TRIVANDRUM, 24 January 2004 — Kerala Finance Minister K. Sankaranarayanan presented the state budget for 2004-05 yesterday laying stress on infrastructure development, employment generation and consolidation of achievements in tourism industry that grew by 30 percent last year. The election year compulsions however appeared to have prompted him not to go for any fresh taxes barring entry tax on a few items. There are proposals to mop up additional resources to the tune of Rs 4.9505 billion in the budget. The cumulative deficit for the year is estimated at Rs 7.5134 billion, heavily depending on federal assistance yet to be finalized. Major allocations include Rs 440 million for farm sector, Rs 937.5 million for IT, Rs 600 million for tourism, Rs 850 million for industries and Rs 200 million for traditional industry.
