The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) found themselves on the same page regarding the Union Budget, with both of them condemning Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for “completely disregarding Kerala’s demands”, including a rehabilitation package for disaster-hit Wayanad. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State leadership found Kerala to be the “biggest beneficiary” of the Union Budget.
In a statement here on Saturday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that by denying States their rightful dues, the Budget violates the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution. “While ₹25 lakh crore has been earmarked for States, Kerala is set to receive not even ₹40,000 crore. Kerala is being punished for its progress. Even Kerala’s requests regarding borrowing limits have been rejected. The Union Budget has become a political document that disregards Kerala’s expectations. This is extremely disappointing and unfortunate. A budget should be an economic statement, but this one is shaped by electoral calculations, focusing only on regions where elections are due,” said Mr. Vijayan.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretariat said that the Budget is a clear indication that the denial of rights, which is part of the BJP’s political opposition to Kerala, will continue and that the State will continue to be ignored. Even though all the MPs from Kerala, except of the BJP, have been pressuring the centre for Kerala long-standing demands, especially a package for Wayanad, these have been ignored. A similar stand has been taken on Viability Gap Funding for the Vizhinjam Port, even as no other port in the country has faced such an approach. Although the tax exemptions benefit many people, the neglect of the poor, who constitute the vast majority, cannot be hidden, said the CPI(M) statement.
Communist Party of India State secretary Binoy Viswam said the Budget aids corporate plunder while deceiving the general population by completely ignoring welfare projects including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The Budget also sacrifices national interest by allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment in the insurance sector. The Union government has also done injustice to Kerala by ignoring its demands including the Wayanad package, he said.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said that the Union Budget reflects the gross neglect towards Kerala that it does not even have a mention of the State’s name. The Budget fails to mention the long-standing demand for setting up All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala, or the Wayanad package or funding for Vizhinjam Port. Beyond the political gimmick of raising the Income Tax limits and promoting it as a pro-middle class Budget, there is no deep approach to address serious issues. The Budget will push the States into a deeper financial crisis. It is silent on the ways to solve the serious crisis facing the agricultural sector across the country. No relevant proposals to address joblessness have also been included, said Mr.Satheesan.
Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala said that the Budget which proposes to spend lavishly on Bihar has completely ignored Kerala. Although Kerala has two Union Ministers, the State has not benefited from it, he said.
BJP State President K.Surendran said that the people will reject the false propaganda that the Budget has ignored Kerala as the women, youth, farmers and the middle class of the State stand to benefit from it. The State with a large number of people in the MSME sector will benefit from the sops announced by Ms.Sitharaman. Former Union Minister V.Muraleedharan said that the announcements of Income Tax slabs reflect the strength of the Indian economy.
Published – February 01, 2025 07:26 pm IST