Despite opposition Kerala CM Chandy presents budget

The Kerala Budget 2016, presented by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, imposed a 20 per cent tax on all plastic bags – including non-woven polypropylene bags – in a bid to have a plastic-free state. Rs 2536.07 crore was earmarked for 17 priority infrastructure development works. “I have set aside Rs100mn for commencing Air Kerala”.

Three new agriculture colleges and a new agri-polytechnic will be set up in the new fiscal.

Mr. Chandy in his Budget speech highlighted various achievements, including the Kochi Metro, Kannur airport project during his five years rule.

Chandy is the first chief minister in 29 years to present the budget in the House.

After KM Mani, the state finance minister, quit following an adverse court remark past year, the finance portfolio was handled by Mr Chandy.

The LDF members holding banners and placards raised slogans for a while even as an unfazed Chief Minister continued with the Budget presentation.

The opposition walked out of the house and boycotted the session. The most important of the measures was the allocation of Rs 500 crore to help the small growers in the rubber sector.

Chandy had rejected the allegations as baseless and maintained they were part of a “conspiracy” by a section of bar owners, who lost business due to government’s new liquor policy that closed down 700 odd bars and CPI-M in the state. “It will be done once we get the Centre’s sanction to commence flights to the Middle-East countries from here”, Chandy said in his speech while presenting the budget in the Kerala assembly.