LDF may keep mum on bars
Draft manifesto says it will promote liquor abstinence, LDF to finalise document on April 21.
Thiruvananthapuram: The draft manifesto of the LDF finalised by the LDF state committee on Tuesday was mum on whether the front would open the bars closed down following the introduction of the liquor policy of the UDF government.
The manifesto of the LDF is likely to be released on April 21 after discussions at the subcommittee appointed for the purpose. The subcommittee consisted of Dr T M Thomas Issac (CPM), Mr Prakash Babu (CPI), Mr K Krishnankutty (JD(S), Mr A.K. Saseendran (NCP), Mr Skaria Thomas (Democratic Kerala Congress) and Mr K. Sankaranarayana Pillai (Congress-S).
The manifesto would, however, give emphasis on promoting abstinence in a phased manner rather than prohibition of liquor, according to the draft manifesto.
The major recommendations of the LDF manifesto would be based on the suggestions mooted in the International Congress of Kerala Studies organised by the AKG Study Centre.
The important suggestions included a high-speed rail corridor from the north to the south of the State. Another project suggested was a Kochi-Palakkad industrial corridor.
Among other recommendations in the congress was to implement the second stage of “people’s planning” at the grassroots in civic bodies with a focus on organic farming and solid waste management.
There was also suggestion to covert the state into a women friendly state. There was a proposal to increase the maternity leave for women and introducing paternity leave. The manifesto would also give importance to traditional industry including coir and cashew.
There would be projects for improving the road infrastructure and improving waterways with emphasis on good transport. One of the suggestions in the manifesto would be a suggestion for the creation of state’s own bank by co-coordinating all cooperative banks in the state.
The manifesto would also have focus on the strengthening of social security measures and social welfare projects and the creation of an atmosphere of equal opportunities. Another was for revamping the service sectors for the benefit of the common man.