The much-awaited election manifesto of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is expected to bring more cheer to the people of the State, with the ruling party likely to announce enhancement in Aasara pension amounts, unemployment dole, funding for construction of double bedroom houses for beneficiaries who own land and increase in salaries of contract and outsourced employees, among other initiatives. Chief Minister and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao is likely to reveal the party manifesto, at least partially, after the meeting of the Election Manifesto Committee on Tuesday, sources said.
The Chief Minister is also likely to announce some more initiatives for farmers and marginalised sections of society who are already reaping the benefits of several schemes like Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima, sheep distribution, several subsidies, among others. At least 72 lakh farmers are beneficiaries of more than three of the 15-plus schemes meant for the farming community.
Aasara, a bouquet of pension schemes covering various sections including the aged, single women, beedi workers, toddy tapper, differently abled and widows alone covers 40 lakh beneficiaries across
the State, and any increase in the pension amount would be welcomed by them. The one scheme that would really be appreciated by the youth would be the unemployment dole. On Monday, TRS Secretary-General and Manifesto Committee Chairman K Keshava Rao asked all the Committee members to attend the Manifesto Committee meeting on Tuesday. Chief Minister and TRS president Chandrashekhar Rao will also participate in the meeting to discuss major issues to be included in the election manifesto.
TRS party sources said the Chief Minister might make major announcements pertaining to extend further support for the agriculture sector which has been a priority area of the TRS government since the formation of Telangana State in 2014. The TRS Manifesto Committee has, over the days, received hundreds of representations from various organisations and individuals seeking redress of their grievances in the party election manifesto. The Manifesto Committee held a couple of meetings earlier and submitted the minutes of the meeting to Chandrashekhar Rao who is learnt to have suggested that the committee meeting before drafting the final manifesto.