THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A fair relevant budget without any decoration and parables. This is how the budget of K N Balagopal in the second Pinarayi government differs from the budget of Thomas Isaac in the first Pinarayi government. However, K N Balagopal affirmed that there will be no change in the declarations or instructions of Thomas Isaac.

Balagopal's maiden budget is a strong message that they are not ready for any change from the policy they have followed for the past five years. Pinarayi’s greatest achievement is overcoming disasters. Pinarayi is not ready to deviate from that. Pinarayi Vijayan knows better than anyone else that if he stays with the people in times of danger, they will reciprocate. That is why the government was not prepared to revise the tax directives even though there is no election in recent times.

Balagopal made a number of announcements with a clear vision for the health sector in the country. Every announcement related to Covid was aimed at children as well as expatriates. This time, as in the past is assuring that all promises in the budget manifesto which started by praising the continuity of governance, will be implemented. In short, the LDF has already started work for a new Kerala for the next five years.

No dramas or amazing announcements were there in the budget. However, there were plans for education, tourism, agriculture, public works and fisheries, all of which were covered during the one-hour presentation. Balagopal's budget has become one of the shortest budget presentation.

The budget presented in the assembly figured a revenue deficit at 16,910.12 crore. One-time settlement of taxes will continue. The government is repeating its policy of saving the country even if it borrows in times of crisis. The finance minister also hinted that plans to cut spending and increase revenue may be announced after the crisis. T

he finance minister also announced an allocation of Rs 10 crore in the budget to improve online learning facilities for students and a timely implementation of a program to provide two lakh laptops to students. The finance minister also said that steps would be taken to appoint a high-powered commission to examine the higher education system and submit a report containing practical suggestions for reorganization within three months.

Meantime, the announcement to build a memorial to Gowri Amma and R Balakrishna Pillai after K M Mani at a time when Covid crisis was raging in the state was unpleasant.