Rajamahendravaram, March 1: Former YSRCP MP Margani Bharat criticized the state government’s budget for favoring rhetoric over substance. “The budget has more matter but less meter,” he said, questioning its alignment with the ruling party’s Super Six promises.
Bharat flagged unfulfilled pledges, including the Annadata Sukheebhava scheme, where Rs. 20,000 promised to farmers remains unpaid. He estimated Rs. 11,000 crore is needed for 50 lakh farmers and demanded allocation details. Under the Talliki Vandanam scheme, supporting 87 lakh students requires Rs. 12,000 crore, but only Rs. 9,400 crore was allocated, raising shortfall concerns.
He questioned the lack of unemployment allowances for 20 lakh jobless youth and funds for the Aadabidda Nidhi scheme for 1.2 crore women over 18.
Bharat also cited unmet promises like Rs. 10,000 honorariums for 2.5 lakh volunteers and pensions for BCs above 50, criticizing TDP leaders for not securing special status from the Centre.
He accused the government of financial mismanagement, noting a Rs. 2,17,000 crore income against a Rs. 3,24,000 crore budget, implying over Rs. 1 lakh crore in loans to mislead the public. He slammed the Rs. 40,000 crore capital expenditure allocation, doubting its adequacy for development and welfare.
On investments, he challenged the government’s Davos claims, contrasting it with Maharashtra’s 61 MoUs and Telangana’s 20 MoUs, securing Rs. 1,61,000 crore.
For infrastructure, Bharat claimed credit for proposing flyovers like Diwan Cheruvu, accusing MP Purandeswari of taking undue credit. He urged her to bring mega-projects like a Godavari rail-cum-road bridge, noting railway projects launched by PM Modi are being repackaged. He cited securing Rs. 100 crore for ESI Hospital upgrades and Rs. 88 crore for the NRCB project, pressing for their completion, and demanded funds for the approved Rajamahendravaram Outer Ring Road from Diwan Cheruvu to Pottilanka.
State budget lacks substance 
