CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Tuesday accused Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan of unveiling a budget that openly declares the UDF government's intention to open all sectors to private capitalists. Addressing a press conference at AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Govindan said the budget was designed to placate corporates but ignored the issues of the common man.
Budget lacks allocation for mega projects
Govindan criticized the budget for being full of high-ticket programs and promises without matching allocations. "Everybody now agrees that the government will not be able to complete any of the projects this financial year. Only token allocation has been given for even mega projects," he said. He also questioned Satheesan's self-proclaimed Nehruvian socialism, saying the budget failed to reflect it.
Health sector mismanagement under fire
The CPM leader slammed the UDF government's handling of the public health sector, citing outbreaks of contagious diseases and ineffective intervention. He highlighted a bizarre situation where two doctors claim to be the director of health services. "One doctor whom the government removed from service got the order stayed by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT). But the new one appointed by the government refused to vacate her chair. This is ridiculous," Govindan said. He also noted that the health department failed to hold a review meeting convened by the directorate of health services.
Attack on ED officials 'should have been avoided'
Commenting on the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials by CPM workers during a raid at opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan's house last month, Govindan said it should have been avoided. However, he described it as a natural response by party workers as the protest continued for long hours. The raid was part of the CMRL-Exalogic money laundering case involving Vijayan's daughter Veena T, who was later questioned by the central agency. "Workers got agitated after the ED raid lasted for around eight hours. Party politically resists when political moves are made against it," he said, adding that the CPM was not against the raids but against dragging Vijayan into it.
