Government whip and Achampet MLA (SC) Guvvala Balaraju today hit out at the BJP-led Centre for denying developmental support, projects and funds to Telangana.
Speaking at today's Budget session in the Telangana Assembly, Balaraju criticised the Centre for trying to "deprive" the state of its rightful share of funds and projects. He also demanded that the Centre keep its bifurcation promises.
"The union government has repeatedly ignored Telangana's appeal for funds and developmental projects. It has not even bothered to fulfil the promises made to our state during the 2014 bifurcation, or to grant national status to our mega-irrigation project, the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. Further, it has denied our state the reservations we had sought," he said.
Flaying the Centre further, the MLA asserted, "Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao follows Ambedkar's ideology and has implemented several schemes for inclusive growth even without the support of the Centre. We will continue to do so. But, we will not remain silent if the Centre deliberately denies us our rightful share of funds, projects and reservations. It is shameful that the Modi government has not accepted Telangana's proposal of increasing reservations for STs and Muslims in the state. We will not accept such decisions quietly."
"The Centre also failed to extend monetary support to out Mission Bhagiratha program that is aimed at providing potable water to the state's rural populace. Though the NITI Aayog had recommended that Telangana be given Rs 24,000 crore for water projects and lake revival, the Modi regime ignored the recommendation," he added.
The MLA then assailed the BJP leaders in the state, and accused them of having failed to exert pressure on their party's government at the Centre for funds and support.
He also expressed serious displeasure at the leaders of the Opposition for their "unflattering" comments about the CM, and hoped that they would realise the amount of progress the KCR regime had brought to the state after having heard Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan's
Budget address.
"The Opposition should stop spreading lies about KCR at least after hearing about the progress the state has seen under his rule. The development and welfare we have been able to bring about is a result of our CM's vision and hard work," Balaraju maintained.
Another TRS member, MLA G Sunitha, also spoke about the Governor's speech, and said that the TRS government deserved the praise it had received as it had worked hard to implement several welfare schemes and development programs even in the face of huge economic losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Though the Opposition always tries to hinder development, our government has been able to bring progress and growth to the state. Now, the Congress is trying to obstruct the Budget session discussions. I would like to appeal to the party to stop their running commentary in the Assembly during the fiscal deliberations," she added.