Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav presents the state budget for 2025-26 in the state Legislative Assembly.
Credit: PTI photo
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government on Friday presented a Rs 3,22,359 crore budget in the state assembly for the financial year 2025-26, with revenue expenditure estimated at Rs 2,51,162 crore and capital expenditure at Rs 40,635 crore.
The budget was presented by Finance Minister Payyavula Kesav. He said that the estimated revenue deficit will be around Rs 33,185 crore, and the fiscal deficit will be about Rs 79,926 crore.
The revenue deficit will be around 1.82 per cent, and the fiscal deficit will be around 4.38 per cent of GSDP.
The TDP-led NDA government allocated funds for two welfare programs 'Annadata Sukhibhava', 'Talliki Vandanam' under its flagship Super Six scheme that was announced during the polls.
“We strongly believe that educating children should not become a burden on parents. We also believe that no child should be deprived of education for any reason. With this objective, to support every mother to send her child to school, I take pride in announcing that the government is launching the Talliki Vandanam scheme, to provide financial support of Rs.15,000 in the academic year 2025-26.
"The scheme will cover children enrolled in Classes I to XII in both government and private schools. I propose an allocation of Rs. 31,805 crore for School Education Department for 2025-26,” said Keshav.
He further said, “It is said that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you need a farmer. Therefore, let the farmer be happy.
"With a deep sense of gratitude to our annadatas, I happily announce the fulfilment of our Super Six promise. No matter in what financial situation we are in, our farmers will receive Rs. 20,000 annually under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme.”
Keshav also said allocations were made for Polavaram multi purpose project which is considered the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh and the newly announced Banakacharla project.
“Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is ushering in a new era of governance-built on Healthy, Wealthy, Happy society. Andhra Pradesh, today, has momentum. Our target of Swarna Andhra @ 2047 is ambitious, but possible. The progressive transformation taking place in Andhra Pradesh since last year gives us all the reasons to be optimistic and move forward with confidence and pride,” said the finance minister.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stated that his government is committed to welfare, development, and good governance, and the 2025-26 state budget serves as the foundation for the reconstruction of Andhra Pradesh.
He highlighted that despite financial challenges, his government has been working tirelessly to restore systems weakened by the previous administration's destructive policies.
“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,” he said reacting to the budget presented by the Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav.
Rs 10 crore for Telugu
Amidst the raging language war between BJP led Centre and Tamil Nadu government, the TD led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh had allocated Rs 10 cr to promote Telugu language in the budget that was presented on Friday in the state assembly.
“Telugu, our mother tongue and one of the classical languages, has a rich literary tradition dating back centuries. Mother tongue keeps one connected to native culture and also enhances clarity of thought and learning. Several Telugu poets, writers and scholars have contributed through their works to Indian culture, literature and arts. We recognise the importance of Telugu in preserving and propagating the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh. I propose to allocate Rs 10 crore for the development and promotion of Telugu language,” said Keshav while presenting the budget.
Ratan Tata Innovation Hub
Andhra Pradesh would also set up an innovation hub in the name of celebrated industrialist Ratan Tat who passed away last year.
“Our government will establish the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub in Amaravati to foster innovation, create entrepreneurial ecosystems, and mentor startups in the region. It will be linked with five other zonal centres, each supported by a prominent business group, and facilitate technology and skill upgradation in emerging sectors,” announced Keshav.
Opposition calls budget deceptive numbers
Opposition YSR Congress Party has slammed the coalition government's state budget as a "deceptive numbers game," filled with self-praise and criticism of the previous regime, lacking a solid development plan, and leaving the "Super Six" promises unfulfilled.
Botsa Satyanarayana, opposition leader in AP Council, accused the coalition of misusing the public mandate, prioritizing praise for CM Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh over public needs.
He highlighted unfulfilled promises, including inadequate allocations for Talliki Vandanam ( Rs. 15,000 for school-going children), with only Rs. 9,400 crore allocated for 81 lakh students against a required Rs. 12,000 crore, and Annadata Sukhibhava, promised at Rs. 20,000 for farmers, offering no clarity on the scheme. Market intervention funds dropped from Rs. 3,000 crore to Rs. 300 crore, with no support for chilli farmers, he said and pledged a thorough budget review to expose its flaws.