DISCRIMINATION AGAINST KERALA *****************************The Central government is adopting a discriminatory and negative attitude to Kerala’s fiscal requirements. Kerala is entitled to Rs. 24,915 crores as public borrowing for the year 2019-20. This has been unilaterally reduced by the Centre to Rs. 16,602 crores in the name of neutralizing the alleged increase in public account debt in 2016-17. The GST compensation of Rs. 1,600 crore due in December has not been paid. The arrears on account of MGNREGS is Rs. 1,215 crore and for payment for paddy procurement is Rs. 1,035 crore. Kerala has been denied any allocation for natural calamity relief despite submitting a claim for Rs. 2,100 crore. CPI (M) demands an end to this discriminatory approach by the Centre. The Kerala government should get the funds due under the various accounts. The Central government should also provide allocation under the natural calamity relief fund to the state which had suffered from serious floods in 2019. - CPI (M)