The Finance Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, presented the Budget for Andhra Pradesh for financial year 2017-18 on March 15, 2017.
Budget Highlights
- Total expenditure for 2017-18 is estimated to be Rs 1,56,999 crore, a 18.3% increase over the revised estimate of 2016-17. In 2016-17, there was a decrease of Rs 2,925 crore (2.2%) in the revised estimate over the budget estimate.
- Total receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2017-18 are estimated to be Rs 1,26,968 crore, an increase of 17.9% over the revised estimates of 2016-17. In 2016-17, total receipts fell short of the budgeted target by Rs 2,859 crore.
- Revenue deficit for the next financial year is targeted at Rs 416 crore. Fiscal deficit is targeted at Rs 23,054 crore. Primary deficit is targeted at Rs 8,272 crore.
- Departments of Water Resources (57%), Rural Development (27%), and Health, Medical and Family Welfare (22%) saw increases in allocations for the year 2017-18. On the other hand, allocation to the Department of Municipal Administration and Urban Development witnessed a 22% decrease in allocation in 2017-18.
Policy Highlights
- Agriculture Debt Waiver: Rs 3,600 crore has been allocated for the Agriculture Debt Redemption Schem In 2016-17, Rs 3,512 crore was allocated to this scheme.
- Power: Rs 3,300 crore has been allocated to subsidise the provision of electricity supply to the poor.
- Energy: Four solar parks with a capacity of 1,000 MW each are to be completed by 2018-19. In addition, a wind energy capacity of 5,000 MW will be achieved by 2018-19.
- Irrigation: Phase II of the Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Livelihood Improvement Project has been proposed. It will cover the modernization of 20 Major and Medium Irrigation projects, and the restoration of 445 minor irrigation tanks.
- Housing: 1,10,000 houses are proposed to be undertaken in 2017-18 under the Affordable Housing Projects. Rs 1,457 crore has been allocated for housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and NTR Rural Housing schem