Thiruvananthapuram: The government has allocated Rs 14,500 crore for welfare pension in the last budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal said that the welfare pension was increased in phases during the LDF government. He informed that this amount has been allocated for the next financial year. Rs 3,820 crore has been allocated for women’s security pension in the budget. The government is providing various welfare benefits to about 30 percent of the state’s population. The Finance Minister also clarified in the budget that direct assistance is reaching one crore people.
While explaining the financial status of the state, Finance Minister Balagopal said that the construction of national highways in Kerala is becoming a reality due to the move of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. He added that the construction of national highways is progressing rapidly and is playing a major role in the development of the state.
The Finance Minister clarified that the Central Government’s approach towards the state has been largely neglectful and Kerala’s debt is within the sustainable limit. Despite the reduction in the Centre’s crucial tax share in the last four years, Kerala has been able to sustain its financial position through its own tax revenue. The Finance Minister said that although the public debt increased from 12.60 percent in 2023-24 to 15.68 percent in 2024-25, the ratio between public debt and domestic growth has increased from 23.60 percent in the previous year to 24.83 percent.
The Finance Minister spoke sensibly, describing Kerala’s development achievements in the budget and the background of the central government’s responses and neglect. He said that Kerala has spent Rs 54,000 crore in the last ten years and has brought it to the people through various welfare pensions. The Finance Minister also clarified that despite the neglect from the center, the state’s development activities have progressed without any hindrance.
