The State continues to do a tightrope walk in terms of finances following the delays in grant of approval to raise resources through open market borrowings to meet its immediate financial requirements.
Financial assistance of ₹10 lakh each to Dalit families is continuing under Dalit Bandhu, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among marginalised sections. The Government is likely to face pressure for fulfilling the commitment of crediting ₹5,000 an acre each for over 60 lakh farmers as part of kharif instalment of Rythu Bandhu, the farmers’ investment support scheme, starting next month. The outgo for the first instalment of Rythu Bandhu is likely to be of the order of ₹7,400 crore going by the ₹14,800 crore budgeted for the scheme for the current fiscal.
With mounting pressure on finances on account of the welfare schemes, the government is said to be exploring various options for raising resources and the latest hike in liquor prices is seen as a step in that direction. Officials remained tightlipped on the quantum of additional revenue they are looking at through liquor price hike though. Another option that was reportedly being explored is encashment of fixed deposits made in the name of different departments/corporations to meet the immediate requirements.
