Vijayawada: Wtih no special package or funds allocated to Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget presented in the Parliament on Thursday, people in Vijayawada were disappointed.
G. Umakanth, a private employee, said, “Why is the Centre neglecting AP? As polls are round the corner in Karnataka, metro rail project has been sanctioned for that state but no allocation was made for Amaravati Metro rail. There is no clarity regarding Polavaram, Capital building, revenue deficit from them. It would be better if petrol is taken under the purview of GST.”
A homemaker, L. Prameela, said: “Previously, people used to know about rise or fall in price through Budget. Now, there is no such thing as GST is applicable on all products. All the prices have risen and the government is not able to check them. What is the use of Budget then?”
S. Chinna, a farmer in the city, said: “The minimum support price policy is good. The authorities promised to give 150 pc price. We need not worry if it is implemented strictly. But it is the middlemen who procure foodgrains from us. The middlemen are the most influential in the market. They should be removed from the system. Else, the benefits of MSP will be in their pockets, instead of us.”
Vakkalagadda Bhaskar Rao, president, Vijayawada Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said Budget 2018-19 has disappointed the trade and industries sector. No encouragement has been given for the industries despite not according special status to the state. There is no action plan to revive sick industries, he said. Not increasing the individual income tax limit is also not a good sign, he added.
Dr Suresh, convener, Prajarogya Vedika, said: “The government allotted only Rs 5,447 crore to rural health. However, the finance minister announced “Ayushman Bharat”, under which 10 crore families will get health insurance, each of '5 lakh. Instead of funding the rural hospitals, the government is benefitting corporate hospitals through insurance policy,” he said.
HAQ, Centre for Child Rights, said: “Despite inclusion of new schemes in the list, there is a fall in the overall share for children in 2018-19 Budget.”
