Puducherry Polls: FM Sitharaman Releases BJP Manifesto, Spotlight On Women's Schemes

Ahead of Puducherry polls 2021 Nirmala Sitharaman unveils the election manifesto for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday. The party, in the promises made in its manifesto, has placed extensive focus on schemes and benefits for women's upliftment in areas of employment, travel, safety and education.

As in their manifestos for the Tamil Nadu and Bengal elections, there is a spotlight on boosting women's education and promises of two-wheelers for female students in the Puducherry programmes.

The saffron party has said they will provide free, good quality education to girls from kindergarten to postgraduate, free two-wheelers for college-going women, and free public transport for all women in the union territory.

For Puducherry Polls 2021 Nirmala Sitharaman Promises Girl Education, Women's Safety In Manifesto

With a promise of making menstrual hygiene accessible to all in Puducherry, the BJP manifesto says the party will set up sanitary napkin vending machines on educational campuses, Anganwadis and other public places. 50 percent reservations have been promised for women - as over the standard 33 percent - in local elections and government jobs.

There are special benefits for women's self-help groups in BJP's Puducherry manifesto. Aside from a promise of waiving loans taken by them during COVID-19, the BJP has said they will be given loans of up to Rs 5 lakh without interest.

Smt @nsitharaman releases @BJP4India's manifesto for Puducherry Assembly Elections 2021 at Puducherry. pic.twitter.com/fIuSwOImdF

— NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) March 26, 2021

Setting up of a separate school education board and developing Puducherry as a cultural and spiritual hub is also on the party manifesto.

BJP is contesting in Puducherry in alliance with the All India NR Congress. The Union Territory goes to polls on April 6. Full coverage on 2021 assembly elections here.