TDP hopes for G Ram G spend compensation

AHEAD of Sunday's Union Budget, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally of the NDA, said while the recently enacted Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (GRAM G) is expected to add an estimated 2,500 crore burden to Andhra Pradesh's state budget, it is confident that the Centre will step in with financial support to bridge the gap.

- PREETHA NAIR @ New Delhi

In an interview with this newspaper, TDP parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said the party has already taken up the matter with the Centre. "We have sought the Centre's support for implementing G RAM G, and we have received a lot of confidence from them. We expect to receive a substantial allocation for the Purvodaya scheme to meet the additional cost for G RAM G," he said. The state is also expecting allocation of funds for river interlinking projects and the development of horticulture across at least 40 lakh acres in