CPI terms Budget a self-congratulatory exercise

The Communist Party of India(CPI) has criticised the 2026-2027 State Budget, describing it as a self-congratulatory exercise that fails to strike a proper balance between welfare and development.

In a statement issued on Saturday, CPI State secretary G. Eswaraiah alleged that the coalition government led by N. Chandrababu Naidu was engaged in mutual admiration instead of honouring its Super Six election commitments. He said that despite presenting multiple Budgets, including an interim Budget, the government had not made progress on the promised unemployment allowance or the assurance of providing four lakh jobs annually. No job calendar had been issued so far, he added.

He also pointed out that there were no clear allocations for the promised ₹1,500 monthly assistance to women. Government employees, he said, were disappointed over the lack of clarity on the constitution of the 12th Pay Revision Commission and the proposed scrapping of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The CPI leader demanded enhanced allocations for major irrigation works such as the Veligonda project and sought clarity on rehabilitation and resettlement measures under the Polavaram project.

Expressing concern over the State’s mounting debt burden, G. Eswaraiah referred to pending fee reimbursement dues, reduced allocations for welfare schemes and a declining share of funds for education and power sectors. He cautioned that excessive dependence on borrowings could undermine the State’s long-term financial stability.