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LSG polls: UDF unveils manifesto with thrust on waste management, housing, and curbing stray dogwildlife threats

KOCHI: Aiming to regain control of Keralas local bodies, the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday released its election manifesto, outlining a tight, five-year action plan centred on waste management, housing, public health, and strengthened local governance. The manifesto, unveiled in Kochi, places immediate emphasis on the growing threats posed by stray dogs and wild animals. Leader of the Opposition V D Satheeshan said the front focused on accurate planning and clear timelines, adding that every project is implementable. We have proposed projects that can be implemented and completed within five years. Our focus while preparing the manifesto was accurate planning and clear timelines, he said, addressing a news conference here. Against the backdrop of rising humanwildlife conflict and a spike in stray dog attacks, the document promises amendments to laws to deal firmly with stray dogs, strict enforcement of Animal Birth Control measures, and monthly sterilisation drives. It also seeks to cut off food sources by regulating slaughterhouse waste and ensuring 100% collection of biodegradable waste from households. The UDF highlights the severity of the issue, noting that 3.16 lakh people were treated for stray dog bites at government hospitals in 2024. For increasingly frequent wild animal intrusions, every local body will form special squads and maintain a dedicated fund for victim compensation and crop protection. Waste management forms one of the most ambitious pillars of the manifesto. Along with promoting source-level segregation, the UDF proposes deploying plasma technology used in several developed countries to break down waste into syngas and reusable slag. The front also promises value-added products from waste, new waste-to-energy plants, and biogas plants in all cities within a year, with active involvement of NGOs and community organisations. Housing receives equal priority through the proposed Home for All scheme, which aims to ensure a house for every eligible family by integrating central projects and completing the programme in five years. With 5.91 lakh extremely poor Yellow Card ration card holders in Kerala, the UDF says its core goal is to make their life prosperous. Public health measures also occupy a central part of the manifesto, particularly as Kerala grapples with rising cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, jaundice, typhoid, cholera and leptospirosis. Local bodies will be equipped with rapid-response squads for health emergencies and disasters. ASHA workers, who recently staged protests, are promised a monthly allowance of 2,000 from local self-government funds. The front will also relaunch Asraya 2.0 first introduced under Oommen Chandy to strengthen poverty eradication efforts. The manifesto further lays out initiatives for youth development, elderly welfare, SC/ST communities, women, migrants, and the fisherfolk. Tourism and entrepreneurship receive a significant push, with region-specific plans for ecotourism, agritourism, literary tourism, Ayurveda, adventure, and water tourism. Local markets will be modernised with Western technologies, and investment meetings will be held in a PPP model. Reaffirming the need for greater local autonomy, Satheeshan said panchayats, municipalities and corporations must be strengthened with adequate powers and resources. The UDF promises unlimited ward-level development funds and more efficient financial management to ensure truly decentralised governance. The event was attended by the KPCC state president Sunny Joseph, AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and other leaders.