Bhatti terms his Budget ‘People’s Budget’ aimed at fulfilling aspirations of all sections
Deputy Chief Minister (Finance and Energy) Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has termed the Budget-2024-25 as a ‘people’s budget’ designed to meet the needs and aspirations of all sections of the society in the State. He underscored the government’s efficient use of funds, contrasting it with the BRS’s misuse of public funds. He pointed out the unrealistic nature of previous BRS budgets and the Congress government’s realistic budget, reflecting its sincerity.
In response to criticism from BRS MLA and former finance minister T. Harish Rao during the discussion on the Budget, he emphasised that it was pragmatic and not merely a manipulation of figures, unlike the previous budgets under the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) rule. He asserted that the Budget aligns with the Congress’s core ideology, focused on the welfare and development of the people.
Mr. Vikramarka highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure minimal disparity between revenue estimations and actuals. Stating that the State government would fully utilize the funds allocated for centrally sponsored schemes, he flayed the previous BRS government for ‘diverting funds or failing to release the State’s share or matching grants’. He expressed optimism that the government would secure the maximum funds from the Centre of the estimated ₹21,000 crore.
Addressing Mr. Rao’s criticism of the increased estimated Excise revenue, Mr. Vikramarka assured that the government would streamline the Excise department to prevent losses to the exchequer caused by previous policy decisions. Referring to an allocation of ₹10,000 crore for the development of Telangana’s capital, Hyderabad, he also pledged to reclaim lands usurped by land grabbers in the city. Mr. Vikramarka refuted the BRS’s claims of developing Hyderabad, crediting previous Congress governments with significant infrastructure projects.
Mr. Vikramarka also dismissed Mr. Harish Rao’s remarks, asserting that “People themselves will tell you that BRS stands for betrayal while Congress is synonymous with trust.”
He criticized the BRS government for not fulfilling promises during its 10-year rule and highlighted the Congress government’s achievements within four months of coming to power. Significant allocations include ₹72,000 crore for agriculture, ₹10,000 crore for Hyderabad’s development, and ₹33,124 crore and ₹17,056 crore for SC and ST welfare, respectively.
Mr. Vikramarka criticized the BRS government for discontinuing interest-free loans to women groups and announced the Congress government’s plan to provide ₹1 lakh crore in interest-free loans over the next five years, aiming to empower one crore women in Telangana. He also mentioned job creation efforts, with 32,410 people already employed and plans for additional recruitment.
Highlighting the Congress government’s fulfilment of its election promise, Mr. Vikramarka noted the implementation of a ₹2 lakh loan waiver for farmers and the Rythu Bharosa. He said that they were making plans to meet the power demand until 2035. In the education sector, the government plans to set up Integrated Residential Schools and transform ITIs into advanced technology centres through an agreement with Tata Consultancy.
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Telangana
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Hyderabad
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state budget and tax