Kerala polls: UDF promises bicycle and laptops to students   

Thiruvananthapuram, April 20: The ruling Congress-led UDF in Kerala today released its manifesto for May 16 assembly polls with a slogan of 'Food for all, Housing for all and health for all', stating that their main objective was to take further the five-year initiatives on its policy of 'Development and Care.'

The 63-page manifesto, released by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the presence of leaders of Front partners, among other things, promises free bicycles to eighth standard girl students and laptops at concessional rate to students in government and aided colleges.

Reiterating its liquor policy, the manifesto said the state would be made liquor free in a phased manner in ten years time. Indicating that the UDF favours Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for development, the manifesto said efforts would be made to expand pilgrim, health, festival and medical tourism in the state.

It also focuses on the growth of agriculture sector with special emphasis on rubber farmers and promised interest free loans to farmers. Subsidy to organic farming, steps to check price raise of essential commodities and three cent land free to landless people are some other promises of the UDF.

Talking to reporters after releasing the manifesto, Chandy said the UDF government is approaching the people with the confidence that it was able to fulfil most of the main promises it made in the 2011 polls.

Kerala PCC President V M Sudheeran, KC-M leader and former Finance Minister K M Mani, IUML leader and Industries Minister P K,Kunhalikutty were among those present at the press conference.

PTI