BRS Working President KTR expressed disappointment over the Union Budget, highlighting that Telangana was not mentioned in the allocations. Speaking to the media, KTR said, “We were expecting substantial funds for Telangana from Nirmala Sitharaman, a Telugu daughter-in-law, but the budget provided nothing for our state. In such a large budget, only a few states have been prioritized, and Telangana has once again been neglected.”
He noted that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) had previously appealed to the Centre regarding around 35 promises made in the Reorganisation Act and had sent several letters requesting funds. However, KTR criticized the lack of additional funding for key projects such as Mulugu University, the Bayyaram Steel Factory, and the Railway Coach Factory at Kazipet. He also pointed out that Telangana’s irrigation projects have been repeatedly denied national status despite multiple requests.
KTR lamented that despite requests for central and national institutions like IIMs, as well as funds for industrial corridors connecting Telangana to Mumbai-Nagpur and Bengaluru-Chennai, there has been no positive response from the Centre. He criticized the Centre for not addressing requests to establish a new handloom cluster alongside a mega powerloom cluster, despite efforts by Telangana’s CM and ministers in Delhi.
He urged the people of Telangana to reflect on the implications of giving 16 seats to national parties like the BJP and Congress. “The budget allocation for AP and Bihar, which also has 16 seats, contrasts sharply with the zero allocation for Telangana,” he said. KTR emphasized the need for strengthening regional forces, criticizing BJP and Congress MPs for their silence in Parliament. He added, “Even with eight MPs, the BJP has given zero support. The Reorganisation Act’s mention does not include Telangana, and while AP has received substantial funds, Telangana has been overlooked.”