The revised State Budget for 2026-27, presented by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, has accorded special importance to Kasaragod district, with major announcements focusing on healthcare, education, infrastructure development, and the welfare of Endosulfan victims.The Budget states that the special development packages being implemented in the backward districts of Kasaragod, Wayanad, and Idukki will be accelerated. Priority will be given to education, healthcare, employment and livelihood programmes, while special schemes will be introduced in areas facing human-wildlife conflict.A major focus of the Budget is the strengthening of infrastructure at the Government Medical College, Kasargod, the district’s premier healthcare institution. The government has announced measures to improve infrastructure, fill staff vacancies and ensure the availability of modern equipment at the medical colleges in Kasaragod, Idukki, Wayanad, and Manjeri. A special allocation of ₹100 crore has been earmarked for these initiatives.The Budget also contains significant relief measures for Kasaragod, the district worst affected by the Endosulfan tragedy. It assures that all eligible benefits will be provided to Endosulfan victims and that the government will take steps to assume responsibility for the protection and care of affected families.Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan, a prominent social activist and leader of the Endosulfan Victims’ Action Council, welcomed the government’s announcement to extend all support to Endosulfan victims. “The government’s decision will be a huge relief to the victims. The extension of support means that they will receive all the medical, financial and social assistance they require, and the announcement has given them renewed hope,” he said. He added that the Chief Minister had called him a week before the Budget to understand the victims’ key requirements.The long-pending demand for a civil station at Manjeswaram has also come into focus following the Budget discussions. Residents and public representatives have been seeking the establishment of a civil station that would bring various government offices in Manjeswaram taluk under one roof. The project is considered crucial for improving access to government services for people in the northern region of Kasaragod district, and there are growing demands to expedite its implementation.While the Budget has accorded clear attention to Kasaragod through the development of the medical college, support for Endosulfan victims and the special district package, demands are being raised from various quarters for dedicated financial allocations for infrastructure projects, including the Manjeswaram civil station. Published - June 19, 2026 07:11 pm IST