Kishan demands fiscal white paper

Demands

■  Release a comprehensive White Paper on Telangana’s financial condition before the Budget Session.

■  Present accurate and transparent fiscal data to clear contradictions regarding the State treasury.

■  Clarify the State’s debt position and borrowing levels, including per capita debt.

■  Ensure public accountability on election promises and welfare commitments with clear funding details.

metro india news  I hyderabad

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy has urged the Telangana Government to release a comprehensive White Paper on the State’s financial condition ahead of the Budget Session scheduled to commence on March 16.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday, the Union Minister raised concerns over what he termed as contradictory statements made by the Chief Minister regarding the State’s financial position. Referring to remarks made after assuming office that the State treasury was empty,” Kishan Reddy pointed to a recent public statement in which the Chief Minister reportedly said that Rs 1,000 crore could be given to the Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi family and the Congress Party if required. He said these statements create confusion about the true fiscal status of the State.

Kishan Reddy recalled that during the 2023 Assembly elections, the Congress Party made six major guarantees and 420 promises to the people of Telangana and secured power based on those assurances. He said it is essential for the government to place accurate financial facts before the public to ensure transparency and accountability.

Highlighting the Centre’s support to Telangana since its formation in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister stated that nearly Rs 12 lakh crore has been allocated to the State over the past 12 years through tax devolution, infrastructure development, welfare schemes and capital investments.

He detailed that this includes Rs 2.5 lakh crore as tax devolution, 

roads worth Rs 1.85 lakh crore, over Rs 36,000 crore in Railway Budget allocations along with Rs 50,000 crore in ongoing railway works, nearly Rs 40,000 crore under MGNREGA, Rs 50,000 crore worth of PDS rice, over Rs 40,000 crore to rural and urban local bodies, Rs 12,000 crore for power projects, Rs 21,000 crore for education and sports, and nearly Rs 9,000 crore for healthcare.

The Union Minister further stated that farmers in Telangana have benefited significantly, with over Rs 14,000 crore provided under PM Kisan, Rs 80,000 crore towards fertiliser subsidy, nearly Rs 2 lakh crore paid as Minimum Support Price for paddy procurement, and Rs 60,000 crore paid as MSP for cotton procurement.

He also noted that the Government of India extended loans of nearly Rs 10 lakh crore to the State through various central financial institutions. Additionally, under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme introduced in 2020 21, Telangana received over Rs 10,000 crore in interest free loans with a 50 year repayment period for capital expenditure over the past six years.

According to him, allocations under this scheme included 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 PMGSY, Rs 200 crore for radial roads, Rs 110 crore for the Siddipet bypass, Rs 388 crore for Young India Residential Schools and Rs 300 crore for hostel construction, apart from support for drainage systems, road widening, bridges, hospitals, educational institutions and tourism infrastructure.

Despite Telangana being formed with surplus funds in 2014, Kishan Reddy alleged that there has been no visible financial consolidation over the past decade. He expressed concern over the steady rise in per capita debt and increasing dependence on borrowings to meet routine commitments such as interest payments, employee salaries, Rythu Bharosa assistance and welfare schemes, indicating fiscal stress.

Stating that the people of Telangana deserve clarity on the State’s fiscal health, the Union Minister urged the Chief Minister to release a comprehensive White Paper before the commencement of the Budget Session to enable informed public discourse.

‘PM’s Chair not vacant until 2047’

The Bharatiya Janata Party intensified its criticism of Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over his fresh remarks projecting Rahul Gandhi as the country’s next Prime Minister. Addressing the media at the party office on Tuesday, BJP State Chief Spokesperson and Media In Charge N V Subash questioned the basis of such claims, asking where the Prime Minister’s post was vacant.

He asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to enjoy strong public support and said there was no question of a leadership vacuum, even claiming the position would remain secure until 2047.

Subash accused the Chief Minister of attempting to divert attention from unfulfilled election promises and governance shortcomings in Telangana by making exaggerated national level statements. He said that with only 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, such projections lacked political realism. 

He also alleged that the comments were aimed at pleasing the Congress high command and safeguarding the Chief Minister’s own position amid reported internal differences within the party. Criticising Rahul Gandhi’s leadership credentials, Subash questioned his effectiveness as Leader of the Opposition and said repeated political relaunches had weakened the Congress’ credibility.

On civic matters, the BJP opposed the reported proposal to restructure the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, warning it could create administrative confusion in property registration, taxation and civic services. The party also demanded transparency on fund utilisation and pre election promises.