CPI(M) terms State Budget regressive, flags rising debt burden

The Communist Party of India(Marxist) Andhra Pradesh Committee has described the State Budget 2026-27 as regressive and harmful to development, public welfare and social justice.

In a statement issued on Saturday, CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said the government’s vision of ‘Viksit Andhra Pradesh’ appeared confined to rhetoric, with little evidence of concrete implementation.

He alleged that the Budget had failed to honour key assurances made under the Super Six scheme, including monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to women and payment of unemployment allowance. He cautioned that the projected fiscal deficit of ₹75,000 crore could eventually place an additional burden on the people.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao expressed concern over declining State revenues and a fall in capital expenditure. Of the ₹98,000 crore projected under the capital account, nearly ₹76,000 crore was proposed to be mobilised through market borrowings, which, he said, would further increase the debt burden.

He criticised the reduction in allocations to agriculture, rural development, education, welfare and power sectors. With only 4% of the Budget earmarked for agriculture and limited provision for price stabilisation, irrigation and support to tenant farmers, the party alleged that the interests of the farming community had been neglected. It also pointed to the absence of clarity on rehabilitation funds for the Polavaram project and inconsistencies regarding its completion status.

Calling for enhanced public investment and focused support to backward regions, Mr. Srinivasa Rao urged the government to realign its priorities to ensure equitable and sustainable development.