Telangana Finance Minister T Harish Rao presented the state budget for the financial year 2023-24 on Monday, proposing a total outlay of Rs 2,90,396 crore, which is Rs 34,000 crore more than the 2.56 lakh crore outlay proposed in the previous budget.
He proposed a revenue expenditure of Rs 2,11,685 crore and a capital expenditure of Rs 37,525 crore.
Rao detailed how Telangana has established itself as a role model for the country and ushered in a golden era in the last eight and a half years in a two-hour speech. Despite the Centre’s restrictions and discrimination, the finance minister stated that the state has not compromised on its development and welfare schemes.
Panchayat Raj dept gets highest allocation, Rs 31,426 crore allocated
The Panchayat Raj department received the highest allocation of Rs 31,426 crore in this year’s budget. This is possibly the first time the department has received such a large budgetary allocation, reflecting the State government’s commitment to rural development.
To begin, with the State government’s allocation of Rs 2,587 crore for laying new roads and maintaining existing roads, rural roads in the State are set to get a black topping.
“I have good news to local bodies. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has decided that from the coming financial year, along with the grants released by the State government, Finance Commission grants will be transferred directly into the accounts of local bodies,” said Finance Minister T Harish Rao while presenting the annual budget in the Assembly here on Monday.
Previously, the amount used to be credited in the District Treasury, and Gram Panchayats had to encash the cheques issued by the district administration. The Minister stated that with direct transfer, local body representatives can now use funds independently without waiting for Finance department approval.
The Palle Pragathi program has completed five phases to date, and the State government has transferred over Rs 10,000 crore to Gram Panchayats since its inception.
Since the formation of the state, laying of 8,160 km new roads were taken up at a cost of Rs 4,209 crore. Construction of 6,075 km of Panchayat Raj roads has been completed as part of this road network, and the remaining road network works are being completed at a rapid pace.
Budgets proposed:
- Panchayat roads (maintenance and new ones): Rs 2,587 crore
- Palle Pragathi: Rs 3,360 crore
- Aasara Pensions: Rs 12,000 crore
- Extension of interest free loans: Rs 849 crore
- Water supply and sanitation: Rs 1,253.99 crore
Rs 26,885 crore allocated for Irrigation Department
For the financial year 2023-24, an amount of Rs.26,885 crore has been proposed for the Irrigation Department.
The Telangana government is looking to provide irrigation to 1 crore 25 lakh acres. It has so far created irrigation facilities to a tune of 73,33,000 acres and in the next two to three years, plans to bring an additional 50,24,000 acres under irrigation.
The Telangana government has completed pending projects such as Kalvakurthy, Bhima, Nettempadu, Koil Sagar, Yellampalli, Mid Manair, Devadula, and others. This has resulted in the creation of a new ayacut of 20 lakh acres.
Rs 12,161 crore allocated to Medical and Health Department
In the annual Budget for 2023-34, the State government has continued to place a special emphasis on healthcare and medical education.
All of the major government Health Departments received healthy allocations that will support ongoing flagship projects and efforts to build new medical infrastructure.
Some of the major initiatives announced include extending KCR Nutritional Kits to all pregnant women across 33 districts, benefiting 4 lakh pregnant women, establishing 100 more Basthi Dawakhanas for urban healthcare facilities across all Telangana towns, and launching para-medical courses and nursing colleges in teaching hospitals.
Overall, the government has proposed allocating Rs 12,161 crore to the Medical and Health Department in the Budget for 2023-24, up from Rs 11,237 crore last year.
Rs 22,260 crore proposed for Roads and Buildings Department
For the financial year 2023-24, a budget of Rs.22,260 crore has been proposed for the Roads and Buildings Department. Aside from that, the Roads and Buildings Department has proposed a Rs.2,500 crore budget for road maintenance and repair.
Following the formation of the state, construction of 1,875 KMs of double-lane roads was undertaken at a cost of Rs 2,727 crore, of which 1,684 kilometers have already been completed.
Construction of 350 bridges has been completed out of the 717 bridges taken up for construction at a cost of Rs 3,134 crore.
The government has started building integrated district office complexes in 29 districts at a cost of Rs 1,581 crore, with 17 buildings already inaugurated. The construction of 11 office complexes was nearing completion.
The seven-storied new Secretariat building, constructed with a built-up area of 7 lakh square feet, is nearly finished and will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister on February 17.
Near the new Secretariat, the government is installing a 125 feet statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at a cost of Rs 147 crore. The government is determined to complete all works by this March end.
For perpetuating the memory of all those who sacrificed their lives for the attainment of Statehood for Telangana, the government has built a Martyrs Memorial at a cost of Rs 178 crore.
Rs 19,093 crore allocated to Education Dept
Continuing its focus on providing quality education in government-run institutions, the State government has increased Budget allocations to the Education Department to Rs 19,093 crore for 2023-24, up from Rs 16,085.69 crore in the previous Budget.
Secondary education received Rs 16,092 crore, while higher education received Rs 3,001 crore. Aside from that, the government has allocated Rs 5,609 crore for student scholarships and diet charges in 2023-24, as against Rs 4,690 in the last financial year.
MA&UD department gets Rs 11,372 crore
The Municipal Administration and Urban Development department received Rs 11,372 crore in the 2023-24 budget, up from Rs 10,591 crore in the previous financial year.
The current budget includes Rs 1,474 crore for the Pattana Pragathi program, up from Rs 1,394 crore in the previous budget. Aside from TUFIDC loans, the State government has allocated Rs 300 crore for municipal development assistance.
A whopping Rs 6,000 crore has been allocated for various development projects in Urban Local Bodies.
Rs 12,727 crore allocated to Energy sector
The Energy Department has been allocated Rs 12,727 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24, which is Rs 529 crore more than the previous fiscal year.
Following the formation of the State, the government spent Rs 38,070 crore to strengthen the power sector, transmission, and distribution, resulting in an increase in installed power capacity from 7,778 MW to 18,453 MW. Furthermore, power plants with a generating capacity of 8,085 MW are under construction.
Telangana has been at the forefront of renewable energy generation, particularly solar power generation, which now stands at 5,741 MW.
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