Kerala budget 2020: Welfare pensions hiked by Rs 100

KOCHI: Finance minister Thomas Isaac has announced a hike of Rs 100 in all welfare pensions. Presenting the budget for the financial year 2020-21 in the assembly on Friday, Isaac also announced a special coastal package of Rs 1,000 crore.
Isaac, who began his budget speech launching a scathing attack on the central government over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act also slammed the BJP-led government for slashing Kerala's allocation.
Stating that the country is heading for a financial meltdown similar to one witnessed in 2009, Isaac said that the centre was trying to spread hatred and bigotry through programmes like National Register of Citizenship (NRC) than focussing on health of economy.
Isaac also said the state's economy grew by 7.2% during the last four years.
State government would follow a path of austerity and cut down on unwanted expenses, finance minister Thomas Isaac said ahead of the state budget.
Stating that Kerala would overcome the fiscal crisis that it currently faces next year, Isaac said that the government intends to save Rs 1,500 crore by avoiding unwanted expenditure.
Centre had reduced states share of taxes to Rs 15,236 crore in the year 2020-21 from 17,872 crore the previous year.