The Hindu : Front Page : LDF promises priority to economic growth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

LDF promises priority to economic growth

Special Correspondent

Calls for an improved investment climate in the State

KOZHIKODE: The election manifesto of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) promises priority to efforts for making the State achieve an economic growth higher than the national average.

The manifesto was released by Front convener Paloli Mohammed Kutty by presenting a copy of it to Kozhikode Mayor M. Bhaskaran at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) district committee office here on Tuesday.

The document says acceleration of economic growth is vital to the success of programmes aimed at tackling unemployment and welfare schemes. Along with accelerated economic growth, it promises measures to protect and promote agriculture, traditional industries and fisheries since these sectors provide livelihood to a majority of people.

Debt waiver

Among the welfare measures promised is waiver of debts of farmers' families in which a member had committed suicide because of debt.

Rice and wheat at subsidised rates to people living below the poverty line and a time-bound programme to ensure house, electricity, water and toilet to all have been promised. The poor will be given houses free in five years.

Addressing the need to attract investments in a big way to the State, it says the investment climate has to improve for the purpose.

The manifesto says that while investments in public sector are important, cooperative and private sectors also need to attract them.

Investments by non-resident Keralites will be needed in large measure, and the LDF, if elected to power, will formulate and implement suitable projects for attracting them.

A special financial institution has been promised to attract the savings of overseas Indians who have returned home to the farm and industries sectors.

Job reservation

The manifesto promises steps to overcome a deficit in jobs reserved for backward and minority communities without adversely affecting promotional chances of existing Government staff.

The document promises to make the State achieve efficiency in electronic governance in Malayalam.

Eight-hour duty for policemen has also been promised.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section