Telangana CM Requests ₹11,713 Crore for Rain Damage Relief
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for immediate financial assistance to repair infrastructure damaged by heavy rains in the state. In a meeting held in Delhi, the CM requested ₹11,713.49 crore to help restore roads, culverts, canals, and other infrastructure affected by the rains that occurred from August 31 to September 8.
The CM informed Amit Shah that the heavy rains caused severe destruction, claiming 37 lives and killing over a lakh livestock. Crops spread over 4.15 lakh acres were damaged, and essential infrastructure like tanks, ponds, and bridges was also affected. While the state government has begun restoration efforts, the CM explained that the available funds are not enough to cover all the damage.
Previous Requests and Central Team Report
Revanth Reddy reminded the Home Minister that he had earlier written a letter on September 2, requesting ₹5,438 crore for restoration works. A central team later visited Telangana and submitted a report estimating the total damage at ₹11,713 crore. The CM emphasized the need for immediate release of these funds and noted that the state has only received ₹416.80 crore so far under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the financial year 2024-25. He also requested that the funds for these restoration works should not be tied to the SDRF allocations.
Reinstating Districts on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) List
In addition to seeking funds for rain damage, the CM also urged Amit Shah to reinstate three districts—Adilabad, Mancherial, and Kumram Bheem Asifabad—on the list of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas. Telangana borders Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, both of which are impacted by LWE. To improve security, the CM requested the establishment of CRPF JTF camps in Kondavai village (Charla Mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem district) and Alubaka village (Venkatapuram Mandal, Mulugu district).
Revanth Reddy also asked for ₹18.31 crore, pending for four years, to be released as the central share of payments for Special Police Officers (SPOs). Additionally, he requested a relaxation of norms to accommodate 1,065 personnel in the SPO force.
Strengthening Border Security
The CM further requested the strengthening of police stations located in border areas. He listed police stations in Peruru, Mulugu, Kannaigudem, Palimela, Mahamutharam, and Kataram (in Mulugu and Jayashankar Bhupalpally districts) as needing additional support. The state government is also training newly recruited police officers in anti-extremist tactics through the Greyhounds unit. For this, the CM requested an additional ₹25.59 crore for training programs in the 2024-25 financial year.
Pending Bifurcation Issues
Revanth Reddy also raised issues related to Telangana’s bifurcation. He urged the Union Home Minister to resolve disputes over government buildings and corporations listed under Schedule 9 of the bifurcation law (Sections 53, 68, and 71). He also highlighted institutional disputes under Schedule 10 (Section 75). The CM requested protection of Telangana’s rights over assets and institutions not explicitly mentioned in the bifurcation law, but which are currently claimed by Andhra Pradesh.
Request for More IPS Officers
Finally, the Telangana CM asked for an additional 29 IPS (Indian Police Service) posts to be allotted to the state. He pointed out that only 76 IPS officers were allocated to Telangana during the bifurcation. He urged a review of the IPS cadre allocation to address the shortage.
Several officials, including Nalgonda MP Raghavireddy, Telangana Government Special Representative A.P. Jitender Reddy, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Seshadri, and DGP Jitender, were present at the meeting.