The state budget proposes to increase the financial assistance from ₹ 600 to ₹ 1,000 for caregivers of bedridden patients, persons with severe physical and mental problems, senior citizens and cancer patients.
Finance Minister KN Balagopal said the allocation for the Aswasakiranam project has been increased to ₹100 crore from ₹50 crore to facilitate higher payment. The budget allocated ₹209.25 crore for the welfare of the differently-abled.
An amount of ₹ 3 crore has been earmarked to start the ‘Anpu Veedu’ scheme, which envisages setting up nursing homes for the intellectually challenged at the block level. Day care centers and respite care facilities will be provided through this program.
Financial assistance for five centers dealing with early intervention, rehabilitation and training and education of the differently-abled has been increased to ₹ 64 crore.
An amount of ₹ 22.5 crore is earmarked for the National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR) to strengthen academic programmes, vocational training/skill courses, other training and livelihood programmes, rehabilitation services, outreach activities and physical infrastructure.
The allocation to the National Speech and Hearing Institute for hearing research, speech disorders, early intervention programs, neurodevelopmental sciences and occupational therapy is ₹27.5 million.
An amount of ₹ 4 crore has been earmarked for Child Development Centre, ₹ 10 crore for ICCONS and ₹ 5 crore for IMHANS.
‘Sayam Prapha Homes’, run in collaboration with local bodies, will get ₹14 crore and the Vayomithram scheme will get ₹27.5 crore.
For the transgender community
The allocation for the Mazhavillu scheme for the transgender community is ₹ 6 crore and for the National Drug Demand Reduction Action Plan ₹ 2 crore.
An amount of ₹50 lakh has been earmarked for the functioning of the Kerala State Elderly Commission, which was set up in 2025.
Referring to the budget announcement that Kerala is the first state to present a budget for senior citizens, Social Justice Minister R. Bindu said that the budget not only includes senior citizens but also uses their vast experience as a resource for the good of society. Programs like New Innings, which aim to use the expertise of older people to promote innovation and retirement homes with playgrounds and health services, will foster a new culture in the state, said Dr. Bindu.
Published – 29 Jan 2026 20:33 IST
