Even as his party continued its parleys with coalition partner Congress, Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani on Friday launched what he termed his party's 'manifesto' for the ensuing Assembly elections.
The 133-page document christened 'Development Master Plan for Kerala' has prioritised 10 areas which need urgent attention from planners and decision makers for the State's development. The priority areas include agricultural and food security; sanitation; water availability and security; health security; education; tourism; security for the marginalised segments; infrastructure development; youth affairs and organic farming.
Launching the document, Mr. Mani called for increased infusion of modern technology including GM technology to improve productivity in the agriculture sector. Pointing out that the State's growth rate in the primary sector was only 0.25 per cent, the document noted that this should be increased to six per cent if the State wanted to peg itself to the double-digit growth regime. Mr. Mani called for implementing strategies which would make the State's agriculture produce globally competitive.
He said education and public health, two areas where the State led other parts of the country, had been rendered anarchic by the LDF administration. In the health sector, the document calls for free health security system through a free health insurance for the below poverty line (BPL) category, comprehensive health insurance for the senior citizens, social control over big hospitals, declaration of a comprehensive health policy and steps against increasing incidence of communicable diseases. In the education sector, instead of criticising the self financing sector, steps should be taken to increase the quality of education in the government-run and aided sectors, he said.
Job reservation
The document, which defends the Reservation Protection Act, has also called for special programmes to ensure job reservation for the financially backward among the forward communities. It has also called for extension of reservation to the dalit Christians. The Kerala Congress (M) leader said a major task for any government that comes to power in the State, would be tackling waste management and sanitation. This cannot be taken up by a single civic body, but needs the support of all agencies including the State government. Each grama panchayat should have its own waste disposal centres while there can be centres to produce fertilizer and power at the block and district level, he said.
Mr. Mani said his plan would enable the State to achieve the ‘Millennium Development Goals' set by the United Nations. P.J. Joseph, working chairman, presided over the function. Joy Abraham, general secretary, welcomed the gathering and Lopez Mathew presented the report.
