THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant political and historical milestone, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is all set to present the new UDF government’s revised state budget on June 19. By holding the Finance portfolio and taking up the budget presentation, Satheesan joins an elite and short line of Congress Chief Ministers in Kerala’s political history who have directly presented the state budget in the Legislative Assembly.
The unique situation arose after Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan took additional charge of the Finance Department. With the state budget discussions underway and the revised financial layout scheduled for presentation on the 19th of this month, the responsibility of presenting the government’s maiden budget falls directly on his shoulders.
A Look Back at History
Satheesan is only the third Congress Chief Minister to present a state budget in Kerala. The history of his predecessors highlights the rare political circumstances that lead to a Chief Minister presenting the financial blueprint:
Oommen Chandy (2016-17): The most recent occurrence was during the final year of the Oommen Chandy-led UDF government. Following the high-profile resignation of the then Finance Minister K.M. Mani, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy assumed charge of the Finance portfolio. Consequently, he presented the state budget for the financial year 2016-17.
R. Sankar (1963-64 & 1964-65): Before Oommen Chandy, veteran leader R. Sankar accomplished this feat. He presented the state budgets for the consecutive financial years of 1963-64 and 1964-65 while serving as the Chief Minister.
As V.D. Satheesan steps up to deliver the revised budget speech on June 19, he carries on a historic legacy, walking the path of stalwarts like R. Sankar and Oommen Chandy. The upcoming budget is highly anticipated as it will unveil the new UDF administration’s economic vision and welfare roadmaps.
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