VIJAYAWADA: Ruling YSR Congress has expressed its deep disappointment with the union budget presented in Parliament on Monday, charging that the centre focussed only on states going to polls in the short term. YSRC MP V. Vijaya Sai Reddy accused the BJP-led union government of not paying any attention to the needs of AP, despite itself promising Special Category Status for the state at the time of its bifurcation.
Vijaya Sai Reddy, in his reaction on behalf of the party, was incensed that gifts are being showered on states where elections are to be held, but AP is being neglected, though it is not yet Atmanirbhar after having been split by the union government.
He said apart from not showing any interest in giving special status to AP, the centre has made no provision in the budget for the new textile park. There is no mention of Rs. 55,656 crore revised estimates of Polavaram project. He maintained that the proposed private corridor is of no great use. He said, "Despite demanding several times that more Kisan trains be allotted to AP due to hectic agriculture activity going on within it, the centre has chosen to ignore the state."
Vijaya Sai Reddy pointed out that thousands of crores have been allotted for metro rail projects in Bangalore, Chennai, Nagpur and Kochi. AP had sought metro rail for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada after Hyderabad went to Telangana. But no mention has been made with regard to metro in AP. He maintained that the logistics corridor from Kharagpur to Vijayawada and Nagpur to Vijayawada are only show pieces. The Kadapa-Bangalore railway line has been neglected, just as of vista dome coaches have been allotted between Visakhapatnam and Araku.
The MP demanded that National Virology Centre be set up in Andhra Pradesh. He wanted grain arrears to be paid immediately, apart from Kendriya Vidyalayas in every newly formed district in the state. Assistance to farmers must be increased to Rs. 10,000 from the present Rs. 6,000. Ayushmann Bharat must be transformed along the Aarogyasri model covering 2.434 diseases and procedures against present 1,350. He pointed out that unemployment has risen sharply and no action has been taken to create employment. He asked the union employment to extend the employment guarantee scheme to 150 days.
MP Mithun Reddy also expressed dissatisfaction over the union budget.
Rajamahendravaram MP Margani Bharat said MPs of YSR Congress will raise their voice in Parliament to get funds from the centre.
