Finance Minister Allocates Rs 15,000 Crore for Amaravati Development

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a Rs 15,000-crore allocation for developing Andhra Pradesh's capital, Amaravati, and committed to expediting the Polavaram Irrigation Project. The funds will be sourced from multilateral development agencies. The Opposition criticized the budget, claiming it ignored opposition-ruled states.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced a significant Rs 15,000-crore budget allocation aimed at developing Andhra Pradesh’s state capital, Amaravati. The decision comes after years of pressing at the Centre by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

The funds, to be facilitated through multilateral development agencies, will also expedite the Polavaram Irrigation Project, deemed essential for the state's farmers and national food security. ''Our government has made concerted efforts to fulfil the commitments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act,'' Sitharaman emphasized.

While the budget allocation was welcomed by the TDP, the Opposition labeled it a ''kursi bachao budget'' driven by political motives, accusing the BJP-led NDA of ignoring opposition-ruled states. Despite these criticisms, the NDA stressed its commitment to Andhra Pradesh's development and addressing the region's longstanding issues.