Kerala CM VD Satheesan announces 100-day action plan comprising 541 programs; finance bill passed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has announced the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s first 100-day action plan, which comprises 541 developmental and welfare programs. The Chief Minister made the announcement during his reply speech to the budget discussion in the Legislative Assembly, following which the house adjourned sine die.

Chief Minister Satheesan clarified that the countdown for the extensive action plan begins immediately. To ensure timely implementation and accountability, the government will conduct progress evaluations every 20 days. The policy roadmap was unveiled shortly after the assembly passed the crucial Finance Bill in the absence of the opposition block.

Despite facing intense protests and controversies, the assembly successfully passed the Finance Bill, which includes a revised tax structure that lowers the tax on low-alcohol beverages. Taking a veiled swipe at internal critics within the ruling UDF coalition, the Chief Minister remarked that certain individuals had aligned themselves with the opposition in a targeted attempt to diminish the brilliance of the state budget.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan strongly criticised the fiscal measures introduced by the government. Vijayan alleged that the decision to reduce taxes on low-alcohol beverages lacked transparency and was surreptitiously "smuggled" into the final budget.