Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the state government's budget, accusing Chief Minister and Finance Minister V D Satheesan of abandoning welfare commitments, diluting key policies of the previous LDF government, and promoting the interests of the private sector. Vijayan alleged that the government had created an impression that Kerala was facing a severe financial crisis. He claimed that though the Finance Minister conveyed such a message in his budget speech, the allocations did not support his statement.
“If Kerala is facing a financial emergency, how did the government provide an additional allocation of Rs 2,000 crore?” he asked. Vijayan termed Satheesan’s fiscal crisis declaration a political allegation and claimed that the LDF government had left around Rs 6,000 crore in the treasury before exiting office.
He said the budget reflected a retreat though the state’s fiscal position was not as weak as being projected. He said allocations for welfare measures were reduced compared to previous budgets and added that the budget failed to provide relief to the agriculture sector.
Vijayan accused the government of ignoring the financial loss Kerala endured due to the Centre’s policies and described the government’s white paper on state finances as an attempt to secure anticipatory bail against future criticism. Claiming that the UDF government had abandoned the vision of ‘Nava Keralam’, he said the budget lacked a blueprint for the future development of the state. He alleged that several proposals announced by the LDF government were repackaged under new names.
Vijayan questioned the government’s approach to liquor policy, noting that the budget did not mention the proposal for liquor production from fruits. He alleged that there could be an attempt to facilitate liquor manufacturing by large companies and claimed that the budget reflected the interests of major corporates.
Vijayan alleged that the budget was designed to expand opportunities for the private sector. He claimed that mineral mining was being opened up to private players and accused the government of undermining the LDF administration’s policy framework. He expressed concerns over the proposed maritime policy, questioning whether it could lead to greater private sector control over Kerala’s coastline. He alleged political intent behind rewriting land reform laws.
Vijayan further alleged that the proposed restructuring of the state planning board reflected the Centre’s policy approach. He also criticized the treatment of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, alleging that efforts were underway to weaken the institution and dismantle it. Similarly, he claimed that the budget signalled an attempt to dilute the LIFE Mission housing programme.
