Thomas Issac presents Kerala budget, says economic slump has not affected development works in state

On Feb 7, 2020

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government has not allowed the ongoing economic slump across the country to affect development activities in the state, Finance Minister Thomas Issac said in the Assembly on Friday while presenting the state budget for 2020-21.

This is the final full budget of the Pinarayi Vijayan led LDF government and the 11th state budget presented by Isaac.

With a little more than a year left in office, the present LDF government has already surpassed the total allocation made by the previous UDF during its five-year tenure, he said.

Earlier, Isaac began his budget speech by highlighting the protests across the country in the wake of the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by Parliament.

He listed out steps taken by the state to register its protest against CAA. He said the protests spearheaded by Kerala earned national attention.

Key highlights

One lakh new houses to come up under Life Mission.
Royalty proposed for paddy cultivation; Rs 40 crore allocated.
Rs 90 crore set apart for the welfare of Non-Resident Keralites.
Rs 1,000 crore proposed for the development of coastal areas.
Rs 4,384 crore to be spent for various drinking water projects.
Two lakh new drinking water connections to be given.
Rs 1,000 crore to be earmarked for development of rural roads.