In attempting to raise much-needed additional revenue for the government, the 2024-25 State Budget has sought to resume river sand removal, hike duties and fees in various departments including the gallonage fee of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and the two decade-old court fees.
The budget seeks to raise ₹1,067 crore in additional resources in 2024-25 primarily through the non-tax route.
The government has decided to allow river sand removal from Bharatapuzha, Chaliyar and Kadalundi in 2024-25. “Removal of sand would be taken up in phases in other rivers also with sand deposits. An additional income of ₹200 crore is expected from this,” the budget noted. The sand removal had been discontinued in 2016.
