BJP, TRS spar over funds released by Centre for Telangana

Hyderabad: The war of words between the TRS and the BJP over the latter’s national president Amit Shah’s claims that the Centre has released Rs 90,000 crore to the Telangana government but the money has not reached the people, continued on Sunday.

BJP Legislature Party (BJPLP) deputy Floor leader Ch. Ramachandra Reddy countered finance minister Etela Rajender’s claim that the Centre had given only Rs 36,000 crore to TS in these two years.

Mr Reddy said that the Centre has in fact given Rs 1.16 lakh-crore to TS and BJP was ready for an open debate on this issue either at CM’s farm house in Erravelli or in the Legislative Assembly.

He reiterated that there was “family rule” in TS, which he said was acting as a hurdle in the development of state. “We have evidence that the Centre indeed gave Rs 1.16 lakh-crore to TS during the last two years.

While over Rs 56,000 crore was transferred through the RBI to TS towards state’s share in Central taxes and other financial aid, the remaining amount was disbursed for various welfare schemes. We are ready for an open debate with TRS leaders on this issue,” Mr Reddy told the media here on Sunday.

He alleged that the TRS government has failed to help drought-hit farmers in the state even after the Centre released Rs 790 crore. “Have you extended financial assistance out of Centre’s aid to even a single farmer?” the BJP leader asked.

Mr Reddy demanded a white paper on how many days has Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao spent in Secretariat and at his farmhouse in the past two years. He said no leader in the TRS could attain higher positions in that party barring CM’s family members.