Budget brings cheers to north Kerala
The Hindu
New block mooted at MCH to help manage highly contagious diseases
The maiden budget presented by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal has been generally welcomed by various quarters for some of its announcements, including a ₹20,000-crore package to tide over the crisis induced by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State. The proposal to establish a separate block at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital will help effectively manage airborne and highly dangerous contagious diseases such as COVID-19 and Nipah. Kozhikode will get a share of the ₹50 crore earmarked for Thiruvananthapuram medical college as well. The proposal for Norka Self-Employment Scheme for rehabilitating Gulf returnees who lost their jobs will help them rebuild their lives in the State. A total of ₹1,000 crore will be provided as loan at low interest in association with various financial institutions. The budget allocation towards welfare schemes for expatriate Keralites has also been enhanced to ₹170 crore.More Related News
After Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok’s prediction on Saturday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will step down in November 2025 triggered intense political discussions in the State, Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Sunday said Mr. Siddaramaiah will continue for the full five-year term.