Highlights of Kerala's Election oriented Budget 2021-2022

The Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac presented the state's Financial Budget for the year 2021-2022 today. As there are only hardly 4 months left for the state Assembly Elections, this budget is considered as an interim budget even though the ruling LDF government claims it will be a regular one!

As this budget is presented keeping mainly the Assembly Elections in May, it is better to state it as a 'Welfare Budget'! Without giving any valid details of generating income, huge amounts are allocated for the welfare of people without hurting anyone carefully! By presenting the budget for 3 hours and 15 minutes, Thomas Isaac broke the 'record' of former finance UDF minister K M Mani.

Here are the main points of the Kerala Budget 2021-22:

* All welfare pensions are hiked to Rs. 1600/- per month wef April 2021.

* Rs 1000 increased in honorarium for people's representatives.

* Rs 1000 hiked in Asha workers monthly allowance.

* Allowance of pre-primary ayahs lifted upto Rs 1000.

* Honorarium of 'school councillors' made Rs 24,000.

* Rs 1000 hiked in the Monthly allowance of School librarians.

* NRI pension will be Rs 3500/per month and NRI returnees pension is Rs. 3000/per month.

* The covid-19 food kit for all Ration card holders (APL/BPL) will continue further.

* 10 Kg rice @ Rs 15 (1.50 per kg) for APL (white/blue card holders)

* Employment opportunity for 8 lakh jobless people.

* Laptop for all homes.

* Free internet for BPL families.

* Jobs for 20 lakh people within 5 years.

* Launching Kerala Government's 'digital employment platform' for the unemployed to register and get jobs.

* Financial support to '2500 start-ups' to give jobs to 25,000.

* More houses to be constructed and distributed through 'life mission project'.

* 150000 houses to be completed within one year.

* Special rehabilitation program and packages for NRI returnees.

* Special support for 'work from home'.

* 'Karunya home project' for door delivery of medicines to the aged.

* The base prize of rubber is hiked to Rs.170.

*