Amidst grand pre-election promises, the alliance government’s first budget has left many unanswered questions. From welfare cuts to missing budget allocations for key projects, the budget reflects a clear deviation from the commitments made to the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Welfare Cuts: A Step Backward?
For the past nine months, the government has failed to deliver on its welfare promises. Now, with insufficient budget allocations, it is evident that the number of beneficiaries under key schemes will be arbitrarily reduced. This raises concerns about a return to the TDP’s infamous Janma Bhoomi committees (2014-19), which were known for manipulating welfare distribution. In contrast, the YSRCP government had implemented a transparent six-step verification process to ensure that only the deserving received benefits.
Kadapa Steel Plant: Just Another False Promise?
During his recent visit to Kadapa, Chandrababu Naidu assured that work on the Kadapa Steel Plant would begin soon. However, the budget does not allocate a single rupee for the project. This raises doubts about whether the promise was just another election gimmick. If the government was serious about the project, why is there no financial backing for it in the budget?
Amaravati Takes It All, Vizag Ignored
The government has allocated ₹13,000 crores for urban development, out of which ₹6,000 crores have been earmarked exclusively for Amaravati. This is in stark contrast to the alliance’s election promise of making Vizag the IT and tourism capital of Andhra Pradesh. The budget indicates that the government is prioritizing Amaravati while completely neglecting other cities, raising concerns about self-serving motives and potential kickbacks.
No Clarity on Medical Colleges
One of the biggest controversies has been the government’s plan to privatize government medical colleges through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Chandrababu Naidu had even written to the National Medical Commission (NMC), requesting them to take back seats allocated to Pulivendula and Paderu medical colleges, paving the way for privatization. However, the budget fails to clarify how the government plans to proceed with this model—there is no mention of budget sharing, division of control, or how privatization would benefit the public.
1.15 Lakh Houses – Where Are They?
The Finance Minister, in his budget speech, claimed that the alliance government had constructed and distributed 1.15 lakh houses in the last nine months. However, the government has failed to provide any details on the location of these houses or their beneficiaries. If these houses have indeed been built and distributed, why hasn’t the government showcased them? The lack of transparency raises serious doubts about the credibility of this claim.
Kapu Welfare: Missing from the Budget
The BC Welfare Minister recently stated that the government is committed to Kapu welfare and that Chandrababu Naidu is planning to spend ₹15,000 crores for Kapus. However, the budget has no mention of any such allocation. This raises concerns about whether the promise was merely a political statement rather than a real commitment.
Is the Government Truly Working for the People?
The alliance government’s first budget has raised more doubts than confidence. From broken welfare promises to missing allocations for crucial projects, the budget lacks direction and transparency. The people of Andhra Pradesh deserve answers:
✔️ Why is the government cutting welfare beneficiaries?
✔️ Why is there no budget for Kadapa Steel Plant?
✔️ Why is Amaravati being prioritized while Vizag is ignored?
✔️ What is the actual plan for medical colleges?
✔️ Where are the 1.15 lakh houses?
✔️ Why is Kapu welfare missing from the budget?
Without clear answers, this budget appears to be a document of deception rather than development. The alliance government must provide clarity on these crucial issues and fulfill the promises made to the people of Andhra Pradesh.
