(a) whether it is a fact that the total revenue deficit of Andhra Pradesh for 2014-15 financial year was Rs. 22,949 crore;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the amount released to the state was only Rs. 4,118 crore; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the Government intends to disburse the remaining Rs. 18,831 crore to the State?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (d): No Sir. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) had reported Revenue Deficit as Rs. 16,079 crore for the year 2014-15 (2nd June, 2014 to 31st March, 2015). Audited figures as reflected in State Finance Accounts for 2014-15 published by AG (A&E), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana mentioned a Revenue Deficit of Rs. 13,775.76 crore for the reference period. This amount was arrived at after taking into account Rs. 2,303 crore released by the Union Government during 2014-15. Further, AG (A&E) informed that launching of new schemes by the GoAP viz. Agriculture Debt Redemption Scheme, assistance to DISCOMS for taking over Financial Restructuring Plan Bonds, assistance to APTRANSCO, incentives for industrial promotion and enhanced expenditure on INDRAMMA old age and disabled pension schemes by way of broadening the base and monthly pension rate have contributed to Revenue Deficit of Rs. 13,872.44 crore.
Following Section 46(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (APRA), 2014, the then Vice Chairman NITI Aayog’s report on “Developmental Support to the Successor State of Andhra Pradesh under APRA, 2014 dated 1st December, 2015” and in order to arrive at a realistic estimate of Resource Gap for the year 2014-15, an amount of Rs. 11,960.87 crore was disallowed which included expenditure on new schemes and impact of increase in monthly pension rate and broadened base of pensioners. However, arrears of Rs. 91.27 crore pertaining to 2013-14 and paid in 2014-15 were included in the Resource Gap. Thus, the amount of the Resource Gap for the year 2014-15 (2nd June, 2014 to 31st March, 2015) was arrived at Rs. 4,117.89 crore, of which entire amount has been released to the Successor State of Andhra Pradesh. Further, based on the request of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh and recommendations of the Committee constituted by the Union Government, assistance to DISCOMS for taking over FRP bonds amounting to Rs. 1,500 crore was allowed and an amount of Rs. 1,500.00 crore was released to the State of Andhra Pradesh on 31.03.2022.
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