₹51,020.56 Crore Outlay For Inclusive Growth

: In a strong push for inclusive development, the Andhra Pradesh government has allocated ₹ 51,020.56 crore under the Backward Classes (BC) Component for 2026-27, reaffirming its commitment to the social, educational and economic development of almost half of the state’s population.

Backward Classes constitute approximately 49.55 per cent of the population as estimated from the Smart Pulse Survey based on the 2011 Census. A total of 138 communities are divided into five groups: BC-A, BC-B, BC-C, BC-D and BC-E. The BC Subplan has legal support under Law No. 13 of 2019, which mandates that one-third of Plan expenditures be allocated to BCs. The government has committed ₹1.50 lakh crore, ₹30,000 crore annually for five years, to deliver direct and measurable benefits to BC individuals, households and settlements.

The backward classes welfare department gets the largest allocation of ₹23,324.44 crore. Significant funds were also provided for energy (₹ 5,132.80 crore), municipal administration and urban development (₹ 3,839.35 crore), school education (₹ 2,919.38 crore), weak section housing (₹ 2,250.61 crore), rural development and rural water supply, women development and child welfare and medical education.

Agriculture and allied sectors are being strengthened through RKVY-RAFTAAR, crop insurance premium support, digital agriculture, integrated Agriculture Laboratories and Rythu Seva Kendralu. While the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme offers annual assistance of ₹ 20,000 to farmers, Vaddi Leni Runalu aims to ease their credit burden. Horticulture programs under PMKSY and National Horticulture Mission and sericulture support with 90 per cent financial assistance are aimed at increasing farm incomes.

Education remains the main focus. Post-Matric Scholarships (RTF and MTF), 747 pre-matric hostels, 363 university hostels and 109 BC Housing Institutions support access to quality education. NTR Videshi Vidyadharana program facilitates overseas higher education. BCs continue to enjoy 29 per cent reservation in education and employment.

BC Welfare Minister S. Savitha thanked the Prime Minister for allocating the majority of funds in the budget to BC welfare, adding that this was a historic pro-BC budget dedicated to underdeveloped communities.