KTR slams Union Budget for ignoring Telangana, calls it a "Big Zero" for the State

HYDERABAD: BRS Working President KT Rama Rao expressed strong disappointment over the Union Budget, stating that despite hopes for substantial allocations, Telangana received nothing but a "big zero." He criticised the budget for its lack of focus on the state, highlighting the absence of any mention of Telangana.

"Despite a budget of Rs 48 lakh crore, only a few states were favoured," KTR remarked, adding that Andhra Pradesh received significant funding while Telangana was once again left empty-handed. He pointed out that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao made repeated appeals and wrote letters to address the 35 pending promises outlined in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, but the budget offered no solutions.

KTR went on to list various ignored requests, including additional funding for Mulugu University, establishing a steel factory in Bayyaram and a railway coach factory in Kazipet, and granting national status to state irrigation projects. He further criticised the Centre for not approving national institutes like IIMs despite requests and for neglecting proposals for industrial corridors connecting Telangana to major routes like Mumbai-Nagpur and Bengaluru-Chennai.

Expressing his dissatisfaction, KTR questioned the silence of BJP and Congress MPs from Telangana on these issues and contrasted it with the potential for stronger opposition if BRS representatives held those seats. He urged the people of Telangana to recognise the need for strengthening regional forces, emphasising that the budget serves as a reminder of this necessity.

While expressing happiness for substantial allocations for Andhra Pradesh, KTR lamented the lack of consideration for the remaining 26 states. He expressed deep dissatisfaction over the disregard for Telangana's demands despite invoking the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.