Friday, January 21 2005 18:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Pledging to establish the rule of law and make Bihar "terror-free and crime-free" within three months of being voted to power, the JDU (Janata Dal-United) in its manifesto today (Jan 21, 2005) promised to provide a secular Government committed to social justice and modernisation which would be development-oriented and work for social harmony.

The manifesto also promised to end anarchy in the field of education to achieve 100 per cent literacy in five years, besides taking proper steps for medicare, particularly for those living below the poverty line.

Releasing his party's manifesto for the February Assembly poll in Bihar, JDU parliamentary party leader Nitish Kumar said if voted to power, his party would accelerate the pace of industrialisation, promote cottage and small-scale industries and revolutionise power generation and its distribution.

He also offered a slew of sops for farmers, weaker sections of the society and the minorities.

Promising drastic and constructive land reforms, Kumar said his party, if voted to power, would also waive land revenue and empower the Panchayati Raj institutions, besides holding elections for the post of Sarpanch soon.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, Opposition leader in Bihar Assembly Upendra Singh, JDU State president Vijayendra Prasad Yadav were also present.

He said his party would also work out a special package for promoting tourism and set up a technology mission to find a permanent solution to the recurring floods and drought.

Expressing serious concern over large-scale exodus of labourers and entrepreneurs from the State he said the JDU would take effective steps to check it by providing fruitful employment to the farmhands and improving law and order situation.