Reactions on AP Budget 2023-24

Vijayawada:

State BJP president Somu Veerraju: “The budget is a jugglery of numbers. I wonder how the finance minister showed the debts as revenue and how the state government could claim credit for the schemes implemented with central funds. This looks like a ‘sticker’ budget as the state affixes its own stickers on central schemes and funds and claims all the credit. Finance minister has failed to give clarity on capital expenditure and on the quantum of debts raised.”

Jana Sena political affairs committee chairman Nadendla Manohar: “While the state budget is presented with an outlay of ₹2.79 lakh crore, out of this is an amount of ₹1.61 lakh crore from debts, central assistance and central taxes. No efforts are seen to enhance state revenue. For the debts raised under provisions in the budget, ₹41,000 crore is to be paid per annum from its coffers. The government did not disclose how much is to be paid for the debts raised by its corporations. AP seems to be having total debts of ₹5.05 lakh crore.”

CPI state secretary K. Ramakrishna: “Though huge amounts are allocated in the budget every year, only one fourth of the allotted amount is being spent. If the state is having such a huge amount, why is it not able to pay wages to its employees on time every month? Budget allocation for water resources is very less. It would be difficult to complete several pending irrigation projects if sufficient allotments are not done.”