THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Even as the country reels under economic slowdown, counter measures and people-oriented policies laid in State Budget 2020-21, are designed to take Kerala forward on its road to development and bring respite to commoners, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Keeping fastened the progress of 3 years, the Budget is designed to make greater leaps in the agriculture, health care and business sectors. The government will continue to expand its activities in social spheres. Increased fund allotment in the Budget for welfare of the women, children, differently-abled and the aged is indicative of such goal, the minister said.
The bold measures and people-oriented approach comes to light better when the State Budget is viewed against the backdrop of overhanging economic slowdown and Centre’s persistently adverse stand on Kerala. Despite being struck twice by massive floods, the Centre refused to raise Kerala’s borrowing limit in the Union Budget.
The State’s share in tax revenue too has been slashed. The Centre also drastically cut down funds towards Central schemes in Kerala. These onslaughts come at a time when, the State is facing acute revenue crunch from slowdown that’s gripping economies nationwide. It is against this grinding backdrop that Kerala Budget braces to take the State’s welfare and development forward.
Experts in their analysis of the budget agree that the coastal package and those for Kuttanad, Wayanad and Wayanad will help remedy social inequalities and imbalances in development, apart from giving a new lease of life to the agricultural and fisheries sector.
The State govt has assigned a never-before priority level to the agricultural sector. The Budget envisages ways to make agricultural profitable and attract youth in large numbers to this sector. It also explores methods for restoration of traditional crafts, trade and businesses.
As NRIs got forsaken by the Centre, the State reached out with added welfare measures for their respite. The Budget attempts to provide benefits and rehabilitate those who return from their overseas workplaces for good. The current Budget has raised funds for the purpose.
Government’s care and concern for the women community is written large on the State Budget. 18.4 percent of the proposed expenditure is dedicated to women’s welfare as against 11.5 last year. The importance lend to empowering women and their livelihood is evident from the fact that funding for Kudumbasree has been raised considerably.
The govt also plans to bring about huge makeover in public education system. The Budget lays steps towards achieving this goal. The Government thus makes clear its counter measures for upliftment of all sectors and people oriented endevours, wrote Chief Minister in his official FB page.
