Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K
Rosaiah on Saturday denied that the state budget for 2010-11 was
prepared on "regional lines", but based on "ground realities".
"The budget is based on ground realities and not on
regional lines. There are issue-based priorities while we have
also kept the region-wise needs in mind," Rosaiah told newsmen
after presenting his record 16th budget the first as Chief
Minister in the state Assembly today.
"We could not have prepared a better budget given the
current situation," he said.
Rosaiah said stringent fiscal management adopted in the
last four months following various crises helped "discipline
ourselves."
"I was apprehensive whether or not I will be able to
present the budget with required confidence because of the
global recession. But today, I am fully satisfied since we are
able to curb capital expenditure significantly," he added.
Questioned about the lesser allocations to Jalayagnam and
housing projects, Rosaiah said they have adopted a "practical
approach."
"We are hopeful of securing more funds under the Prime
Minister's package for some irrigation projects. The Centre is
likely to declare major irrigation projects like Polavaram,
Pranahita-Chevella and Devadula as national projects at the
earliest," he said.
Allocation of funds for irrigation projects would become
clear in the next few days after the 13th Finance Commission
report comes out.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 22:33