Union Minister George Kurian mentioned that if Kerala desires extra funds from the Centre, the state ought to declare that it’s backward when it comes to training, infrastructure, and social welfare.
The comment from Kurian, whereas chatting with reporters within the nationwide capital, got here within the wake of intense criticism of the union finances 2025-26 from the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress in Kerala, which on Saturday accused the central authorities of “neglecting” all the state’s calls for.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state Finance Minister Ok N Balagopal, and Chief of Opposition within the state meeting V D Satheesan mentioned that a number of of the state’s calls for, together with a particular monetary package deal of Rs 24,000 crore and one other package deal for the rehabilitation of Wayanad, have been “ignored” within the finances.
They termed the finances “condemnable”, “extraordinarily disappointing” and “unlucky”.
Following their remarks, Kurian, the Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs, mentioned that the Centre allocates such monetary packages to states which might be backward on varied indices.
“You announce that Kerala is backward, that it doesn’t have roads, good training, and many others. For those who say that Kerala is behind different states when it comes to training, infrastructure, and social welfare, then the (Finance) Fee will look at it and provides a report back to the central authorities.
The central authorities will take a choice primarily based on the report. It doesn’t resolve by itself,” he mentioned.
Irked by his remarks, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan hit again, saying that the Centre desires Kerala to be backward, “however that won’t occur”.
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He mentioned that the central authorities is meant to assist Kerala develop additional, “as an alternative of asking it to go backwards”.
“So, George Kurian’s assistance is for Kerala to go backwards,” he contended whereas talking at an occasion within the state capital.
