BRS is not B' Team of Any Party, Says KTR

Hyderabad: In the wake of mounting criticism over the BRS government extending Rythu Bandhu scheme to affluent farmers without a cap, Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday pledged to reevaluate the scheme following the party's anticipated third term in power.

Acknowledging the prevailing concerns about the unrestricted extension of the farmers' investment support scheme, Rama Rao said, "We will examine this matter upon our return to power, deliberating whether to implement a cap at four acres, five acres, or at something else," he stated.

Rama Rao also assured that the administration's focal point would remain on nurturing industrial growth in the state.

Responding to recent remarks by Rahul Gandhi, who labelled other political entities as the "B Party of BJP," Rama Rao asserted that his party, the BRS, had never been an ally of the BJP, nor a participant in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A).

He also questioned the necessity of aligning with either of these two, underlining the existence of 13 other political parties that have not aligned with the BJP or I.N.D.I.A.

Addressing concerns about the Kaleshwaram project, he dispelled notions that the entire endeavour would go waste due to the damage caused to two piers of the Medigadda barrage.

He clarified that the barrage was constructed at a cost of Rs 1,839 crore. He traced the project's evolution from its initial budget of Rs 40,000 crore in 2005, highlighting the increased pumping capacity and total project capacity, which now stands at 147 TMC, with a cost of Rs 80,000 crore.

On the state's debt position, Rama Rao defended Telangana's investments in critical infrastructure areas such as power, irrigation, education, and health, emphasising their positive impact on quality of life, disease prevention, and economic relief.

He compared Telangana's debt-GDP ratio of 25 per cent to India's 60 per cent, the US's 116 per cent, and Japan's 206 per cent, underscoring the responsible financial management within the State.

Rama Rao drew attention to the achievements of Telangana in power, health, education, employment generation, attracting investments, and providing drinking water and meeting irrigation needs as the State gears up for elections. He highlighted the successful attraction of Kaynes Technology, a Karnataka-based company, with an investment of Rs 2,800 crore, poised to create 2,000 job opportunities, just before going into poll mode.

The industrial sector reaffirmed its support for the BRS, acknowledging the improved power supply and increased investments that have taken place during the party's tenure.