Thiruvananthapuram: Hours after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget on Saturday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the central government for ignoring the state's demands, including a relief package for landslide-hit Wayanad and financial aid for Vizhinjam port. Taking to Facebook, the CM strongly protested against the centre's discrimination towards Kerala. He pointed out that the centre did not consider the state's demand for a special package of Rs 24,000 crore for the rehabilitation of Wayanad. He added that the BJP-led government also deliberately shrugged off the importance of the Vizhinjam international seaport in India's maritime trade. 

"When the centre allocated around Rs 25 lakh crore to states, Kerala's demand for projects worth Rs 40,000 crore was not considered. The centre is crucifying Kerala, which showcased rapid growth in various sectors, including education. The centre neither considered the state's demand related to borrowing limit nor agriculture sector," said Pinarayi Vijayan. 

Meanwhile, Finance Minister KN Balagopal also condemned the union budget. He said Kerala had justified expectations in some areas, but they were completely neglected in the budget.

"It was "utterly sad and condemnable" that the Union Budget made no mention of the Wayanad landslide tragedy, which had shocked the country months ago, or the Vizhinjam port," Balagopal told reporters here.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The Union Finance Minister made many announcements with an eye on the upcoming elections in Bihar and New Delhi. But at the same time, there was no package or even a reference to the landslide tragedy in Wayanad, no mention of Vizhinjam Port, and no general financial allocations to the state," he said.

Balagopal pointed out that Sitharaman, in her budget, spoke at length about exports but ignored the Vizhinjam port in Kerala, which has been the most significant export promotion scheme in the country in the last two decades.

"A big port is a gateway for exports, but no allocation has been made for it. No significant institutions have been allotted to the state in the budget. It is utterly sad and condemnable...We hope they will correct this," the state FM said.

He added that the centre has "failed" to ensure equal treatment for all states in the country, without any discrimination.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It generally seems that they (the centre) would do more for the states where they have political interests and neglect the other states," he alleged.

The minister said that although there is a general increase in the allocations towards states in the budget, Kerala is unlikely to get the deserved amount in accordance with its population density.

As per the budget, there is an increase of Rs 5 lakh crore in the allocations to states.

"In accordance with its population density, Kerala should receive Rs 14,288 crore, but as per the budget figures, it is doubtful whether the state will even receive Rs 3,000 crore," the minister pointed out.

ADVERTISEMENT

He also criticised the inadequate allocations in the agricultural sector and for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.