Will move cautiously to secure central assistance, there should not be any lapses in steps, says CM; will write to Centre for neglecting Kerala in budget

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will write a letter to the Centre reacting against the severe neglect shown to the state in the union budget. In addition, the state government will also take steps to get central approval for more projects and loans for the state.

Kerala has been denied allocations in various projects due to noncompliance with the conditions. This matter was discussed in the high-level committee convened by the Chief Minister on Friday in the context of the union budget. The Chief Minister gave strict directions to the officials that no central projects should be lost or delayed owing to a lapse on the side of the state. According to sources, the Chief Minister has directed the officials to take timely concrete steps to protect the interest of the state.

The central projects that are likely to get sanctioned will be listed. Government secretaries will be tasked to separately prepare projects for which each department can obtain approval, to apply for the projects on time by following the conditions, and to take further measures.

In the wake of Vizhinjam port becoming a reality, the meeting suggested gaining the Centre's interest-free loan of CapEx for allied industries and infrastructure development. This time, Rs 11.11 lakh crore has been set aside in this regard for the states in the union budget. An interest-free loan with a repayment period of fifty years was introduced two years ago. In the first year, Kerala received an interest-free loan of Rs 1903 crores. However, the state did not get anything last year due to non-compliance. Andhra and Kerala are the only states that did not get CapEx loans last year.

It has also been decided to prepare special modules to put pressure on Parliament by utilizing the services of MPs to gain central central. Details will be forwarded to MPs in due course. The aim is to remedy the deficiencies and get the necessary central assistance to overcome the financial vulnerability of the state by any means.