In an attempt to woo farmers, the poor and backward sections in Gujarat, the ruling BJP in its poll manifesto released on Friday vows to eradicate poverty in the next five years and offers sops to agriculturists.
Releasing the document, Gujarat BJP president Purshottam Rupala said, "Garibi Mukt Gujarat (poverty-free state) is the number one promise that we have made."
"During next five years, the phrase 'below-poverty-line' will be removed from rural Gujarat," the manifesto states.
It goes on to explain that the BJP government will make efforts to raise the standard of living and incomes of those living in the villages.
"We will also provide housing to all the homeless in urban and rural areas," Rupala said while addressing mediapersons along with senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.
In the manifesto, released four days ahead of the first phase of polls on December 11, the BJP has also doled out sops for farmers, who have been "unhappy" with the Modi government.
Rupala said Gujarat was targeting a growth rate of 12 per cent (as compared to the current 10 per cent) by doubling the agriculture output.
"In the last five years, agricultural production has increased from Rs 9,000 crore to Rs 34,000 crore."
"The state's total irrigation capacity will be increased by one-and-a-half times," Rupala said. The manifesto states, "Fifty per cent discount will be given in rates of water provided for irrigation to small, marginal and tribal farmers."
"The Sardar Sarovar Project, along with canal work, will be completed by 2010," the manifesto adds.