When P Chidambaram chose to traverse the middle path in the Union Budget, Kerala’s gain was not up to expectations.
There are no new projects coming its way. But the `75 crore allotted to roll out the pilot scheme to replant and rejuvenate coconut gardens across the state has come as a relief.
Kerala’s tax share went up from `6,840.65 crore last fiscal to `8,143.79 crore.
The `10-crore provision kept as a special package in the Budget to provide relief to farmers in Idukki and Kuttanad for induction of high-yielding milch animals, calf-rearing programme, cattle-breeding and feed and fodder supply programme was part of the state’s demand.
The `130 crore allotted for Kochi Metro as `100 crore equity and `30 crore loan will give a fillip to the project.
`6.80 crore for Kochi Special Economic Zone will boost the confidence of firms planning to open shops there.
Also, the increase of tax-free gold ceiling from `10,000 to `50,000 for men and from `20,000 to `1 lakh for women will be hailed by NRKs.
Kerala is one of the states that stood for the implementation of GST and the implementation of it will benefit the consumerist state.
Kerala’s hope of getting an Indian Institute of Medical Science, International Ayurveda Research Institute and Indian Institute of Technology remains still a distant dream.
The focus given to the rural sector, micro, small and medium enterprises, central assistance for waste-to-energy project and subsidy for agriculture loans are encouraging for the state.