Push for infrastructure in Kerala Budget 2016-17

The Kerala government has announced a Rs 120 billion package for infrastructure projects under the revised State Budget 2016-17. The necessary funds will be raised through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board by issuing bonds, raising term loans from banks and creating funds that have RBI and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approval. The government will stand guarantee for the funds thus raised. In the energy sector, the government’s attempt would be to promote solar energy. A beginning in this direction will be made by launching a scheme to install solar panels atop homes to generate 1,000 MW of power. Further, a green tax will be imposed on four-wheelers that are more than 15 years old.