Kerala's finance minister K N Balagopal announced that e-commerce platforms now require an e-way bill for online purchases. This initiative is expected to increase state revenue. Kerala's budget spending and tax revenue have significantly increased, and the state's debt has decreased from 38 per cent to 34.2 per cent post-Covid.

Finance minister K N Balagopal announced that e-commerce and online platforms like Flipkart and Amazon will now require an e-way bill. Regardless of where goods are purchased online in India, an e-way bill will be necessary. The state anticipates significant revenue from this initiative, the minister told the assembly.

This decision was made by the GST Council following Kerala's persistent requests. As part of GST intelligence inspections, the state treasury already received Rs 450cr, the minister said during the question-and-answer session.

The finance minister also said that Kerala's budget is expected to reach Rs 2 lakh crore for the first time in history by next year. During the Covid period, Kerala spent Rs 1.15 lakh crore. Even when the central govt's financial share was reduced, Kerala managed to spend Rs 1.64 lakh crore, Balagopal said.

Due to financial difficulties over the past three years, only Rs 1.60 lakh crore could be spent. However, by the end of this month, spending is expected to reach Rs 1.78 lakh crore. The additional expenditure of Rs 18,000 crore is a positive sign, the minister said.

The state's revenue, which was Rs 54,000cr in 2021, increased to Rs 1.03 lakh crore over four years. Kerala's debt is decreasing; during the Covid period, it was 38 per cent , and now it has reduced to 34.2 per cent . In 2022-23, capital expenditure was Rs 16,783cr, and it is projected to be Rs 16,850cr in 2023-24. The state's tax revenue, which was Rs 47,660.84cr in 2021-22, increased to Rs 74,329.01cr in 2023-24, he said.