Kerala budget today: Welfare announcements expected ahead of elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal will present the final budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government in the Kerala Assembly today. With elections approaching, the budget is expected to focus on welfare-oriented and popular measures. Government employees and pensioners are likely to benefit from the settlement of pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears, salary revisions, and possible announcements related to a new pension scheme.

Nearly 62 lakh welfare pension beneficiaries are hoping for an increase in the pension amount to Rs 2,500, as promised during the previous election. The budget may also include new welfare initiatives for senior citizens and women. In addition, the government is expected to announce support packages for youth entrepreneurship, financial assistance for fishermen, and wage hikes for anganwadi workers and ASHA workers.