Andhra Pradesh presses on with freebies despite debt

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced a slew of welfare schemes despite admitting the state faces a severe financial crunch. At the TDP's annual Mahanadu in Kadapa on Thursday, Naidu said the state carries a debt burden of Rs 10 lakh crore, with Rs 40,000 crore paid annually as interest. Finance ministry data, however, pegs the debt at Rs 5.62 lakh crore - still substantial by any measure.

Undeterred, Naidu confirmed that one of the TDP's key election promises - free bus travel for women - will be launched on August 15. The state has yet to estimate the cost of the scheme. "We'll understand the financial impact after implementation. The aim is to improve women's access to jobs, even if salaries are low," Finance Minister P Keshav told ET.

Another major promise, the revamped Rythu Bharosa scheme, will give Rs 20,000 per year to each farmer - Rs 6,000 under PM-Kisan and Rs 14,000 from the state. The state expects to support at least 54 lakh farmers initially, requiring Rs 7,560 crore annually. There are discussions to expand the scheme to 62 lakh beneficiaries.


Naidu also said the 'Thalliki Vandanam' scheme - which gives Rs 15,000 per child to mothers who send their children to school - will be rolled out this session. The previous government capped it at Rs 15,000 per mother. Keshav claimed the enhanced incentive also aims to encourage higher fertility rates. "South Indian states are seeing population declines. We must incentivise families to have more children," he said.

The TDP's ally BJP has backed the initiatives.