State Planning Board Vice-Chairman VK Ramachandran on Friday emphasized the importance of planning in the state’s development, even as he hinted that lack of funds could affect the implementation of the plan.
“We can’t complete the plan because we don’t have enough funds. That’s the reality,” said Prof. Ramachandran at a press conference in connection with the upcoming three-day ‘Vision 2031: International Conference on Development and Democracy’ in Thiruvananthapuram.
He further added that planning becomes more important when there is a shortage of funds due to the need for scientific, optimal use. Prof Ramachandran opined that no other state in 21st century India has changed as much as Kerala in a decade – despite the financial crisis. “I think it’s because of good economic policy,” he said.
Prof Ramachandran said the size of Kerala’s plan has not reduced, though it may not have maintained the same growth rate as in the past under different economic conditions and centre-state relations. Further, Kerala has since created new institutions for infrastructure development such as the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), he pointed out.
The Kerala government’s decision to retain the planning board was “very important”, he said. “I think it has been successful. If the economy has improved over the last ten years, planning has been an important aspect of that process,” he said.
Prof. Ramachandran also added that the 16th Finance Commission’s decision to scrap revenue deficit (RD) grants to states would mean an overall reduction in central transfers.
Published – 13 Feb 2026 20:40 IST