THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – In a bold move ahead of state assembly elections, Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal presented the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s sixth consecutive budget in the assembly on Thursday. Defying convention, which typically calls for a vote-on-account in election years, the full-fledged budget underscores the Pinarayi Vijayan administration’s commitment to social welfare amid political uncertainties.
The budget places heavy emphasis on social security, healthcare, and education, with targeted initiatives for students, laborers, and vulnerable groups. A standout announcement is the launch of accident insurance for students from Class 1 to 12, backed by an annual allocation of ₹15 crore. This scheme aims to provide financial protection to young learners against unforeseen mishaps.
In higher education, the government has pledged free undergraduate education for arts and science students across the state, marking a transformative step toward accessible quality learning. Health reforms dominate the fiscal blueprint, highlighted by the upgraded ‘Medisip 2.0’ insurance scheme for government employees, set to roll out on February 1. This enhanced version promises superior benefits and expanded hospital coverage.
Extending the Medisip model, pensioners, public sector undertaking employees, and cooperative society workers will now receive similar insurance coverage, broadening the safety net. A groundbreaking public health initiative, the ‘Life Saver’ project, offers free treatment for the first five days to road accident victims in government and select private hospitals, with ₹15 crore earmarked for implementation.
Addressing gaps in existing schemes, a new health insurance program for families excluded from the Karunya health scheme has been introduced, allocated ₹50 crore. ASHA workers receive a monthly honorarium hike of ₹1,000, acknowledging their frontline contributions. To foster religious harmony and address concerns from religious minorities flagged in the Special Intensive Revision, the government announced nativity cards supported by new legislation, with ₹10 crore allocated for promoting communal harmony.
This comprehensive budget not only reflects fiscal prudence but also a visionary approach to inclusive development, positioning Kerala as a leader in welfare-oriented governance.
