Observed fiscal discipline despite constraints: CM

Vijayawada: The last speech of Chief MinisterYS Jagan Mohan Reddyin the present Assembly ahead of the elections was more of hypercritical and fault-finding of the TDP regime between 2014 and 2019.

In fact, Jagan admitted that the YSRCP could not put pressure on the Centre for many of the assurances, including Special Category Status because contrary to his expectations, the Central government got overwhelming majority. He wished that the Centre depends on state government so that they can demand and get what it wants.

Jagan who was replying to the discussion on motion of thanks to the Governor’s address said that in the last five years the government had implemented welfare schemes and took up development activities and maintained financial discipline even in adverse conditions like Covid-19. He said he had inherited poor financial condition from previous the TDP government in 2019. He denied the Opposition charges that his government was debt-ridden and said that the state had rolled out DBT welfare schemes worth Rs 2,55,000 crore and non-DBT welfare schemes worth Rs 1.07,000 crore. He said his government was committed to implement the assurances given in its manifesto unlike the TDP which dumped the promises and indulged in financial irregularities and cause harm to the state economy.

He said that the debt of the residual Andhra Pradesh which stood at Rs 1,53,000 crore, including all types of loans at the time of bifurcation, had gone up to Rs 4,12,288 crore in 2019 when the YSRCP came to power. Now the debt stands at Rs 7,03,000 crore which indicates that in the last five years the debts raised were only 12.13 percent as against 21.87 percent during the TDP rule. He also blamed the Centre for bifurcating the state in unjust manner and for reducing devolution of Central funds. He further said that the state had faced problems due to reduced tax revenue due to several reasons.

Jagan accused TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu of copying their manifesto. He said the promises he was making would cost the exchequer Rs 1,26,000 crore which would be impossible to mobilize. He also debunked the theory of wealth creation by Naidu. If it could be done why didn’t he do it during his first five years, Jagan asked. He also found fault with Naidu for not implementing loan waiver scheme to farmers. “I knew it was not possible so the YSRCP did not promise it,” he added.

“Despite the heavy financial odds, we have implemented more than 99 per cent of our election promises, and our credibility will ensure that the YSRCP will sweep the polls and come up with full budget,” he said.