BJP vows to implement 7th pay panel recommendations in Meghalaya

The BJP on Thursday released its "Vision Document" for the February 27 Meghalaya Assembly elections, promising to implement 7th Pay Commission recommendations for government employees, regularise contractual employees and provide job to every youth, among others.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released here the document which focuses on development and also promises sanitary napkins for all women from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.

"This document underlines what we are talking about... It is time for change in Meghalaya. This simple message tells you a lot. We are not here because it's election season but we are people who believe that change and positive change require a lot of concerted efforts," she said.

Union Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary in-charge of Meghalaya, Nalin Kohli, Meghalaya BJP chief Shibun Lyngdoh and former Congress minister Alexander Hek, who joined the party earlier this year, were also present at the release of Vision Document.

"Concerted efforts at different levels are needed so that benefits reach everybody, in line with the national message that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave in 2014 and which is what we are striving to accomplish -- 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'."

Underscoring the "need for change" in this Congress-ruled state, Sitharaman said: "Why is that we want change? Change can be brought by any party or government ... if you have the advantage that a certain party (Congress) had for consistently being in power for the last 10 years... With also the same party in power at the Centre, won't you expect a state like Meghalaya to get its due?"

Wooing young voters, the vision document promises to provide employment to two lakh youth in the tourism industry, create more employment for the educated youth in public and private sectors and providing opportunities for self-employment to the youth.

It also promised to enact and implement a comprehensive labour law for minimum pay security and work-life balance, in addition to creating an environment for big investors to invest in the state.

Noting that Meghalaya could be a centre of international-standard healthcare in the northeastern states, the BJP promised to make health insurance of Rs 5 lakh available to every citizen, besides raising sufficient infrastructure to promote medical tourism, naturopathy, traditional methods of treatment, etc.

Promising 24x7 electricity to every household, the BJP's Vision Document vow to reduce electricity bills by 30 per cent in urban areas and 50 per cent in rural areas by promoting more efficient use of power.

In a bid to woo employees, the document promises to ensure implementation of the 7th Pay Commission for all government employees of the state, regularising the contractual employees and framing a strong employment policy for the state.

On security front, the BJP promises to curb insurgency through development and creation of jobs, and promote the use of latest technology to curb crime and solve cases. It also says that if voted to power, the BJP would ensure safety and security of the women and children of the state against sexual abuse.