Cong rains power, TV, laptop freebies in Seemandhra manifesto

Optimising the development package announced in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, free power for agriculture, free colour TVs with a dish connection for women and free laptops for students of government colleges are among the promises made today by the Congress for Seemandhra in its poll manifesto.
The national party is understood to be facing a tough time in Seemandhra for its alleged "unilateral" division of Andhra Pradesh.
Congress would sincerely try to implement the six points mentioned by Prime Minister (for development of Seemandhra) in his speech in Parliament and other issues incorporated in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, the manifesto said.

The development benefits announced for Seemandhra include special category status, the Centre filling up budget deficit in residuary AP and also taking up the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project.
Speaking after the release of the manifesto here, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president N Raghuveera Reddy said the party, if voted to power, would provide nine hours free power "during day time" to agriculture.
Congress government would implement single window policy for clearance of new industrial projects and a team of senior officials would be appointed to help entrepreneurs.

Power tariff would not be increased for the next five years, Reddy said.

Congress also promises not to collect any charges for the next five years from domestic consumers for consumption upto 100 units, the manifesto said.
Free laptops would be provided to students who would join Intermediate course in government or aided colleges after completing 10th class, it said.
Congress has also promised loan waiver for self-help groups. Under a scheme named 'Priyadarshini', a piece of land would be registered in the name of a girl child and a house would be provided to her at the time of marriage.
Women would also be provided with colour TV sets with "dish connection".

Simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and undivided Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly would be held in Seemandhra on May seven.