It is shocking news. Many assumed that Chandrababu Naidu's return as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh would boost the state’s economy, but the GST collections tell a different story.
Surprisingly, recent months have shown negative growth in the state, making Andhra Pradesh the only state with such a trend, barring one or two small northeastern states.
Looking at December 2024 GST collections, Andhra Pradesh contributed only Rs 3,315 crore, compared to Rs 3,545 crore in December 2023.
On the other hand, Telangana reported Rs 5,224 crore in December 2024, up from Rs 4,753 crore in December 2023, showing significant improvement.
Nationally, GST collections increased from Rs 1,65,000 crore in December 2023 to Rs 1,77,000 crore in December 2024, indicating overall positive growth. However, Andhra Pradesh's performance stands out negatively.
Why this decline is happening remains a critical question. GST is a direct indicator of business activity and economic health in a state.
Despite the assumed economic growth under the Alliance Government, these numbers raise concerns and require explanations from economists and political leaders.
What is truly happening in Andhra Pradesh's economy is a matter that demands urgent attention and analysis.