THE CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front released its manifesto on April 19, for the  Kerala assembly elections to be held on May 16. The main thrust of the manifesto is on making a new, secular, corruption-free and developed Kerala, LDF convener Vaikom Vishwan said while releasing the manifesto. The document consists of 35-point action plan and 600 suggestions. Freedom from hunger is one of the highlights. LDF has promised that no person will starve in the state and there will be no hike in prices of food grains.

“Blanket ban on liquor is not our goal. We stand for reducing liquor consumption. The UDF government did not close the bars. Beer and wine are flowing through the existing bars while the UDF claims that they have implemented liquor ban,” Vishwan said.

The manifesto gives major thrust to food security, farm crisis, unemployment and health. If LDF comes to power, we will provide 25 lakh jobs in five years.  Contributory pension plan will be relooked. Start-up villages will be set up to implement innovative projects. 1,000 start-ups will be supported with Rs 2 lakh each as incentive every year.

A special scheme will be introduced to control the spiralling price rise of essential commodities. The LDF government will strengthen the public distribution system through Maveli stores, Supplyco outlets and Neethi stores to check rise in prices of essential commodities. The manifesto gives a detailed outlook to protect environment and the agriculture sector. Paddy field protection bill will be implemented. Farmers will be given royalty to protect paddy fields. Every primary health centre will be equipped with inpatient facilities. A major bank project will be set up in coordination with district cooperative banks. All eligible old age persons will get pension.

Other salient features of the manifesto are:

·        Facilities for cancer detection and heart surgery in all taluk hospitals

·        Problems of differently-abled persons will be solved

·        Malayalam will get due prominence

·        Eradication of corruption

·        Expansion of IT parks

·        Four-laning of national highways and completion of bypass construction

·        Wide campaign for water conservation

·        Special department for traditional industries.