THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The promise in the first budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government was a revival from the Covid crisis. However, most of the announcements could not be fully implemented. With the state witnessing a decrease in Covid cases, everyone is looking forward to the budget that will be presented by Finance Minister KN Balagopal tomorrow.

The goals of the last budget were improving the health system, rescuing entrepreneurs in crisis and reviving unorganized employment. Rs 49684 crore was set aside, but only Rs 18735.05 crores was spent. Rs 4 crore each was set aside in the Property Development Fund of MLAs for efforts to fight Covid. Although Rs 564 crore was allotted, only Rs 36.20 crore was spent.

Although Rs 10 crore was earmarked for vaccine research at the Institute of Advanced Virology, Thonnakkal, only a thousand rupees was spent as a token.

In the previous budget, the government had announced a Covid package of Rs 20,000 crore for those in the commercial and trade sectors. The package included Rs 8,900 crore to be disbursed directly to those in crisis and Rs 8,300 crore as interest and subsidy on various loans for economic recovery. However, only Rs 176.27 crore was disbursed through Kerala Financial Corporation to 381 business, commercial and industrial establishments.

Although Rs 1000 crore was earmarked for providing free vaccines to those above 18 years of age, no amount was spent. Of the Rs 500 crore allocated for the purchase of equipment for Covid treatment, Rs 465.29 crore was spent through the Medical Services Corporation.