Kerala govt tables white paper on state finances

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, who also holds the Finance portfolio, tabled the white paper detailing the state's financial condition in the Assembly on Thursday.

A white paper is typically issued by a government or public authority to provide a comprehensive assessment of a specific issue, crisis or state of affairs. It is usually backed by data and may outline the basis for future policy decisions.

Soon after assuming office, Satheesan had called for the publication of a white paper on Kerala's finances. The move came amid sustained criticism by the UDF of the previous LDF government, accusing it of leaving the state's finances in disarray. 

Following a meeting of senior Finance Department officials chaired by the Chief Minister in May, the government constituted a special committee to prepare the report. The committee is headed by former Cabinet Secretary Dr K M Chandrasekhar.

Dr Chandrasekhar serves as the committee's chairman, while Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) K R Jyothilal is its convener. Economist Dr Narayanan and Centre for Development Studies Director Dr Veeramani are the other members.