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Senior CPI(M) person and erstwhile Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal connected Tuesday urged the United Democratic Front (UDF) authorities not to curtail spending oregon schemes successful the upcoming Revised Budget citing fiscal constraints.
The erstwhile Left Democratic Front (LDF) had near State finances successful a comfy position, and the UDF is present successful a presumption to physique connected it, Mr. Balagopal told a property league here.
The erstwhile Finance Minister’s comments person travel up of the presumption of the Revised Budget by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan connected Friday.
Existing schemes, particularly those benefitting marginalised sections, minorities and the SC/ST communities, should not beryllium curtailed, Mr. Balagopal said.
On the alleged hold by the UDF authorities successful releasing the ‘Sthree Suraksha’ pension, helium pointed retired that the past LDF budget, presented successful January this year, had earmarked ₹3,720 crore for the Chief Minister’s ‘Sthree Suraksha Scheme’ which assures a fiscal assistance of ₹1,000 per period to women.
Mr. Balagopal besides urged the State authorities to unit the Centre to merchandise Kerala’s stock from the funds acceptable speech arsenic Revenue Deficit (RD) grant. Although the 16th Finance Commission has not recommended RD grants, the Centre has with it astir ₹6.5 lakh crore nether this component. Himachal Pradesh has already passed a solution seeking restoration of the RD grants, the erstwhile Finance Minister said.
