Thiruvananthapuram, 15 June (H.S.):

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will not be available for meetings with visitors until June 19 as he is engaged in the final stages of preparing the UDF government’s maiden State Budget, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) announced on Monday.

In a statement, the CMO said members of the public, party workers and other visitors would not be able to meet the Chief Minister in person during this period. The office expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused and sought the cooperation and understanding of the public.

According to the statement, the Chief Minister is fully occupied with consultations and preparations related to the Budget, which is scheduled to be presented in the State Assembly on Friday. The government has described the Budget as a crucial policy document aimed at ensuring the State’s overall development and strengthening public welfare initiatives.

“The Chief Minister is engaged in the intensive work of finalising a Budget focused on the comprehensive development of the State and the welfare of its people. Therefore, he will not be in a position to meet visitors directly until June 19. We regret the inconvenience caused and request the wholehearted cooperation of the public,” the statement said.

The CMO also appealed for public support, stating that the Budget preparation process is an important responsibility undertaken in the interest of Kerala’s future growth and prosperity.

The upcoming Budget is expected to be the first full-fledged financial statement of the newly elected UDF government led by Satheesan. Government sources have indicated that the Budget will be presented under the theme “Good Governance and Compassion” and is likely to reflect an international development-oriented vision for Kerala.

One of the key expectations from the Budget is the allocation of funds for implementing the government’s flagship “Indira Guarantee” commitments announced during the Assembly election campaign. The Budget is also expected to outline the government’s priorities in welfare, infrastructure development, employment generation and public services.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman