas.
- Promote decentralized, demand-driven, community-managed water resource management, water supply and environmental sanitation.
- Facilitate piped water to all households.

Energy - Generate More, Use Rationally, Waste Less

BJP realizes the need to focus on generation and distribution of power as a national security issue, so that the growth is not negatively impacted due to supply issues in the energy sector. The overarching goal of energy security is to ensure affordable energy for various consumer segments. Steps will be taken to avoid over- dependence on any one fuel and ensure supplier diversity, to avoid reliance on one supplier, country and developing indigenous capacities to meet the emerging needs.
BJP will:
- Come out with a responsible and comprehensive 'National Energy Policy'.
- Focus on development of energy infrastructure, human resource development and upgradation of technology.
- Take steps to maximize the potential of oil, gas, hydel power, ocean, wind, coal and nuclear sources. BJP considers energy efficiency and conservation crucial to energy security.
- Set up small-hydro power generation projects to harness the hydropower that is not being used at the moment. Small projects can be set up with local support and without displacement of the local population.
- Take Steps to increase the domestic coal exploration and production, to bridge the demand and supply gap. Oil and gas explorations would also be expedited in the country. This will also help to reduce the import bill.
- Give a thrust to renewable sources of energy as an important component of India's energy mix.
- Expand and strengthen the national solar mission.

Science and Technology - India Innovates and India Leads

India has been a knowledge economy and has been a leader in science and technology from the ancient times. India now needs policies and programs to reclaim its global leadership position in science and technology. BJP recognizes the need to create an ecosystem for fundamental research and innovation, keeping the objective of science with a human face in the service of the common man. Science and technology has enormous potential to bridge the disparities between the urban and rural India, rich and poor. Scientific education and technology needs to be encouraged, promoted, practiced and leveraged with renewed vision and vigour.
BJP recognizes the central role of science and technology in raising the quality of life of the people of the country, particularly of the disadvantaged sections of society in creating wealth for all, in making India globally competitive, in utilizing natural resources in a sustainable manner, in protecting the environment and ensuring national security. We will also encourage and incentivize private sector investments - both domestic and foreign, in science and technology and in high-end research aimed towards innovation.
We will focus on the following:
- ensuring food, agricultural, nutritional and environmental, wealth, health and energy security of the people on a sustainable basis, using science and technology.
- mounting a direct and sustained effort on the alleviation of poverty, enhancing livelihood security, removal of hunger and malnutrition, reduction of drudgery and regional imbalances, both rural and urban, and generation of employment, by using scientific and technological capabilities along with our traditional knowledge pool.
- encouraging research and innovation in areas of relevance for the economy and society, particularly by promoting close and productive interaction between private and public institutions. Sectors such as agriculture (particularly soil, water management, human and animal nutrition and fisheries), water, health, education, industry, energy including renewable energy, communication and transportation would be accorded highest priority. Leveraging of technologies such as information technology, biotechnology and material sciences would be done with special importance.
- encouraging research and application to meet the challenges of climate change and for forecasting, prevention and mitigation of natural hazards, particularly floods, cyclones, earthquakes, drought and landslides.
- promoting international science and technology cooperation towards achieving the goals of national development and security, and making it a key element of our international relations.
- devise schemes, programs and opportunities to encourage the youth to take scientific research and innovation as a career.
- provide work environment and professional opportunities in fundamental scientific research, to make research careers more appealing, so that the nation can harness the best of brains for scientific research leading to enhancing the national productivity and competitiveness and reverse brain drain.
- build world class, regional centres of excellence of scientific research in the field of nanotechnology, material sciences, thorium technology and brain research.
- create an ecosystem for multi-country and inter-disciplinary collaborative research, and establish an Intellectual Property Rights Regime which maximizes the incentive for generation and protection of intellectual property for all type of inventors.
- achieving synergy between industry and scientific research. Autonomous technology transfer organizations will be created as associate organizations of universities and national laboratories to transfer the know-how generated by them to industry. Industry will be encouraged to adopt or support educational and research institutions to help direct science and technology endeavours towards tangible industrial goals.
- promotion of innovation by creating a comprehensive national system of innovation.
- indigenous knowledge, based on our long and rich tradition will be further developed and harnessed for the purpose of wealth and employment generation
- to promote science popularization schemes extensively.
- bring the changes in secondary education to focus on application of science.
- set an institute of Big data and Analytics for studying the impact of big data across sectors for predictive science.
- to do research for the eradication of tropical diseases.
- Establish institutes of Technology for Rural Development.
- establish a Central University dedicated to Himalayan Technology.
- promote research and application of nuclear science in medicines, industry and agriculture.

Flora, Fauna and Environment - Safeguarding Our Tomorrow

The present generation has to make this world a better place to live. A better place not only for us, but for our future generations as well. We have to nurture the environment, institutions, people, resources and amenities. We have to combine the past, the present and the future. We have to have a holistic view of human life for sustainable development.
We have to develop the assets and amenities for ourselves in a manner that leaves an equally good or even better environment for the future generations. We will put sustainability at the centre of our thoughts and actions, working on the principle that inclusive growth cannot be limited by the barriers of time and space - it has to be built on the foundations of the past, leverage on the opportunities of the present, and preserve and enhance its resources for the future. We will take Climate Change mitigation initiatives with all seriousness and work with the global community and institutions in this regard.
We will:
- Encourage Cleaner production.
- Cleaner fuels will be promoted so as to bring down the pollution levels particularly in the cities.
- The concept of pro-active 'Carbon Credit' will be promoted.
- Ecological Audit of projects and pollution indexing of cities and townships will be done on scientific basis.
- Pollution control mechanisms will be set up on priority basis.
- In addition to protecting the existing forests and wildlife reserves, the wastelands of the country will be used for social forestry.
- Guidelines for Green buildings and energy efficient work places will be brought out.
- R&D and Human Resource Development in Environment Technology will be promoted.
- Set up fool proof mechanisms for protection and preservation of wild life.
- Encourage citizen's participation in reforestation, agro-forestry and social forestry, through targeted programmes.
- Encourage and incentivize innovative garbage disposal and waste management practices, especially recycling techniques.




Full Manifesto
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/full-text-bjp-manifesto-for-2014-lok-sabha-elections/463184-53.html

BJP Manifesto : Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Important Points

TO BUILD A PROSPEROUS,
POWERFUL NATION,


The civilisational consciousness of India has been well defined by the sages and philosophers and has its roots in Bharatiya or Hindu world view. This world view is holistic and spiritual. It accepts that diversity is inherent in the scheme of creation; it is the manifestation of the same cosmic entity in different forms. Hence it not only accepts diversity but respects it and even more celebrates it. Hindu or Bharatiya view of life seeks unity in diversity. It is an inclusive approach and one can say that Hinduism is the most ennobling experience in spiritual co-existence. The Bharatiya mind has contemplated beyond national boundaries and the Vedic Rishi declared in the hoary past ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbukam’ – that the world is a family. The horizons of India’s worldview are known to have extended from Bamiyan / Kandahar to Borobudur / Indonesia on the one hand, and Sri Lanka to Japan on the other. Imprints of Indian culture are found in some other parts of the world as well. In ancient times India was isolated in geography but not in cultural relationship, trade
and commerce.

The BJP, immediately upon coming to power, will address the key issues of security and economy.

The BJP is contesting the 2009 15th Lok Sabha election on a Manifesto that commits the party to an agenda for change guided by three goals: GOOD GOVERNANCE, DEVELOPMENT and SECURITY.

Security

The BJP will initiate the following measures within 100 days of coming to power:

Revive the anti-terror mechanism that has been dismantled by the Congress; improve upon POTA to ensure it is more

effective as an instrument of deterrence and a tool to prosecute offenders without innocent people being harassed; and,

strengthen the operational role of the National Investigating Agency.
Give assent to laws drafted by State Governments for dealing with organised crime and terrorism; encourage other State

Governments to adopt similar laws.
Launch a massive programme to detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants.
Completely revamp the internal and external intelligence agencies and review the existing system of coordination,

convergence and dissemination of intelligence inputs. A massive exercise will be undertaken to modernise intelligence

agencies so that they are better equipped to use technology and cope with the rapidly changing trends and patterns of

terrorism at home and abroad. The National Security Council will be made the hub of all sector-related assessments. It

will be accountable for real-time intelligence dissemination; intelligence agencies will be held responsible for lapses.

Appointments to intelligence agencies will be on merit and not because of political patronage as has been the system

during the Congress years.
A Digital Security Agency will be set up to deal with cyber warfare, cyber counter-terrorism, and cyber security of

national digital assets.
State Governments will be provided with all assistance to modernise their respective police forces and equip them with the latest weaponry and communications technology. This will be done on a mission mode approach. The police are the first responders to any crisis situation. Drawing lessons from experience, police forces will be trained and fully equipped to

deal with situations similar to that of Mumbai and in meeting the challenge posed by Maoists and insurgents.
Border management will be reviewed and improved. Punitive measures will be introduced to block illegal immigration.
India’s vast coastline is virtually unprotected. Coastal security will be strengthened for better patrolling of Indian waters

and preventing terrorists from taking the sea route to enter India. A National Maritime Authority will be set up to coordinate coastal security.
Special courts will be set up for speedy prosecution of those involved with acts of terrorism. Their trial shall be fair and

justice will be done to the victims swiftly.
Coercive measures, including diplomacy, will be used to deal with countries which promote cross-border terrorism. India

will engage with the world in the global war on terror while not compromising on its domestic interests, primarily protecting citizens from the ravages of terrorism.
The Centre will facilitate better inter-State coordination and real-time intelligence-sharing, apart from helping States to raise anti-insurgency forces, to face the threat posed by Maoists. The ‘Chhattisgarh Model’ will be used for counter-Maoist operations. At the same time, every effort will be made to address the social and economic issues that make the ground fertile for Left-wing extremism.
Any talks with insurgent groups will be conditional and within the framework of the Constitution.

The BJP will send out a simple message, loud and clear, to terrorists and their sponsors: They will have to pay a heavy price for each innocent life lost. Retribution will be swift and exemplary. The authority of the state, which has been

diminished by the Congress in pursuit of vote-bank politics, shall be restored.

National Identity Cards for All

FOOD SECURITY
WE WILL MAKE INDIA HUNGER-FREE
The BJP views food security as integral to national security. The spectre of a looming food crisis haunts the developing world as never before. With the agriculture sector suffering on account of the Congress’ gross negligence, India faces a real threat of food scarcity.

With India becoming a net importer of food under Congress rule, there is genuine concern about food security. Three factors have contributed to increasing food scarcity and the resultant sense of growing insecurity among the masses.

First, the real income of workers and farmers has not kept pace with the rising cost of food, thus reducing their

purchasing power. Second, the public distribution system has been severely crippled by the Congress-led Government

which has been more interested in importing food grains and selling them at a high price than in securing the needs of the

people. Third, with an additional 55 million people pushed below the poverty line over the last five years, there is

widespread malnourishment. The economic recession has only worsened the situation and made it grimmer, especially for

workers in the unorganised sector.

The BJP believes people have the right to food. To ensure food security for all and eliminate hunger, we will:

1. Provide 35 kg of rice or wheat every month to BPL families at Rs 2 per kg under an improved and expanded Antyodaya

Anna Yojana. This will be available against ‘Food Coupons’ redeemable at both PDS and private outlets.
2. Allocate more funds for expanding, universalising and improving the functioning of the Public Distribution System.
3. Preventing families from slipping below the poverty line.
4. Setting up community kitchens in extremely impoverished areas with the help of NGOs through shared funding.
5. Aggressively addressing the problem of widespread malnutrition, especially by expanding the scope of the existing

mid-day meal scheme.
6. Encouraging the production of cereals and discouraging the conversion of fertile farm land for dubious industrial

projects.
7. Ensuring a sufficient level of food stocks are maintained to meet any exigencies due to possible global food crisis which

could be severely debilitating and make imports prohibitively expensive, if not impossible.

The BJP proposes to invest heavily in developing non-fossil fuel-based clean energy sources, especially for electricity  production. Our goal will be to add at least 120,000 MW of power over the next five years, with 20 per cent of it coming from renewable sources. Similar emphasis will be placed on developing alternatives to petrol and diesel to lessen the burden of imported oil and gas as well as meet the challenges of climate change.

BJP will take the following measures:

1. 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.
2. Exempt income up to Rs 3 lakh from Income Tax. Women and senior citizens will receive an additional exemption benefit of Rs 50,000.
3. Income of all senior citizens by way of pension will be exempt from Income Tax.
4. To incentivise savings, all interest earned on bank deposits other than by corporates and those who have business income shall be exempt from tax.
5. Dispense with clubbing of agricultural income with other sources of income for determining tax liability on other income.
6. CST will be abolished and GST will be rationalised between 12 and 14 per; FBT will go. ESOPS and MAT tax regime will be rationalised and made equitable.
7. Firm action will be initiated to minimise the presence of black money in the national economy. We will take determined steps to 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, and use it for infrastructure development, housing, health and social welfare schemes.
8. 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 programmes, especially building of roads and highways, and linking of rivers.
9. Hindustan Diamond Corporation will be provided full support to help the diamond industry tide over the crisis caused by the global economic slump. It will provide raw diamonds to the cutting and polishing units and bank them for future trade.
10. Highways construction, which got a boost during the NDA years, will once again feature high on Government’s agenda. We will build between 15 and 20 km of highways every day.
11. 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.
12. Bring down interest rates for housing loans so that housing becomes affordable, accessible and revives the stalled real

estate sector which has witnessed huge job losses.
13. Enhance the capabilities of the manufacturing sector by easing credit availability.
14. Promote SMEs and the retail sector which can generate a large number of jobs and make a meaningful contribution to the national economy. The criteria for classifying SMEs will be reviewed.
15. Introduce reforms to improve productivity and greater capital formation.
16. Give a boost to tourism by selecting 50 tourist destinations and investing heavily in their infrastructure and
communications. Tourist arrivals will be doubled.
17. Impose countervailing restrictions on foreign companies operating in India, especially in the services sector, which, on account of domestic laws of their respective countries, have introduced restrictions on hiring Indian employees with valid work visas.
18. Regulatory bodies which are supposed to monitor the performance and balance sheets of companies will be strengthened to prevent corporate fraud that dents India’s image as well as has a direct impact on the market and investors.
19. Make India proud of Indian products, and make Indian brands globally competitive.
20. Ensure a decent level of consumption for all without encouraging consumerism.

Retail Trade 

The BJP understands the critical importance of retail trade in the context of employment and services provided by them, and thus favours a dominant role for the unincorporated sector in retail trade. Towards this end, it will not allow foreign investment in the retail sector. After agriculture, the retail sector is the largest employer of nearly four crore people.

We will:

1. Adopt all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of small and tiny retail vendors.
2. Ensure availability of working capital needs for such vendors through credit at not more than four per cent interest.
3.Study the feasibility of a slab-based ‘Compound Tax’ for traders to free them from needless harassment and end corruption.
4.Set up an empowered committee to recommend welfare measures, including a pension scheme, for small traders.

Labour

The BJP will holistically address the long-pending issue of labour reforms, bearing in mind the long-term interests of the working class. It will do so through close consultation with representative bodies of labour and employers. We are committed to ensure the following:

1. Making secret ballot compulsory for trade union elections, by suitably amending the Industrial Disputes Act.
2. Launching a training programme for trade unions to play an effective and positive role.
3. Setting up a ‘Workers Bank’ to deal with the banking requirements of labour in the organised and unorganised sectors.
4. Ensuring adequate compensation for any labour that may be retrenched, with the first option being redeployment.
5. Setting up a National Child Labour Commission.
6. For labour in the unorganised sector, revise minimum wages; expand safety net.

Cooperative Sector

Every effort will be made to encourage the cooperative sector. Towards this end, the BJP will do the following:

1. Exempt cooperative banks from paying income tax.
2. Frame a model law for cooperative societies for nationwide implementation.
3. Amend the Multi-State Cooperative Act to remove current lacunae and anomalies.
4. Set up a Central regulatory authority for cooperative bodies.

MINORITY COMMUNITIEs - HEALTHY DIET OF DEVELOPMENT

The BJP repudiates the division of Indian society along communal lines which has been fostered by the Congress and the Left in pursuit of their vote-bank politics. Categorisation of communities as ‘minorities’ perpetuates notions of imagined discrimination and victimhood; it reinforces the perception of the ‘minority’ identity as separate from the national identity.
The BJP remains committed to a common Indian identity that transcends community, caste and gender, with every Indian an equal participant in the building of a prosperous nation and an equal beneficiary of that prosperity. Pluralism is a sine qua non for any democracy and the BJP cherishes the diversity that is also the strength of Indian society and lends vibrancy to our national fabric. But pluralism should strengthen, not weaken our national resolve.

It is an unfortunate fact that Muslims form a substantial part of the underprivileged. The principal reason for this is the fact that the Congress, a dominant presence in power for six decades, has secured minority support through the politics of fear rather than a healthy diet of development.

The BJP will implement a set of policies committed to a massive expansion of modern education among Muslims, particularly for the girl child, through a new nationwide network of schools, in a public-private partnership programme.

This will include, but not be limited to:

1. Capital assistance in new educational projects, both for basic and technical education, in low-income minority areas.
Each project will be vetted for viability by a team of professionals within a maximum of six months.
2. Cash incentives for the education of the girl child, based on attendance and performance. Incentives will rise for those girls who get admission into recognised colleges for higher education.
3. Computer centres will be set up in low income urban areas and the most backward districts of the country.
4. The Ministry of Minority Affairs, today a stagnant source of toxic politics, will be revitalised into a hub for economic projects specifically targeted towards employment creation. There will be special emphasis on crafts and small-scale industries that have been traditional employers of minorities. The neglect of the Congress-led UPA Government was evident in the fact that even monies allotted for minority welfare programmes in States like Maharashtra were largely, if not wholly, unspent.
5. Youth are the owners of the future, and it is our duty to make them a dynamic social and economic engine for upliftment.  The young do not live only in cities. In districts like Murshidabad in Bengal, young girls are being forced by poverty into making bidis on pathetic wages. Dynamic intervention is needed to improve income levels where such jobs exist and to create fresh avenues of employment where they do not. The unfortunate phase of confused loyalties in some minority sections is over. Generations have been born in free India who are as committed to the nation as the nation is committed to them. The success stories of Muslims in sports, cinema, industry and a host of other fields, as individuals and team players, makes every Indian proud.
6. Terrorism does not have a religion. Those who espouse terrorism have stepped outside the moral code of their religion into barbarism. We must lift community-relations from the morass of misunderstanding.

A vibrant, modern India can have no place for either the perpetrators or the exploiters of fear.

Small States

The BJP has always been in favour of formation of smaller states. It was during the NDA’s rule that the three small states of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were created. Keeping in mind its commitment to good governance and all-round development, the BJP in future, too, would encourage the cause of establishment of smaller States.

In consonance with its policy, the BJP supports the creation of Telangana as a separate State of the Union of India. We will sympathetically examine and appropriately consider the long pending demands of the Gorkhas, the Adivasis and other people of Darjeeling district and Dooars region.

PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

Ram Setu

Ram Setu is our national heritage. Millions want to visit it and it can be developed as a centre of cultural tourism. For millions it is a place of pilgrimage.Saving Rama Setu is to save the vast thorium deposits which are the future source of our energy. Thorium technology will ensure India’s energy security. BJP will, therefore, look for an alternative alignment for the proposed Sethu-Samudram 

Channel Project (SSCP).

Ram Temple

There is an overwhelming desire of the people in India and abroad to have a grand temple at the birth place of Sri Ram in Ayodhya. The BJP will explore all possibilities, including negotiations and judicial proceedings, to facilitate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Ganga

Ganga occupies a special place in the Indian psyche. It is most unfortunate that it has been thoroughly neglected even after India attained freedom. It is a pity that even after six decades of independence Ganga continues to be thoroughly polluted and is drying. The BJP will ensure the cleanliness, purity and uninterrupted flow of Ganga, and will take all measures, legal and administrative, in this regard. Necessary financial and technical assistance will be provided on priority.

In addition, a massive ‘Clean Rivers Programme’ will be launched across the country with the participation of voluntary organisations.

Cow and its Progeny

In view of the recent judgement by the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, and in keeping with the Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in the Constitution, necessary legal framework will be created to protect and promote cow and its progeny.

In view of the contribution of cow and its progeny to agriculture, socio-economic and cultural life of our country, the 

Department of Animal Husbandry will be suitably strengthened and empowered for the protection and promotion of cow and its progeny. A National Cattle Development Board will be set up to implement a programme for the improvement of indigenous livestock breeds.

Monasteries and Temples

The BJP shall ensure autonomous administration of Maths and Mandirs.

These institutions have been the heart and hub of dharmic and cultural life and traditions of Indian society. Huge properties were offered to Maths and Mandirs by society for running their religio-cultural activities and service projects for the benefit of all. The management of such institutions should be freed from Government control and handed over to autonomous bodies constituted by the followers and devotees of those seats. Necessary legal framework will be provided for this purpose.

All dharmic activities will be considered as ‘charity’ with appropriate tax incentives. A special cell will be created to make dharmic organisations’ interface with government agencies hassle-free.

A National Mission for beautifying and improving the infrastructure and amenities at pilgrimage centres of all faiths will be launched.

Waqf Properties

The BJP will examine the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee regarding Waqf properties headed by Shri K Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, and would, in consultation with Muslim religious leaders, take steps to remove encroachments from and unauthorised occupation of waqf properties.

Heritage Sites

The ASI will be provided with appropriate resources for the maintenance of all national heritage sites and prevent their vandalisation in any form.

Languages

Indian languages are repositories of our rich literature, history, culture, art and scientific achievements. Many of our dialects are important source for knowing our heritage. Samskrit and Tamil have made remarkable contributions in this regard. B.J.P. would promote Indian languages and measures for the development of all Indian languages including Urdu will be taken by providing adequate resources so that they become a powerful vehicle for creating a knowledge society.

Manifesto of Gujarat State Elections 2012

http://www.narendramodi.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Manifesto-Summary-Eng.pdf

BJP 2004 Manifesto

http://www.indian-elections.com/partymanifestoes/party-manifestoes04/bjp.html

Ram Mandir in Ayodhya:

The BJP reaffirms its commitment to the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. As Maryada Purushottam, Ram is an inspiring cultural symbol of India. His birthplace in Ayodhya is also associated with the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus. The BJP remains committed to its stand that the judiciary's verdict in this matter should be accepted by all. However, we believe that dialogue, and a negotiated settlement in an atmosphere of mutual trust and goodwill, are the best way of achieving this goal. The BJP appeals to the religious and social leaders of the Hindu and Muslim communities to speed up the process of dialogue and bring it to an amicable and early fruition. We hope that these efforts will succeed in heralding a new chapter of amity in Hindu-Muslim relations and fortify national integration.

1999 NDA Manifesto

http://www.bjp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=405:national-democratic-alliance-manifesto-1999&catid=50:election-manifestos&Itemid=446

BJP's Economic Policy An Assessment by Prof Nair - Kellogg  in 1999

http://kellogg.nd.edu/faculty/research/pdfs/Nayar.pdf

1998 BJP Manifesto

http://www.bjp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=406:national-democratic-alliance-manifesto-1999&catid=50:election-manifestos&Itemid=446

1992 - Humanistic Approach to Economic Development - A Swadeshi Alternative

Economic Policy Statement, 1992 of BJP - Our Commitment to Antyodaya

Updated on 8.4.2024