Finance Minister Etela Rajender today criticized the Centre for poor budgetary allocations to the States.
Addressing the media after presenting the budget at the Assembly conference hall here, Etela said though the Finance Commission recommended additional borrowing limit of 0.5 per cent to the States, the Centre is yet to take a decision. The Finance Minister stated as per the 14th Finance Commission, Telangana is rich after Gujarat at the national level and adequate funds are allotted to meet future needs. Based on Central budget allocations and deductions, the State government prepared its budget with a focus on welfare, agriculture and jobs creation, he said.
The Finance Minister also expressed displeasure at the Centre for not honoring the State which sought more allocations. In spite of this, the Government decided to transform the State into a Golden one by allocating funds on priority basis to welfare, agriculture and job creation on priority basis, he asserted. As per the Chief Minister’s plan, steps are being taken to prioritize the schemes and programs, he said. Impetus has been given on expeditious completion of flagship projects such as Water Grid, Lakes Restoration through Mission Kakatiya, Greenery,
transforming Hyderabad into a global city and welfare besides adequate funds for education, health, irrigation and land and housing for poor and others.
Plans are afoot for rapid industrial growth through new industrial policy while the government with a balanced outlook made adequate funding for pensions, welfare of SC, ST, Minorities, land to poor and others, he added. (NSS)