Senior CPI(M) leader and former Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Tuesday urged the United Democratic Front (UDF) government not to curtail spending or schemes in the upcoming Revised Budget citing fiscal constraints.

The previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) had left State finances in a comfortable position, and the UDF is now in a position to build on it, Mr. Balagopal told a press conference here.

The former Finance Minister’s comments have come ahead of the presentation of the Revised Budget by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday.

Existing schemes, especially those benefitting marginalised sections, minorities and the SC/ST communities, should not be curtailed, Mr. Balagopal said.

On the alleged delay by the UDF government in releasing the ‘Sthree Suraksha’ pension, he pointed out that the last LDF budget, presented in January this year, had earmarked ₹3,720 crore for the Chief Minister’s ‘Sthree Suraksha Scheme’ which assures a financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month to women.

Mr. Balagopal also urged the State government to pressure the Centre to release Kerala’s share from the funds set aside as Revenue Deficit (RD) grant. Although the 16th Finance Commission has not recommended RD grants, the Centre has with it approximately ₹6.5 lakh crore under this component. Himachal Pradesh has already passed a resolution seeking restoration of the RD grants, the former Finance Minister said.