Alappuzha:
The Congress‑backed United Democratic Front (UDF) unveiled its local‑body manifesto on Monday, presenting a sweeping plan for city renewal and social welfare designed to reverse what it calls the LDF government’s disregard for municipal needs. The strategy targets poverty reduction, public health, waste control, infrastructure overhaul, empowerment of women and youth, and administrative tightening, pledging wide‑scale reforms if the UDF wins the elections.
Central to the proposal is a drive to cut or dramatically lower poverty among those living below the poverty line and holding ration cards, by offering structured financial help and livelihood opportunities. It also introduces affordable housing schemes, better rental support for low‑income residents, and a goal of building half a million homes in the next five years.
The plan calls for cutting‑edge waste‑management technologies, aiming for 100 % door‑to‑door collection, bio‑waste treatment units in every ward, and the widespread deployment of biogas plants. A permanent solution to stray‑dog problems is promised through stricter enforcement of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, mobile ABC teams, and modern slaughterhouse facilities.
Focusing on public health, the manifesto proposes dedicated disease‑prevention squads in local bodies to battle outbreaks such as cholera, typhoid, and dengue. Water quality will improve with new testing labs and rainwater‑harvesting projects. City councils will be required to upkeep canals, drains, and sanitation infrastructure to mitigate flooding.
A robust social‑welfare framework is part of the agenda, featuring senior‑citizen support centers, mental‑health counseling in every local body, child‑protection schemes inspired by Shishumithra, and pension expansion without annual income checks. Palliative care centers, fitness hubs, day homes, and youth advisory councils are also on the docket.
Policy reforms include granting local bodies greater authority in disaster management, implementing corruption‑control certifications, fostering job creation through local employment schemes, advancing e‑governance, and deploying AI‑based administrative services. Additional initiatives cover anti‑drug campaigns, new urban‑development guidelines, carbon‑neutral municipalities, river conservation, and sustainable local‑planning committees.
Unveiled by opposition leader V.D. Satheesan, the manifesto is described as a decisive leap toward inclusive, tech‑forward, citizen‑centric city governance. The state’s local‑body elections will take place in two phases—December 9 and December 11— with results to be tallied on December 13.
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