THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister KN Balagopal said in the Assembly that despite the financial crisis, there will be no difficulty in celebrating Onam. He was responding to the debate on the Taxation Amendment Act. The bill to amend the Kerala Goods and Services Act, 2017, and the Kerala Finance Act, 2023 was referred to the subject committee.

"The state is not in dire straits as alleged by the opposition. It is alleged that Mahabali will not come to Kerala this Onam. Mahabali will come and we will definitely celebrate Onam. Even though there is a crisis in KSRTC, there is no situation where people are committing suicide without getting a pension. The state has started paying arrears of paddy procurement. No arrears to contractors. Constructions are underway. Benefits will be provided. Two months of arrears of social security pension have been granted. Onam markets will start," Finance Minister said.