The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Minister clarifies on allocation to IT

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Friday, Jun 25, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Minister clarifies on allocation to IT

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JUNE 24. Stung by the criticism of alleged neglect of the IT sector in his budget speech, the Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, on Thursday clarified that he had made a provision of Rs. 80.99 crores for IT in the 2004-05 budget.

The Finance Minister asserted that the Congress Government's policy towards the IT sector remained unchanged though it was of the firm view that information technology was not the panacea for all economic ills. It would also not be brash enough like past leaders to give a call to farmers and weavers to abandon their traditional vocations and take to IT.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Rosaiah, however, admitted that this year's outlay fell short of the expenditure of Rs. 105.60 crores incurred on IT development last year. He explained that the TDP Government had provided Rs. 135 crores in the budget anticipating World Bank assistance of Rs. 110 crores under the A.P. Economic Restructuring Project (APERP).

But, no assistance was received from the World Bank till the year-end. By then, the Government had spent Rs. 105.60 crores from its own funds.

The Minister said he was ready to release additional funds for the IT sector depending upon the expenditure. Mr. Rosaiah explained that he could not possibly cover every subject in his hour-long budget speech.

Answering a question, the Minister said he could always include in the supplementary demands, the allocation for fulfilling the Congress Government's promise of providing loans to DWCRA women at a subsidised interest rate of three per cent. This issue had found no mention in his speech.

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