Kerala Budget: ₹1,160 Cr allocated for LIFE Mission, ₹700 Cr for Karunya Benevolent Fund

 Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal, presenting the fifth and final budget of the Pinarayi Vijayan Government, announced Rs 1,160 crore for the LIFE Mission Project and RS 700 crore for the Karunya Benevolent Fund for 2025-26.

Balagopal highlighted that Kerala has spent Rs 38,128 crore on healthcare over the past three years, offering the highest volume of free treatments in the country. The Karunya Benevolent Fund, which provides up to Rs 5 lakh annually for medical assistance to 42 lakh families, has already received Rs 3,967.3 crore from the government—exceeding initial budget allocations. For 2025-26, Rs 700 crore has been set aside in the first phase for this flagship healthcare initiative.