Hyderabad: The Ponnam Prabhakar budget praise highlighted strong focus on welfare and development, as the minister described the 2026-27 Budget as pro-poor and inclusive.
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed satisfaction over the budget presented by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. He said the budget prioritised both welfare schemes and development programmes.
He noted that the government increased allocation for Backward Classes welfare. The budget earmarked Rs.12,511 crore for the sector, nearly Rs.1,000 crore more than the previous year.
He also said the government ensured support for women through schemes like free bus travel in RTC services. In addition, the Mahalakshmi scheme received an allocation of Rs.4,305 crore.
Ponnam Prabhakar budget praise highlights new welfare schemes
Expanding the Ponnam Prabhakar budget praise, he said the government introduced several new schemes to support weaker sections.
The government proposed the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme, which will cover 1.15 crore families across Telangana. Each family will receive life insurance cover of Rs.5 lakh. The scheme will begin on June 2, 2026, with a budget allocation of Rs.4,000 crore.
Further, the government approved 2 lakh new pensions for the elderly and persons with disabilities under the Cheyutha scheme. It allocated Rs.14,861 crore for pensions, which will benefit rural populations.
The minister also welcomed plans to upgrade selected government schools into Telangana Public Schools. These institutions will include modern infrastructure, trained teachers, digital facilities, and transport systems. Each school will serve up to 1,500 students from pre-primary to Class 12. The budget allocated Rs.500 crore for this initiative.
Ponnam Prabhakar budget praise on education and health schemes
Continuing the Ponnam Prabhakar budget praise, he highlighted the introduction of a breakfast scheme from the 2026-27 academic year. The programme will cover students from pre-primary to Intermediate.
Under the scheme, students will receive milk three days a week and ragi malt on the remaining days. The government allocated Rs.800 crore for this initiative.
The minister also welcomed the extension of the midday meal scheme to Intermediate students in government junior colleges. The budget provided Rs.100 crore for this expansion.
He further noted the launch of a cashless health protection scheme for employees, pensioners, and their dependents. The scheme will cover about 23.51 lakh beneficiaries through the Rajiv Aarogyasri Trust.
Under this plan, beneficiaries can access treatment for 1,998 diseases in government hospitals and 421 empanelled private hospitals. Each beneficiary will receive a digital health card.
The government also introduced a comprehensive accident insurance scheme for employees and pensioners. It provides Rs.1.20 crore in case of accidental death, Rs.10 lakh term life insurance up to 60 years, and Rs.2 crore additional cover for air accidents. Around 7.57 lakh employees and pensioners will benefit. The budget allocated Rs.1,056 crore for these schemes.
Ponnam Prabhakar budget praise on youth employment initiatives
Further elaborating the Ponnam Prabhakar budget praise, he said the government launched the CM Overseas Employment Programme. The scheme will provide skill training, language training, visa guidance, and travel support.
It aims to create job opportunities for youth in sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, construction, and logistics abroad. The government allocated Rs.1,056 crore for the programme.
The minister thanked Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka for prioritising welfare, employees, and weaker sections in the budget. He said the allocations reflected the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and social justice.