Major political parties in Kerala slam budget proposals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major political parties in Kerala slammed the budget proposals of the NDA government led by BJP terming it as very "disappointing".

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President V M Sudheeran said: "As a whole, the budget did not offer anything to Kerala especially the much promised All India Medical Institute".

CPI-M State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said the budget did not have any specific proposals to challenge the main economic problems faced by the country.

There was nothing in the budget to tackle price raise of essential commodities, he said, adding, the budget virtually reconstituted the very foundation policy of the country.

With regards to Kerala, he said budget not only did not hike the allocation to Public Section Undertakings in the state, but also opened up for private sector.

Sanctioning of an IIT was welcome, but rejecting Kerala's claim for AIIMS was not proper, he said.

CPI State Secretary Panniyam Raveendran said proposals would only result in spurt in prices of commodities.

The budget virtually ignored the sufferings of commonman and extended largees to corporates in the country, he said, adding, there was no justification in the move to review the various subsidies now available to people.

The traditional industrial sector have been completely ignored in the budget, he alleged.

Socialist Janata (Democratic) while criticising budget proposals, said it was an illusion to contemplate to make domestic growth depending upon foreign investments.

SJ(D) Secretary General Varghese George warned that allowing 49 per cent FDI in defence sector would result in multi national companies becoming partners in country defence sector.