The Governor also underscored the government's unwavering commitment to the Constitutional principles of secularism, democracy, federalism, and social justice.
Published Jan 17, 2025 | 2:01 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 17, 2025 | 3:39 PM
Governor's address in the Kerala Assembly. (Supplied)
In his maiden address at the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Friday, 17 January, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar painted a stark picture of the state’s fiscal health while underscoring the government’s resolve to navigate financial challenges.
Delivering the policy address at the 13th session of the 15th Kerala Assembly, the Governor expressed serious concerns over the state’s liquidity stress, attributed to a declining share of Union fiscal transfers, cessation of GST compensation, and restrictive borrowing conditions.
The Governor also underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to the Constitutional principles of secularism, democracy, federalism, and social justice.
He emphasised the need to honour diversity while preserving national unity, cautioning against efforts to homogenise differences in a nation built on inclusivity.
Highlighting Kerala’s vision for progress, he stressed collaboration and collective efforts to achieve a just society and a globally admired knowledge hub.
Meanwhile, the Opposition UDF strongly criticised the Governor’s policy address, calling it a deceptive exercise that lacks any concrete measures to address Kerala’s pressing financial and social challenges.
The Governor stated that despite earnest measures to mobilise revenue and rationalize expenditure, the government continues to face financial stress.
Highlighting the state’s dwindling share in the central divisible pool — down from 3.875 percent during the 10th Finance Commission to 1.925 percent under the 15th — he emphasised how these fiscal setbacks have strained Kerala’s ability to maintain financial stability.
In a detailed memorandum presented to the 16th Finance Commission during its December 2024 visit, Kerala highlighted these challenges and requested ameliorative measures.
The tapering of revenue deficit grants and stringent conditions tied to Centrally Sponsored Schemes have compounded the state’s difficulties, even as the government works tirelessly to mobilise its own revenue.
“The cessation of GST compensation and revenue deficit grants coupled with restrictive conditions on Centrally Sponsored Schemes and new borrowing constraints have posed significant fiscal challenges for the government,” said Arlekar in his address.
Despite the financial hurdles, the Governor assured the Assembly that the government remains committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people of Kerala.
The Governor’s address outlined the state’s comprehensive plans to tackle climate change and enhance disaster management capabilities.
The State Disaster Management Plan, along with District and Local Government Plans, will undergo a major update to address emerging challenges.
Emergency Response Teams will be revamped, and tribal hamlets will benefit from the integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific protocols to bolster Tribal Disaster Management Plans.
With rising temperatures, Kerala is set to introduce Local Self-Government (LSG) Heat Action Plans by 2025-26, alongside nature-based solutions to combat coastal erosion and stabilize riverbanks.
Sector-specific disaster management plans will be finalised for schools and hospitals to ensure preparedness across all fronts.
In response to the devastating Meppadi landslide, the government is constructing model resilient townships in Wayanad under a “build-back-better” framework.
These townships will include homes, livelihoods, and public amenities, with a commitment to complete the rehabilitation of affected families within a year, the Governor said.
“The state is steadfast in its mission to build a disaster-resilient Kerala through inclusive planning, innovative policies, and advanced technologies,” he added.
Meanwhile, the state government has pledged to work with the Union Government and implement measures to mitigate the growing impact of climate change, ensuring the state’s preparedness for future challenges.
The state also plans to enhance disaster preparedness with the formation of a Women scuba diving team for rescue operations and the development of multipurpose dams to meet flood control, irrigation, and power generation targets.
The address highlighted that in the health sector, the focus will be on tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs), addressing the challenges of an ageing population, and enhancing resilience against emerging public health threats and climate change.
The Department of Health currently provides pain and palliative care to around 1.14 lakh bed-bound individuals through collaborations with Panchayats, field health workers, and civil society.
“This year, these services will be expanded to include domiciliary care for home-bound individuals with or without co-morbidities, offered free of cost. The initiative will engage local self-governments, volunteers, and civil society across the state,” the Governor said.
To prepare for emerging public health threats, the state will augment its ONE HEALTH platform, developing pandemic preparedness plans at the panchayat level and fostering partnerships with stakeholders to mitigate the impacts of climate change on health systems, he added.
The speech also addressed the formation of an initiative to tackle the “silent epidemic” of antimicrobial resistance.
He said the state government plans to accredit hospitals and Panchayats as “Antibiotic Smart Hospitals” and “Antibiotic Smart Panchayats” based on compliance with specific criteria. Efforts will also focus on making Kerala an “Antibiotic-literate state.”
The Governor indicated that, in digital health, the state is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance services.
Innovations like diabetic retinopathy detection, immunochain systems, and blood bag traceability, developed in collaboration with K-DISC, are part of this effort. Plans are underway to establish a state-of-the-art data analytics unit to drive further advancements in healthcare.
One of the key highlights of the address was the announcement of a comprehensive state policy to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, aiming for a permanent solution through habitat enrichment, landscape-level planning, and other measures.
The government said that efforts have already contributed to a reduction in human casualties caused by wildlife encounters.
Simultaneously, the state reaffirmed its stance on the contentious Mullaperiyar Dam issue.
Adopting the principle of “water to Tamil Nadu and safety to Kerala,” the government pledged to prioritise consensus-building for constructing a new dam, ensuring both safety and equitable water distribution.
Other significant initiatives include integrated water resource management under a forthcoming State Water Policy, efforts to make local bodies self-reliant in water conservation, and multipurpose dam projects to address flood control, irrigation, and electricity needs.
The Governor in his address stated that the government would introduce measures to support women over 40 years of age during perimenopause, with targeted action plans addressing their physical, psychological, and social well-being.
He noted efforts in place to make workplaces more women-friendly, which aim to boost female workforce participation.
Agriculture remains a priority, with plans to create fallow-free villages through the introduction of a “Crop Cultivators Card.”
“Additionally, fertility management centres and satellite breeding units for pigs and goats will address productivity challenges, while programs like ‘Kepco Asraya’ aim to empower women and promote poultry farming among school children. Hi-tech poultry farms and market interventions are also being planned to stabilize prices and boost profitability,” he said.
Arlekar noted that “Angadi Kerala App,” a digital marketplace within the cooperative sector, will be launched to bolster the economy and vocational training initiatives will be implemented for women under the Vanita Federation.
Meanwhile, mobile veterinary services and comprehensive aid for medium-scale dairy farms are expected to strengthen the state’s agrarian ecosystem.
In education, the “Study in Kerala Project” will position the state as a global higher education hub, complemented by skill development centres in higher education institutions, he said.
Other initiatives include the Karmachari Project, offering part-time jobs for students, and the creation of a State Skill Development Plan through district-level summits.
On the technological front, he said the consumer dispute redressal mechanisms will be fully digitised, enabling online filing, hearings, and judgments.
Similarly, the RTI application process will be made fully digital, with provisions for online appeals.
Terming it a “policy statement without any policy,” UDF leaders accused the state government of reducing the address to a mere repetition of outdated declarations, highlighting the Opposition’s claim that Kerala is in a state of “governmentlessness.”
The UDF criticised the government’s claim of a reduction in human-wildlife conflicts, pointing out that over 1,000 lives have been lost and 8,000 injuries reported due to wildlife attacks since 2016.
They also alleged neglect of the agricultural sector, citing the absence of steps to increase the support price of paddy and rubber.
The Opposition challenged the government’s achievements under the LIFE Mission, claiming that while the government built 4.24 lakh houses in eight years, the UDF constructed 4.5 lakh homes in just five years.
They also questioned the government’s stance on banning alcohol, alleging a hidden agenda to open liquor factories, and criticised the lack of measures to curb drug abuse.
The UDF slammed the handling of the financial crisis, accusing the government of failing to increase tax revenue and addressing corruption allegations linked to Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
They also blamed the government for the power sector’s crisis, citing the cancellation of long-term contracts during the UDF tenure.
The statement further highlighted issues in the health sector, arrears in welfare pensions and KSRTC salaries, and a lack of vision for higher education reforms.
The Opposition alleged that waste management claims were exaggerated, with Kerala’s waste being dumped in neighbouring states.
As required under Article 176 of the Constitution, the Governor’s address marks the commencement of the legislature’s first session each year.
While the Governor delivers the speech, the government is solely responsible for its content, which cannot be altered by the Governor.
The policy address was prepared by a Cabinet subcommittee comprising Finance Minister KN Balagopal, Revenue Minister K Rajan, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, Power Minister K Krishnankutty, and Forest Minister AK Saseendran.
Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) A Jayathilak coordinated inputs from various departments to finalise the draft.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
