Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 7 (TIWN) With the Kerala coffers in a depleted state, Finance Minister Thomas Issac, while presenting his 11th budget in the Assembly on Wednesday, blamed the Centre for the situation, saying that it is appropriating the powers of the states in all areas with its unilateral decision to amend the Citizenship Act.

Presenting a white paper on the finances of the government in the State Assembly, Thomas Isaac said the public debt stood at an alarming ₹1.5 trillion. The debt doubled over the past five years when the Congress-led United Democratic Front was in power, he said.