AP and Telangana Empty-handed while Center Concentrates on the Poll-Bound States

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had tabled the Budget for 2021-22 in Parliament a little while ago. The Budget has piqued immense interest in everyone because it is being tabled in a Pandemic and every sector needs relief. But then, there are not many interesting things here.

Both the Telugu States did not get any specific allocations. There were special allocations for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura which are going for elections later this year. Obviously, the Telugu States had to wait further for their turn at least until they have Assembly Elections.

While most people do not have hopes regarding State-Specific allocations, BJP leaders in AP and Telangana were in hopes of something so that they can showcase it to the people in Tirupati and Nagarjunasagar. There is no relief for the Taxpayers with no change in the personal income tax slabs.

Furthermore, the Government of India has proposed a farm cess of Rs 2.5/litre on petrol and Rs 4 on diesel. Agricultural cess was also applied on several other goods including a 100% cess on alcohol, 2.5% on gold and silver bars, 17.5% on crude palm oil, 20% on crude soybean, sunflower oil, 35% on apples, and 40% on peas.