Kerala polls: LDF unveils 950-point manifesto for state

Kozhikode: LDF unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls, outlining a 60-point programme with 950-odd proposals to realize its New Kerala initiative. The manifesto included steps to eradicate absolute poverty, transform Kerala into a knowledge society over the next five years and a welfare push promising an increased monthly pension of Rs 3,000 and more job opportunities for women and youth.The manifesto, released by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, promised the launch of Life Mission 2.0 to provide houses to the remaining homeless people of Kerala, to make it the first ‘no-homeless state' in India. It promised jobs for students who complete their education in Kerala through campus placements apart from a ‘back to campus' scheme for skill enhancement.It also promised jobs for 50% of women in the employable age through Kudumbashree and LSGI initiatives and interest-free loans for young entrepreneurs. It promised a people's campaign titled ‘People's Plan for Nava Kerala' under which jobs would be made available to 20 lakh housewives. Also, the linkage loans through Kudumbashree will be increased from Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore.In health sector, the manifesto promised a universal health insurance scheme, extending coverage from the Rs 5 lakh offered under Karunya Health Insurance Scheme to unlimited coverage. Also, those who have been left out of Karunya Scheme, Medisep and other insurance programmes would be enlisted under a special health insurance scheme. It said Sabarimala master plan would be implemented in five years along with Clean Pamba initiative.The manifesto said Centre denying an AIIMS was discrimination against Kerala and so LDF proposed to set up an international hospital and research centre that would surpass AIIMS as a remedy. It also promised a healthy old age proposal and a scheme to provide complete care for bedridden patients.On infrastructure front, it promised Metro projects in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram while assuring the implementation of RRTS.To increase the contribution of manufacturing sector from 13% to 16% by 2031, the manifesto promised the establishment of an industrial corridor, industrial cities and an investment of Rs 2 lakh crore over the next five years. It also promised to transform one lakh nano and micro enterprises to achieve a turnover of Rs 1 crore and to enable 1,000 small enterprises to achieve sales of Rs 100 crore.On agri front, LDF promised to increase MSP of rubber to Rs 300, paddy to Rs 35 and that of coconut to Rs 45.Later, addressing the media, Vijayan said there was suspicion of a hidden agenda behind the proposed amendment to FCRA as BJP was implementing RSS agenda through that bill. He said the provisions, including taking over institutions for lapses in submitting accounts to authorities, were draconian.