Kerala needs to tweak its policies to benefit

KOCHI: The state government will have to tweak polices in farming, health and infrastructure to take advantages of the proposals in the Union  Budget presented on Thursday.  Even though reactions to the Union Budget were on predictable lines with the Congress and CPM leaders making critical comments, trade and industry in the state welcomed the proposals. Experts in the health sector have pointed out that the state government should modulate its health insurance policy to take full advantage of the new National Health Protection Scheme announced by the finance minister. 

The opportunity should be used to bring the coverage to those left out in the existing schemes. The focus placed on the aviation sector is also expected to bring benefits to the state, especially for the Kannur Airport and the proposed air-strips in areas with potential for tourism. The Rs 10,000 crore announced for the fisheries sector is also expected to benefit the coastal community in the state.

The Rs 1,290 crore announced for encouraging bamboo products is another area beneficial to the state. Even though Jaitely spent much of his budget speech for the agriculture sector the farming community in Kerala, depending mainly on cash crops, may have to wait for the details of the allocation before making any positive comments. The failure to mention anything about the rubber farmers, currently reeling under a price crash, has already been pointed out by political leaders in the state.