George Kurian's remark on Kerala's 'backwardness' kicks up controversy

UNION Minister George Kurian has stirred up a hornet's nest with his remark that the state should declare itself as backward if it wants more funds from the Centre.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @T'Puram

The union minister's remark, that came in the backdrop of complaints from the state of dwindling allocation by the Union government, evoked condemnation from both the ruling LDF and the Opposition UDF, even as the BJP firmly backed him.

Kurian had said that if Kerala announces that it is backward and is behind other states in terms of education, infrastructure, and social welfare, the Finance Commission will examine it and give a report to the Centre.