IT and Industry minister KT Rama Rao has claimed that Telangana has become a successful start-up destination in the country despite the lack of support from the Union government. He made these remarks during a programme on the challenges faced by a young state. Despite facing obstacles from the Union government and the COVID-19 pandemic, Telangana has excelled in various sectors including education and health.
KTR emphasized the need for the Centre to rise above political games and understand that stronger states contribute to a stronger country. He mentioned that Hyderabad was previously a hub for defense Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and requested the Centre to sanction a defense industrial corridor for Telangana. However, the Centre approved one for Bhundelkand, which lacked a defense ecosystem.
According to KTR, Telangana has supported the BJP-led Centre in initiatives such as demonetization and the implementation of One Nation, One Tax. However, in return, Telangana has faced discrimination. Despite Niti Aayog’s recommendations to allocate funds to important projects like Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya, the Union government did not provide support. KTR expressed disappointment over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s failure to acknowledge Telangana’s achievements, such as the construction of the Kaleshwaram project.
KTR also highlighted that Telangana is becoming a power surplus state and will be able to supply power to deficit states next year. The state’s installed power capacity has significantly increased since 2014 and will continue to grow. Additionally, Telangana aims to have one medical college in each district, making it the first state to achieve this milestone.
Despite these achievements, KTR emphasized that the Union government has not contributed to Telangana’s progress. He mentioned that the state’s per capita income and GSDP have significantly increased without any support from the Centre.
KTR also discussed upcoming projects such as the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project, which will address irrigation and drinking water requirements in south Telangana. He expressed frustration over being disregarded in Niti Aayog meetings and feeling humiliated and insulted.
KTR called for the Centre to act as a big brother and allow states to play to their strengths. He condemned incidents like the one in Manipur and stressed the importance of addressing basic issues like drinking water, road connectivity, and power instead of focusing on religious, caste, and geographical differences. KTR assured that the Telangana government is inclusive and has welcomed migrants, as Hyderabad is a cosmopolitan city that should be preserved.
