Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Minister for IT and Industries Duddilla Sridhar Babu today expressed deep concern over the Union Government’s 'silence' on US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an annual fee of $100,000 on H-1B visa, a move that disproportionately impacts India, the largest recipient of these visas.

The Minister stated that the Centre has failed to engage in "pre-emptive diplomatic negotiations" with the US or to secure exemptions for existing H-1B visa holders. He recalled that India had already suffered due to the 50% tariff hike on certain imports to US, and termed the latest visa decision as yet another severe blow to Indian interests.

Sridhar Babu urged the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister to immediately intervene with the US administration, seeking 'Temporary exemptions' for current H-1B holders, Special provisions for Indian IT professionals, and protection for families and institutions dependent on remittances. "Telangana will be one of the worst-affected states by this development. The State Government will be writing to the Centre, urging for urgent and decisive action", he noted.

The Minister strongly criticized the Union Government for being preoccupied with undermining the rights of states, rather than safeguarding the interests of Indians abroad. He expressed regret that the Prime Minister attempted to portray this setback as being somehow in India’s interest, instead of addressing the crisis.

Reiterating the Constitutional principle that India is a Union of States, Sridhar Babu alleged that the Centre only prioritizes BJP-ruled states, while 'consistently' denying Telangana its rightful recognition and respect within the federal framework.