Union Minister Warns Telangana Government Against Renaming Central Schemes
Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, issued a strong statement on Monday, cautioning the Telangana government against changing the names of Central welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or Garib Kalyan Yojana. He warned that if such actions are taken, the Central government will implement the welfare programs directly, bypassing the State government. He urged the State government to avoid escalating the situation to such a point.
Addressing the media, the Union Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for the poor. “The Centre has provided free rice to the underprivileged. Why is there an issue with calling it Garib Kalyan Yojana? Why don’t you display the Prime Minister’s photo?” he questioned. He added that the State government is free to name its own schemes as it wishes but criticized their sincerity in development efforts.
Bandi Sanjay Kumar went on to say, “If the Congress wants, they can name their schemes after Osama Bin Laden or Dawood Ibrahim; we have no objection.” He alleged that most development in Telangana’s villages, including initiatives like Rythu Bharosa, community halls, crematoriums, streetlights, and roads, is funded by the Central government. He claimed the Centre has spent over ₹12 lakh crore in the past decade, while the State government has failed to match its efforts.
The Union Minister also attacked the Congress’ “six guarantees,” calling them insincere. “How can they choose four schemes to benefit just one village in a mandal? What about the other villages? Haven’t those villagers also voted for Congress? This is deceptive and unfair to the people of the State,” he said. He further questioned whether Congress leaders were funding these schemes from their own pockets or using money from foreign sources like Pakistan or Bangladesh, pointing out that funds come from taxpayers’ money.
On the topic of housing, Bandi criticized the Telangana government’s failure to deliver on promises. “When the Centre approved 2.4 lakh houses under the PM Awas Yojana, isn’t it true that KCR didn’t construct even one house? He deceived people with the promise of double-bedroom houses,” he alleged.
Regarding nominations for the Padma Awards, the Union Minister expressed his disapproval of awarding individuals like Gaddar, who he accused of being involved in the killing of BJP activists. “How can someone responsible for the deaths of hundreds of BJP workers, who were democratically protesting, be nominated for a Padma Award? Gaddar colluded with Naxalites to kill BJP workers,” he charged.
Bandi Sanjay also criticized the Congress and BRS for allegedly reigniting Telangana sentiment to mislead people. “They are trying to incite emotions again using the Telangana issue. But people now understand who truly benefited and who suffered due to this sentiment. They will no longer fall for the same tricks,” he concluded.
