LDF manifesto focuses on housing, healthcare and social inclusion

Focusing heavily on housing, healthcare, and social inclusion, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has released its election manifesto for the Kollam district panchayat. Among the promises are guaranteed housing for all, strengthened health services through Family Health Centres, women’s empowerment initiatives, and expanded educational opportunities.
As per the manifesto, all households in the district will be ensured housing within five years through various schemes, prioritizing comfortable homes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and differently-abled individuals. The LDF aims to guarantee excellent health services via Family Health Centres, which includes strengthening mental health services, lifestyle disease management, telemedicine, and palliative care. Health camps and counselling centres will be implemented for the elderly, and the existing ‘Jeevanam’ project will be expanded.
The manifesto promises new farming methods, modern technology, and mechanization in the agricultural sector. The District Panchayat will implement integrated vegetable villages, kitchen gardens, and fruit tree projects, promote organic farming, and improve irrigation. Market assurance will be provided for agricultural products, and Kudumbashree women’s farmer collectives and climate-resilient farming models will be implemented. For women’s empowerment, the LDF promises women’s industrial estates, vocational training centres, co-working spaces, premium crèches in workplaces, and a 24×7 security helpline.
For senior citizens, high-tech day care centres, happiness parks, and seniors’ centres will be established to protect their physical and mental health, alongside improved palliative and caretaker services in collaboration with Kudumbashree. Buds Schools facilities will be expanded across all local self-governments, and vocational training and income generation will be provided for families of the differently-abled.
The manifesto seriously addresses mental health issues, promising 24×7 helpline services and free treatment for concerns like suicide prevention, post-partum blues, and depression. Awareness programs on healthy relationships will be expanded, and new mental health centres will be implemented. Special schemes, including ‘Dowry-Free Kollam’ and support systems for unmarried mothers, widows, and divorced women in collaboration with Kudumbashree, will be introduced.
The LDF also promises a tourism circuit connecting the coastal, hilly, and midland regions. Training will be provided to tourist guides for employment assurance. Finally, plans will be formulated to expand the operations of the internationally standard EMS Conference Hall and Dormitory at the Kuriyottumala High-Tech Dairy Farm.