Covid cess for liquor? First budget of second Pinarayi govt to be presented shortly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first budget of the second Pinarayi government will be presented in the assembly shortly by Finance Minister K N Balagopal. The minister has left from Thycaud Guest House to present the budget. The minister received the budget documents from Manu, director, finance department.

The budget will include proposals to maximize administrative spending. The government hopes to get half per cent to one per cent additional credit from centre this year also. The government did not have the courage to impose taxes on the people in the election budget. However, with no elections for the next three years, there will be tax proposals to find income.

The government will rely on non-tax revenue such as collection of pre-GST arrears and Covid cess on liquor. Only when the budget box is opened will it be clear whether the finance minister will dare to raise revenue by imposing a cess on rising fuel prices.

At the end of the previous government, Balagopal will present a revised budget presented by Thomas Isaac in January. The vote-on-account will also be presented for the three months' expenses from August to October.