It has been over four months since the National Democratic Alliance, led by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), came to power in Andhra Pradesh, yet the state has not seen the introduction of a full-fledged budget.
Before the elections, the previous government under Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy presented a vote-on-account budget with an outlay of Rs 2.86 lakh crore, securing approval for the expenditure of Rs 1.09 lakh crore for the first four months (April to July 31).
Typically, after elections, the new government is expected to introduce a full budget within a month, following a review of the state's finances. However, the Chandrababu Naidu-led government, which took charge in June, delayed this process.
The financial situation was reportedly chaotic, with empty state coffers and a heavy debt burden, which made it difficult to immediately present a budget.
Though Naidu convened assembly sessions, the government did not present a full budget but instead took the ordinance route to secure approval for spending over the next three months.
Now, with only five months remaining in the financial year, the government is compelled to present the actual budget, as it cannot continue relying on the vote-on-account.
Sources indicate that state finance minister Payyavula Kesav is in discussions with various departments to finalize the budget.
It is expected that a budget session will be held in the second week of November, where Kesav will present the budget for the remaining five months.
“The new budget will include allocations for various welfare schemes announced by the government, and the total outlay is expected to be around Rs 2.90 lakh crore, including the funds already spent,” sources added.
