Bihar Gets Special Allocations, Andhra Pradesh Left Disappointed in Union Budget
New Delhi: The latest Union Budget has once again left Andhra Pradesh disappointed. Despite playing a crucial role in the NDA government, the state has received no significant financial allocations. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several special packages for Bihar, raising concerns about political favoritism. This has led to the question: “Is this a Union Budget or a Bihar state financial plan?”
Major Allocations for Bihar:
- Establishment of a special Makhana (fox nut) board to support local farmers.
- Financial aid for the Western Kosi Canal project, benefiting 50,000 acres of land in the Mithilanchal region.
- Announcement of a Greenfield Airport and expansion of IIT Patna.
- Setting up of a National Institute of Food Technology in Bihar to boost food processing industries.
With Bihar heading for elections later this year, political analysts see these budgetary allocations as a clear attempt to gain favor in the state.
Andhra Pradesh’s Expectations Dashed
Unlike Bihar, Andhra Pradesh has received no special allocations, raising concerns over the state’s economic prospects. It remains to be seen how Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan will react to this budget.
- No clarity on full funding for the Polavaram Project, despite its status as a national project.
- No employment-generating central projects for the state.
- No response from the Center on the CGST exemption demand.
- No special grants for capital development.
- No funds allocated for backward districts.
- No progress on Andhra Pradesh’s long-pending railway zone demand.
- No clarity on the privatization issue of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
Why Are Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan Silent?
Andhra Pradesh’s MPs play a decisive role in NDA’s stability. However, despite this leverage, the state has been sidelined in the budget. Political observers believe TDP and Janasena must step up pressure on the Center and take a stronger stance to protect the state’s interests.
