THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The last budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government has announced several schemes for the welfare of backward communities. An allocation of ₹200.94 crore has been made for the development of backward communities, while ₹300 crore has been set aside for the LIFE Mission housing project for Scheduled Castes. In addition, ₹677.17 crore has been allocated for the development of Scheduled Caste students and ₹370 crore for higher education in Scheduled Areas.
Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal said that ₹3 crore will be provided to support self-employment initiatives for widows from backward communities. The budget also allocated ₹94.69 crore for minority welfare and ₹4 crore for overseas scholarship programs for minorities. He said that the allocation for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as well as for the health sector, has been increased by more than 15 percent. ₹10 crore has been allocated for a new scheme for the sustainable development of converted Christians. Balagopal’s budget speech began at 9 am and lasted for 2 hours and 53 minutes. It was the fourth longest budget speech in the history of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, following those presented by former Finance Ministers Thomas Isaac and Oommen Chandy.
Budget focuses on backward classes, funds for Life Mission and student schemes
