“I wasn't keen on two portfolios”

He has presented a record 16 budgets working under various Congress Chief Ministers over the years, yet Chief Minister K. Rosaiah requested he not be given two portfolios when he was taken into the Ministry for the first time by M. Chenna Reddy in the 70s.

“Mr. Chenna Reddy took me in his car after the swearing-in ceremony and asked if there was any portfolio I was keen on. I requested him not to give me commercial taxes or civil supplies as the trading community might feel they need not to take any licences thinking I was their man,” remarked Mr. Rosaiah at a public function organised in Sanathnagar constituency on Thursday.

Recalling his close association with several Congress Chief Ministers, he said he learnt a lot of ministerial functions from Chenna Reddy and forecast a bright political future for local MLA M. Shashidhar Reddy. The Chief Minister opened a new Sanathnagar police station, a 33/kv substation and laid a stone for road widening from Erragadda FCI godowns to Fatehnagar flyover.

The 1.5 km road to be widened to 100 feet with 10 ft footpath on both sides is expected to cost Rs. 7.95 crore and 60 properties (public & private) are affected, 180 trees to be translocated or removed and 133 poles are to be shifted for the project with a timeline of six months.

Mr. Rosaiah said road widening programme should be done in tune with rising population and vehicles in the twin cities and at a quicker pace.

Adequate water supply was another challenge. About power cuts, he said steps were being taken to improve generation. He hoped that soon the State will not only be self-sufficient but also surplus in power.

Mr. Shashidhar Reddy showered praises on Mr. Rosaiah for the manner in which he was overcoming “obstacles” to serve the people. He urged him to release MLA funds liberally so as to tackle the water shortage in summer. A water feeder line being laid at a cost of Rs. 4.5 crore was nearing completion and will ensure better supply in the area.

Ministers Sabita Indra Reddy (Home), A. Ram Narayan Reddy (Municipal Administration), P. Lakshmaiah (Irrigation), Mayor Kartika Reddy and others were present.

Big Budget for higher studies

The state Budget presented by the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Saturday, his 16th, has some good news for students who opt for higher and professional education courses this year.

The government has allotted a substantial amount of funds to pay the entire tuition fee and scholarships for students belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes. minorities and physically challenged students, this year. Students whose annual family income is less than Rs 1 lakh can claim these benefits.

The schemes are applicable to both freshers as well as senior students who are pursuing various higher and professional education courses. The government has sanctioned Rs 1,032 crore for BCs, Rs 300 crore for EBCs, Rs 536 crore for SCs, Rs 193 crore for STs, Rs 210 cr for minorities and Rs 7 crore for physically challenged students, towards total fee reimbursement and scholarships.

The move is expected to benefit nearly 80 per cent of the total number of students who opt for professional courses. Further, the Budget allocation for higher education and school education departments went up to Rs 2,830 crore and Rs 9,824 crore respectively.

“The allocations for new universities were raised from Rs 1.5 crore last year to Rs 4 crore this year. The funds were also allotted to implement the revised scales for teachers by the University Grants Commission,” said the chairman, of the Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education, Prof. K.C. Reddy.

The government has announced the setting up of eight new study circles for BCs to provide coaching to BC students who are appearing for competitive exams such as UPSC, APPSC, police and banking recruitment. These students will be provided free accommodation and mess facilities.

However, the Budget came as a disappointment for the school education department.

Though it was raised to Rs 9,824 crore from Rs 8,500 crore, nearly Rs 7,000 crore will be utilised for payment of salaries of teachers and other employees leaving the department with meagre funds to take up development activities.

Grant of Rs 250 crore for a mid-day meal scheme for Class IX, X students was ignored.