BJP, Congress Only Stall Development: Harish Rao

Accusing the BJP and the Congress leaders of failing to support the TRS government's development programs, Telangana Finance Minister T Harish Rao today said that it was the ruling party alone that was concerned about the welfare of the people of the state, and had therefore implemented a comprehensive set of welfare schemes.

Speaking after launching a new electricity office and a 132/33KV sub-station, reportedly constructed at a cost of Rs 12.38 crores, in Medak district's Chinna Shankarampet, the minister announced that the region would soon get water from the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

He also participated in some other development programs in the village.

After lashing out at the preceding Congress and TDP regimes for "failing to develop" the state's rural regions, Rao promised the residents of the village that unlike the TRS' predecessors, the ruling party would always treat rural development as a priority.

"In just six-and-a-half-years of TRS rule, incidents of rural-to-urban migration have started dropping. Even those who had migrated are slowly returning to their villages. This is proof of the success of the TRS government's success in developing Telangana's rural regions," he claimed.

"Our Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya and numerous fisheries schemes are among the programs that helped rural communities find secure livelihoods. Further, the farmers of our state have benefited greatly from the establishment of the Rythu Vedikas, and the implmentation of the Rythu Bandhu and the Rythu Bima schemes," the TRS leader added.

He then castigated the parties of the Opposition for "defaming" the government with their "unfounded allegations", and lashed out at them for "failing" to contribute to the state's growth and development.

"All the Opposition can do is play a trite game of blaming our government in a pathetic bid to gain votes before any elections in the state. The BJP and the Congress are doing exactly that even now, in the run-up to the upcoming MLC elections. I would urge them to sincerely work for the people instead of always hindering development, and defaming the government," Rao said.

Later in the day, he addressed meetings at Papannapet mandal's Chatriyal and Gajulagudem villages, in Medak, and announced that the state government would implement the loan waiver scheme after this year's Ugadi festivities.