Hyderabad, July 23 (Representative) BRS Working President K T Rama Rao (KTR) expressed disappointment over the central budget, stating that despite hopes for significant allocations from the Telugu daughter-in-law, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Telangana received nothing. “Despite a budget exceeding Rs 48 lakh crores, only a few states received major benefits,” KTR said in a statement on Tuesday while responding to the central budget. “It is disappointing that Telangana is not mentioned in the entire budget. Once again, Telangana has received nothing.” He highlighted that the then Chief Minister KCR had previously requested the central government to act on nearly 35 promises made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. “We have repeatedly written letters and made appeals,” KTR added. KTR noted the lack of additional funds for Mulugu University, the Bayyaram Steel Factory, or the Railway Coach Factory in Kazipet. “Despite our requests, national status has not been granted to any irrigation projects in the state. We requested central national institutes such as IIM, but not a single one was given,” he said. KTR also pointed out that there was no response to their requests for funds for industrial corridors from Telangana to Mumbai-Nagpur, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, and Hyderabad-Chennai. “We also requested the establishment of a new handloom cluster along with a mega power loom cluster, but the central government did not respond.” He criticized the central government’s indifference to requests made by the current Chief Minister and Telangana Ministers during their visits to Delhi.
“Once again, Telangana has received nothing in this central budget,” he reiterated. KTR urged the people of Telangana to consider the implications of giving 16 seats to national parties like BJP and Congress. “They should compare the funds allocated to Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, which have more seats in Parliament, to those allocated to Telangana. We need to understand that our political identity and strength are crucial for Telangana’s development.” He lamented that BJP and Congress MPs from Telangana did not speak on behalf of the state in Parliament. “If there were MPs from our party in Parliament, they would have strongly opposed the central government’s stance. Telangana people will certainly teach a lesson to the BJP government for giving zero funds despite having 8 MPs.” KTR clarified that Telangana has no issue with the funds given to Andhra Pradesh. “As a brotherly state, we wish them well and support their allocations. However, the central government did not mention the word ‘Telangana’ even once when discussing the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. They announced special funds for the capital Amaravati, Polavaram, and industrial development. They promised special funds for Andhra Pradesh industrial corridors.” He expressed happiness for the significant funds given to Andhra Pradesh but lamented the neglect of Telangana and 26 other states. “The Finance Minister mentioned the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act but ignored the demands of Telangana,” KTR said.