• Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presented a people-centric Budget for 2026-27, allocating ₹14,500 crore for social security pensioners and new community programs, with an apparent focus on upcoming Assembly elections.
• Key announcements include a ₹1,000 monthly honorarium hike for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, a ₹500 increase for Anganwadi helpers, and raises for pre-primary teachers, literacy mission motivators, and school cooking staff.
• The Budget also earmarks ₹3,700 crore for the Chief Minister's Stree Suraksha Scheme, increases rural employment scheme allocation by ₹1,000 crore, introduces life and health insurance for all, and proposes free degree education in arts and science colleges, alongside allocations for the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod RRTS and coastal/forest development.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-budget-with-an-apparent-eye-on-assembly-polls-ldf-announces-people-centric-schemes/article70564160.ece