29-07-2025
Welfare schemes in A.P. continue despite ₹16,000 crore fiscal deficit, says Excise Minister
Minister for Mines, Geology and Excise Kollu Ravindra on Tuesday said that the State government is taking up development and welfare activities despite Andhra Pradesh having a fiscal deficit of ₹16,000 crore.
The Minister toured Kavali Assembly Constituency on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) along with MLC Beeda Ravichandra and local MLA Dagumati Venkata (Kavya) Krishna Reddy.
As part of 'Suparipalana lo Tholi Adugu' programme, the Minister laid foundation stone for several development programmes, including internal CC roads at Pattapupalem at a cost of ₹22.6 lakh, drinking water facility under Jala Jeevan Mission at Thummalapenta Pallipalem at a cost of ₹44 lakh and another CC road in the same village at a cost of ₹27.4 lakh.
Similarly, foundation stone was also laid for safe drinking water at Otturu at a cost of ₹55 lakh, and the construction of CC road at a cost of ₹25 lakh. 'About 95% promises made before the elections have been fulfilled. After the government was formed, pensions were increased and paid to the beneficiaries along with arrears. There are 64 lakh pensioners in the State,' the Minister said.
Under 'Annadata Sukhibhava' programme, the government offers ₹20,000 per year in three instalments to support farmers, the Minister said, adding that ₹20,000 is provided annually to the fishermen during the ban on fishing. 'As part of the pre-poll promises, steps have been taken to provide free bus travel to women from August 15,' the Minister said.
