Chandy presents budget amid opposition protests

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Friday presented the 2016-17 budget in the state assembly amidst protests and boycott by opposition LDF demanding his resignation over solar and bar bribery scams.

It was after a 29-year gap that the assembly saw a chief minister presenting the state budget. Chandy is the fourth chief minister of the state to present the budget.

Chandy, who took over the finance portfolio after former finance minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani quit in November 2015 after an adverse remark by High Court on the bar bribery case, presented the budget even as the opposition raised slogans demanding his resignation.

The LDF members holding banners and placards raised slogans for a while even as an unfazed chief minister continued with the budget presentation.

After sloganeering, the LDF members marched out of the House and boycotted the budget presentation.

Chandy in his budget speech highlighted the various achievements, including the Kochi Metro, Kannur airport projects, during his five-year rule.

The house had witnessed unprecedented violence on March 13, 2015 when LDF disrupted the budget presentation by Mani, demanding his resignation.

Other highlights
2506 crore for Kochi Metro, Vizhinjam
100 crore for new dam in Mullaperiyar
50 lakh for National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) 
47 crore for Wayanad Package, 87 crore for Kasargod package
4507 croore for rural development
26 crore to procure core coconut for Rs 25 per kilo
169 crore for fishing sector
764 crore for agricultural sector
To procure rubber for Rs 150 per kilo
99,990 crore for revenue expenses
expected revenue income 84,092 crore
Revenue deficit  9897 crore

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