THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Finance Department of Kerala, in an attempt to disburse welfare pensions within two weeks, has acted amid several criticisms regarding the extravagant spending by the Kerala government on the Keraleeyam program.
The Finance Department of Kerala is attempting to disburse the welfare pensions, which have not been paid for the last four months. This decision follows extensive criticism of the Kerala government for its spending in non-priority areas, such as Keraleeyam-2023, while the state is deeply with a significant debt burden.
The Kerala government is planning to distribute welfare pensions in two installments as part of its strategy to build a positive public image in preparation for the ‘Nava Kerala Sadhas‘ program.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his ministers, is scheduled to visit all the assembly constituencies as part of the ‘Nava Keralam Sadhas‘ program. The tour program is scheduled to be held from November 18 to December 24 to inform the developments carried out by the Pinarayi government in Kerala.
But, simultaneously, the government faces the challenge of paying four months’ worth of arrears for welfare pensions. Therefore, even when paid in two installments, the government will need to allocate Rs 2000 crore solely for two months’ worth of pension distribution.
In this situation, the government insists on paying the welfare pension in two installments, despite having only 52 crore rupees left from the state’s sanctioned debt until December.
Opposition parties including BJP are urging the government to reduce expenditure, but the Pinarayi government continues to spend extravagantly, placing additional financial burden on the public. As a result, the public has to bear the burden of increased electricity rates, water taxes, and other costs. Meanwhile the Ministers justify the price hike as the only solution to address the Kerala government’s debt.
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