In Congress' 'Shakti Vidhan' agenda for the UP elections, Priyanka Gandhi guarantees a 40% job quota for women

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a Congress leader, issued a women's manifesto on Wednesday ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, vowing that women will receive 40% of the 20 lakh new jobs her party plans to generate in the state.

She further stated that if the Congress gains government, 50 percent of all ration shops in the state will be controlled and run by women, according to the six-point manifesto titled 'Shakti Vidhan.'

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a Congress leader, issued a women's manifesto on Wednesday ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, vowing that women will receive 40% of the 20 lakh new jobs her party plans to generate in the state.

She further stated that if the Congress gains government, 50 percent of all ration shops in the state will be controlled and run by women, according to the six-point manifesto titled 'Shakti Vidhan.'

While unveiling the 'Shakti Vidhan' manifesto at the Congress headquarters here, she vowed that a government department will be established within the state labour ministry to ensure humane working conditions for domestic employees.

Priyanka Gandhi remarked while underlining the manifesto's principles that 40% of labour under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will be reserved and prioritised for women.

Businesses that increase their female employee numbers to 50% will be aided by suitable incentives, including tax breaks, she said.

Supriya Shrinate, a spokesperson for the Congress, said this is the first women's manifesto for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, which Priyanka Gandhi hopes to win, "this will not remain the only such manifesto, and there will be pressure on other political parties to take women participation in politics seriously".

"In order to increase the female workforce of Uttar Pradesh and reduce gender inequality, the Congress party will ensure 40 per cent of the 20 lakh new jobs it aims to create in the state will be allotted to women in accordance with the existing provisions of reservation," Priyanka Gandhi said.

According to the Congress leader, specific quotas for women in traditionally male-dominated occupations such as public transportation drivers will be set aside at 40% in compliance with existing reserve regulations.

She stated that training centres just for women would be established.

The Congress has previously stated that women will receive 40% of the seats in the upcoming assembly elections, which are scheduled for early next year.