Fri Jan 17 15:29:37 UTC 2025: **Kerala UDF Slams Government’s Policy Address as Lacking Substance**

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, January 17, 2025 – The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala has strongly criticized the state government’s policy address, calling it devoid of substance and a coherent strategy to address the state’s worsening financial crisis.

In a statement released today, the UDF highlighted several key failings. The address lacked a plan to tackle the escalating cost of living, and failed to offer solutions to livelihood issues. The UDF described the address as merely a series of declarations, pointing to an “administrative vacuum” within the state government.

The opposition also criticized the government’s handling of human-wildlife conflict, noting a rise in attacks and raids on farmlands, pushing farmers into financial ruin due to inadequate and infrequent government compensation. The policy address, according to the UDF, ignored the plight of rubber and paddy farmers, remaining silent on increasing minimum support prices.

Further criticism targeted the government’s “housing for the poor” program, hampered by insufficient funds, and the allowance of new liquor shops despite their potential negative socioeconomic impact. The UDF accused the government of wrongly blaming the stoppage of GST compensation and reduced revenue deficit grants for the financial crisis, instead pointing to failures in tax administration and a ₹100-crore loss from a risky investment by the Kerala Finance Corporation. The government’s decision to tax the Kerala State Electricity Board, leading to higher tariffs for consumers, was also condemned.

The UDF’s statement concludes by emphasizing the lack of effective strategies within the policy address to address the multifaceted challenges facing Kerala.

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