Kerala's Financial Struggles and Achievements Highlighted by Finance Minister

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal has outlined the state's increased expenditures on development and welfare despite financial constraints imposed by the central government. He emphasized the higher average yearly expenditure under the current government, pay revisions, and significant spending on social welfare. Balagopal also requested additional funds from the Centre for upcoming projects.

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal expressed that the state's development and welfare expenditures have surged by 30-35%, despite what he described as the Centre's attempts to financially restrain the state.

Addressing the media before the forthcoming Union Budget, Balagopal noted that the average annual expenditure under the first Pinarayi Vijayan government stood at approximately Rs 1.20 lakh crore, which increased to Rs 1.60 lakh crore during the second Vijayan tenure.

Balagopal underscored the implementation of pay revisions and significant spending on social welfare pensions, amidst strict borrowing limits. He mentioned a request for a Rs 24,000 crore package in the Union Budget to recompense for previous fiscal cuts and highlighted the need for further investment in key projects like the Vizhinjam port.

(With inputs from agencies.)