Three-year rule of Congress "stupendous": Tulasi Reddy

Vijayawada, May 5 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Spokesperson Dr N Tulasi Reddy today termed "stupendous" the performance of the Congress government in the state, which is celebrating the rededication day on May 14 to mark the completion of three years in office.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Reddy claimed in comparison with the TDP's term of eight years, eight months and 13 days, the performance of the Congress government during the first three years was "far better" and the state government had not imposed any fresh taxes on the people.

Mr Reddy said the state government during the three-year regime had not even gone for overdraft or approached the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The 1.67 per cent revenue deficit, under the Gross State Domestic Product was reduced to 0.02 per cent by the Congress government, he said, adding the fiscal deficit which was 4.04 per cent during the TDP regime, was reduced to 3.03 per cent.

He said due to this drastic fall, the Centre, in giving incentives, had waived the debt relief charges of Rs 1186 crore and provided interest relief of Rs 1079 crore.

Speaking on the Annual Financial Plan, Mr Reddy said the Planning Commission had fixed Rs 30,500 crore for 2007-2008, the highest for Andhra Pradesh in the entire country, where as it was Rs 10,758.80 crore during the TDP rule in 2003-2004. Maharashtra came second with Rs 20,200 crore and Tamil Nadu third with Rs 14,000 crore, he added.

Mr Reddy said the state government stood first in the entire country in the implementation of a 20-point programme during 2006-2007 getting 90 per cent of the marks and the Planning Commission appreciated the programmes of the state government like Jalayagnam and ''Arogya Sri'', among others.

UNI