Kerala CM calls Union Budget disappointing, claims bias against state
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday strongly criticized the Union Budget, calling it a “political document” designed with upcoming Assembly elections in mind and accusing it of being against federalism.
“This budget is purely political and disregards federal principles. It will worsen inflation, unemployment, and poverty,” Vijayan said, expressing concern over its impact on the economy.
He criticized the budget for neglecting crucial sectors like agriculture and industry while continuing subsidy cuts in the agrarian sector. “The MGNREGA, which has been a lifeline for the poor and marginalized, has also been ignored,” he added.
Vijayan described the budget as a major disappointment for Kerala, highlighting that the state’s key requests, including a ₹24,000 crore special package and a separate package for Wayanad’s landslide recovery, were overlooked. He also pointed out that despite the national significance of the Vizhinjam Port, the Centre had not allocated any support for it. Other long-pending demands, such as the AIIMS centre and a railway coach factory, were also left unaddressed.
“When ₹25 lakh crore has been set aside for states, Kerala has not even received ₹40,000 crore,” he said, alleging that the state was being penalized for its progress in education and other sectors. “They claim we do not need more support because we are ahead in many areas, but there are still sectors where Kerala lags. Yet, we get no assistance to uplift them,” he remarked.
The Chief Minister also criticized the Centre’s approach to Kerala’s agricultural sector, noting that demands for higher minimum support prices for rubber, paddy, and coconut had been ignored, while rubber imports continued unchecked.
“Kerala has been completely sidelined in this budget, which is unacceptable to us,” Vijayan asserted.
With IANS inputs