AP Budget 2024: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly Sessions have begun. The NDA coalition government presented the full-fledged annual budget for the financial year 2024-2025, amounting to ₹2.94 lakh crore. The government stated that its goal is to revive the state’s financial condition, which has been pushed to the brink by the YSRCP government over the past five years. The government emphasized its commitment to streamlined administration and effective governance, with a clear focus on fulfilling promises made during the elections and realizing the vision of a prosperous Andhra Pradesh.
State Financial Recovery Plan: The NDA coalition government presented its first complete budget after coming to power, with Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav placing a budget of ₹2.94 lakh crore before the Assembly. Of this, ₹2.34 lakh crore has been allocated for revenue expenditure, and ₹32,712 crore for capital expenditure. Revenue deficit is estimated at ₹34,743 crore, and fiscal deficit at ₹68,743 crore. The revenue deficit as a percentage of the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated at 4.19%, and the fiscal deficit at 2.12%. Payyavula Keshav highlighted that the state’s financial challenges were a result of the mismanagement under the YSRCP government, and the current government is focused on putting the financial system back on track.
Sector-wise Allocations: The budget allocates ₹2,326 crore for higher education, ₹18,421 crore for the health sector, and ₹16,739 crore for the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department. The welfare sector received a substantial share, with ₹39,007 crore dedicated to the welfare of backward classes, ₹18,497 crore for SC welfare, ₹7,557 crore for ST welfare, and ₹4,376 crore for minority welfare. The Women’s and Child Welfare Department received ₹4,285 crore. School education has been given significant importance, with ₹29,909 crore allocated, and ₹1,215 crore dedicated to skill development, which plays a key role in employment generation in the state.
Development and Welfare Combined: The budget balances welfare with development, with ₹16,705 crore allocated for water resources, ₹11,490 crore for urban development, ₹4,012 crore for housing, and ₹3,127 crore for industries and commerce. The energy sector received ₹8,207 crore, and ₹9,554 crore was allocated for roads and buildings. The environment and forest department was allocated ₹687 crore, while the youth, tourism, and cultural department received ₹322 crore. The police department, focusing on law and order, received ₹8,495 crore. Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav concluded the budget speech by stating that all promises made by the coalition government would be fulfilled and that the people’s trust would be repaid by ensuring their welfare.
