Kerala again seeks permission from Centre for SilverLine project

NEW DELHI: The state government has once again asked the Centre to give permission for the SilverLine project. The demand was raised by Minister KN Balagopal in a meeting of state finance ministers convened by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of the budget. He also demanded in the meeting to announce a special financial package of Rs 24000 crores for Kerala.

"It should be considered that the current rail systems are not able to meet the growing rail transport needs flawlessly. There should also be plans for improvement of existing rail systems," the minister said in the meeting. He also asked to allow more express and passenger trains in the meeting.

"This year's borrowing limit should be raised to three and a half percent of GDP. Central and state tax sharing ratio should be increased to 50-50," Balagopal demanded.

"An amount equivalent to Rs 6,000 crore given for land acquisition of national highway development should be allowed to be borrowed this year without conditions. AIIMS, Kannur International Ayurveda Research Institute etc should be announced in the budget," he added.

In the meeting, Kerala also put forward the demand that the central government should increase the support price of rubber to Rs.250.