Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Friday that the Union Budget for the coming year is a realistic one which would benefit the common man and spur economic growth.
The Union Finance Minister had given the green signal for the Kochi Metro Rail project. The allocation of Rs. 100 crore for Kerala Agriculture University was a notable at a time when the State government was focussing on the agriculture front with a view to increase production and achieve value addition. The prices of medicines would come down.
The Chief Minister said that all the Central sector units in the State had received special consideration. The government was also hopeful getting an IIT for Kerala which was to be decided outside the Budget as part of the five year plan of Human Resources Ministry. Similarly, the special financial package, for which Kerala was eligible along with Punjab and West Bengal, was also to be considered outside the Budget.
He said that the State government was not in favour of foreign investment in the retail sector and it did not proposed to review it stand now.
The Railway Budget, Mr. Chandy said, was not to the State’s expectations though it did mention high speed rail project and coach factories proposed in Kerala. The Budget was cutting a new path focussing on modernisation, efficiency and safety of the railways. About one lakh existing vacancies in the Railways were to be filled.
The Chief Minister said that the case against Opposition Leader’s son Arun Kumar was not the priority of the government. The Piravom by-election was the priority. The government did not propose to act in a vindictive manner against Mr. Arun Kumar; but the law would take its course.
He said that the complaint filed by the Opposition against his road show in Piravom constituency was about the number of vehicles. However, most of the vehicles were that of the media. The Opposition Leader had even complained about use of foul language in the campaign!
He noted that the Opposition tirade over the resignation of Neyyattinkara Member of the Assembly R. Selvaraj was directed against him. The party was unable to reply to the questions raised by Mr. Selvaraj. In fact, it was unable to react against Mr. Selvaraj because a sizeable section of the CPI (M) was supporting him in the constituency.
