'Establishment of foreign universities is not a policy, did not forget Pushpan', says Finance minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister KN Balagopal responded to the recent controversy surrounding the inclusion of foreign universities in the budget, stating that it wasn't a policy decision but rather a proposal for discussions. He criticized opposition voices against even considering such discussions, highlighting the importance of open dialogue.'I didn't forget Pushpan, we all were participants of that strike,' he added.

Reflecting on past struggles, Balagopal referenced a historic strike against the introduction of tractors four decades ago. He noted the changing landscape of the workforce, with laborers now coming from other states. Balagopal emphasized the need for local solutions to address the exodus of Kerala's youth for education and employment opportunities, which results in significant capital outflow from the state.

Balagopal reiterated that major development projects such as the Kochi Metro, Vizhinjam Port, GAIL Pipeline, Vallarpadam Container Terminal and Kochi Water Metro were collaborative efforts spanning multiple governments. He criticized attempts by certain factions to claim sole credit for these initiatives.

Discussing the Vizhinjam Port project, Balagopal pointed out the detrimental impact of baseless allegations made by the previous central government, which led to significant delays. He noted the irony that Chinese ships were the first to dock at the port upon its completion.

Regarding Kerala's rights, Balagopal highlighted a recent Supreme Court ruling emphasizing the importance of equitable resource distribution, reaffirming the principles of cooperative federalism.