Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 29 (NationPress) The Opposition Leader, V.D. Satheesan, fiercely criticized the Kerala Budget introduced by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Thursday, asserting that the State’s fiscal credibility has been “entirely undermined” and claiming the LDF government is merely transferring its financial burdens to the upcoming administration.

Supporting this view, P.K. Kunhalikutty, leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), referred to the budget as “the ideal budget of a government in decline.”

Balagopal's presentation on Thursday marked his sixth consecutive budget for the LDF government, which he opted to present as a full budget despite the Assembly elections looming later this year, when a vote-on-account is typically favored. This budget prioritizes social security, healthcare, education, and inclusive welfare, making several announcements aimed at students, workers, and marginalized groups.

Satheesan informed the media that the treasury has imposed restrictions limiting withdrawals to Rs 10 lakh for the past five months, highlighting what he labeled a serious cash crisis. He dismissed the government's assertion of establishing a “new normal” as mere empty talk, accusing the LDF of making promises without the financial means to fulfill them.

Concerning social security pensions, the Opposition leader noted that the LDF came into power in 2021 with a pledge to increase pensions from Rs 1,600, yet they only managed a Rs 400 increase, which occurred just before the December local body elections.

He claimed that Kerala is currently enduring the highest inflation rate in the country, blaming it on the government's failure to take action in the market due to insufficient funds.

Satheesan also criticized the government’s treatment of employee welfare, pointing out that despite a pay revision scheduled for 2024, the government did not establish a Pay Commission on time. Instead, he alleged that the LDF has introduced new initiatives without certainty of remaining in power, thereby shifting the financial obligations to the next administration.

He claimed that the arrears for dearness allowance alone amount to nearly Rs 1 lakh crore, a burden that will impact the government expected to take office in May. A new government is anticipated to assume power by the third week of May.

He further condemned the government's lack of support for rubber farmers, noting that benchmark prices have only increased by Rs 50 over the last decade.

Questioning the budget's validity, Satheesan insisted it would not be executed, as a Congress-led UDF government would create the subsequent budget upon taking office. He also alleged that the plan size was reduced by 50 percent in the prior fiscal year, with only 38 percent of the plan allocation utilized thus far in the current fiscal year.

The Opposition leader demanded a performance audit of the previous budget and urged for a public white paper detailing the State's financial situation.