Telangana Budget: Agriculture Gets Lion's Share Followed By Allocations For Development Of SC And ST

The Telangana government has unveiled a Rs 2.91 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2024-25, focusing on the growth and development of agriculture and associated sectors.

Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka presented the budget in the assembly on 25 July, with an estimated revenue expenditure of Rs 2.2 lakh crore and a capital expenditure of Rs 33,487 crore, as per a report by The Hindu.

The Congress-ruled state's economy remains reliant on borrowings, as reflected in the public debt estimates of Rs 62,112 crore for the fiscal year, alongside a debt repayment component of Rs 17,101 crore.

The budget places significant emphasis on several sectors, with agriculture receiving the largest portion of the overall allocations that is Rs 72,569 crore, comprising one-fourth of the total outlay.

Following agriculture, Scheduled Caste development received Rs 33,124 crore, and Scheduled Tribe development received Rs 17,056 crore, contributing more than Rs 50,000 crore.

The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department received a budgetary allocation of Rs 29,816 crore, highlighting the government's focus on rural development.

The Irrigation Department was allocated Rs 22,301 crore, underscoring the government's priority to complete projects with minimal expenditure.

The education sector was also given significant attention, with an allocation of Rs 21,292 crore.

Other major departments receiving substantial allocations include the Energy Department with Rs 16,410 crore and the Medical and Health Department with Rs 11,468 crore.

For the twin cities, the government allocated Rs 10,000 crore for Greater Hyderabad Muncipal Corporation and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority and an additional Rs 1,525 crore for the development of the regional ring road in the current fiscal year. Meanwhile, Rs 9,654 crore was proposed for the Home Department.