YSR’s pet programmes take a hit
In a marked departure from the development-oriented budgets he formulated as Finance Minister in Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s Cabinet earlier, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on Saturday presented a budget for 2009-10 that is more focussed on welfare, going by the higher allocations to the sector.
Notwithstanding his handsome references in his budget speech in the Assembly to the innovative schemes of the former Chief Minister, the plan outlay for irrigation sector, handling the Government’s flagship programme, Jalayagnam, took a hit with allocation dropping from Rs. 17,771 crore to Rs. 14,970 crore (only State’s share). Allocation to Housing, overseeing YSR’s another pet scheme Indiramma, the weaker section housing programme remained stagnant at Rs. 1,808 crore. There was also no mention about the enhancement of BPL rice quota from 24 kg to 30 kg per family as also the increase in supply of free power from seven to nine hours, the two election promises on which the Congress rode back to power, in the Chief Minister’s address.
Rural Development and agriculture and allied services saw an increase in the outlay, but the loss in allocations to irrigation and other sectors was compensated by enhanced sanctions to social services including welfare of SC/ST/BC/Minority, urban development and women and child welfare departments. We had to muster courage to present a budget of this magnitude as several apprehensions prevailed over the past few months, owing to the prevailing economic slowdown, the Chief Minister admitted .
The budget indicated a heavy reliance on the devolution from the Central Government with State’s share of central taxes, centrally sponsored schemes and grants-in-aid estimated at Rs. 27,946.61 crore. Even as the fiscal deficit is estimated to be around Rs. 12,983 crore (Rs. 14,282 crore in 2009-10), the Chief Minister projected a revenue surplus of Rs. 3,548 crore at the end of the year, a claim the Opposition termed as ‘indicator’ of hard days ahead for the people.
source: www.hindu.com
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