Kishan Reddy Open Letter Seeks White Paper
- Union Minister writes to CM Revanth Reddy on Telangana economic situation
- Demands white paper before March 16 budget session, cites central funds
Hyderabad: Kishan Reddy Open Letter to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has sparked a political debate over Telangana’s economic situation. The Union Minister urged the state government to release a white paper on the financial condition before the upcoming budget session.
In his letter, Union Minister Kishan Reddy said people believed in the six guarantees and 420 promises made by the Congress party in the 2023 Assembly elections. He stated that voters brought the party to power based on those assurances. However, he alleged that there is no money in the state treasury and that the government is avoiding implementation of the promises.
He also referred to the Chief Minister’s remark that the treasury is empty. At the same time, he recalled that the Chief Minister had recently said he was ready to give Rs. 1,000 crore to the Congress party if needed. He then made a sarcastic comment that “the state treasury is empty.. the pockets of the party leaders are full”.
Meanwhile, Kishan Reddy detailed the funds allocated by the Central Government for Telangana’s development since 2014. He said about Rs. 12 lakh crore has been allocated. This includes Rs. 2.5 lakh crore as tax share, Rs. 1.85 lakh crore for roads, more than Rs. 36,000 crore in railway budget allocations, and another Rs. 50,000 crore for railway works.
He also mentioned Rs. 40,000 crore for employment guarantee, Rs. 12,000 crore for power projects, Rs. 14,000 crore for PM Kisan funds, Rs. 50,000 crore for free ration, Rs. 80,000 crore for fertilizer subsidy, Rs. 21,000 crore for education and sports, and Rs. 9,000 crore for healthcare.
He further stated that the Centre paid Rs. 2.6 lakh crore for paddy procurement and Rs. 60,000 crore for cotton procurement at minimum support price. In addition, he said loans worth Rs. 10 lakh crore were provided through central financial institutions. Over Rs. 10,000 crore was extended as interest free loans under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme to support capital projects.
The Union Minister said these funds supported projects such as sewerage pipes, roads, railways, bridges, hospitals, medical and nursing colleges, schools, hostels, tourist infrastructure, radial roads between ORR and RRR, Godavari Musi river linkage, Musi river beautification, Smart City Mission works, flood restoration, and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
He listed allocations including Rs. 200 crore for MMTS Phase II, Rs. 114 crore for the Manoharabad Kothapalli railway line, Rs. 315 crore for Smart Cities, Rs. 674 crore for PM Gram Sadak Yojana, and Rs. 200 crore for radial roads between ORR and RRR. He also cited Rs. 110 crore for Young India Residential Schools, Rs. 388 crore for several hostels, and Rs. 300 crore for various hostel constructions.
However, Kishan Reddy alleged that the state government is relying on loans for salaries, welfare schemes, and farmer insurance.
He said the per capita debt is increasing. He added that Telangana, formed with surplus funds in 2014, now faces a financial situation similar to the last 10 years of BRS rule and the last 27 months of Congress rule. Therefore, he demanded that a comprehensive white paper be released before the budget session starting March 16.
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