AP Finance Minister met with Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Seetharaman

Andhra Pradesh : Amaravathi :  June 22(HS) Andhra Pradesh, Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, attended the pre-Budget consultations meet of the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Seetharaman, and put forth AP Government’s proposals seeking higher allocation of funds and also release of all pending funds.

Later, speaking to the media, the Minister allayed apprehensions in some quarters regarding the budgetary constraints and said all promises made by the Chief Minister, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, in the past would be honoured and the Budget will incorporate funds for all those.

Revenue deficit was there but the propaganda of the previous government about Rs 16,000 crore revenue deficit at the time of bifurcation was a myth concocted by the then Chief Minister. The Budget to be presented soon to the Assembly will be a balanced one giving priority to the farming.

He said he had urged the Centre to continue its handholding as promised during bifurcation and extend all help to the State Government. He assured the people that Excise revenue deficit due to prohibition will really not affect the State exchequer as people will be spending the savings on other things.

The Minister earlier attended the GST Council meet too to discuss the GST proposals. He said he had urged the Centre to consider reducing the tax on auto spare parts that affected the lorry transport industry in the State. He also appealed for reduced tax on tamarind.