Minister K N Balagopal presents state budget for fiscal 2024-25
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Monday presented the state's budget for the financial year 2024-25 in the assembly. This is the third complete budget since the second Pinarayi government assumed office.
Unveiled during a financial crunch and leading up to the Lok Sabha polls, the Budget sparks significant interest with its new announcements, strategies to secure vital resources, and measures to sustain the progress of the Left Democratic Front government's development and welfare initiatives.
In his budget speech, Balagopal said that the state government plans to bring in investment worth Rs three lakh crores in the next three years. He said that Kerala has been at the forefront of the country and was moving forward steadily.
The minister also blamed the Centre's economic policies and alleged neglect of Kerala for the southern state's financial problems. He said that the strategy is to boost revenue, which has been struggling with purported financial constraints from the Centre.
The LDF government has been blaming the BJP-led Union government for depriving it of ₹ 57,400 crore annually. On Saturday, K N Balagopal maintained that the public will appreciate the next state budget.
Speaking to the media, Balagopal stated that while the union government's financial strangling of the Left government has limited its ability, Kerala's progress and accomplishments will be the focus of the upcoming budget.
After the budget presentation, the State Assembly will reconvene on February 12 to continue the Budget session.
With PTI inputs
