Bringing out white paper is like seeking anticipatory bail: ISSAC

Kochi, May 19 : Welcoming the new Kerala Finance Minister K M Mani's decision to bring out a white paper on the financial position of the state, his predecessor and senior CPI(M) leader Thomas Issac today alleged that ''this was like seeking anticipatory bail'' before an imminent financial crisis in the state.

Talking to reporters here, he said before issuing a white paper, the people must be told how much money there was in the state treasury when the LDF government handed over the administration to them.

There was Rs 2,000 crore in the state treasury and the newly formed UDF government need not take any loan upto June. The state will receive another Rs 3,000 crore through various taxes.

Claiming that the previous government had not availed the permissible amount of loan by the Centre, the former finance minister said during the past three years, there had not been any over draft.

Pointing out that the LDF government had spent about 53 per cent more than what the UDF government had in their previous term, he said the allegations by the UDF that it was because of the LDF government?s failure to spend that such a huge surplus amount was found in the state treasury was baseless.

Admitting that the new government had the right to alter the budget presented by him, he, however, warned that if the UDF government makes any changes in the welfare measures announced in the budget, they would have to face public wrath.

"They have the right to make alterations, but they should not be in the welfare measures introduced by the LDF government," he added.

--UNI

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