The Opposition on Tuesday attempted to put the government in the dock in the Assembly on the charge of splurging on luxury vehicles when the State was in the grip of a worsening financial crisis.
Congress legislator Shafi Parambil said the political executive appeared to suffer from an insatiable appetite for top segment automobiles despite the State’s finances hitting a downward spiral.
He mocked Finance Minister Thomas Isaac’s appeal for additional funds to meet unforeseen expenditure as an unabashed plea to the legislature for “more money to buy more luxury vehicles”.
Mr. Parambil said page after page of the supplementary demands for grants moved by the government reflected the political executive’s penchant for fancy cars.
The Finance Minister had even sought funds to buy two reinforced Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) for the exclusive use of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his New Delhi visits.
The proposal was ridiculous given the Chief Minister’s relatively low threat perception level and the high security in place in the national capital. “Dr Isaac should drop the proposal,” he said.
Dr. Isaac replied that he had made the process of procurement open, transparent, and verifiable.
Dr. Isaac announced the formation of the Kerala State Social Security Board to integrate all welfare pensions under a single umbrella. The Assembly passed the demand for supplementary grants by vote. It will convene next Monday again.