Budget Buff: No Specific Allocation to the Telugu States

Union Budget tabled by Finance Minister Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley a little while ago has disappointed both the Telugu States a big time. The Finance Minister made no specific allocations or announcements with respect to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

[m9ad]

This is not much of a disappointment for Telangana since there are very fewer hopes but Andhra Pradesh was expecting many like assistance to Polavaram and Amaravati. There is no word about the Special Package in the budget promised to AP.

There is no budgetary support to any promise in the Bifurcation Act. Interestingly, the budget sets aside 17000 Crore for Suburban Rail for Bengaluru since Karnataka is going to the polls this Summer. There is a sop to another BJP ruled Maharashtra State.

The Budget also allocates 40,000 crores for enhancing transportation in Mumbai with the expansion of suburban railway system and new airports. There is no allocation to any infrastructure project in both the Telugu States. This budget will have its first repercussion on TDP and BJP alliance in Andhra Pradesh.