The undemocratic nature of the prevailing Centre-State relations has created roadblocks in Kerala’s development process, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
He also accused the Central government of denying assistance on the pretext of the State’s progress in various fields including education, health and social welfare. He was speaking while inaugurating a seminar on ‘Rebuilding a New Kerala and the 2019-2020 State Budget,’ organised by the AKG Centre for Research and Studies here on Tuesday.
Mr. Vijayan was critical of the Centre’s purported stance of doing away with the process of holding deliberations with States prior to the preparation of the General Budget. “By scrapping the Planning Commission, the Central government has been relying on consultants for budget preparation. The process was currently being undertaken without understanding the actual requirements,” he said.
In contrast to the stance of the Central government, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) had been proving its accountability by sticking to its pre-poll manifesto and releasing progress reports every year. Manifestos were not meant to be confined to the cupboards, but to be realised to fulfil the trust reposed in the government by the public, he added.
He also dismissed claims that the State budget would lead to price rise of essential commodities. The budget had allocated ₹1,785 crore for market intervention, Mr. Vijayan said.
The Chief Minister held the opinion that the prominence accorded for projects to uphold the renaissance values were aimed at ensuring equality irrespective of religion, caste or gender. The welfare enjoyed by women and children must be seen as a yardstick of a State’s development. Besides, the prevalence of communal harmony and peace was essential for the State to realise its development goals.
Budget
Speaking on the occasion, Kerala State Planning Board vice-chairman V.K. Ramachandran said there had been no other budget that had dedicated as much investment for people’s welfare. A unique feature of the budget, announced in the post-flood scenario, is the ₹4,700-crore livelihood development package that aimed at facilitating wage employment, self employment, and skill employment.
CPI (M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan presided over the seminar. Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan, LDF convener and AKG Centre for Research and Studies Director A. Vijayaraghavan, Planning Board members K.N Harilal, CPI (M) central committee member M.V. Govindan, and district secretary Anavoor Nagappan were also present on the occasion.