Kerala Congress (M) chairman and Finance and Law Minister K.M. Mani will turn 80 on Wednesday.
There would be no birthday celebrations for Mr. Mani who will be busy with the process of preparing his 11th budget. Top on his agenda for the day is the Cabinet meeting at 9 a.m. and followed by pre-budget discussions with representatives of various organisations.
Born on January 30, 1933, Mr. Mani has never looked back in Kerala politics since his debut as a legislator in 1965. He is credited with several firsts, including a record 12-term as Member of the Legislative Assembly, of having presented the maximum number of budgets and holding the portfolio of Law for the maximum number of times.
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Mr. Mani’s supporters are looking forward to some novel budget proposals this year. In his first two budgets, he formulated the Self-entrepreneur Development Mission and Karunya Benevolent Fund, besides promoting hi-tech farming and agriculture parks with sizable budget allocations.
“We are sure there would be some sparks in the upcoming budget that would give a fillip to the State’s development,” said a senior Kerala Congress (M) leader.