AP budget earmarks Rs 1,876 crore for rural poverty eradication

Vijayawada: Asserting that the state govt is committed to alleviating rural poverty, minister Kondapalli Srinivas explained that the allocation of Rs 1,876.23 crore for the implementation of rural poverty eradication programmes in the 2026–27 financial year is a strong reflection of its resolve.Speaking to the media on Sunday, Srinivas said the allocation is Rs 143 crore higher than the previous financial year, reflecting the govt's commitment to empowering women self-help groups (SHGs) and strengthening rural livelihoods.The minister said a total of Rs 464.99 crore is earmarked for salaries and allowances of govt staff working in rural poverty eradication missions, SERP employees, outsourcing personnel, honorariums for village organisation assistants, and maintenance of SERP and DRDA offices.He said that the state allocated Rs 818 crore under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM). In addition, Rs 72 crore was set aside for the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme, Rs 30 crore for the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana, and Rs 15 crore for rural self-employment training institutes (RSETIs), he said.Srinivas further stated that chief minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to enhance the allocation under DAY–NRLM to Rs 1,200 crore based on the actual funds received for the state. With this, the total outlay for 2026-27 is expected to reach Rs 3,000 crore, focusing on livelihood enhancement, income growth, and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities for SHG members.As part of Naidu's "One Family – One Entrepreneur" vision, the govt aims to develop nearly five lakh women as entrepreneurs and strengthen farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) to make the rural economy more resilient and self-reliant.The minister expressed gratitude to Naidu for significantly enhancing budgetary support and expanding the overall outlay to Rs 3,000 crore under DAY–NRLM. He reiterated that the govt is working with determination to ensure comprehensive empowerment of SHG women, the expansion of sustainable livelihoods, and accelerated rural economic development across the state.