AP Budget: Pawan Kalyan’s ministry gets lion’s share

The NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has tabled the first budget of its tenure today morning during the ongoing assembly sessions in Amaravati. Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav presented a comprehensive budget with 2.94 Lakh crores and outlined the roadmap to develop the state on many indices.

The revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs 2.34 lakh crores with fiscal deficit and revenue deficit at 68,743 Cr. and 34,743 Cr. respectively. Health care has been assigned Rs 18, 421 Crores.

One of the major highlights of the budget is that Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s Panchayati Raj got a lion’s share. The FM announced that Rs 16,739 Crores has been earmarked for rural development out of the total budget. This will be a big boost for Pawan Kalyan’s aspirations because he has been putting in dedicated efforts to develop villages in all aspects all over the state.

As Pawan Kalyan played an instrumental role in bringing the NDA coalition to power in the recent assembly elections, it appears like Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has reciprocated his gratitude towards him by ensuring that his ministry secure adequate funds in the first budget.

Besides Panchayati Raj, Pawan Kalyan’s other portfolio Forest and Environment department has been given Rs 687 Crores. The Irrigation sector is accorded top priority by the NDA government as Rs 16,705 Crores were allotted in the budget. An outlay of Rs 11,490 Crores was apportioned towards Urban Development. While BC welfare secured Rs 3,907 Crores, Minority Welfare was given Rs 4,376 and Rs 7,557 Crores for ST Welfare.

The much hyped Skill Development department has been allotted Rs 1,215 Crores and the housing construction budget share stood at Rs 4.012 Crores. Other key sectors like Police department and Energy sector got Rs 8,495 Crores and Rs 8,207 Crores.

Another key announcement made by the FM is that the present government will give 3% reservation for sports quota to merit sportspersons. Also, a cyber police station will be established in every district to tackle the growing cyber crimes. An Agriculture budget of Rs 43,402 Cr. has also been announced..