The RJD on Saturday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, promising 1 crore government jobs as part of its “24 Jan Vachan”.

Besides upping the ante on unemployment, the “Parivartan Patra” (document of change) highlighted the everyday problems of the common man such as inflation and
lack of people-centric welfare policies.

The manifesto also promised 200 units of free electricity, domestic cooking gas cylinders for Rs 500 each and raising the reservation limit to 75 per cent in government jobs, educational institutions and contracts.

Introducing the manifesto before its release by RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha said: “The issues included in the document pertain to the people and the grassroots. I request them to take these ahead instead of those issues that are sky-high and grandiose.”

The RJD, a constituent of the INDIA alliance, also took a leaf out of the Congress manifesto and vowed to provide Rs 1 lakh per annum to poor women from Rakshabandhan this year, end the Agniveer recruitment scheme for the armed forces, and restore the old pension scheme (OPS) for government employees.

“These 24 Jan Vachan is our commitment, our vow that we shall fulfil. The manifesto includes important issues that focus on the development and welfare of the people. We will provide 1 crore government jobs to youths across the country if the people empower us and the INDIA government comes to power at the Centre,” Tejashwi said.

“Around 30 lakh positions are vacant in different departments across the country. We will fill them and also create 70 lakh posts. Unemployment is our biggest enemy. The BJP never discusses this. It had promised to give 2 crore jobs every year, but we are truthful people and do what we say,” Tejashwi added.

The RJD leader said the Congress had already mentioned 30 lakh government jobs in its manifesto and his party would not only focus on fulfilling the promise but also creating 70 lakh more vacancies.

“We will implement the remaining recommendations of the Mandal Commission on reservation and also provide free health services to the people. We will bring down the price of domestic cooking gas cylinders to Rs 500. It will be a part of our initiative to bring down inflation,” Tejashwi said.

The RJD leader said his party would implement OPS, provide special category status to Bihar and give it a dedicated special package of Rs 1.60 lakh crore. It will amount to Rs 4,000 crore for each of the 40 Lok Sabha seats here. Similarly, electricity rates in the state are among the highest in the country. We will provide 200 units of free electricity to the people of Bihar,” Tejashwi said.