State Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presented the sixth consecutive budget of the LDF government in the Kerala Assembly, choosing a full budget over a vote-on-account despite upcoming elections. The budget prioritizes social security, healthcare, education, and inclusive welfare measures, with a special focus on students, workers, and vulnerable groups. Notably, the budget introduces accident insurance for students from Classes 1 to 12, with an annual cost of Rs 15 crore fully covered.
The government’s budget also includes significant initiatives for education and healthcare. It offers free undergraduate education for Arts and Science students in Kerala, extending free education beyond Class 12 for the first time. Additionally, ‘Medisep 2.0’, an upgraded health insurance scheme for government employees, will be launched on February 1, providing enhanced benefits and broader hospital coverage. The scheme will also be extended to pensioners, public sector employees, and cooperative institution workers.
Furthermore, a new public health initiative called the “Life Saver” project will provide free treatment for road accident victims for the first five days in government and selected private hospitals. The budget also allocates Rs 50 crore for a new health insurance scheme targeting families not covered under the existing Karunya health scheme. ASHA workers will see a Rs 1,000 increase in their monthly honorarium, and a Nativity Card supported by new legislation will be introduced to address concerns raised by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
In a move to promote religious and communal harmony, the government has allocated Rs 10 crore, emphasizing its commitment to welfare-driven governance, healthcare expansion, and educational accessibility. The budget reflects the government’s dedication to continuing its social sector initiatives into the final year of its second term.
