The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Allocation cut for projects resented

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Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Allocation cut for projects resented

Correspondent

MAHABUBNAGAR: Many leaders of opposition parties have expressed resentment over cut in allocation for ongoing lift irrigation schemes and projects in the annual budget for the year 2008-2009 presented by Finance Minister K. Roshaiah on Saturday.

While the allocations in 2007-2008 for the projects in the district were to the tune of Rs. 1,550 crore, this year it had come down to Rs.1,346 crore.

Justified

However, Minister for Rural Development G. Chinna Reddy, while speaking to reporters on Sunday, justified the downsizing of the allocations saying that the expenditure had been far less than the allocations made during last two years. During the 2006-2007, as against the budget allocation of Rs. 435 crore for Bheema project, only Rs. 258 crore was spent and in 2007-2008, only Rs. 251 crore was spent as against the allocated Rs. 475 crore. This year, Rs. 400 crore was allocated.

For Kalwakurhty lift irrigation scheme, this year, Rs. 448 crore was allocated while it was Rs. 750 crore last year. While allocation for Nettempadu in the last year budget was Rs. 286 crore, it was enhanced to Rs. 328 crore this year though the expenditure during 2007-2008 was only Rs. 221 crores. Status quo was maintained with regard to Koilsagar project. As last year, this year too Rs. 70 crore was allocated for the project though Rs. 6-crore excess works were being undertaken.

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