NDA cheers AP budget as forward-looking; Opposition calls it empty, misleading

Vijayawada: The ruling NDA partners hailed the state budget as forward-looking and reflective of public aspirations, while opposition parties criticised it as an empty document lacking specific focus and assurance on the fulfilment of promises.TDP senior leader and former finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said that the budget sought to balance fiscal discipline with the state's development requirements. He said the allocations indicated an effort to meet public expectations, adding that the govt focused on long-term outcomes while designing the proposals. He noted that the budget emphasised controlling borrowings and reducing the state's interest burden. Ramakrishnudu also appreciated the steps to reschedule loans and bring down interest rates to ease the debt burden.Jana Sena PAC chairman and civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar said that the budget was designed to move a derailed system from financial crisis towards progress and from destruction towards development. He said that the increase in capital expenditure by 16% to ₹53,917 crore from ₹39,498 crore last year, and the projected tax revenue collections to ₹1,25,846 crore from ₹98,025 crore, was proof of ongoing efforts towards financial recovery.BJP state president PVN Madhav noted that the deficit was being controlled for the first time since the state's formation, with steps towards wealth creation. He said that investments of about ₹14 lakh crore came to the state in the last 20 months and added that large-scale employment would be created once these investments materialised.On the other hand, the opposition YSRCP called the budget a "bundle of lies", alleging revenue figures did not match growth claims. Former finance minister Buggana Rajendranath accused the state govt altered the budget book format to conceal data and avoid a 10-year comparison. He said none of the poll promises was fulfilled, but the govt loans exceeded ₹3 lakh crore. He claimed the previous govt achieved 9% growth, but it came down to only 4.5% during the coalition govt.APCC president Y S Sharmila said that the budget resembled "old wine in a new bottle". She said the proposals were based on imagination and fabrication, with large figures masking what she described as a growing debt burden. Sharmila said the allocations did not match the promises made during the elections, and Super Six promises were compromised.