Thiruvananthapuram: Rising to the popular hashtag #avalkkoppam (with her), which started trending last year following an attack on a popular film actress, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac presented a women-friendly Budget 2018-19
Presenting the Budget in Kerala Assembly, Issac announced Rs 1,267 crore for projects related to women safety and development. This was the Pinarayi Vijayan government’s second Budget this term in the southern state which boasts of India’s highest sex-ratio — 1,084 females per 1,000 males.
According to the 2011 Census, female residents of Kerala outnumber the men by more than 13 lakh.
“The women are not getting the dignity they deserve. While we lead in most sectors, we lack in gender justice. But the women are getting ready to challenge the customs of oppression and shaming. The fierce reaction from women against male hegemony is visible even in the cinema sector. This budget promises support to the advance of women in the march to attain their dignity. Hence, Kerala Budget 2018-19 is being presented with quotes from women writers," the minister said, while introducing the Budget.
In the Budget, the government has proposed to construct working women's hostels and short-stay homes in all 14 districts at a cost of Rs 29.80 crore, while a ‘She Lodge' will be built in Ernakulam at a cost of Rs 4 crore.
Issac’s ninth Budget speech till date lasted two hours and 40 minutes and quoted nearly 20 women writers from Class 10 student NP Sneha to veteran poet-activist Sugathkumari. Apart from the writers, Isaac also mentioned Dr. Mary Punnen Lukose, the surgeon general of erstwhile Tranvacore state and the first woman to be appointed surgeon general in an Indian state at a time when women doctors were a rarity in Europe and America.
While talking about social security measures, Issac quoted writer P Valsala and the late Lalithambika Antharjanam, and pledged Rs 20 crore towards hunger-free Kerala.
The minister, who represents Alappuzha in the Assembly, quoted writer Sarah Thomas while talking about the turbulent life of women in the fishing communities.
Issac allocated Rs 2,500 crore to the Life Mission project which ensure housing for all.
Young writer Indu Menon's reference on rural schools was mentioned by the minister who promised to upgrade them to international standards and quoted Jayshree Misra while pledging increase in aid to special schools from Rs 13 crore to Rs 40 crore.
Popular writer KR Meera was quoted while announcing Kudumbashree initiatives on microfinance, agro schemes, skill training and geriatric care.
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