Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Credit: PTI Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: A move by the Kerala government to give nod to a proposal of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to impose toll on roads constructed by the agency has triggered a fresh row in Kerala.
Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front has opposed the move. The move by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government raised many eyebrows as the Left parties often opposed collection of tolls on roads.
KIIFB is an agency under the Kerala government to undertake infrastructure projects in the state. Apart from government funding in the form of fuel cess and motor vehicle tax, KIIFB also raises funds through market borrowing.
KIIFB has proposed collection of user fee on roads that are constructed by spending over Rs 50 crore. The ruling CPI(M) is justifying it citing the Centre's stand that market borrowing by KIIFB needs to be considered as state's borrowing and thus the borrowing limit of the state was reduced.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan told reporters that no final decision was taken on the matter. However, he added that fresh revenue generation models for infrastructure projects need to be explored as the Centre was showing discrimination towards Kerala in allowing funds. State finance minister K N Balagopal also shared the same view.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan of the Congress said that any attempts to impose the financial burden caused by the government's mismanagement and corruption on the people would be resisted. He said the Congress had earlier itself cautioned that the KIIFB's borrowings would end up as the government's liability.