Former Youth Cong Leader suggests unemployed allowance

New Delhi, Feb 28 : Former Indian Youth Congress National secretary Bhanu Pratap Nairain Mishra today appealed to Congress President Sonia Gandhi to consider a Rs 2000 per month relief to all “intelligent, educated but unemployed youth suffering due to lack of employment opportunities.” In a statement here, Mr Mishra said the facility of such an allowance should continue till they got a suitable job.

Referring to the economic slowdown, he said although inflation rate had come down to 3.36 per cent, yet the prices of commodities had to register a decline. “A housewife or a normal household person is still finding it difficult to ’stomach’ the declining inflation figures, as its effects are not visible at all,” he said.

This was one reason that a Congress worker was finding it difficult to counter the opposition’s blitz against the price rise, he said.

Urging the Congress president to use the Youth Congress, Seva Dal and other arms of the Congress to launch a concerted campaign against price rise, Mr Mishra said there was need of a serious effort to be made to bring this menace under control before the election so that party swiftly came back to power, headded.

MPCC has not yet discussed pre-poll alliance: Gaikhangam

Imphal, February 2 : MANIPUR PRADESH Congress Committee President Gaikhangam on Saturday said his party is yet to discuss pre-poll alliance for the Lok Sabha election which is likely to be held in April this year.

Gaikhangam, speaking to some reporters on the sidelight of the annual calendar release function of the party yesterday morning, said, "We are yet to discuss the pre-poll alliance issue." "Besides no party has also approached us for it".

Congress and CPI, coalition partners of the Secular Progressive Front government are likely to go separately in the ensuing poll.

Reacting to a question on projecting new faces in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls,MPCC President also said that it's too early to name the party candidate at the moment.

However, the Congress leader observed that the party has no separate preparation for the election as "We're preparing all the time".

Except the technical programs, Congress has a routine electioneering activities round the year, he added.

Earlier releasing the annual colour calendar of MPCC, Gaikhangam said that his party is praying for a "free and fair election" in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"I hope, the media will also play a vital role in conducting a free and fair poll" the MPCC president said.

As the people supported the party in the election of local bodies, the party believes that it would do the same in the Lok Sabha election as well.

Gaikhangam said that the Congress led government has been taking up many developmental and welfare projects for the general public since the party assumed power.

The people have extended faith in the Chief Minister Ibobi led ministry in the state, Gaikhangam said.

Vice Presidents of the MPCC Dr Chaltonlien Amo and A K Mirabai, General Secretary Bidyapati Senjam and Chairman of the Media department of MPCC, Seram Mangi were also present at the calendar releasing function.