Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Eyewash, says Rosaiah

By Our Special Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA FEB. 10. The APCC spokesperson, K. Rosaiah, has dubbed the discussions on draft budget eyewash undertaken by the TDP Government to divert the attention of people from drought conditions gripping the State.

Speaking to newspersons here today, Mr. Rosaiah said people wanted the Government to reduce its fiscal deficit, stop further borrowings, increase allocations for the irrigation and power sectors, etc. Would the Government heed their advice, he asked. He pointed out that the budget had lost its sanctity as the Government had never adhered to its budget allocations in the last seven years as observed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General. It had slashed the allocations made in the budgets for the irrigation, power and industry sectors. The Government had raised internal debt amounting to Rs. 12,890 crores through development bonds but used the same for debt repayment or interest payment. As per capita debt amounted to Rs. 8,000, people were exhorting the Government to put an end to further borrowings. Unless the Government increased allocations for irrigation, the regional imbalances would grow further, he observed.

He said that when he was the Finance Minister some contents of the first page in Volume one got leaked and TDP made it a big issue and sought his resignation. But the same TDP was putting the draft budget proposals for discussion by people even before the Assembly considered them. Saying that according to the Constitution, the budget proposals of both State and Central Governments should be considered secret and placed for discussion first in the elected Houses, Mr. Rosaiah wondered whether any amendment was made in this regard.

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