THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's Finance Minister, K.N Balagopal, is presenting the state's 2025-26 budget, which is his fifth and final full budget under the second Pinarayi Vijayan government. The government is facing financial difficulties and has limited options to raise more funds due to the GST system. 

The state will have to rethink some decisions, like introducing a road fee for KIIFB-funded roads. Some past tax hikes might be reduced because land sales have slowed down, but government service fees could still increase. The government is also expected to blame the central government for the financial strain.

In this budget, the government has announced money for various important areas like public services, education, and health. The major highlights include:

• Rs.107 crore for BS6 buses to improve public transport.
• Rs.5 crore for the GCDA, which will fund a She Hostel.
• Rs.30 crore for Sreenarayana Open University.
• Rs.150.81 crore for NORKA Roots, helping expatriates.
• Rs.402 crore for the school noon meals program.
• Rs.100 crore for power generation projects in Kerala.
• Rs.15 crore for expanding WiFi hotspots.
• Rs.8.96 crore for the Champions Boat League.
• Rs.30 crore for the Vidya Vahini Project to boost digital learning.
• Rs.21 crore to set up stroke units in district hospitals.
• Rs.15 crore for the National Nutrition Mission.
• Rs.210 crore for infrastructure projects under the Nava Kerala Sadass initiative.
• Rs.100 crore for the Aswasakiranam social security scheme, doubling last year's funds, though only 20% was used last year.
• Rs.5 crore for CDS financial aid.
• Rs.500 crore for new projects under Nava Kerala.
• Rs.5 crore for modernization of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
• Rs.104 crore for Home Department improvements.
• Rs.20 crore for jail modernization.
• Rs.23.9 crore for GST department projects.
• Rs.18 crore for better judicial infrastructure.
• Rs.300 crore raised to Rs.600 crore for Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), with plans to increase it to Rs.800 crore.
• Rs.2 crore for napkin vending machines in schools.
• Rs.1,000 crore for the Rebuild Kerala initiative.
• Rs.56.56 crore for a food safety project.
• Rs.15 crore for renovating Supplyco outlets.

Kerala Budget 2025-26  goes on LIVE....

The ongoing Kerala Budget session, which started from  January 17 with a policy address by the State Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, going on LIVE today, February 7, after a break. The session is hopefully to focus on several key developments, with the Kerala economy and social welfare Schemes at the forefront of discussions.