19-Dec-2024 04:29 PM
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Hyderabad, Dec 19 (Reporter) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka criticised the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, accusing it of misleading the public and concealing debts incurred through various corporations.
Speaking during a short discussion in the Assembly on Thursday on the state’s financial situation, Bhatti provided a detailed analysis of the loans taken during the BRS regime, asserting that the actual debt burden was far higher than disclosed.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the Congress government had taken loans amounting to Rs 52,000 crores since it came to power. He added that the state debt currently stands at Rs 6.71 lakh crores. When combined with pending bills worth Rs 40,150 crores, which were left by the KCR-led government, the total liabilities amount to Rs 7.19 lakh crores, he claimed.
He alleged that the BRS leadership, including Finance Minister Harish Rao, was spreading misinformation about the state’s debt figures. Bhatti remarked that the BRS government had incurred debts exceeding Rs 7 lakh crores over the last decade but claimed the figure to be only Rs 4 lakh crores, thereby misleading the House and the public.
Highlighting the government’s approach to debt management, Bhatti stated that Rs 26,000 crores of debts have been repaid systematically, including dues related to projects like Kaleshwaram and various corporations.
He further emphasized that his government has not resorted to selling state assets, unlike the BRS administration, which he accused of leasing out critical infrastructure like the Outer Ring Road (ORR).
The Deputy CM pointed out that his government has implemented welfare measures, such as increasing diet bills in schools after a decade and planning the establishment of Young India Schools, while clearing pending bills and dues.
He also criticised the BRS for failing to disclose corporate debts in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, stating that the lack of transparency reflected poorly on the government’s financial accountability.
Bhatti reaffirmed the government's commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensuring that guarantees are implemented without compromising state assets...////...