Amid criticism that the Union budget had failed to announce special development packages for Kerala, Indian Union Muslim League on Saturday flayed the Left Front government in the state for its "laxity" in effectively taking up projects with the Centre.
Stating that the budget was by and large welfare oriented, but for the fuel price hike, IUML General Secretary P K Kunhalikutty said the state government was at fault for Kerala not being considered for special development package, as it had not taken up the matter effectively with the Centre.
He wondered why should Kerala should blame the Centre for not announcing fresh packages in the budget when there were "verified reports" that the state had failed to fully utilise earmarked funds for most Centrally sponsored programmes, including National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme,
The State had not made any special efforts to impress the Centre on its despite presence of representives from Kerala in the Union cabinet, he alleged.