Kerala Assembly passes resolution protesting railway budget; CM Oommen Chandy terms budget approach 'totally painful'

Kerala Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution against the 'total neglect' of the state's needs in the Railway budget and asked the Centre to sanction the projects and new trains sought by the state.

Members from both Congress-led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) headed LDF opposition termed as 'very disappointing" the budget proposals and said the Centre failed to take into consideration any of the requirements of the state.

Moving the resolution after discussion on an adjournment motion on the issue brought by the Left Democratic Front​ (LDF), Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the budget approach was "totally painful" as far as Kerala was concerned.

Chandy denied the opposition charge that state did not submit before the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government the rail requirements of the state. "A detailed memorandum was submitted to Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda and issues related to Kerala were brought to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent meeting," Chandy said.

Leader of the Opposition VS Achuthanandan (CPI-M) accused the government of not presenting in time the needs of state. He said state government was shedding crocodile tears on the matter.

Achuthanandan also said the NDA Government was following the same economic policy of the previous Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime.