Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav presented the ₹3,22,359 crore budget.
Since the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) took office in June of last year, this is the first comprehensive financial plan.
Budget aligns with ‘Swarna Andhra 2047 Vision’
The state’s “Swarna Andhra 2047 Vision,” a long-term development plan, is reflected in the budget. Among the most notable allocations are 34,311 crore for education and 48,341 crore for agriculture. Priority has been given to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, with allocations of 8,159 crore and 20,218 crore, respectively. Minority welfare will also get an allocation of ₹5,434 crore.
Election pledges
Budget supports TDP’s ‘Super Six’ election promises
The budget also backs the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance’s “Super Six” election promises.
These are free travel for women on state busses and ₹20,000 payment to farmers under the Annadata Sukhibhava-PM Kisan scheme.
Three free LPG cylinders will also be given to eligible beneficiaries.
The ‘Thalliki Vandanam’ scheme will give ₹15,000 annually to mothers sending their children to school, while girl students and unemployed youths will get monthly allowances of ₹1,500 and ₹3,000 respectively.
Welfare focus
Backward class welfare and infrastructure development prioritized
The budget provides 47,456 crore for welfare for the backward class. An additional ₹1,000 crore is designated for the Adarana-3 scheme and financial support for backward class students in higher education.
Infrastructure development is also a priority with allocations such as ₹8,785 crore for road development and funds for key projects like Polavaram and Jal Jeevan Mission.
The budget includes a provision of ₹230 crore to support fishermen during fishing bans with payments of ₹20,000 each.
Budget criticism
Opposition criticizes budget, Naidu defends allocations
The opposition YSR Congress Party had slammed the budget as “deceptive,” alleging it didn’t have a concrete development plan and proper allocations for some schemes.
However, CM Naidu maintained that the budget was designed to meet people’s expectations and set right the previous financial mess.
He said in just eight months welfare schemes like pension hikes, Anna Canteens, and Deepam schemes have been launched.
Deficit estimates
Fiscal deficit and revenue deficit estimates
The estimated revenue deficit is approximately 33,185 crore, or 1.82 percent of GSDP, and the fiscal deficit is estimated to be around 79,926 crore, or 4.38 percent of GSDP. Going forward, the government will introduce a mega health coverage plan providing ₹25 lakh insurance coverage per family in the next fiscal year.
This is part of the government’s continued efforts to meet electoral promises and enhance public welfare across Andhra Pradesh.