Harish Rao criticizes Congress govt spending in Telangana

Hyderabad: Former minister T Harish Rao alleged large-scale corruption in the education sector, reckless borrowing, excessive spending on projects, and policies that are hurting farmers, students, employees and the common people. He said that the postponement of school reopening was linked to a massive scam in the education department.

During an informal chat with the media at Telangana Bhavan on Thursday, Harish Rao said that the schools were not reopened on schedule because contracts related to uniforms, bags, notebooks, belts and other supplies had not been finalised due to commission-related issues.

The ex-minister said the BRS govt earlier had entrusted the stitching of uniforms to handloom workers and the manufacture of shoes and belts to LIDCAP to support Dalit families and local livelihoods. However, the Congress govt allegedly centralised the process and handed contracts to a Gujarat-based contractor. Nearly seven lakh Gurukul students, including uniforms, bags, belts and notebooks, did not get the material yet.

Harish Rao also criticised the govt was spending on luxury things despite the CM was claiming that the state treasury lacked funds.

“A luxury guest house named Bodhi Pavilion was being constructed at a cost of nearly ₹100 crore near the Chief Minister’s residence in Jubilee Hills. The project initially sanctioned for ₹7 crore as a VVIP guest house had now expanded into a ₹100 crore facility, accompanied by additional spending on fencing and recreational infrastructure,” he alleged. He further alleged that the CM was spending nearly ₹5 crore every month on helicopter travel, compared to about ₹2 crore earlier.

“If there is no money for fee reimbursement, farmers’ welfare, employees’ dues and welfare funds, where is the money coming from for luxury guest houses and helicopter rides?” he asked.

Turning to Congress affairs, Harish Rao said the rejection of the nomination of Telangana Congress in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan was the result of an internal conspiracy by leaders within the party itself. “Curtailing the political prospects of one’s own party in-charge reflects the internal state of the Congress. The CM must order an inquiry and reveal the truth behind this episode,” he said.

The BRS deputy leader reiterated that the BRS govt after coming to power would scrap the Bharat Future City as the state govt abandoned the Hyderabad Green Pharma city project and turned into a real estate project. The previous BRS govt had secured all necessary environmental clearances for Pharma City and had completed substantial groundwork for the project.

“I personally contributed 17 acres of land for Pharma City and was among the first landowners to support the project. By abandoning it, the Congress govt has deprived Telangana of investments, revenue and employment opportunities,” he said.