Thiruvananthapuram: The budget session of Kerala Assembly commenced with the Governor's policy address on Friday. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan delivered his address as part of the budget session while the Opposition staged a walkout in protest. 

The opposition leaders displayed banners and placards demanding the government to step down before walking out of the Assembly in protest against Speaker Sreeramakrishnan and the LDF government.

The Governor expressed his dissatisfaction when slogans were raised during his policy address and requested the protesting UDF MLAs thrice to let him complete his constitutional duty. It was after this that the MLAs boycotted the policy address.  

The Governor reached the Assembly building by 9 am on Friday. He was welcomed at the entrance by the Speaker and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. 

Arif Mohammad Khan stated during the address that the pandemic severely affected the economic condition of the country. He listed out the achievements of the LDF government and appreciated them  effective COVID relief activities and for upholding secularism in the country. 

This will be the final Assembly session during the tenure of the current LDF government. 

Some of the important points mentioned by the Governor in his policy address are:

  • LDF government has fulfilled its manifesto.
  • Government managed to create 50,000 job opportunities as part of its 100-day programme.
  • Free food kits were distributed to public during the pandemic.
  • The government stepped forward to protect the secular fabric of the country when Citizenship Amendment Act was passed.
  • Central agencies tried to stall the development projects in the state.
  • Government increased welfare pensions from Rs 600 to Rs 1500.
  • Will give prominence to the rehabilitation of the expats who contributed immensely to the state’s growth.
  • Distributed ration worth Rs 300 crores free of cost to the public during the pandemic.
  • Government was able to stand up for the federalist spirit of the country.
  • Took initiatives to strengthen the public sector institutions in the country.
  • Central Government’s proposed farm bills will benefit corporates and middlemen.
  • Farm bills will detrimentally affect Kerala, which is a consumer state.
  • The protest against farm bills is a great form of resistance.
  • Farm bills will affect the Minimum Support Price scheme. It will take away the farmer’s ability to bargain for a fair price.