Bengal Polls: Mamata Promises Minimum Income, Student Credit Card With Rs 10 Lakh Limit

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress, in its election manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, has promised a minimum monthly income if voted to power for a third time.

Releasing the manifesto on Wednesday, chief minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee said that under this scheme, the female guardian of every family will get Rs 500 every month, while the amount will be Rs 1,000 for SC/ST/OBC families.

“This is for everyone. This is not any job or anything. There will be no discrimination. But women guardian will get this, as part of our women empowerment programme,” Mamata said about the scheme, which is a remodelling of Congress’ Universal Basic Income promise of 2019 Lok Sabha election.

TMC has also promised a student’s credit card with Rs 10 lakh limit at just 4 per cent interest, with the state government being the guarantor. “Parents will not have to worry about the higher education of their children,” she said.

“This is not a political manifesto. My manifesto is development-based because I believe where there is a will, there is a way. This a manifesto of the people, for the people, and by the people. Elections will come and go, but people will be there forever. There are many things that exist only in Bengal. In Bengal, we give 731 days of maternity leave. Because we believe in women empowerment,” Mamata said.

The manifesto further claimed that about 5 lakh jobs will be generated.