'It was LDF government that created DA arrears, Keralam is now 25 years behind'; CM hits back at Pinarayi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan has hit back at Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan's criticism that the first budget of the UDF government did not mention anything about the distribution of DA arrears. Satheesan said that the huge DA arrears in the state were created during Pinarayi Vijayan’s tenure as Chief Minister and that Pinarayi had no right to question the current government on the issue.

Speaking at a press conference, Satheesan said that the new government came to power with the aim of taking Keralam, which is now 25 years behind, 25 years ahead.

“Who created these arrears? Was it us? It was the Pinarayi government. After leaving a debt of Rs 85,000 crore, he is asking me whether DA arrears shouldn't be cleared. He has no right to raise this question,” Satheesan said.

He added that the government had promised that not even a single DA installment would be delayed. He said the government would create jobs, boost the economy and generate revenue. That money would be used for welfare schemes, he said.

“With no money in hand, they still want things to continue as before. We came to power after telling the people about these issues before the elections,” the Chief Minister said.

The previous LDF government had stated in its last budget that the pending DA arrears would be cleared in five installments. However, Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the UDF government, saying that its first budget did not make any specific mention of the issue. Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that the DA arrears of government employees would be paid without any delay.