Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday said that there was no whisper in the Budget of privatisation of public sector enterprises in the state, but it was in favour of bringing in private investment to revitalise such establishments.

Satheesan, in a press conference after presenting the revised Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly, rejected reports and allegations that the UDF government was looking to privatise public sector enterprises and sell off various such entities.

He said that the government was reeling under a huge debt and questioned how, in such circumstances, anything can be started in the public sector.

"Don't we want investment in the state? All states in the country are competing with each other to attract investment. So why not here? Our policy is to encourage private investment. Then only we can improve the economy," he said.

At the same time, he rejected claims of privatisation of public sector enterprises.

"Which sector has been privatised? Has KSRTC or Water Authority been privatised? No sector has been privatised and no announcement of privatisation has been made," he asserted.