“Kerala Budget-2026 is by and large a welfare budget, presented in an election year, which has declared Rs 14,500 crore for social security pensions and more than Rs 3,800 crore for newly-declared backward women’s pension. It is focused on the welfare of common people, having higher allocations to ASHA-anganwadi workers, mid-day meal workers, ‘Life Mission’ and all backward- SC/ST welfare schemes. It is aimed at creating demand and boost consumption at the ground level, which is good for a consumer state like Kerala. It is also a pro-growth budget that envisages significant investments in Kerala’s industrial and infrastructure sectors. Special mention is required in its focus on Vizhinjam Port’s further expansion/ land acquisition, incentive for converting diesel-petrol autos to e-autos, and its emphasis on developing private industrial parks, revival of state PSUs, health, school education, and Kerala’s traditional sectors such as Coir, Cashew, Paddy, Fruits and Vegetable production. Thus, the Budget touches all sectors – from grassroots workers to state employees, which has a more powerful political undertone than sticking to fiscal parameters.”
