HYDERABAD: Former Finance Minister Y. Ramakrishnudu on Tuesday said budget allocation for agriculture and allied areas has come down by 2 per cent when compared to last year, contrary to the hype created by the `farmer-friendly' Government.

Addressing a press conference, the Telugu Desam leader said the low priority accorded to agriculture and allied areas was reflected in the fall in production of food grains, milk, fisheries and livestock. The net sown area had come down by 10 lakh acres this year, which was surprising as the State received more than normal rainfall.

"The peculiarity could only be traced to the Government's erroneous agriculture policy", he said. The growth rate of agriculture too had come down widening the disparity between per capita incomes of people in urban and rural areas. Yet, there was no mention of how it was going to bridge the gap.

Allocation for irrigation

For all its tall claims, plan allocation for irrigation has reduced by 7 per cent compared to last year. Even otherwise, the allocation has become meaningless with over Rs. 1000 crores of irrigation budget remaining unspent. Rural development saw a cut from 13 per cent last year to 12 per cent now. Infrastructure was down by two per cent and medical and health by one per cent.

The Government's record in reducing the revenue and fiscal deficits was poor. Recalling how the Congress used to make a big issue of debts during TDP rule, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said the debt stock rose to a whopping Rs. 33,000 crores.

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