KATHMANDU, Oct 31: With the focus squarely on social welfare and security, the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) is unveiling its election manifesto for the upcoming federal parliament and provincial assembly polls on Tuesday. 

The poll manifesto, which is to be unveiled amidst a special function at the party's headquarters at Sanepa, introduces the concept of an integrated Social Security Program (SSP) that guarantees state support to citizens from 'womb to tomb'.

The manifesto proposes a universal health insurance package that even covers the unborn, 100 percent enrollment of children up to high school through various state incentives, unemployment allowances including an allowance for  skill-orientated training, contribution-based pension schemes for both formal and informal sector workers, and a funeral allowance to ensure a 'dignified death'   for the indigent. 

This is the first time that any political party has focused so extensively on social security in its election manifesto. The NC, which took the lead in introducing a Universal Health Program during the term in office of Gagan Thapa as health minister, believes that these programs will ensure a healthy and dignified life and education for each and every citizen.
The manifesto, prepared by a team led by NC senior party leader Mahesh Acharya, announces allowances for pregnant women, who face various health complications and risks.  Likewise, children in poor and marginalized communities shall be entitled to a certain allowance in order to ensure 100 percent school enrollment by them up to high school. 

According to members of the manifesto drafting committee, the manifesto has a provision for a youth skills allowance to impart skill-oriented training to those who have completed high school. The manifesto also proposes to introduce a contribution-based pension scheme for those working in both the formal and informal sectors, both at home and abroad. This scheme, according to them, ensures a basic minimum pension for living a dignified life in old age.

The NC manifesto also seeks to increase the number of free medicine items and expand the universal health insurance program introduced by an NC-led government to the entire country from the current 25 districts. Among other things, the manifesto proposes at least Rs 10,000 as a funeral allowance for those who cannot afford the expense of a  dignified death. 

The manifesto also speaks of increasing the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to US$ 50 billion, up from the current US$25 billion, in five years time through various economic activities.  Among other highlights of the manifesto, the party plans to bring in 3.2 million tourists annually in 10 years, up from the existing level of less than 1 million.  

 
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