Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has stated that fiscal prudence and proper management of budget will enable the State government to mobilise and pool funds required to fulfil promises made to people.
In his reply to the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the Telangana Assembly on Friday, he stated that accounts of the government were yet to be finalised by the Centre and there was no clarity in the division of 13 Finance Commission funds for 2014-15. Even the FRBM borrowing limit was decided based on the account of combined Andhra Pradesh, he noted. He explained that revenue accrued by the State government during the last six months stood at Rs. 25,948 crore and how the Rs. 1,00,643 crore budget provisions would be met.
The Chief Minister stated that he would go to Delhi soon to meet the Prime Minister to pursue the State’s interests, including the promises made in the A.P. Reorganisation Act. On the request for increasing the FRBM borrowing limit, the Centre had sought detailed accounts for taking a decision, he said.
Announcing the supply of drip and sprinkler implements on subsidy – 100 per cent to SC/ST, 80 pc to BC and 75 pc to others – in the next two-three months and development of green/poly houses in 1,000 acres around Hyderabad, he said these measures were aimed at reducing the city’s dependency on other States for vegetables, the Chief Minister said, explaining the priority given to the agriculture sector.
On the unutilised FRBM borrowing limit of another Rs. 5,000 crore, the Chief Minister said it could be used for improvement of R&B and Panchayat Raj roads being taken up with Rs. 15,000 crore. Tenders will be called for improvement of about 25,000 km roads, he assured.
The Chief Minister announced that the number of ‘108’ and ‘104’ vehicles would go up to 927 from the present 516 in about two months.
