LDF councillors to stage dharna against ‘drastic drop’ in plan allocation in revised State Budget

Left Democratic Front (LDF) councillors of the Kochi Corporation will stage a dharna in the council hall on Monday (July 13, 2026) to protest against the restructuring of plan allocations for local bodies in the revised Budget of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).

In a statement issued here, V.A. Sreejith, LDF parliamentary party leader in the Corporation, said it would impact the city’s development adversely.

The revision has led to a steep reduction in allocations, including a drastic cut in the Corporation’s general development fund. From ₹133.34 crore in the last Budget of the previous LDF government, it has plummeted to ₹23.67 crore in the UDF government’s revised Budget, a fall of ₹109.66 crore. Allocations under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe sub-plans have also been reduced, from ₹9.70 crore to ₹8.24 crore, and from ₹2.59 crore to ₹2.20 crore respectively, marking drops of ₹1.45 crore and ₹38.75 lakh.

“This will trigger a crisis in infrastructure development, public health, waterlogging mitigation, road works, social welfare projects, housing, welfare of women and the differently abled, education, and the upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Governance in the Corporation will grind to a halt,” Mr. Sreejith warned.

In recent years, the Corporation had been receiving urban agglomeration grants under the 15th Finance Commission, recognising the special developmental needs of major urban centres like Kochi. However, changes in grant allocation and the conditions imposed for utilisation under the 16th Finance Commission, which will kick in from 2026-27, are expected to severely hamper development.

The UDF currently governs both the State and the Kochi Corporation. A Chief Minister hailing from the district prepared and presented the Budget. Yet Kochi, despite its critical contributions to Kerala’s growth, has been ignored. Mr. Sreejith urged citizens to mount strong resistance against what he termed discriminatory treatment.