Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Fiscal discipline toned up : A.P. Minister

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD MARCH 30. The Finance Minister, Y.Ramakrishnudu, has asserted that the initiatives of the Government helped project Andhra Pradesh as on investment destination, especially in the industry and service sectors.

Replying to the discussion on the Appropriation Bill in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday, he denied the opposition charge that the foreign visits of the Chief Minister, N.Chandrababu Naidu, yielded no results. The potentialities and avenues of the State were highlighted in these initiatives.The Bill was later passed after the Opposition, barring the BJP, staged a walkout.

He strongly defended the user charges being introduced in various departments which were being ploughed back to provide better service to people. The Minister said the State ranked first in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and was ahead of other States in all indices of development. The results were showing up improved literacy rate, reduced poverty levels and population rate.

He also rejected the Opposition contention that the budgetary allocations for the welfare of weaker sections were slashed by the Government. Per capita income growth rate was higher than other States and surpassed even the all-India average, he said. Mr.Ramakrishnudu pointed out that the tourism industry had attracted investment proposals up to Rs.900 crores and Information Technology another Rs.3000 crores. Multinationals were vying to come to the State and invest. Economic growth was triggered without Government investments. Private industry would play a big role.

He refuted the Opposition charge of financial mismanagement, and asserted that the fiscal discipline was toned up to ensure timely release of budgetary release orders in the financial year. He said the auditing system of the local bodies was being streamlined. Auditing of accounts of all the panchayat bodies were completed and the process was on in respect of the municipalities. The exercise was aimed at ensuring financial accountability.

Mr.Ramakrishnudu said the credit of posing the budget for public debate would go only to the Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu. Outlining the major policy shifts, he said the service sector's contribution to the GSDP had gone up from 29.18 per cent in 1960-61 to 47.02 per cent in 2000-2001. The Primary sector's contribution dwindled from 59.40 per cent to 32.05 per cent during this period. Similarly, the industry sector's contribution increased from 11.41 per cent to 20.93 per cent. Thus, the service sector was poised for further growth.

The Finance Minister said the State was free from communal strife only under the TDP regime. Right to Information was being studied by a Cabinet sub-committee and an effective law would be brought in.

He said total decentralisation of power was being attempted by promoting self-help groups and organising Gram Sabhas which helped people interact with a host of officers.

Mr.Ramakrishnudu said the weaker sections expenditure had gone up from Rs.3825 crores in 1990-91 to 1993-94 (working out to 10.47 per cent) to Rs.10,562.crores between 1996-99 .

The Finance Minister had a dig at the opposition parties for conventional speeches during the entire budget session without any novelty. He also ridiculed the demonstrations and noisy protests in the House, ''instead of making constructive suggestions. He said he had even asked the Speaker to take action on the member who placed lantern on the Speaker's podium. He said the Leader of the Opposition, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, was introducing ''new practices''.

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