Massive Discrepancies in AP Debt Figures, Botsa Flags Issue to Governor

Senior YSR Congress leader Botsa Satyanarayana has alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government misrepresented debt figures , raising serious concerns over fiscal transparency . In a letter to Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, he said the Finance Department’s response during the February 2026 Assembly session was misleading and understated the state’s actual liabilities.

He pointed to a sharp mismatch between official data and audit findings, noting that while the government reported borrowings of ₹60,485 crore for 2024–25, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India estimated the net debt at ₹81,082 crore. The nearly ₹20,500 crore gap, he argued, was too significant to be dismissed as a technical error and indicated possible underreporting .

Botsa further alleged that crucial components such as Ways and Means Advances from the Reserve Bank of India, along with public account deposits and reserve funds, were excluded despite being used to manage fiscal deficits. He also disputed the government’s claim of zero off-budget borrowings , stating that loans raised by state-backed entities with government guarantees should be treated as off-budget liabilities .

Highlighting inconsistencies in reporting , he said earlier disclosures combined public debt and public account figures, while recent data reflects only public debt, raising doubts over transparency. Calling the issue a serious lapse , Botsa urged the government to withdraw its earlier reply, present revised figures aligned with audit data, and take action against responsible officials. He also sought the Governor’s intervention and called for a white paper on the state’s finances.