LDF manifesto promises welfare pension for the aged would be hiked to Rs.2,500 per month

Kochi: Four million new jobs in the next five years and houses for all Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the State form the manifesto of the CPI(M)-led LDF. The comprehensive manifesto was released on Friday by  A Vijayaraghavan, the secretary of the Kerala CPI(M) in the presence of leaders of other constituents in the front.

The manifesto promises that the welfare pension for the aged would be hiked to Rs 2,500/- per month and all home makers would get monthly pension. The agricultural income would be hiked by 50 per cent in the nest five years, though the manifesto is silent about the resources for these programmes.

Taking a cue form the setback suffered by the State in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, the LDF manifesto has assured the electorate that it would set up health care services of global standards.

The Government to be formed by the LDF would bring in investment worth Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years. The number of MSME units in the State would be increased to 3,00,000 in the next five years.

“This is the  best manifesto the State has ever seen in



its history. The next five years of LDF rule would elevate Kerala to the best developed State in the world,” said Vijayaraghavan.

The Government would offer development loan up to Rs 15 lakh to 4.5million households as part of  poverty eradication scheme. The State would see investment worth Rs 60,000 crore to develop infrastructure facilities over the next five years, says the manifesto.

The LDF will usher in alternative schemes for development which would act as a role model for the rest of India.

Veteran political commentator P Rajan said the

promises made by the LDF are not at all viable and feasible as on date.

“In 2016 the LDF had promised 3.5 million jobs but in the last five years they could not provide at least 1 lakh jobs. The finance minister Thomas Issac was heard blaming the Narendra Modi government for the LDF Government’s failure in meeting the promises. Election manifesto should have credibility and feasibility. Political parties should offer only what they could do,” said Rajan.