Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 19 (PTI) CPI(M) leader K N Balagopal on Friday defended the previous LDF government’s financial management and alleged that several major announcements in the UDF dispensation’s maiden budget lacked adequate fund allocation for implementation.
Addressing a press conference on the state budget, Balagopal rejected criticism over the financial burden inherited by the present government, saying deferred payments and pending bills were a normal feature of government finances.
The former minister said when the LDF assumed office in 2016, it had inherited deferred payments of around Rs 20,000 crore from the then UDF government.
Referring to the present government’s claim that liabilities stood at around Rs 48,000 crore, Balagopal said the figure included pending payments such as bills for medicines, contractors and other expenditures that are routinely settled over time.
“Pending bills and deferred payments are part of the normal functioning of any government. They should not be portrayed as liabilities that threaten the state’s finances,” he said.
The MLA said the previous LDF government had also carried substantial dearness allowance arrears while continuing to allocate funds for their phased clearance.
Balagopal argued that the LDF government had used public funds to create long-term assets and strengthen infrastructure across the state.
“Do we need to spend again on the Vizhinjam Port project? Does the state need to make fresh investments in the National Highway project from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod? Around Rs 6,000 crore has already been invested in the Hill Highway project. Similarly, substantial investments were made in schools, colleges and other public infrastructure,” he said.
According to him, these investments had strengthened the state’s development base and reduced the need for major capital expenditure in several sectors in the immediate future.
“All these projects were implemented during the last ten years. At the same time, PSC appointments continued and salaries, pensions and welfare measures were not disrupted,” he said.
Turning to the current budget, Balagopal alleged that several high-profile announcements were not backed by corresponding financial provisions.
“In a number of cases, the allocations appear too small compared to the scale of the projects being announced. Some proposals do not seem to have sufficient funds even for preliminary work,” he said.
He said a detailed examination of the budget documents and plan allocations raised doubts about the feasibility of implementing some of the projects during the current financial year.
The CPI(M) leader said his party would raise these concerns during discussions in the Assembly.
Balagopal also urged the state government to intensify efforts to secure Revenue Deficit Grants from the Centre.
He noted that Kerala had benefited from such grants under previous Finance Commissions and said the state should pursue its claims more aggressively.
“Several states are actively pressing for higher allocations. Kerala too should pursue the issue more forcefully to secure its rightful share,” he said. PTI TBA TBA ROH
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