Thiruvananthapuram

Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday criticised the UDF government's Budget, alleging that its claim of a severe financial crisis was contradicted by the allocations announced in the document.

Addressing reporters after the Budget presentation, Vijayan said the government's repeated claims of a severe financial crisis were difficult to reconcile with the additional allocations announced in the Budget.

If the state is able to provide more than Rs 2,000 crore in additional allocations, it cannot simultaneously argue that the financial situation is extremely alarming," he said.

The CPI(M) leader contended that the previous LDF government had left substantial funds in the treasury and that the resources could have been utilised for more welfare measures and development initiatives.

Vijayan alleged that allocations for several sectors had either been reduced or fallen short of expectations.

He expressed disappointment over the absence of fresh relief measures for farmers engaged in rubber, coconut and paddy cultivation, saying the Budget did little to address the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.

"The Budget had not adequately addressed the impact of union government policies on Kerala. The state government is overlooking key issues affecting the state while focusing on criticism of the previous administration," he said.

Vijayan said a Budget should present a broader vision for Kerala's future development, with elements aligned with the government's 'New Kerala' narrative.

"Several announcements appeared to be repackaged versions of schemes announced by the LDF government under different names," he alleged.

He said the government had missed an opportunity to strengthen welfare and poverty-alleviation programmes despite having sufficient financial resources.

According to him, additional funds could have been utilised for measures aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable sections and providing greater relief to people facing economic hardship.

Vijayan further questioned the government's approach towards the liquor sector, alleging that while the LDF government had focused on producing alcohol from fruits and agricultural produce — benefiting farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs through value-added goods — the latest Budget appeared to favour large liquor manufacturers.

Vijayan said the Budget failed to address several concerns affecting the state's economy and farming community, raising questions about the government's priorities.

He alleged that the UDF government's maiden Budget continued a policy approach that accorded significant importance to the private sector and reflected several priorities outlined earlier by the union government.

"The thrust given to the private sector in the Budget is in line with the approach adopted by the Centre. Several proposals announced by the Union government with regard to economic development and investment are being echoed in the state's Budget," he alleged.

Referring to proposals related to the mining and critical minerals sector, Vijayan claimed that the Budget marked a departure from the approach pursued by the previous LDF government.

He alleged that while the LDF had advocated development based on environmental sustainability and public interest, the new proposals appeared to be aligned with the Centre's policies favouring greater private-sector participation.

The opposition leader voiced concerns that the government's 'Vision Samudra' initiative and the proposed Kerala Maritime Policy could pave the way for increased private-sector control over coastal resources.

He said apprehensions were being raised about whether the state's coastline and maritime assets could gradually come under greater private influence through such policies.

Vijayan linked the proposed South Kerala Economic Corridor to what he described as a broader development agenda centred on private investment.

Pointing to what he claimed was a reduction in allocations for the fisheries sector, he said coastal communities had reason to fear their interests were being sidelined while other agendas were being pursued.

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"The reduction in support for fisheries raises questions about whether the concerns of coastal residents are receiving adequate attention," he said.