In the political landscape of New Delhi, the Congress party has issued a directive to its prominent central and state leaders. Their task: to disseminate Rahul Gandhi’s quintet of commitments for the nation’s youth. This, they assert, will serve as the cornerstone of the party’s primary agenda leading up to the impending Lok Sabha elections. Following Rahul’s proclamation at a rally in Banswara, Rajasthan, on March 7, the party has called upon its leaders to take the stage at press conferences nationwide on March 8 and 9, imparting this crucial information.
Recognizing the magnitude and significance of these declarations, AICC General Secretary in-charge of organization, KC Venugopal, underscored the necessity of ensuring widespread awareness. In a missive dated March 7, addressed to all Congress Working Committee members, PCC presidents, CLP leaders, AICC secretaries, and heads of frontal organizations like Youth Congress and Mahila Congress, Venugopal urged leaders to hold press conferences, emphasizing, “To achieve, you should hold press conferences at your respective locations on March 8 or 9 to disseminate the information to the public.”
Venugopal stressed the paramount role of addressing the challenge of unemployment in shaping the nation’s future, especially considering the vital contribution of the youth. According to AICC Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Abhishek Dutt, unemployment stands out as the foremost concern for the country’s youth. He contends that Rahul’s five assurances will prove instrumental in garnering support for the Congress.
Dutt remarks, “The promise of two crore jobs per year had propelled Modi to the PM’s office in 2014, but the BJP now avoids discussing the issue. Whenever jobs are raised, the BJP resorts to discussing Pakistan to divert attention. The reality is that we are facing the highest unemployment rate in the past 45 years, a consequence of the policies of the Central government. In the absence of employment opportunities, the youth are experiencing frustration and restlessness, as evidenced by massive protests in Uttar Pradesh over the cancellation of a police exam, among other instances.”
He further connects joblessness to the rising crime rate, suggesting that without productive engagement, the youth might be drawn into criminal activities. Dutt highlights, “Our leader has previously stated that youth spend at least 10 hours a day on various social media platforms primarily due to the lack of job opportunities. The five guarantees will undoubtedly attract the youth towards the party.”
The five assurances encompass the gradual filling of 30 lakh Central government vacancies, commitment to providing the first job with a salary or stipend of Rs 1 lakh per year to diploma holders below 25, the enactment of a law ensuring transparency in government recruitment, the introduction of a social security scheme for gig economy workers, and the establishment of a Rs 5,000 crore fund for startups if the Congress attains power.
To lend credibility to these promises, the Congress has furnished party functionaries with detailed information on the 30 lakh job vacancies. These include positions in Union Ministries, public sector banks, health personnel, Anganwadi workers, central schools, state government schools, higher education segments, IITs, IIMs, NITs, the Army, central armed police forces, state police forces, the Supreme Court, High Courts, and district and lower courts.