UDF releases white paper on financial crisis in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 (PTI): The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front on Friday released a white paper on the 'financial crisis' faced by the state and slammed the ruling Left government for its alleged mismanagement of the state's finances.

Opposition leader in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala, who released the white paper, said Kerala was going through the worst financial crisis in the state's history.

"The mismanagement in collecting tax and the extravagance of the state government led to this crisis. The situation is so bad that the state has to depend on the loan amount for flood relief to provide salaries for government employees," Chennithala said.

The white paper was prepared by a UDF committee, headed by VD Satheesan MLA and the committee included MLAs KS Sabarinathan, KNA Khader, M Ummer, Monce Joseph, N Jayarajan and Anoop Jacob.

The document said its aim was to strengthen the financial situation of the state and not indulge in mere politics.

While admitting that the state was facing a serious financial crisis, Finance minister Thomas Isaac blamed the Centre for the situation.

The union government was yet to release about Rs 13,500 crore to the state, he said, adding that the UDF, instead of opposing the Centre, was blaming the state government for the situation.