File Photo of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. (Press Trust of India)
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today said his government would make wonders happen in the state as people had struggled for a separate state in that anticipation.
Intervening briefly during the general discussion on state budget in the Legislative Assembly today, the Chief Minister said, "People fought for a separate state expecting wonders to happen."
"Their wishes will come true and wonders will indeed happen. We will make them happen," the Chief Minister remarked, reacting to the comments made by the Leader of Opposition K Jana Reddy of the Congress.
Jana Reddy observed that the TRS government's first budget was far from reality. "People should not be left confused. The government should explain the facts to them. How do we trust the imaginary figures of the government?" the veteran leader asked.
He recalled that the state (then united) had a surplus budget and the new state of Telangana, too, began with a surplus of Rs 2,545 crore.
"But the fiscal deficit of the state is estimated at Rs 17,398 crore. Government says it will get funds from the Centre, but it should explain how. It should also reveal how much the state borrowed in the last five months and how much more it will borrow in the next four months," Jana asked.
The Chief Minister then reacted to the remarks.
BJP floor leader K Laxman said the government should come to the rescue of distressed farmers and prevent suicides.
"The Telangana government pegged the budget estimates at over Rs one lakh crore only because the neighbouring state (AP) too presented a budget of Rs one lakh crore. You projected a revenue of Rs 83,200 crore, including Rs 36,000 crore from the Centre. How will you get funds from the Centre? " Laxman asked.
The budget was against the aspirations of Telangana people, the BJP leader said, adding that it was only a "jugglery of figures".
As Laxman decried the "meagre" allocation of only Rs 2,000 crore for the welfare of backward classes though their population was 50 per cent in the state, the Chief Minister intervened and assured to convene a meeting with all floor leaders and increase the allocation in the full-fledged budget to be presented in February next year.
Information & Technology Minister K T Rama Rao, TRS member Koppula Easwar also spoke.