Telangana got Rs. 2.43 Lakh Cr Central Funds for various schemes: BJP

Hyderabad: BJP MLA Ch. Ramchandra Reddy has claimed that the Central Government has given over Rs. 2.43 lakh crores in the last 3 years and 10 months to the Telangana State for various schemes including the power sector.

Participating in the debate on Demands for Grants for Agriculture, Cooperation, Animal Husbandry and Civil Supplies Administration in Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, the BJP member said that the Telangana was able to install 3,000 MW of Solar Power due to a Central Government scheme. Further, he said that the BJP Government has provided funds for 4,000 MW power plant at Yadadri and other projects.

He said it was due to the BJP Government's policy that 27 States in the country, including Telangana, are now power surplus. He criticised the TRS Government for reducing the subsidy on power from Rs. 4,000 Crore to Rs. 3,600 this year.

He also pointed out that the government has allocated Rs. 12,000 crores under Crop Investment Plan to give farmers Rs. 4,000 per acre per crop, He said that the total agriculture area in the State is 1.42 lakh crore acres. Therefore, for two crops in a year, the total area would not exceed 1.37 lakh acres which needs only Rs. 5,600 crore. He asked the government to clarify as to why it allocated Rs. Rs. 12,000 crores for the same.

Ramchandra Reddy claimed that in Madhya Pradesh the GSDP growth in agriculture sector was 24% since last 10 years and in Telangana it is not even half. He said that the Central Government plans to procure 40% of the agriculture produce at Minimum Support Price. Similarly, the Centre has earmarked Rs. 12 lakh crores through NABARD.

Despite utilising the funds, there has been no increase in productivity. He said that the crop loan waiver scheme was not implemented properly and the government was yet to clear interest component of thousands of farmers.

Under the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department, there is a Central Government scheme to protect cows and to increase the milk production and also utilise the waste by setting up industries.

Under National Food Security Scheme, the Central government is giving the rice quota to 1.91 crores population in the state at Rs. 5 a kg per month. He said that the Telangana State has been claiming additional 85 lakh MTs of rice.

He said more than 15% of the population is not drawing rice because of introduction of ePoS machine as the shop keepers are not supplying rice stating that the beneficiaries thumb impression is not coming. He said more than 15 lakh ration cards were removed in the name of bogus rations cards.

BJP MLA's direct criticism on TRS Government and praise of BJP Government at the Centre triggered protest from treasury benches. Intervening during the debate, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas said that the Central Government was yet to pass the Bill to control the Fake Seeds for which resolution has been passed in the Assembly.

On this Ramachandra Reddy said, "I fully agree with the Minister. The Central government is not passing the Bill because the TRS members are not allowing the Parliament to run. Central Government has been functioning in a democratic manner and therefore, it did not suspend TRS members.

Whereas, in Telangana Assembly opposition members are not being allowed to speak and main opposition has been suspended for the entire budget session.

Other MLAs including R. Krishnaiah (TDP) and Sunnam Rajaiah also participated in the debate.