Kathmandu, April 17

The CPN-UML today unveiled its local poll manifesto proposing to provide 50 per cent of the national budget to local levels.

Informing the media about the main provisions of the manifesto at party headquarters here today, the party’s acting Chair Bamdev Gautam said that UML wanted to increase per capita income of Nepali people  to $ 5000. Currently the annual income of Nepali people is only $  766 .

Gautam  informed the media about the main feature of the manifesto saying the first need of the local levels would be to set up their office infrastructure.

“The local level should get the best office structure and operating system suitable to the modern age”, he said.

He also said that the party will bring plans  to eradicate poverty within three years.

Gautam also said that the manifesto focuses on socialism as stated in the new constitution.

“The manifesto will express our future plan to implement constitutional provisions of  free education, health, employment guarantee and some other basic needs” he added. He also said that the UML was in favor of  making  70 per cent academic programmes in a way that would help create jobs.

At the programme, mediapersons and experts gave various suggestions to the party on formulating media policy to be included in the local election manifesto.

Vice Chair Gautam further said that the manifesto incorporated provisions for  “free internet access at the local level and one  service centre at each local level.

Party  Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai said the UML would neither accept any proposal to postpone the local polls nor agree toany provision that would curtail the rights of local levels.