Kerala Budget Proves State Will Move Forward Despite Centre’s Financial Strangulation: CPI(M)

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI(M) State Secretariat said that the state budget stands as clear proof that Kerala will continue to move forward on its own path even as the Central government attempts to financially suffocate the state. The budget, it said, will provide renewed energy to the next phase of building a New Kerala. Ensuring better living conditions for everyone and moving towards a poverty-free Kerala are at the core of this approach. The budget clearly reflects the LDF government’s commitment to relieving the hardships of ordinary people and ensuring their social security, the statement noted.

Along with ensuring that welfare pensions are paid without interruption, the government has once again reaffirmed its support for ASHA workers, Anganwadi employees, pre-primary teachers, literacy instructors, school kitchen workers, gig workers, autorickshaw workers, Kudumbashree members, and many others. The care shown towards senior citizens, children, and women is evident throughout the budget.

Making undergraduate education free is another landmark decision. Kerala, which has already ensured free schooling and universal literacy, is now taking a decisive step towards making higher education accessible to all. Scholarships for research scholars and pensions for media professionals have been increased. The government has also reiterated that it will fully honour its responsibilities towards its employees, fulfilling promises made earlier.

The budget announces that all DA arrears will be cleared and that assured pensions and pay revision will be implemented. Had the Central government not adopted a hostile approach towards Kerala and withheld nearly 2.5 lakh crore rupees, the DA arrears of employees could have been settled much earlier. The Life Saver Scheme, which provides cashless treatment for the first five days to road accident victims, has been highlighted as a significant initiative.

The health and education sectors have received top priority, while traditional sectors have been given special consideration. Adequate funds have been allocated for roads and bridges. The government’s commitment to development is further underlined by the commencement of construction of the Wayanad tunnel road at a cost of ₹2,269 crore, and by allocating funds for preliminary work on the Kattappana–Theni tunnel road. The budget also includes proposals that will accelerate growth in the agriculture, industrial, IT, and allied sectors.

Even if UDF leaders refuse to acknowledge that today’s Kerala is not what it was ten years ago, the people will clearly recognise it. Rebuilding a devastated Kerala required immense effort during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, and the current five-year phase is a continuation of that forward momentum. While the Central government attempts to choke Kerala due to political hostility, instead of standing united against it, the UDF has chosen to applaud this approach and even adopt an anti-Kerala stance. The people, the CPI(M) State Secretariat said, will recognise this duplicity.