As expected, AP Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath hails Budget 2023

VIJAYAWADA: On expected lines, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath has hailed the Union Budget 2023, even though no specific allocations were made to the State. He has said that several decisions in 'Budget 2023' session are based on plans developed in Andhra Pradesh state. He said during a media presentation on the Union Budget on Wednesday that some allocations were satisfactory.

"Although the fiscal deficit has been reduced, some industries have received less funding. Fertilizer, urea, rice, and wheat subsidies have been slashed. Agriculture funding was lowered, while road and rail allocations were increased. The budget was established with seven priority sectors in mind. However, no mention of state-related issues was made, " said the minister.

He said, "Our recommendations were taken into consideration during pre-budget consultations with the states. We intend to instal a pump storage system. Andhra Pradesh is a role model in this field. It was said that a policy would be formed on this subject. Some budget decisions were also based on our state plans. Useful for building nursing schools, skill development centres, airports, and ports. It is beneficial to the growth of housing construction and Ekalavya schools".

YSRCP MPs disappointed with budget

The central budget 2023 was disappointing since even after ten years, bifurcation promises had not been delivered. There was no mention of funds and special status for Polavaram. All of this would be raised in the Parliamentary budget debate, said MP Mithun Reddy, Chief Whip Margani Bharat, and MP Mopidevi Venkataramana.

MP Mithun Reddy disappointed with Central Budget 2023

The YSR Congress Party believes that the Center's Budget released on Wednesday is unsatisfactory for Andhra Pradesh in terms of implementing the bifurcation Act's promises. During a recent meeting in Visakhapatnam, Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy spoke about the assurances in the Bifurcation Act in the presence of the Prime Minister. The Partition Act Bill was passed in Parliament ten years ago, but no such guarantees were mentioned. Polavaram monies were not mentioned. There was no indication of any sort of privileged status. There had been no progress in funding disadvantaged districts.

We would fight for special status till the end without giving up says MP Mopidevi Venkataramana

The Center had highlighted agriculture, small and medium scale enterprises, housing for the poor, fisheries, Pradhana Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMS), and other sectors in the Union Budget 2023-24. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy was working tirelessly to develop the state in every aspect. YS Jagan had promised to establish a district medical college. Andhra Pradesh holds the majority of the country's coastline. We are working to create significant fishing harbours and major ports required for exports in every suitable area.

It is unclear how much budget would be allocated to which sector in Andhra's development sector. Regarding the assurances offered as a witness by the Parliament following the bifurcation special status, but the provision of finances for the Polavaram project, as well as assurances that Andhra Pradesh would be supported in many ways. Chief Minister YS Jagan had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministers of the appropriate departments multiple times to discuss the implementation of such pledges. Our primary goal was to obtain special status. We would fight this agenda till the end without giving up.

Margani Bharat says Andhra Pradesh was seeking funds for Medical Colleges

There was still uncertainty about the allocation of funding to Andhra Pradesh in the federal budget. However, in Budget 2023, Andhra Pradesh received no special treatment. Each district should have medical colleges in terms of health. The state would get 18 new medical colleges thanks to the Chief Minister. The Center had stated that it would only sponsor three universities. We were requesting funds for the rest.

A third railway line should be allocated between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. Apart from that, the Kovvuru-Bhadrachalam railway line was in the construction process for a long time. This railway would span 70 kilometres, connecting Hyderabad and Secunderabad which could result in cost savings.