The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly sessions commenced today, with Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav presenting the full annual budget. The budget, amounting to Rs 2,94,427 crore, includes a revenue deficit of Rs 34,743 crore and a fiscal deficit of Rs 68,742 crore. Minister Keshav highlighted significant allocations for key sectors.
The estimated revenue expenditure stands at Rs 2.34 lakh crore, with specific allocations as follows:
– Higher Education: Rs 2,326 crore
– Municipal & Urban Development: Rs 11,490 crore
– Panchayat Raj and Rural Development: Rs 16,739 crore
– Health: Rs 18,421 crore
– Water Resources: Rs 16,705 crore
– Energy: Rs 8,207 crore
– Police: Rs 8,495 crore
– Housing: Rs 4,012 crore
– Skill Development: Rs 1,215 crore
– Industries and Commerce: Rs 3,127 crore
– BC Welfare: Rs 3,907 crore
– Minority Welfare: Rs 4,376 crore
– SC Welfare: Rs 18,497 crore
– ST Welfare: Rs 7,557 crore
– Welfare for Minority Communities: Rs 4,376 crore
– Agriculture and Allied Sectors: Rs 11,855 crore
– Forest and Environment: Rs 687 crore
The government plans to provide training and development for 18,000 teachers over the next three years. The Department of School Education has been allocated Rs 29,909 crore, with provisions for 192 skill centers and colleges. Increasing overseas employment opportunities is a key target for Skill International. Additionally, the government aims to reduce the app burden on teachers.
Other key provisions include Rs 600 crore for state highways, 3% reservations for employment in sports quotas, and Rs 322 crore for Youth, Tourism, and Cultural Affairs.
The capital expenditure estimate stands at Rs 32,712 crore, with the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) revenue deficit at 4.19%. Minister Keshav also emphasized the goal of “Pothole-free roads in Andhra” by Sankranti.