Hyderabad: Protests Over Alleged Discrimination in Union Budget
Will Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy stage a protest in New Delhi against the alleged discrimination towards Telangana in the Union Budget? Will BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao join him in this protest? This question is now a hot topic in political circles.
During a discussion on a resolution regarding the budget’s injustice to Telangana, the Chief Minister suggested that all political parties should protest in Delhi. He urged them to pressure the Centre to give Telangana its due share. He also called on BRS chief KCR, who is known for his role in achieving the statehood for Telangana, to join the protest.
This led to a heated exchange between BRS leader T Harish Rao and other members of the assembly. Harish Rao defended KCR, saying no one could question his sacrifices for the state. He pointed out that while Revanth Reddy had refused to resign, BRS members had resigned from their posts multiple times in the past.
The Chief Minister, while moving the resolution, explained how he had personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers to discuss pending issues under the AP Reorganisation Act-2014. He alleged that southern states, particularly Telangana, were being discriminated against in terms of tax returns.
He highlighted that if Telangana contributes Re 1 as tax, it only gets 47 paise in return, whereas Bihar gets Rs 7.26. Over the past five years, Telangana contributed Rs 3.68 lakh crore as taxes but received only Rs 1.68 lakh crore in funds, which he claimed was a clear violation of norms.
Revanth Reddy further explained that the five southern states contribute Rs 22 lakh crore as GST but receive only Rs 6.42 lakh crore in return. In contrast, BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh receives Rs 6.91 lakh crore against its contribution of Rs 3.41 lakh crore. He accused the Centre of ignoring the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission and cutting down funds to some states.
The resolution asserts that the Union government is responsible for taking all necessary steps for the sustainable development of the two states as per the AP Reorganization Act. The unfulfilled promises in the Act have negatively impacted Telangana’s development.
Revanth Reddy accused the Centre of abandoning the federal spirit and adopting an indifferent attitude towards Telangana since the state’s formation.
