Nara Lokesh calls Union Budget well-balanced

IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said in a social media post on Sunday that the Union Budget 2026-27 was well-balanced and in alignment with India’s rapid growth and long-term aspirations.

Mr. Lokesh stated that Andhra Pradesh would benefit significantly from the Critical Minerals Corridor and high-speed rail connectivity. A stronger push for electronics manufacturing and renewed focus on tourism were the other benefits, he said. “We are excited to leverage this Budget to accelerate investments, create jobs, and power A.P.’s next phase of growth,” he added.

Devolution of funds

Former Finance Minister and senior TDP leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said in a release that the Central Government’s acceptance of the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendation of 41% devolution of funds to the States was not praise-worthy. The States would be severely constrained to meet their burgeoning development expenditure, he observed.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu said the Budget was silent on the additional burden on the States entailed by the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-G RAM-G). The States’ deficits were likely to increase as the Centre did not do enough on the fiscal consolidation front, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said, adding that the Budget attached little importance to the microeconomics of the poor.