Ranchi, Nov 19 (IANS) After propping up for nearly two years the government led by Independent legislator Madhu Koda, who is at the centre of a Rs.2,500 crore money laundering scam, the Congress Thursday promised to provide a fair government and root out corruption from Jharkhand.

Releasing its manifesto for the five-phased Jharkhand assembly elections beginning Nov 25, the Congress also promised women empowerment, initiating dialogue with Maoist rebels to bring them back in the mainstream of society, improving the law and order situation, and rice and wheat at Rs.3 a kg to families below poverty line (BPL).

The manifesto, released by the Congress's Jharkhand unit in-charge K. Keshav Rao in the presence of Food Processing Minister and Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay and other Congress leaders, also assured transparency in leasing of mines, electricity supply to all houses in the state, poverty mitigation and protection to displaced people.

It said forest dwellers will be given land rights in an year's time and promised to generate employment opportunities if the party is voted to power. The Congress also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for sowing seeds of corruption.

The manifesto promises to improve roads and railway links of the state.