T.M. Thomas IsaacThiruvananthapuram: Finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac is expected to present a budget that stresses on social security. The budget is likely to give a boost to various welfare programs as well as the green and clean missions.
Women’s safety is also expected to get a fair share given the presentation of the first gender audit report along with the budget on Friday.
Social welfare pensions may be increased. The previous budget had raised all welfare pensions to Rs 1,000, setting aside Rs 1,000 crore for the plan.
The finance minister had promised a gender audit report while he presented the previous budget. Women’s issues will get priority in all programs and 10 percent of the plan outlay will be set aside exclusively for woman-centric programs, he had said.
The previous budget had earmarked Rs 91 crore for projects intended for the welfare and development of women.
Of this, Rs 45 crore was the state’s share for the central schemes related to Anganwadis.
Programs related to women may get more funds, especially the formation of a department for women.
The budget is expected to grant more funds for public health and education. Infrastructure development in hospitals will be a priority. Steps will be taken to fill vacancies. An announcement to increase the number of government doctors and teachers is also on the cards.
The higher secondary education sector does not have enough teachers at present. Teachers have to be appointed for the batches approved by the previous government. All these requirements may be addressed in the budget on Friday.
Isaac is expected to announce infrastructure projects worth about Rs 15,000 crore. The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) will continued to be used as a vehicle for the development of basic facilities in the state.
