Priority on bringing in more investment; not a populist budget

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As it was the last complete budget of the second Pinarayi government, the common people expected a lot. However, this was not a popular budget. The opposition got a chance to criticise the government. The emphasis was on bringing in more investment. Through this, many development projects are to be implemented. More investment is expected through the industry, port, and IT sectors.

The local government elections are happening in December. The assembly elections will be held soon after that. Those who expected a popular budget cannot be blamed. An increase in social welfare pension was expected. The promise in the Left Front manifesto to increase the pension to Rs. 2500 prompted the common people to pin their hopes on the budget.

The increase in land tax and court fees will cause hardship to the common people. The increase in tax on electric vehicles, which are promoted for their environmental friendliness, has also backfired.

The opposition will weaponise the hint that KIIFB will be made a pillar of the economic sector. The government will be struggling to answer their question about what benefit has been gained from the white elephant called KIIFB. UDF leaders already said yesterday that they will start a protest against the 50 percent increase in land tax.

The opposition quipped that no further intervention will take place once the liabilities, including the arrears of those who supplied the goods, are settled, although 2063 crores have been allocated for market intervention to control the prices of essential commodities.