Best in most difficult times

VOICES FROM THE STATES: YS Rajasekhara Reddy

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy termed the Budget as the “best in the most difficult times”. Hailing the Budget as farmer-friendly, he said it would greatly benefit the state.

For the first time, the Union Budget has crossed the Rs 10-lakh-crore level. The focus clearly is on infrastructure and inclusive growth. The Centre has already announced three fiscal stimulus packages for giving boost to the Indian economy and therefore, this Budget should be read with these stimulus packages. The entire effort of the government in making this Budget has been to stimulate growth by stepping up investments in infrastructure, in expectation that it would lead to higher levels of growth and consequential higher revenues, Reddy stated.

According to Reddy, the state would be benefit from the massive increases in the outlays on schemes like AIBP, JNNURM, female literacy mission, Bharat Nirman programme and the interest reduction on crop loans.