Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s first budget under the newly elected UDF govt is expected to set the fiscal direction for Vision 2031 programme and provide the first policy response to financial challenges that prompted govt to announce a white paper on state’s fiscal health to be tabled this week.However, an internal state planning board communication accessed by TOI indicates that administrative preparations have so far centred on revising previous LDF govt’s 2026-27 budget presented before the assembly elections. Instead of drawing up an entirely new fiscal framework reflecting new govt’s priorities, it will just be “changes, if any”, reprioritisation of schemes and identification of savings.In a demi-official letter dated May 29, state planning board member-secretary and principal secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph informed administrative secretaries that the revised budget for 2026-27 would be presented during the forthcoming assembly session. A “Memorandum of Alterations to the original Budget Estimates 2026-27” had to be prepared and presented in the assembly. The revised annual plan for 2026-27 also has to be finalised.The communication directs departments to submit proposals under four broad heads. These include “changes, if any, required in the schemes/programmes already envisaged in Budget 2026-27”, “reprioritisation of schemes/programmes and corresponding changes in their outlay”, “inclusion of new schemes/programmes in line with the priorities of new govt” and “identification of possible savings from the approved outlay for 2026-27 to mobilise resources for the proposed new programmes/schemes”.The instructions assume significance as new govt has announced a white paper on state’s finances and unveiled its Vision 2031 agenda, both of which signal an intention to reassess fiscal priorities and development strategy.In this context, planning board’s communication appears to reflect a conventional budget-revision exercise. While departments have been given room to propose new schemes aligned with new govt’s priorities, emphasis remains on modifications to programmes envisaged in the budget, reprioritisation of existing allocations and mobilisation of resources through savings from approved outlays.A senior finance official said the communication shouldn't be interpreted as limiting June 19 budget’s scope. “This is an initial administrative exercise. Departments have been asked to indicate required changes, schemes that need reprioritisation and new proposals to be considered. Budget will ultimately reflect new govt’s priorities and state’s fiscal position,” the official said.The contrast between planning board communication and the broader political context is likely to draw attention as govt’s plan for a white paper signals that it considered state’s finances to warrant a detailed public assessment. Also, Vision 2031 envisages significant new welfare, infrastructure and development commitments. The upcoming budget is thus expected to provide indication on how govt proposes to reconcile its policy ambitions with fiscal realities it said required closer examination.The revised budget will be watched not merely for the announcements but also for the extent to which it reflects Vision 2031 priorities and response to concerns that prompted the proposed white paper.