Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 29 (PTI) Apparently eyeing the upcoming assembly elections, Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Thursday unveiled a people-focused budget for 2026-27, promising a massive Rs 14,500 crore boost to help social security pensioners and fund a series of new community programmes.
He also announced the 12th Pay Revision Commission in the state budget, continuing the long-standing policy of reviewing government employees' salaries every five years.
Presenting the second Pinarayi Vijayan-led government's sixth budget in the Legislative Assembly, Balagopal announced that the honorarium of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers has been hiked by Rs 1,000 per month and that of Anganwadi helpers by Rs 500.
The pay of pre-primary teachers and literacy mission motivators has been increased by Rs 1,000 per month and the daily wages of school cooking staff have been raised by Rs 25 per day, he said.
The budget also announced Rs 3,700 crore for the Chief Minister's Stree Suraksha Scheme.
Besides that, an increase in allocation for the rural employment scheme by Rs 1,000 crore as compared to previous years, life and health insurance schemes for all categories of people, including school children, and free degree education for students in arts and science colleges were also announced in the budget.
The budget also announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore for the initial works in connection with the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod that was given in-principle approval by the state cabinet on Wednesday.
It also announced around Rs 150 crore for the development of the coastal region.
The budget also announced over Rs 250 crore for forest and wildlife protection.
In the budget speech, Balagopal criticised the Central government, alleging that the Centre is "strangling" Kerala and cutting down its tax revenues. "Despite severe neglect, Kerala has progressed," the finance minister said.
The 12th Pay Revision Commission is expected to submit its report within three months for timely action.
The budget also confirmed that all pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) arrears for employees and pensioners will be cleared.
One installment will be paid with the February salary, and the remaining dues with March pay.
The House Building Advance for employees will be reinstated, providing support for staff housing needs.
On pensions, the finance minister formally announced the Assured Pension Scheme, replacing the contributory National Pension System (NPS) for eligible employees.
Under the scheme, retirees will receive up to 50 per cent of their last drawn salary, with DR included.
Employees currently under NPS can choose to switch to the assured pension plan. A system will be set up to manage government contributions, and detailed guidelines will be issued by April 1.
"The budget aims to ensure fair pay and financial security for government employees while continuing Kerala's growth trajectory," Balagopal said.
The Kerala budget also unveiled various populist measures, one of them being a green transition scheme in the autorickshaw employment sector.
The finance minister said that the autorickshaw workers are the backbone of the state's transport system and they were facing a crisis on account of central government policies and hike in fuel price.
In order to protect them, the government was coming out with various steps, including an Environment Friendly Change (Green Transition) - one time scrappage bonus of upto Rs 40,000 will be sanctioned for those who buy new electric autos, scrapping the old petrol and diesel versions, the minister said.
He further said that an interest subsidy of 2 per cent will be given for loans availed from selected public sector banks for purchasing electric autorickshaws. "Rs 20 crore is set apart for executing these schemes," Balagopal said.
In addition to that, the government was preparing a plan to convert more than five thousand informal auto stands in Kerala to smart micro hubs, he said.
"Worker friendly auto stands, suitable for each area, will be constructed. Facilities, including solar based charging units, will be equipped there. Rs 20 crore will be set apart for this scheme," the minister said.
Focusing on women's healthcare, the finance minister announced that Rs 3 crore will be allocated to set up specialised menopause clinics in district hospitals.
Menopause, a natural phase in a woman's life, is often overlooked despite its profound physical and emotional impact.
Women can experience hormonal imbalances, sleep disorders, mental stress, and bone-related problems, leaving many in need of dedicated support.
The new clinics aim to provide medical consultations, mental health counselling, screenings for heart, bone, and hormonal health, along with medicines and guidance--all at a single location.
Kerala follows in the footsteps of Maharashtra, which became the first state in India to launch dedicated menopause clinics in government hospitals and urban health facilities.
Maharashtra launched the initiative on Makar Sankranti (January 14) this year. PTI TGB HMP KH
(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)
