THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst rumours Kerala Congress supremo K M Mani is leaning towards the Left, the former Finance Minister has criticised the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government on completion of its first year in office.
In an article, Mani likened many reforms mooted by the Finance Department to those in the Tugluq era.
“The hallmarks of the two budgets under the Left Government in a year were Budget-KIIFB = Zero,” he said. “The government has failed to come up with any income generating projects either,” he said.
“The idea mooted under the banner of KIIFB was to source money for infrastructure development through a non-budgetary route. In the two budgets, projects worth `50,000 crore were announced. But no project was started till date,” Mani said.
Mani said after launching a propaganda the security component of KSFE chits will be transferred to the Kerala Infrastructure and Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), nothing was done to amend Chitty Act or approach the Reserve Bank for permission.
“Income generating projects mooted by the former government like the Kochi Metro, Kannur airport or the Vizhinjam project have not been piloted. The revenue of the state is bound to go up three-fold once the GST is implemented in the country,” he said.
“Prices of essential commodities have doubled, against a promise that it will be kept at the same level for five years. Middlemen have siphoned off the subsidy amount given to bring rice to the state at a lower price. Ration cards have not been distributed.” Mani said the fee for medical courses, which was hiked at the rate of 10 per cent annually for five years under the former government, has been jacked up to 115 per cent in a single year now. “Five medical colleges started by the former government have been closed down,” he said.
Words of praise
Mani, however, had a few words of praise. “Total electrification in the state is indeed an achievement of the government. Progress in the Life Mission project is a solace to the poor. Decision to continue the Karunya project initiated by me is commendable. Announcement that the income support scheme for rubber growers will continue is a welcome sign,” he said.