'No money even to cut grass'; faceoff between opp leader, finance minister over dire financial straits

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V D Satheesan in a sardonic comment said the finance minister has locked the state treasury and is walking everywhere with the key in his pockets. Finance Minister K N Balagopal in a repartee said that although 57,000 crores are to be received from the Centre, all expenses have been paid.

The war of words between the minister and the leader of the opposition in the assembly was during the emergency resolution presented by Roji M. John of the Congress regarding the financial crisis in the state. The discussion took place from 1 pm to 3 pm on Tuesday. Immediately after this, the opposition staged a walkout.

V D Satheeshan said that the financial crisis currently battering the state is an unprecedented one.

“Wages are not paid, Children are not even able to have lunch, there are no essential goods in Maveli store, there is no leave surrender for government employees, and of all, arrears are still left unpaid. Albeit all this the government is simply piling the blame on the central government and saying we have done everything. The same state government is clueless when asked about how much the centre needs to pay?” Satheeshan said.

The Finance Minister said that the opposition's stance of blaming only Kerala for the financial crisis is unfortunate.

“Tax revenue increased from Rs 47,000 crore to Rs 71,000 crore in two years, but there won’t be a situation when everything comes to a standstill” Finance minister said.

The minister also stated that total debt has reduced from 39% to 35% of income. MLA Roji M. John mocked saying that the petrol sales depleted when the government decided to add cess to it.