Last Assembly session of 2nd Pinarayi govt; Governor’s policy address criticises Centre
Thiruvananthapuram: The 16th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly began on Tuesday morning, marking the final sitting before the state heads for the assembly elections and setting the stage for sharp political exchanges between the ruling front and the opposition.
Governor Rajendra Arlekar in his policy address said that Kerala is steadily moving forward on the path of development. The report highlighted that the state government has achieved significant progress over the past 10 years in sectors such as social welfare, infrastructure, and employment generation.
The report further emphasised that the employment guarantee scheme should continue to be implemented in its traditional form, cautioning that any interference by the central government would encroach upon the powers of the state.
Arlekar said due to the restrictions on the state's borrowing limits and adjustments to the Integrated Goods and Services Tax, led to it being denied Rs 17,000 crore in the 2025-26 financial year.
Besides that, it suffered a further "loss" of Rs 4,250 crore due to the "Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) methodology "which deviates from the accepted recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission", he said.
According to the report read out by the Governor, the central government’s reduction of loan limits and other policy measures has drawn criticism, as they may impact state-led initiatives.
Addressing the Assembly, Arlekar noted that Kerala recently had elections for the three-tier local d self-government and the elected people have now taken charge.
Highlighting the Landmark Right to Services Act and legislative initiative to make Malayalam the official language of Kerala, he said, "My government has passed the Landmark Right to Services Act, which provides for declaring notified services as made available if officials connected with them fail to take action within a stipulated time period."
"Another legislation is making our mother-tongue Malayalam the official language of the State, while affording adequate protection to the rights of linguistic minorities in the state," he added.
The motion of thanks to the Governor’s address will be debated on January 22, 27 and 28. Finance Minister K N Balagopal is scheduled to present the Kerala Budget on January 29, with key announcements expected, including the assured pension scheme for employees and teachers.
The session is slated to continue until March 26, though it may be cut short if the Election Commission announces the poll schedule.
Rahul Mamkootathil, who is currently in jail in connection with a sexual assault case, will not attend the session.