Vote on account’s top priority to garner votes

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Budget 2019, which would be an vote-an-account budget, is likely to give top priority to irrigation, agriculture, women empowerment, speedy completion of ongoing projects, including housing and welfare schemes.

A serious exercise is on in the Finance department and Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu would now be having a series of meetings with officials concerned to give final touches to the vote on account.

According to indications available, about Rs 10,000 crore will be directly deposited to the accounts of women, through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This, the government estimates, would directly benefit at least 95 lakh women in the state. In addition, they would also be given a smart phone, for which the government would allocate funds in the budget.

Recently, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced increase in pension amount to beneficiaries under NTR Bharosa Pension scheme. The government had allocated Rs 5,000 crore during the 2018-19 budget.

More than 54 lakh beneficiaries have been getting pension under this scheme. In view of the Chief Minister announcing 100 per cent increase in pension amount, the allocation under this scheme is likely to be around Rs 10,000 crore.

Another scheme that would figure prominently in the budget proposals is Rythu Raksha scheme. Under this scheme, the government will transfer Rs 10,000 per acre to all farmers, including the tenant farmers. The modalities of this scheme are being worked out and the CM is likely to announce the scheme on Republic Day. There is another proposal with regard to the salaries of contract and temporary employees.

The government is contemplating to provide salaries to these employees on par with the regular employees. The Finance department will allocate necessary funds in the budget. It is also likely to enhance the allocations for implementing the unemployment allowance to youth in the budget proposals.