Thiruvananthapuram: The budget session of the Kerala Assembly commenced on Monday with the policy address of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
Kerala has achieved an economic growth of 17 per cent despite the financial crisis, the Governor said during his address at the 8th session of the 15th Legislative Assembly.
The policy address also mentioned that Kerala was successful in creating an environment conducive for businesses.
The Governor also stated that the state government will aim at reducing unemployment and helping the weaker sections of the society. The Life Mission project will continue to help the economically weaker sections, the Governor said.
In a slight rebuke to the Centre, the policy address also highlighted the importance of cooperative federalism.
The speech also underlined the importance of constitutional values and unity in diversity.
The Cabinet had approved the Governor’s draft policy address after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked a ministerial-level meeting not to be too critical of the Governor and the Centre in the policy declaration speech to be read out by the Governor.
The Cabinet reportedly decided not to include any politically critical references in the speech to be read out by the Governor.
The speech has references to the proposed changes to be brought in by the Government in the Higher Education sector but will be silent on the interventions made by the Governor in his capacity as Chancellor. Similarly, the criticism of the Centre will be limited to matters like the refusal to allow an increase in the State’s annual borrowing limit.
The Opposition raised slogans during the policy address of the Governor.
Budget presentation on Feb 3
Finance Minister K N Balagopal will present his third budget on February 3.
There will be no session on Tuesday. Even though the House has to function on Wednesday according to the present agenda, the Business Advisory Committee that will convene tomorrow will decide to cancel the session for that day.
The motion of thanks for the Governor’s address will be moved on February 1, to be followed by the debate on it.
The Assembly that will continue functioning till February 10, will resume the session on February 27 and it will be prorogued after passing the budget before March 30. Thus it will be the longest session of the House calendar.
The business of the House will be totally dedicated to issues pertaining to the Budget.
If passing of any legislation is needed, the Business Advisory Committee will meet and include it in the agenda.
As the Budget is being presented a year ahead of the Lok Sabha election the Finance Minister may seek to raise the maximum revenue. The hike in water tariff just ahead of the Budget is a pointer in this direction.