Welfare, development balanced amid fiscal challenges: Nimmala

Rajamahendravaram: Despite financial constraints, the State government is implementing welfare and development programmes in a balanced manner, said Water Resources Minister Dr Nimmala Ramanaidu. He stated that sustained efforts are being made to stabilise the State’s economy while continuing key initiatives for public benefit.

Reviewing the Budget Outreach Programme for 2026-27 with district officials at the Collectorate here on Thursday, the Minister said a total allocation of Rs 3,832.08 crore has been made for East Godavari district, including Rs 2,163.30 crore for major welfare schemes.

Addressing the media later, he said the State’s financial condition was in a difficult phase when the present government assumed office, mainly due to the burden of debts accumulated earlier. He remarked that the economy, which was once in a critical state, is gradually being brought back to normalcy through systematic measures. He attributed the progress to the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the support of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and cooperation from the Centre. The Minister said pensions under the NTR Bharosa scheme have been increased to Rs 4,000, while assistance for persons with disabilities has been raised to Rs 6,000.

He said the Talliki Vandanam scheme is benefiting every child in a family, and farmers are receiving an annual input support of Rs 20,000 jointly from the State and Central governments. Anna Canteens are providing meals to a large number of people daily in the district. He said free bus travel for women and distribution of free gas cylinders under the Deepam scheme are being implemented. The government is committed to completing the Polavaram project by 2027, he added. The Minister also said efforts are underway to bring back industries that had left the state in the previous government’s regime and to generate employment opportunities on a large scale.