Backward class welfare, implementation of poll promises: what Chandrababu Naidu’s Budget has for Andhra Pradesh

By
Andhra Samachar News Bureau
-
0
11

Vijayawada, March 01, 2025: Major allocations for backward class welfare, agriculture and education, implementation of the Telugu Desam Party-led National Democratic Alliance’s “Super Six” election promises and restarting 93 centrally-sponsored schemes. These were among the major highlights of the N. Chandrababu Naidu government’s Rs 3,22,359 crore Budget for 2025-26 tabled in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Friday.

Tabled by Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav, this is the first full-fledged Budget since the TDP government was voted to power last June. CM Naidu has claimed that this Budget would act as a bridge to achieve the 10 guiding principles of the Swarna Andhra 2047 Vision.

“This Budget lays the foundation for Andhra Pradesh’s reconstruction,” Naidu said.

The Budget makes an allocation of Rs 48,341 crore for agriculture, Rs 18,019 crore for the critical water resources, Rs 34,311 crore for education, Rs 20,218 crore for SC welfare, Rs 8,159 crore for ST welfare, and Rs 5,434 crore for minority welfare.

It also sets aside funds for “Super Six” election promises, which the CM said would be implemented from May. These involve free travel for women in state road transport corporation buses; payment of Rs 20,000 to each farmer under Annadata Sukhibhava-PM Kisan scheme; three free LPG cylinders to eligible beneficiaries; Rs 15,000 to women to keep sending their kids to school ‘Thalliki Vandanam’ scheme; Rs 1,500 allowance to girl students; and Rs 3,000/month to unemployed youths.

The Budget makes allocations for these schemes — including Rs 6,300 crore for the ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ scheme and Rs 9,407 crore for the ‘Thalliki Vandanam’ scheme.

For backward class welfare, the government allocated Rs 47,456 crore. Additionally, Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked for the implementation of the Adarana-3 scheme and providing financial support to backward class students pursuing higher education. Backward Class families will also get an additional Rs 50,000 as assistance to construct houses.

According to the reports published in indianexpress.com the Budget also makes an allocation of Rs 230 crore for its promised payment of Rs 20,000/ fisherman during fishing bans.

“Within just eight months, welfare initiatives such as pension hikes, Anna Canteens, and Deepam schemes have been implemented. Additionally, 74 out of 93 centrally-sponsored schemes that were halted by the previous government have been restarted,” Naidu told the Assembly. Among other allocations are Rs 8,785 crore for road development, and Rs 3,156 crore for industries and funds for key projects such as Polavaram, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Swachh Andhra.

As part of poverty eradication efforts, Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated under the Viability Gap Fund for major infrastructure projects. Public-private partnerships will also be encouraged for new developmental initiatives, Keshav said.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR