Kerala LDF unveils manifesto, pledges jobs, welfare hikes

Kerala’s ruling LDF on Thursday unveiled its Assembly election manifesto, promising to eliminate absolute poverty, raise welfare pensions to Rs 3,000, and boost jobs and investment. The CPI(M)-led alliance also pledged to increase women’s workforce participation, expand skill training, and attract Rs 2 lakh crore in investments over five years.

Speaking after releasing the document, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the plan aims to combine social justice with economic growth while transforming the State into a knowledge-based economy.

The Left Government had recently announced that extreme poverty had been eliminated in the State and the welfare pension increased from Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,000.

In its current manifesto, the LDF says it plans to identify around five lakh poorest families and help them rise above poverty through targeted support.

Special focus will be given to vulnerable groups such as the Scheduled Castes, fisherfolk, and ‘Antyodaya’ (old age) beneficiaries.

The LDF also promised better care for the elderly and bedridden patients.

Welfare pensions are set to be increased to Rs 3,000 per month, and efforts will be made to ensure proper healthcare and support systems at the local level, the manifesto said.

For the youth, the manifesto focused on employment.

It promised campus placements for students completing their studies and the expansion of skill training programmes. A “Back to Campus” initiative will help job seekers gain practical skills linked to employment opportunities.

Women’s employment is another major focus. The LDF aimed to increase the participation of women in the workforce to 50 per cent. Support systems such as safe travel, childcare, and skill training will be strengthened to help women take up jobs.

It also promised the introduction of menstrual leave in Government -linked institutions as part of its plan to improve women’s welfare and dignity.

The move came alongside measures to prevent violence against women, including local action plans, stronger legal support systems, and greater involvement of women’s groups.

The manifesto also promised to expand support for the transgender community and ensure gender justice in development initiatives.

On the development front, the manifesto talked about boosting industries, creating jobs, and attracting investments worth Rs 2 lakh crore over five years. New industrial corridors and innovation hubs are also planned.

Chief Minister Vijayan said development in the State will continue to be people-focused and inclusive.

Vijayan stressed that development must be human-centred and should benefit all sections of society.

He said social justice and economic growth must go together, adding that this has always been the foundation of the Left’s political approach.

While many States treat welfare and development as opposing ideas, Kerala has successfully taken both forward together, he said.

The chief minister noted that the manifesto contains 950 proposals, which have been summarised into a 60-point programme to make it easier for the public to understand.

He added that the benefits of economic growth will be shared by all citizens, while efforts will continue to tackle unemployment and poverty.

The broader goal, he said, was to build a society based on decentralised democracy, secular values, equality and progressive thinking.

Highlighting the Government‘s record, Vijayan said the past ten years have shown that development, social justice and reliable governance can go hand in hand.

Calling the upcoming polls crucial, he said the LDF remains confident of public support, as it has always moved forward by keeping people’s trust at the centre.

The LDF has outlined an ambitious roadmap for growth and welfare in its election manifesto.

One of the major focuses of the manifesto is strengthening the public sector. The LDF said the turnover of public sector units has more than doubled in recent years and aims to raise it further to Rs 10,000 crore by 2031, making all such units profitable through modernisation.

Tourism has been identified as a key driver of growth. The Government plans to attract 5 crores domestic and 15 lakh foreign tourists by 2031, while ensuring eco-friendly and responsible tourism that benefits local communities.

To boost entrepreneurship, the manifesto proposed developing one lakh micro enterprises into Rs. 1 crore ventures and supporting 1,000 small firms to grow into Rs 100 crore companies. Traditional industries like coir and handloom will also be modernised.

In agriculture, the focus will be on scientific farming, better productivity and fair prices for farmers. Support prices for paddy, coconut and rubber will be increased, while local markets will be strengthened, the ruling LDF’s manifesto said.

The LDF also promised steps to address human-wildlife conflict, improve water management and achieve self-sufficiency in milk production.

On infrastructure, the manifesto highlights plans for smart roads, better rail and metro connectivity, and expansion of water transport, including the Kochi Water Metro.

The plan also included upgrading airports and ports, expanding higher education, and promoting advanced skills like robotics and AI.