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Kerala Budget Boosts Welfare & Infrastructure, FM Balagopal Rejects Election Charge

Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presented the state budget, highlighting an improved financial position and rejecting opposition claims that it is election-oriented. The budget includes significant welfare interventions such as revised allowances for ASHA workers and group insurance for various labor groups. Major infrastructure allocations were announced for road development, the Vizhinjam port, and preliminary work on high-speed rail. The Minister emphasized the state's responsibility to act despite delayed central funds, focusing on income security and development.

Key Points: Kerala Budget: FM Balagopal Details Welfare, Infrastructure Plans

  • Major welfare measures for workers & accident victims
  • Large infrastructure funding for roads & ports
  • Enhanced health insurance for govt employees
  • Feasibility studies for new rail & tunnel projects
2 min read

Kerala's financial position improving, budget not election-oriented: FM Balagopal

Kerala FM K.N. Balagopal presents budget with key welfare measures and major infrastructure allocations, denies it is election-oriented.

"the budget was not aimed at elections but nevertheless included key welfare measures - K.N. Balagopal"

Thiruvananthapuram Ja, n 29

Kerala's financial position has shown significant improvement, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal said on Thursday, noting that while funds due from the Centre are yet to be received, the state has been able to manage its finances in a manner that allows it to move forward.

A postgraduate in Commerce and a first-time legislator, Balagopal, 63, presented his sixth straight budget.

After presenting the budget, he later told the media that as improvements in infrastructure development and related sectors gather pace, their positive impact will become visible in the coming phases.

This has given the government a sense of optimism about the state's economic outlook, he added.

Rebutting Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan's statement, Balagopal clarified that the budget was not aimed at elections but nevertheless included key welfare measures.

He said government intervention is necessary to ensure income security for ordinary citizens, and the budget reflects such interventions.

Revising allowances for ASHA workers, anganwadi employees, and similar categories is a responsibility of the state government, the Minister said, noting that the Centre has not increased its contribution for these workers for the past 12 years.

However, the state cannot delay timely interventions, and such measures have therefore been incorporated in the budget, he said.

Among the major announcements are group insurance coverage for Haritha Karma Sena workers, auto and taxi drivers, free treatment for the first five days for road accident victims, and an expanded Medisep scheme with enhanced benefits for government employees and their pensioners.

For infrastructure development, Rs 5,317 crore has been allocated through the KIIFB for the development of the MC Road, Rs 1,000 crore for the Vizhinjam port project, and Rs 100 crore for the RRT line proposed as an alternative to the K-Rail project.

An allocation of Rs 100 crore has also been made for initiating preliminary procedures for the Kasaragod high-speed rail project.

The budget also announced a feasibility study for the Kattappana-Theni tunnel road, the Vizhinjam-Chavara corridor, and the handover of the first batch of houses for Wayanad disaster-affected families in February.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Rs 5,317 crore for MC Road and Rs 1000 crore for Vizhinjam port? This is the kind of infrastructure push Kerala needs to compete. If the finances are truly improving, it's a positive sign. Hope the execution matches the announcement.
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Arjun K
"Budget not election-oriented" – every politician says this before elections. Let's be real. The welfare measures are welcome, but the timing is always suspicious. The real test is sustainable financial management after the votes are counted.
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Sarah B
The free treatment for accident victims for first five days is a brilliant and humane policy. Road safety is a huge issue here. This could save many lives and prevent families from falling into debt due to medical bills.
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Vikram M
Good to see focus on disaster-affected families in Wayanad. The tunnel road study for Kattappana-Theni is also interesting—could boost connectivity for Idukki. But I hope the high-speed rail study for Kasaragod doesn't end up like the K-Rail saga. We need projects that actually get built.
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Meera T
Insurance for Haritha Karma Sena and drivers is a good social security step. These informal sector workers often have no safety net. The budget seems to have a heart, which is rare. Hope the funds are released on time and reach the intended beneficiaries.

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