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₹2.56L crore Andhra budget focusses on welfare schemes
The revenue expenditure was pegged at ₹2,08,261 crore and capital expenditure at ₹ 47,996 crore. The estimated revenue deficit is around ₹17,036 crore and fiscal deficit around ₹ 48,724 crore, said Reddy.
Andhra Pradesh government’s annual budget, presented by finance minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy in the state assembly on Friday, focused majorly on the welfare schemes.
The revenue expenditure was pegged at ₹2,08,261 crore and capital expenditure at ₹ 47,996 crore. The estimated revenue deficit is around ₹17,036 crore and fiscal deficit around ₹ 48,724 crore, said Reddy.
The fiscal deficit is around 3.64% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), whereas the revenue deficit is projected at 1.27% of the GSDP.
Out of the total budgetary outlay of ₹2,56,256 crore for the year, expenditure for various welfare schemes was pegged at ₹45,955 crore, followed by ₹30,077 crore for education, ₹15,384.26 crore for health, ₹ 8,796 crore for urban development and ₹4,331.85 crore for social security, among others.
Though the allocation for agriculture sector, accounting for ₹43,052 crore, is also part of the total budget outlay, the agriculture budget was presented separately by agriculture minister K Kanna Babu. The allocations for agriculture sector include ₹7,020 crore for Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan scheme, ₹1,802 crore for YSR crop insurance, ₹2,000 crore for natural calamities fund and ₹1,612 crore for investment subsidy to farmers.
In his hour-long speech, the finance minister conveniently avoided mentioning about the state government’s resolve to form three capitals for decentralisation of administration and inclusive development, on which he had focussed in the previous budgetary speeches.Though the state high court, in the last week’s judgement, had directed that the government complete the unfinished works in Amaravati state capital region within six months, there was no separate allocation for the same in the budget.
The finance minister said his government was focussing on the four-pillar model of economic development in the state - human capacity development, infrastructure provision, livelihoods support, and social security.
He said the human capacity development was aimed at eradicating poverty and hunger; achieving good health and well-being; quality education; and gender equality via programmes like Jagananna-Amma Vodi, Goru Mudda, Vidya Kanuka, Vidya Deewana, and Vasathi Deewana; YSR Sampoorna Poshana, YSR clinics, medical colleges, Aarogyasri and Aarogya Aasara.
With regard to infrastructure development, the focus would be on providing clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; promoting sustainable cities and communities; and infrastructure provision through setting up of new medical colleges, irrigation projects, development of roads, ports and harbours, fibernet etc.
The third pillar, livelihood generation, is aimed at providing the opportunity for decent work and economic growth through schemes like YSR Rythu Bharosa, YSR Cheyutha, EBC Nestham, Jagananna Chedodu etc.
With regard to the fourth pillar, social security benefits would be extended to various sections of people to reduce inequality and eradicate hunger and poverty. “The implementation of these four pillars has been supported with enabling policies and good governance,” Buggana said.
The finance minister also announced establishment of a special development package fund (SDPF), under which each member of legislative assembly would be allocated ₹2 crore to implement socio-economic development programs at constituency level.
Telugu Desam Party general secretary and MLC Nara Lokesh said that the state government once again proved its cheap tactics of giving ₹10 with one hand and taking ₹100 back with another hand.
He said that the state government was targeting a revenue of ₹16,500 crore from liquor sales, which was against the chief minister’s promise of implementing prohibition in the state. “The state has allocated ₹6,500 crore under Amma Vodi scheme (financial assistance to poor mothers to send their children to schools), while taking back ₹16,500 crore from the same through liquor sales,” he criticised.
He also alleged that the Jagan regime was known for violating budget targets and diverting those funds for its scam-based schemes.
