KTR says, Telangana totally neglected in Union Budget

Hyderabad, Feb 08: The Telangana Information Technology and Municipal Administration Minister K.T. Rama Rao described the Union Budget as 'thoughtless' and "aimless" that also failed to do justice to Telangana.

No party is happy including the NDA allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the BJP will face the consequences in the 2019 elections, he said in an informal chat with the mediapersons here on Wednesday.

Mr. Rao said the State sent proposals worth Rs. 40,000 crore seeking assistance for its flagship programmes like Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya and also assistance for some irrigation projects, but people were feeling let down.

Some Central Government schemes were inspired by Telangana projects like Mission Bhagiratha but the Government doesn't want to support it.

Similarly, none of the promises made in AP Reorganisation Act like establishing AIIMS, IIM or giving national status to an irrigation project have been met with. Telangana's recommendation to link MNREGA to agricultural works to benefit farmers has been ignored.

Even in the Health Scheme for 10 crore families proposed in the budget the Centre wants the States to take 40% burden. There was no mention of the ITIR and Bayyaram steel plant too.

"So what is so exceptional about the budget," he asked and said the TRS would go to people. Even the BJP local leadership was clueless on how to react now. However, the Telangana Government would continue to seek its rightful demands.

He said there was no place for the BJP in the Southern states and the NDA had already weakened with Shiv Sena and TDP opposing it while another major ally Akali Dal losing Punjab elections. There is no challenge for the TRS from the BJP as is being claimed by the local leadership, he said.