Government to invest ₹40,000 crore to develop Rayalaseema into horticulture hub, says Minister

Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav said that the State government would be investing ₹40,000 crore to develop Rayalaseema district into a horticulture hub, which is expected to bring in further development to the region.

Mr. Keshav, along with Minorities Welfare Minister N. Md. Farooq and District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya participated in the Budget 2026-27 outreach programme held in the District Collectorate on Saturday. Mr. Keshav said that Andhra Pradesh faced financial challenges following the bifurcation of the State, but is now improving with financial discipline and increase in revenue resources. He said the State government is focussing on increasing its revenues through Commercial Taxes, Excise and Registration departments.

“With the development of service sector and attracting private investments creating multiplying effect, we are targeting increase in economic growth from 11 per cent to 15 per cent,” he said. Mr. Keshav urged the officials to benefit the people by implementing Budget reforms at the district level.

Mr Keshav said that the financial position of the State is very precarious and 99 per cent of the State revenues are being spent on salaries and pensions. While 88 per cent of the revenue was spend on salaries and pensions till February 2026, the same has now gone up to 99 per cent, he said. Mr. Keshav said they have prioritised the payment of pensions to retired employees and the State government is considering payment of salaries only after meeting the pension commitments.

Meanwhile, Mr. Farooq said that the budgetary allocations this year have been promising when compared to the previous years and a speciality has been the allocation of funds constituency-wise. He expressed confidence that the budget would be a turning point in the development of capital Amaravati. The Minister said that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is focussing on development of the State and simultaneously taking steps for the welfare of women, farmers and common people through the ‘Super Six’ schemes.

He said the government is implementing transparent policies and emphasised the need for the people’s representatives and officials to create awareness about the budget to the public at the district and mandal level.