Hyderabad: The Six Guarantees promised by the Congress during the state Assembly elections will get higher allocations in the full budget set to be presented in the Legislative Assembly in July, official sources said.
The Congress government which assumed office in December 2023, presented an interim budget for 2024-25 in the Legislative Assembly on February 10. In the interim budget, Rs 53,916 crore was allotted for six guarantees and it is likely to be increased to over Rs 75,000 crore in the full budget.
In his budget speech, Deputy Chief Minister holding finance portfolio, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said, “We have proposed Rs 53,196 crore for implementation of the Six Guarantees as promised before the elections. Provision of additional funds will be made as required, once a complete assessment is made about the schemes,” he said.
The state government initiated the process of drafting the full budget for 2024-25 on Wednesday. Official sources said that the allocations for six guarantees will be increased significantly as the government has decided to implement all the pending guarantees from this year.
The Congress promised Six Guarantees during the Assembly polls. Under the Mahalakshmi guarantee, it promised to give Rs 2,500 every month; gas cylinders for Rs 500; free travel in RTC buses.
Under the Rythu Bharosa guarantee, it promised to extend farmers Rs 15,000 per acre every year; Rs 12,000 per year for agriculture labour; a bonus of Rs 500 per year for paddy crop
Under the Gruha Jyothi guarantee it promised to provide 200 units of free electricity to households.
Under the Indiramma Indlu guarantee, it promised a 250-square-yard plot for all Telangana movements. It promised house sites and Rs 5 lakh for people not having their own house.
Under the Yuha Vikasam guarantee: it promised a Vidya Bharosa card worth Rs 5 lakh for students to meet expenses to pursue various courses and set up Telangana International Schools in every mandal
Under the Cheyutha guarantee, it promised Rs 4,000 monthly pension for senior citizens and Rs 10 lakh health insurance under the Rajiv Arogyasri insurance.
Of this, the Congress government started the implementation of free travel in RTC buses, gas cylinders for Rs 500, free power up to 200 units, Rajiv Arogyasri Rs 10 lakh health insurance and Indiramma Indlu (houses) in the past six months.
Several promises made under Six Guarantees are yet to be implemented for which there is a huge requirement of funds. Accordingly, the state government wants to increase budget allocations for six guarantees in the full budget.
It is learnt that the state government plans to launch Mahalakshmi's Rs 2,500 per month financial assistance scheme for women as a Dasara gift in October this year. Also, the enhancement of pensions for senior citizens, widows, physically challenged etc under Cheyutha scheme will be launched from Dasara.
