People's Democracy

KERALA ASSEMBLY POLLS

LDF Manifesto Focuses on Welfare, Pro-People Development

N S Sajith

THE Manifesto issued by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), for the coming assembly polls in Kerala, is focussed on measures for corruption free and pro-people development. The manifesto released by chief minister V S Achyuthanandan on March 15, promised 2.5 million new jobs in the coming five years. It also said the LDF government would provide rice at two rupees per kilogram for all and hike the monthly pensions for weaker sections up to a minimum of Rs 1,000.

The release function took place at AKG Bhavan, headquarters of the Kerala state committee of the CPI(M), in Thiruvananthapuram, with the LDF convener Vaikom Vishwan handing over a copy to the chief minister in presence of the LDF leaders. Viswan said the LDF has fulfilled most of the promises made for the 2006 assembly elections and that its poll manifesto now assured continuation of the pro-people development measures of the incumbent LDF government. It emphasises on programmes related to development, welfare, social justice, law and order, he said.

To neutralise the shocks of inflation, the incumbent LDF government implemented various programmes during the last five years. These will be continued in order to save the common people from the clutches of price rise. The LDF manifesto promises to provide kits of essential commodities for Rs 150 each which would actually cost Rs 300 each.

The manifesto also drew an outline for the Sabarimala Master Plan, proposing to spend Rs 100 crore for building a parking area in Nilakkal, second floor for the Big Nadappandal, a new Aravana making unit and a separate exit for the pilgrims. This project would be completed by the next Makaravilakku festival.

Following are the major highlights of the LDF manifesto:

1) Housing and power to all through EMS housing project.

2) Water to every household.

3) Free food, uniform and text books for school students to ensure free and universal education.

4) Increase in welfare pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1000.

5) Old age pension to be increased to Rs 1000.

6) Corruption to be wiped out from all walks of life.

7) Ten percent reservation meant for economically backward sections in the forward communities.

8) SC status to be provided to Dalit Christians.

9) Women in unorganised sector to be given one month maternity leave without loss of pay.

10) A new corporation to be formed solely for the Diaspora from Kerala.

11) New biotechnology parks to be established.

12) New thrust to be given to Malayalam language.

13) Welfare pension scheme to be introduced for those who work in religious institutions.

14) Harithasree project to be implemented to foster paddy cultivation.

15) A Rs 500 crore project to be launched for the coastal region.

16) Public sector units to be strengthened.

17) Urgent measures to be taken to attract private investment.

18) A Rs 40,000 crore project to be introduced to develop roads in the state.

19) A project to be launched for investing Rs 10,000 for every newborn child.

Besides V S Achyuthanandan, those who attended the manifesto release function included CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and the state’s home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Polit Bureau member and CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, LDF convenor Vaikom Vishwan, Congress(S) leader A K Sasheendran, RSP leader V P Ramakrishnapillai and CPI state secretary C K Chandrappan, apart from a large number of people.