Finance Minister of Kerala, KN Balagopal, presented the state budget for the year 2024-25 on Monday.
The finance minister allocated Rs 9.5 crore for Vimukthi, the campaign against addiction of drugs and other intoxicants in the Kerela Budget.
This comes at a time when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is facing criticism due to financial difficulties.
The budget also allocated Rs 9.27 crore for modernization of the excise department. Kochi City reported fourth highest number of cases registered under the NDPS Act for consumption of drugs as per the latest report of the NCB for 2021.
The minister declared that government departments will implement a strategy of destroying used cars and furniture. Further, estimating a revenue of ₹ 200 crore.
A key highlight of the Budget was the further escalation of Liquor prices, a gallonage fee on Indian Made Foreign Liquor is set to increase by ₹10 per litre.
The minister said, “Steps will be taken to attract investments of ₹5000 crore towards the tourism industry, while allocating ₹50 crore to boost tourism at over 20 spots” In this phase, Varkala, Kollam, Munroe Thuruth, Alappzha, Munnar, Fort Kochi, Ponnani, Beypore, Kozhikode and Bekal have been designated for this purpose.
“Funds have been allocated for NoRKA Department Project for Returned Emigrants Scheme, the NoRKA Department which helped returnees in earning a living, has been allocated ₹25 crores”, said Finance Minister.
In addition, ₹44 crore has been set aside for the resolution program that would be applied to these sections.
A new task force comprising of Pravasi academic experts will be formed to improve the quality of higher education, an expert meet from Europe, US, Singapore and Middle East will be held in May and June. A higher education transformation initiative global conclave has also been planned, the minister said.
A new fishing harbour will be established at Pozhiyoor in Thiruvanthapuram, Rs.5 crore will be allocated as a preliminary measure.
The budget has allocated Rs 1132 crore for LIFE Housing project. The Minister highlighted 3,71,931 houses have been completed after an expenditure of Rs 17,104.84 crore and aims to built 5 lakh more houses by next year.
The state will also aim to eradicate extreme poverty by November 2025, this will be a record in the nation, said FM Balagopal.
The Malabar International Port will be developed, with an allocation of Rs.9.65 crore which will benefit both North Kerela and South Karnataka.
Vizhinjam port in Trivandrum will redraw the trade map of South India, Vizhinjam is the gateway to Kerala's future development. Finance Minister Balagopal said more projects will be implemented in the industrial sector.
Follow us
