Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Floor Leader in Lok Sabha Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu in his speech on the Union Budget 2025-26 praised the government for maintaining an uninterrupted parliamentary session while highlighting key allocations for Andhra Pradesh.
Expressing gratitude to the Union Finance Minister in his address to the Lok Sabha on Monday (February 10), Mr. Devarayalu welcomed the significant financial outlays for the State, which included ₹15,000 crore for Amaravati’s development, ₹12,000 crore for the Polavaram Irrigation Project, and ₹11,440 crore for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL). He also acknowledged ₹1,750 crore allocated for the development of backward districts in the Rayalaseema region and the foundation stone being laid for the long-awaited Vizag Railway Zone.
Additionally, he emphasized favorable trade policy adjustments benefiting the State. These included the reduction of basic customs duty (BCD) on frozen fish paste (Surimi) from 30% to 5%, export duty exemption on crust leather exports, and the exemption of 36 essential medicines for cancer and chronic diseases from BCD.
The Lok Sabha member praised the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which received a 108% increase in outlay, bringing the budget allocation to ₹19,482.58 crore for 2025-26 across 14 sectors. He highlighted how this would generate an estimated ₹12.50 lakh crore in incremental production. He also welcomed the expansion of the zero-income tax slab to ₹12 lakh under the new tax regime, calling it a major step toward boosting consumption.
Referring to NITI Aayog’s fiscal health ranking, which placed Andhra Pradesh at 17th, Mr. Devarayalu underscored the need for a balanced approach between welfarism and wealth creation. He reiterated TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of prosperity-driven governance over a purely welfare-oriented model.
On railways, he noted that Andhra Pradesh received ₹9,417 crore, marking an 11-fold increase over previous budgets. An additional ₹240 crore was allocated for the construction of roads and bridges. In the area of rural development, he suggested including handloom weavers under MGNREGA with 100 days of guaranteed employment at ₹250-₹300 daily wages, along with cooperative support for raw materials and marketing.
Addressing concerns in the agriculture sector, the MP urged an increase in PM-KISAN financial support, indexed to inflation, and called for the recognition of tenant farmers under key agricultural schemes. He also requested price support for chilli farmers under PM-AASHA through NAFED and AP MARKFED.
On education and infrastructure, he pointed out that out of 2,369 recommended PM Shri Schools, only 855 were allocated to Andhra Pradesh and requested more. He also demanded the State’s participation in the STARS Programme and stressed the need for full central funding for the Vizag and Vijayawada Metro projects, which were approved at ₹11,498 crore and ₹11,009 crore, respectively.
Discussing industrial growth and capital markets, Devarayalu highlighted record IPO fundraising of ₹1,62,800 crore in 2024, with a 31% average listing premium. He pointed out that SME IPO growth had surged from 109 issues in 2022 to 235 in 2024, raising ₹8,600 crore. To support MSMEs, he proposed the establishment of localized stock exchanges that provide risk capital for innovation and entrepreneurship. He also criticized the drastic budget cut of the National Research Foundation (NRF) from ₹50,000 crore to ₹200 crore, calling for better utilization to boost technology and R&D.
Raising concerns over the Agriculture Infrastructure & Development Cess (AIDC), Devarayalu noted that in 37 out of 51 products, AIDC offset BCD reductions, leading to no real duty relief. He argued that since AIDC revenue remains with the Centre, it reduces the divisible pool, ultimately affecting state finances.
Mr. Devarayalu urged the government to ensure sustainable economic policies, fiscal responsibility, and equitable growth to achieve long-term prosperity for the country.
