“Our govt. is fully committed to financing an early completion of the Polavaram project, which is the lifeline for A.P. and its farmers.,” Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her Budget speech, in New Delhi on July 23, 2024. File
Union Budget 2024-25 spells a major boost to the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh which is grappling with financial issues.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, a key ally of the NDA at the Centre besides JD(U), has reasons to smile as most of the wish list he submitted to the Centre have been fulfilled. Few days ahead of the Union Budget, Mr. Naidu had explained to the Centre of the dismal financial situation in the State owing to irregularities of the past government and sought substantial financial support for the Amaravati Capital, Polavaram project and other infrastructural development in the State.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech on July 23, stated that the Centre has committed to develop A.P.’s capital Amaravati and would develop the multipurpose irrigation project Polavaram which is supposed to be the lifeline of the State.
Purvodaya
Ms. Sitharaman stated that the Centre will be coming up with a plan named ‘Purvodaya’ for the overall development of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
“Our government has made concerted efforts to fulfil the commitments in AP Reorganisation Act. We are recognizing the State’s need for a capital. We will facilitate special financial support through multilateral agencies. In the current financial year, ₹15,000 crore will be arranged with additional amounts in future years,” she said. She added that the Centre has also fully committed to financing and early completion of Polavaram irrigation project which is the lifeline of AP and expected to ensure food security of the country.
This apart, the Finance Minister has also ensured promotion of industrial development, funds for essential infrastructure such as roads, water, power and railways. As part of it, the Kopparthy Industrial Node, the corridor between Visakhapatnam and Chennai, will be developed on priority basis. Special grants for backward regions of Rayalaseema, Prakasam and north coastal Andhra Pradesh will also be provided as part of the Reorganisation Act.
The State is also expected to benefit from the funding plan that will cover 53,000 tribal villages across the country.
Chennai-Vizag industrial corridor
This apart, the Finance Minister has also ensured promotion of industrial development, funds for essential infrastructure such as roads, water, power and railways. As part of it, the Kopparthy Industrial Node, the corridor between Visakhapatnam and Chennai will be developed on priority basis. Special grants for backward regions of Rayalaseema, Prakasam and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh will also be provided as part of the Reorganisation Act.
The State is also expected to be benefited as part of the funding plan to develop 5 crore tribals in 53,000 tribal villages across the country.
Progressive, says Naidu
Terming the Budget progressive, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media platform X for the allocations to the State. “On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister, @narendramodi Ji and Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, @nsitharaman Ji, for recognising the needs of our State and focusing on a capital, Polavaram, industrial nodes and development of backward areas in AP in the Union Budget of FY 24-25. This support from the Centre will go a long way towards rebuilding Andhra Pradesh. I congratulate you on the presentation of this progressive and confidence-boosting budget.”
Congress takes a jibe at TDP
However, the Opposition Congress did not seem happy. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated on X: “In 2018, Chandrababu Naidu garu quit the NDA because of the non-biological PM’s failure to grant Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status. Six years after the drama, at a time when the government is reliant on his MPs for support, all he has managed to get is “special financial support” for Amaravati.
Published - July 23, 2024 11:45 am IST
