HYDERABAD: The State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a heated debate over the Telangana’s debts and guarantees given by the government to various corporations and special purpose vehicles on Tuesday.
Replying to a question raised by BRS member T Harish Rao and others on the loans and guarantees during the Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that the state government had obtained Rs 52,118 crore loans between December 7, 2023 and till the end of November, 2024 under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act.
He also said that the present government paid Rs 66,000 crore in one year to repay the principal amount of debts raised by the BRS government and interest on those loans. However, BRS MLA and former finance minister T Harish Rao alleged that the state government raised over Rs 1 lakh crore loans in just one year.
The Deputy CM refuted that allegation, stating: .”We never borrowed beyond the FRBM limit. In fact, our efforts are to reduce the borrowings. The destruction of 10 years cannot be set right in one year. So we have to take loans to some extent.”
Stating that the BRS leaders “lose their senses once in six months”, Vikramarka said: “People are giving their verdict once in six months to administer shock to BRS leaders for the blunders they committed during their 10-year rule.”
‘BRS government kept Rs 40K cr bills pending’
Vikramarka informed the House that the BRS government kept Rs 40,000 crore worth bills pending. “The Congress government has so far cleared Rs 14,000 crore bills,” he said.
“The previous government kept Rs 18,000 crore Civil Supplies department bills pending. It did not even take bank guarantee from the millers. But this government is making payments to the farmers within three days of purchasing paddy from them. Did you ever do that in your life?” he asked the BRS members.
Stating that the free power scheme was Congress’ “patent”, he said: “It was started by Congress government in 2004 to promptly clear Discoms’ bills. But BRS leaders left us with Rs 18,000 crore dues to be paid to Discoms. Our government has so far released Rs 11,000 crore till now to the Discoms.
“Even in Industries department, the previous government kept Rs 3,000 crore dues pending. It also failed to clear the welfare hostel bills. As contractors failed to provide quality food at increased prices, quality was compromised, which took a toll on the health of students now,” he said.
“It was the Congress government that increased mess charges by 40% and cosmetic charges by over 200 % for better hygiene,” he added.
