Thiruvananthapuram: BJP State President K Surendran strongly criticized the budget presentation by the Pinarayi government in the State Legislative Assembly, stating that it offers no benefits to the public. Surendran emphasized the absence of announcements for farmers’ assistance and development in the Kerala Budget 2024-25, labeling today’s budget announcements as mere words and the budget itself as hollow. Speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram after Finance Minister KN Balagopal’s budget presentation, Surendran highlighted that social welfare pension in Kerala has not been disbursed for over five months, with no action taken by the state government.
Surendran expressed disappointment, calling Kerala’s state budget completely hopeless. Despite agriculture and tourism being the main livelihoods in Kerala, the budget lacks support for these sectors, offering no hope to tourism and agriculture. Surendran criticized the meager Rs 10 increase in the minimum support price for rubber amid a significant fall in rubber prices, calling it betrayal against rubber farmers who have limited livelihood options.
He argued that it’s fair and feasible to borrow from domestic financial agencies at low-interest rates, contrasting this with the Kerala government’s approach of pushing the people into a debt trap by borrowing at higher interest rates. Surendran pointed out the irony of the Kerala government blaming the Central government for its financial crisis.
In conclusion, Surendran asserted that the Kerala government’s budget is expected to bring additional challenges for the people, with various prices and fees set to increase. He accused Finance Minister Balagopal of making budget announcements to exploit the people of Kerala.
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