The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday released its local body election manifesto, promising key social welfare measures including the construction of five lakh houses for those in need over the next five years ,a detailed project to check stray dog menace and the introduction of a special action plan aimed at eradicating poverty.
A detailed project to check stray dog menace and Rs.2,000 special monthly allowance to the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), yearly increase of 10% in Plan Fund for local bodies and special fund allocation of 5% for projects to support the youth are among the key proposals that find a place in the document.
The manifesto was released in Kochi on Monday by leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, in the presence of KPCC president Sunny Joseph, AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and other leaders
Satheesan announced the launch of ‘Ashraya 2.0’, a poverty alleviation scheme first introduced by the previous UDF government but subsequently shelved by the LDF government. He said a special action plan will be formulated specifically to eradicate the poverty of yellow and pink ration card holders.
Yearly increase of 10% in Plan Fund for local bodies and special fund allocation of 5% for projects to support the youth are among the key proposals that find a place in the document.
Satheeshan said the front focused on accurate planning and clear timelines, adding that every project is implementable.
“We have proposed projects that can be implemented and completed within five years. Our focus while preparing the manifesto was accurate planning and clear timelines,” Satheesan said
The manifesto underscores promise to make “Housing for all” a reality— committing to the construction of five lakh houses within the next five years. The UDF also promised to provide unconditional development funds to all wards across Kerala. An exclusive programme dedicated to the welfare of the elderly is also promised.
Public health measures also occupy a central part of the UDF manifesto. It says that the UDF will set up a special squad to ensure cleanliness in the event of outbreaks of diseases such as amoebic encephalitis, jaundice, typhoid, and cholera. Special squads will be formed within local self-government institutions to effectively address issues arising from human-animal conflicts.
Waste management forms one of the most ambitious promises of the manifesto. Along with promoting source-level segregation, the UDF proposes deploying plasma technology — used in several developed countries — to break down waste into syngas and reusable slag.
Against the backdrop of rising human–wildlife conflict and a spike in stray dog attacks, the manifesto t promises amendments to laws to deal firmly with stray dogs, strict enforcement of Animal Birth Control measures, and monthly sterilisation drives.