Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal presented the state budget amid a poor financial situation caused by the Union government's attitude and a nation-wide slowdown. The budget focuses on new employment generation, developmental activities, and education facilities to attract talent back to the state. Balagopal emphasized the need to make Kerala an education hub and proposed developmental activities around the upcoming Vizhinjam port. He advocated for the creation of special economic zones to attract investments. The Finance Minister highlighted the difficulties faced by the state in receiving proper allocations from the Union government and called for a positive attitude and cooperative federalism. He expressed concern over the reduced revenue allocation and the impact of GST on state income.