Vijayawada: While ruling NDA partners hailed the Union budget, opposition YSRCP and Left parties criticised the state govt for failing to secure funds for crucial projects.
Deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan said Andhra Pradesh received significant backing from the Union govt with key allocations to major projects. He said the approval of revised estimates for Polavaram project and allocation of funds showcase the commitment of NDA govt to ensure the project’s completion.
Pawan further mentioned that the Rs 3,295 crore capital infusion into the Visakhapatnam steel plant reaffirms the commitment of the central govt. “Under the leadership of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the NDA govt in Andhra Pradesh will leverage the opportunities for the state’s development,” Pawan said, adding that the tax exemption up to Rs 12 lakh is a major relief for the working class. He further expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a “pro-people budget”.
Revenue minister Anagani Satya Prasad said apart from making allocations to key projects in Andhra Pradesh, the Union budget is focused on creating employment opportunities for the youth and increasing the consumption capacity of people. He noted that enhanced allocations have been made for the agriculture sector, which will help farmers at large. BJP state unit also called the Union budget “growth-oriented”. The 20-points committee chairman, Lanka Dinakar, said the budget is a step towards achieving the Viksit Bharath goal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his mark on the budget as it reflects the aspirations of the poor, women, and middle-class population, Dinakar observed.
On the other hand, opposition YSRCP criticised the NDA alliance in the state for failing to secure funds for the state. Former finance minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy said Bihar, with just 12 MPs, received all major allocations, but with 16 MPs, TDP received a raw deal in Andhra Pradesh. He said chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu miserably failed as the state received nothing in the budget. The CPI and CPM also criticised both state and central govts, stating that injustice was meted out to AP as the promises made during the state’s bifurcation still remain pending.
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president YS Sharmila Reddy also criticised the budget, alleging that it sidelined AP while favouring Bihar in anticipation of the upcoming elections. She called it “Bihar election budget” rather than a national one. “Bihar received significant financial assistance, while Andhra Pradesh was left with minimal allocations. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who, despite having 12 MPs in the NDA alliance, secured substantial allocations for his state, whereas AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, with 21 MPs, was handed a begging bowl by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Bihar was elevated, Andhra Pradesh was left with nothing,” she commented.
