Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Thursday unveiled the State Budget 2026–27, assuring that social security pensions will be paid from April onwards. The budget also promises full settlement of dearness allowance (DA) arrears, with the first instalment to be released from February. An additional Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked for the rural employment scheme compared to previous years. Around Rs 150 crore has been set aside for coastal region development, and more than Rs 250 crore for forest and wildlife protection. “Despite severe neglect, Kerala has progressed”, the Finance Minister said, emphasising the State’s achievements in welfare, social security and infrastructure development.