Thiruvananthapuram,19 June (H.S.):The first revised State Budget presented by the newly elected UDF government has unveiled a series of welfare-oriented and strategic initiatives aimed at fulfilling key election promises while strengthening Kerala’s healthcare, cultural and higher education sectors.

Presenting the Budget in the Kerala Assembly, Chief Minister and Finance Minister V.D. Satheesan announced a range of flagship projects that reflect the government’s commitment to social welfare and development. Several of the initiatives were among the major assurances made by the UDF during the Assembly election campaign.

The most significant announcement was the launch of the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme, named after former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The programme, one of the UDF’s key manifesto commitments, seeks to provide universal health coverage for families across the state. Under the scheme, every family will be eligible for free health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh annually. An initial allocation of ₹10 crore has been earmarked in the Budget to begin implementation of the ambitious project.

In a major boost to Kerala’s film industry, the government announced the establishment of the J.C. Daniel International Film City in Kochi. Named after J.C. Daniel, widely regarded as the father of Malayalam cinema, the state-of-the-art facility is expected to create new opportunities for film production, training and technological innovation in the entertainment sector. The Budget has set aside ₹100 crore for the project.

The government also proposed the creation of the Johnson Master Music Academy in Thrissur, paying tribute to the late and celebrated music composer Johnson Master. Envisioned as a premier institution for music education and research, the academy aims to nurture emerging talent and promote excellence in music. A sum of ₹50 crore has been allocated for the project.

Another notable cultural initiative announced in the Budget is the establishment of the M.T. Vasudevan Nair Cultural Park in Kozhikode. The park will honour the contributions of the legendary writer and Jnanpith awardee M.T. Vasudevan Nair and is expected to serve as a major cultural and literary landmark in the state.

The Budget’s emphasis on healthcare, arts and education signals the UDF government’s intention to combine welfare measures with long-term investments in Kerala’s cultural and social infrastructure while delivering on promises made to voters during the election campaign.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman