BRS Leader Questions Tourism Projects in Mahbubnagar
Hyderabad: BRS member Vemula Prashanth Reddy on Tuesday raised concerns about the concentration of new tourism projects in Mahbubnagar district. He urged Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao to focus on developing tourism in north Telangana as well.
Speaking on the demands of various departments, Reddy pointed out that most tourism projects were currently being taken up only in Mahbubnagar. He stressed that other districts, such as Nizamabad, also deserve attention. He mentioned that the previous government had planned projects at the Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) and had even handed over land to the Tourism Department. He urged the government to revive and implement these projects.
Reddy also questioned the government’s expectation of earning Rs 50,000 crore from the Excise Department. He noted that the government had estimated an increase of Rs 12,000 crore this year, which could mean an increase in belt shops (illegal liquor outlets). This, he said, would go against the Congress party’s pre-election promises.
In response, Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu clarified that the government was not promoting liquor or planning to raise taxes. Instead, he explained that revenue would be increased by preventing leakages and stopping liquor smuggling from other states.
Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao also joined the debate, stating that during the ten-year rule of the BRS, liquor revenue had increased by 400%. He pointed out that in 2014, the revenue was Rs 9,000 crore, which had grown to Rs 34,000 crore by 2024. He blamed the previous government for the rise in belt shops and assured that the new administration would strictly monitor liquor sales, use CCTV surveillance at beverage companies, and curb illegal supplies.
Reddy further criticized the budget allocation for the Endowments Department, saying that Rs 241 crore was insufficient. He claimed that although funds were allocated, they were not being released in the same proportion. He recalled that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had spent Rs 2,000 crore on renovating the Yadagirigutta temple. He also mentioned that there were plans to develop the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada and the Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy temple, but these plans were halted after the change in government. He urged the government to release funds under the Brahmin Welfare Funds to support students studying abroad.
Additionally, Reddy emphasized the need for a sports policy that encourages rural athletes in Telangana. He also questioned the government’s decision to cut the budget for the Forest Department.
