Hyderabad : Debate on State Budget-2019 in the Assembly today witnessed heated arguments between CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Leader of the House and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao over irrigation projects, Rs 3 lakh crore debts and non-release of waters from Kaleshwaram downstream. Both the leaders argued on the budget proposals and criticism on flagship programs like Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya and others.
The Congress leader alleged that KCR Government has come out with the slashed budget while it presented a vote-on-account budget for six months earlier. The proposals are far from truth and the State was thrown into a debt trap, Mallu alleged. He also expressed displeasure at the Chief Minister for frequently disrupting him from speaking. “Six year TRS regime achieved nothing and swindled funds in the name of projects redesigning”, he charged. Mallu also alleged that the government has increased to a hefty Rs 1 lakh cr for Kaleshwaram project against the previous estimates of Rs 30,000 crore and not released water to a single acre, he fumed.
Annoyed over this, the Chief Minister slammed the Congress leader for leveling baseless allegations. “We invite constructive criticism but not misguiding the House with baseless charges. We have presented reduced budget due to slump in all sectors in the country”, the Chief Minister said. “Despite giving details of the reduced budget and proposals, the Congress cannot curse the State”, he said”. He also advised Mallu to stop his anguish and vengeance on the State which was making rapid strides.
The Chief Minister asserted that Telangana State was second to none in people’s welfare, completed monumental project like Kaleshwaram in a record time. The government will complete Palamur and Sitharama projects despite baseless criticism, he said, adding that Mission Bhagiratha was completed by the government despite the Centre refused to give funds. (NSS)
