As assembly polls loom on the horizon, Kerala’s Finance Minister KN Balagopal delivered a full budget rather than a interim vote-on-account, signaling confidence in the LDF government’s agenda. Presented Thursday in Thiruvananthapuram, the budget for the Pinarayi Vijayan-led administration’s second term zeroes in on welfare measures, robust healthcare, and educational empowerment.
Key highlights include accident insurance coverage for all school students from Class 1 to 12, with ₹15 crore provisioned annually to safeguard their futures. Elevating access to higher education, free UG courses in arts and science colleges statewide will remove financial barriers for aspiring youth.
Healthcare gets a major thrust through ‘Medisip 2.0’, an upgraded insurance plan for state employees launching February 1, featuring enhanced benefits and wider network of empaneled hospitals. The scheme extends to pensioners, PSU staff, and cooperative employees, ensuring comprehensive protection.
In a life-saving measure, the ‘Life Saver’ project guarantees free medical care for five days to road accident victims at public and designated private facilities, funded by ₹15 crore. A new insurance initiative targets families outside the Karunya scheme’s ambit, with ₹50 crore budget support. ASHA workers’ remuneration rises by ₹1,000 monthly, boosting morale among community health warriors.
Responding to minority concerns from recent revisions, nativity cards will be issued under fresh legal provisions, backed by ₹10 crore to nurture religious and communal harmony. This budget weaves together populist promises with sustainable policies, reinforcing Kerala’s social democratic ethos ahead of electoral battles.
