Kerala for cut in uncontrolled revenue expenditure: Isaac

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 12 (UNI) The Kerala Government today said uncontrolled revenue expenditure should be cut for bettering the financial position of the State even as it expected capital investment of Rs 6,000 crore by 2010-2011.

Winding up the debate on Budget which was passed after a verbal duel between the Opposition and the Treasury Benches, State Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac said declared goods were exempt from one per cent cess and ten per cent surcharge, taking into account the price hike.

He said the revenue expenditure should be contained between eight to nine per cent.

Dr Issac also offered Rs one crore for the State to bid for National Games.

''A proposal has been submitted for having National Games in the State. For bidding, an amount of Rs one crore is needed,'' he told the Assembly.

He also set apart an additional Rs one crore to each constituency for development works. The PWD also got an additional Rs one crore apart from the Rs one crore already allotted.

Apart from a revival package for the Kerala State Housing Board, the Finance Minister also said 50,000 houses would be built under the EMS Housing Scheme.

The government was ready to give compensation for lands acquired for Kannur and Karipur Airports, Vizhinjam Port, Kochi Metro and four lane road projects, he added.

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