JaPa pledges unemployment allowance if voted to power

The Jatiya Party (JaPa) in its election manifesto pledged a range of reforms in the social safety net, including unemployment stipends for graduates and postgraduates until they secure jobs.

The JaPa announced its election manifesto for the 12th Jatiya Sangsad polls with the slogan "Change needed for peace, Jatiya Party needed for change", making a slew of promises, including the introduction of a provincial government system and decentralisation of Dhaka.

The party's General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu announced the manifesto at the party chairman's Banani office on Thursday afternoon.

In the manifesto, the party said a national health policy will be formulated to ensure healthcare for all and to reduce the population growth rate below 1% in the next five years.

The manifesto also includes pledges such as ensuring freedom of expression and the press and undertaking special measures to ensure free-of-cost universal mandatory primary education as well as expansion of women's education.

It is also stated in the manifesto that by amending Article 70 of the Constitution, all members of the parliament will be empowered.

Article 70 stipulates that an elected member of Parliament from a political party shall vacate his/her seat if he/she either resigns from that party or votes in Parliament against that party.  

The JaPa also prioritised several initiatives in its manifesto: eliminating discrimination in education, harmonising science and religious education, and enhancing facilities in residential halls and hostels.

The JaPa's proposed provincial government system involving eight provinces — Uttar Banga, Barind Tract, Jahagnirnagar, Jalalabad, Jahanabad, Chondro Dwip, Mainamati and Chottola.

The manifesto also includes reformation of the election system, keeping the Anti-Corruption Commission free from government influence and repealing the Special Powers Act.

The party also promised to bring radical changes to the education system, which includes coordination between religious and conventional education.

It also said it would ensure that religious and conventional education standards have similar levels of acceptance and ensure the rights of the religious minority.

The party also pledged to introduce the death penalty if necessary to ensure safe food and maintain the foreign policy of "friendship with all, enmity with none."

At the press conference, the party's General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu said, "We have given the manifesto from our party point of view. It would be good if another party, after coming to power, implements the pledges of our manifesto."

"This time we have fielded candidates in more seats than the ruling party. The Awami League has given concessions in some seats. We will contest for each seat with our 'plough' symbol," he added.