Higher education
A great emphasis is placed on expansion of higher education. The manifesto says that already a number of new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), Central Universities, Indian Institutes of Information Technology, and new colleges have been opened. Their expansion would be ensured with twin focus on excellence and affirmative action. Excellence implies merit and affirmative action implies quota.
Farmers
Proposed efforts to improve condition of farmers include loan waver, provision of bank credit at lower rates, programmes for agricultural diversification, agri-processing and rural industrialization, dairying, aquaculture, fisheries, horticulture and sericulture. There was also a mention of special needs of crops like tea, coffee, rubber, spices, cashew and coconut.
The Indian National Congress is firmly committed to ensuring that farmers get, at a very minimum, market rates for the land that is acquired for industrial projects. The Indian National Congress also believes that farmers should be given an option to become stakeholders in such industrial ventures. As a matter of priority, the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007, that could not be passed because of the obstructionist tactics of the BJP, will be taken up for passage in the 15th Lok Sabha. The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 will also be amended to ensure that the interests of land-owners are more than adequately protected.
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