'Is Kerala not on India's map? Why this cruel disregard?' Chief Minister harshly criticises union budget

MANJESWARAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan castigated the central government, alleging cruel disregard for Kerala in the new union budget presentation. The Chief Minister criticised Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, saying that "she forgot the fact that Kerala remains on the map of India". The chief minister was speaking after inaugurating the Kerala Development and Progress March.

Chief Minister:

“The state's long-standing demands for AIIMS, seven high-speed corridors for railway development, and a special package for Vizhinjam port development have all been completely ignored. The demand for an increase in the finance commission share was ignored. The decision to continue the current status quo of 41 per cent share is a move that weakens federal principles.

The Chief Minister demanded answers from the Union Ministers from Kerala on the neglect.

The central budget is a policy document to fatten corporates and push the common people further into penury. Not only is Kerala not getting what it deserves from the central share of the divisible pool, but the centre is also trying to destroy the state's financial base by deciding not to continue revenue deficit grants. A huge cut has been made in terms of grants overall. The grant, which was Rs 2.2 lakh crore in 2021, has now come down to Rs 1.4 lakh crore. The small increase in tax share is only the state's rightful share, given the achievements made by Kerala in population control and domestic revenue growth.

New Delhi’s move to seize Kerala's mineral wealth is extremely dangerous. Moreover, the announcement in the Union Budget is a policy that paves the way for private monopolies to exploit the state's mining sector. The Centre's move is to help the private sector by speeding up the issuance of environmental clearances by repealing even the strict conditions of the Environment Ministry. The state government had announced in the budget that a mineral corridor would be established in the public sector connecting Vizhinjam, Chavara and Kochi. The Centre's move to hand over mineral wealth to private monopolies, in complete contradiction to the state's announcements, sets a dangerous precedent. This budget also proves that both the Congress and the BJP government are deceiving Kerala by making promises, including a railway coach factory.”