Welfare a Priority Despite Financial Constraints: AP Finance Minister

Kurnool: Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav has said the state government is operating with a deficit budget but focusing equally on welfare and development.

“We are also ably managing the debt crisis left behind by the YSRC dispensation,” he said at a district-level development review meeting in Nandyal on Tuesday.

The minister urged officials and public representatives to collaborate in driving the district’s development.

Keshav said, “The government must pay back about Rs 1.32 lakh crore in debt. Yet, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is committed to ensure development. Some 73 central government schemes halted by the previous government have been revived with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore.”

He stressed the importance of prioritizing public welfare projects and completing them on time.

The minister announced plans for setting up purchasing centres in the district to procure paddy and other crops at support prices. “We will ensure payments to farmers within 48 hours of the purchase.”

He directed the joint collector to coordinate with rice mill traders to ensure fair prices for farmers. “Let us bring representatives from oil farming companies to educate farmers about potential yields and profits.”

Roads minister BC Janardhan Reddy said development had stagnated in recent years but “progress is achievable with responsible work from officials.”

Reddy urged forest officials to assist the government in the land acquisition for national highways, railways and irrigation projects. He advised RWS officials to plan for the summer’s water needs and cited the ongoing efforts to fill CC roads and repair potholes. Some 50 per cent of the work has already been completed, he said.

Law and minority welfare minister NMD Farooq, district collector G Raja Kumari, several local MLAs and senior officials were present.