Latest news with #ChandrasekharRao
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress will implement welfare and development programmes for the next 20 years, says Deputy CM Bhatti
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has asserted that the Congress government will continue to implement the spree of people-centric policies for all round development of the State for the next 20 years. After a decade of lull, people have started reaping the benefits of the welfare and development programmes launched by the people's government in Telangana and these are set to continue for the next two decades. Telangana has become the role model for other States with several innovative programmes like caste census and other States are enquiring about the successful implementation of these programmes. Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka was addressing a public meeting at Achampet on Monday after launching several development works. He launched a trenchant attack on the Bharat Rashtra Samithi alleging that the party led by Opposition leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao looted the State for 10 long years. 'Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao is now lamenting that nobody is approaching him after losing power,' he said. He recalled that the previous government had kept payment of ₹10,000 crore dues to employees pending and the Congress government had cleared more than ₹8,000 crore in the past one-and-a-half years. The balance dues would be cleared in phases as the government had to spend huge amounts in the implementation of several welfare programmes. He took objections to claims from a section that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao was a 'God-like figure' pointing out that his own daughter MLC K. Kavitha had revealed that there were demons surrounding Mr. Rao. He recalled how youth who fought for separate Statehood in anticipation of jobs were denied employment opportunities during the 10-year tenure of the BRS. The Congress had however taken steps to fill 57,000 vacancies and process was on for filling 30,000 more vacancies in the coming days. This was in addition to the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme that was aimed at providing self employment opportunities to left over eligible youth with an estimated ₹9,000 crore. 'Why is Mr. Rao worried? Is it because the Congress government has been promptly giving minimum support price to farmers or because of the payment of ₹500 bonus to fine rice as assured?' he asked. He said the ₹1 lakh loan waiver implemented by the BRS government in four instalments could not mitigate the farmers' woes as the amounts were settled towards interest. The Congress government on its part had however successfully waived crop loans of ₹22,000 crore in one go. This was in addition to providing investment support of ₹12,000 a year to landless farmers engaged in tilling lands. The Congress government had also come up with the historic Nallamala Declaration a couple of days ago envisaging off grid power connectivity to tribal farmers with an estimated ₹12,600 crore. 'Did the BRS president ever consider schemes for financial empowerment of tribals?' he questioned adding the government had enhanced the diet and cosmetic charges for hostel boarders in spite of the financial constraints facing the State.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The churning within the BRS
Instead of stepping up its tirade against the ruling Congress government for what it terms its 'failures', the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana is grappling with internal conflicts. The Congress is facing a financial crunch which is affecting its ability to implement various welfare schemes, particularly the ones it promised before the Assembly elections. Yet it is the BRS that has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in a section of the media, which the party terms 'anti-BRS' and 'pro-Congress'. Reports state that differences have cropped up within the family of BRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao — namely, between his son and working president of the party, K.T. Rama Rao; his nephew, Harish Rao; and his daughter, K. Kavitha. Since Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao has stopped taking an active role in party affairs, speculation is rife in political circles that the BRS is planning to hand over the reins of the party to Mr. Rama Rao. This has reportedly upset Mr. Harish Rao, a former minister who has been a steadfast supporter of the party and its president for the last 24 years. Also read | The Bharat Rashtra Samithi: defeated but not destroyed Mr. Harish Rao rubbished these rumours at a press conference. He categorically stated that he had no differences with Mr. Rama Rao or any other leader in the BRS for that matter, and that he would always remain a soldier of Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao. 'The decision of the party chief would be of paramount importance to me. I will not hesitate to work with KTR (K.T. Rama Rao) even if he is given the reins of the party,' he said. Mr. Harish Rao also sought to label the whole controversy a 'conspiracy' of the Congress aimed at engineering fissures within the BRS. Mr. Rama Rao, Mr. Harish Rao, and B. Vinod Kumar, a senior leader considered close to the party leadership, also met at Mr. Harish Rao's house for over four hours to discuss the party affairs threadbare. Sources say the meeting was held on Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's directions. 'There have been reports of bickering and efforts to break the party ever since the party was formed in 2001...,' Mr. Vinod Kumar said. 'Such efforts and conspiracies gain momentum when the party is out of power. The party leadership is united and working hard to take the failures of the Congress government to the people. We believe that it is better to sweat during peace than to bleed during war.' Sources admit that there could be minor differences of opinion on the protest programmes being planned against the government. However, they add, rival parties examine such differences with a magnifying glass. They also say that speculation about Mr. Harish Rao breaking away from the party originated long ago, in 2006, when the BRS, which was then known as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, pulled out of the Congress-led coalition government. It again gained momentum after the 2018 Assembly elections when Mr. Harish Rao was not included in Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's Cabinet. It once again resurfaced after the BRS lost power in December 2023, they say. Meanwhile, Ms. Kavitha raised eyebrows when she stated recently that certain leaders within the party were conspiring against her rise. She said that they may not be 'satisfied with my spending six months in jail in the case foisted against me in the Delhi liquor policy issue'. Mr. Kavitha, who heads Telangana Jagruthi, a cultural wing of the BRS, was arrested by the CBI in the Delhi liquor policy case on March 15, 2024, and released on bail on August 27. Unlike Mr. Harish Rao, who sought to clear the air, Ms. Kavitha has clearly embarked on her own path. She has been championing the cause of Backward Classes and women. Ever since the party was ousted from power, she has visited about 50 Assembly constituencies to boost the morale of the cadre. She also recently said that while a 'geographical Telangana' State had been created, Samajika Telangana (social justice) has not yet been delivered to the people. These rumours and public statements have created confusion in the BRS and could affect its ability to regain the support of voters. It is important for the party leadership to dispel them and put up a visible united front against the Congress government. Such efforts will make a huge difference to the morale of the party cadre, especially at a time when the Congress is increasingly dependent on flaying the Opposition instead of delivering on the promises it made to the people of Telangana.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kaleshwaram inquiry commission summons KCR, former ministers for cross-examination by June 9
HYDERABAD: The Commission of Inquiry on the Kaleshwaram project has issued notices to former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao and former Finance Minister in the BRS regime, E Rajender (now BJP MP from Malkajgiri), directing them to appear before the Commission within the next 15 days for cross-examination. The Commission has fixed June 5 as the deadline for Chandrasekhar Rao, June 6 for Harish Rao, and June 9 for Rajender to appear before it. The Commission of Inquiry is headed by former Supreme Court Judge PC Ghose. For the past three months, the Commission had been in a dilemma over whether to summon politicians for inquiry. However, on Monday, the State government extended the tenure of the Commission by two more months, up to 31 July, 2025. On Tuesday, the Commission served notices to the political leaders. In June 2024, Chandrasekhar Rao had approached the High Court after receiving notices from the Justice L Narasimha Reddy Commission, which had probed alleged irregularities in the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Chhattisgarh, as well as in the construction of the Yadadri and Bhadradri thermal plants by the then BRS government.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Ghose panel on Kaleshwaram Barrages sends notices to KCR, Harish Rao and Eatala
HYDERABAD The Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission of Inquiry has sent notices to former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and former ministers T. Harish Rao and Eatala Rajender. The Commission of Inquiry was instituted by the Telangana government for inquiring alleged irregularities in the construction of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram project. Asked to appear on June 5, 6 and 9 According to sources, the former Chief Minister and the former Ministers were asked to appear before the Commission of Inquiry on June 5, 6 and 9, respectively, for their examination over the decisions pertaining to the construction of the three barrages. Term as Finance and Irrigation Ministers Apart from being the head of Council of Ministers, Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao was in-charge of the Irrigation portfolio from December 2018 to November 2023, while Mr. Harish Rao was minister for Irrigation from June 2014 to December 2018. Similarly, Mr. Rajender, now a BJP MP from Malkajigiri, was the Finance minister from June 2014 to December 2018 and Mr. Harish Rao held the Finance portfolio from September 2019 to November 2023. As the in-charges of finance portfolio, both Mr. Rajender and Mr. Harish Rao cleared the expenditure bills pertaining to the Kaleshwaram project, of which the three barrages are an integral part and form part of the head works. Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao too was responsible for clearing some expenditure bills pertaining to the project in his capacity of the Finance portfolio in-charge from December 2018 to September 2019. Report expected to be submitted in July last week The term of the Commission of Inquiry was extended for seven times so far from its initial term till June 30, 2024. It is expected to submit the report to the government during the last week of July so that the latter could initiate action against those responsible for the damage caused to the three barrages. Most of the engineers who have deposed before the Commission so far have either admitted to lapses in the procedures or expressed ignorance about decision-making. Sources said that the Commission is likely to cross-examine a few engineers and bureaucrats after the deposition by Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao, Mr. Harish Rao and Mr. Rajender.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. ready for debate on Kaleshwaram and welfare schemes, says Revanth
Taking a dig at Opposition leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao for his comments against the State government, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed willingness to hold an elaborate debate on the Kaleshwaram project, free bus service, loan waiver, Rythu Bandhu, SC classification and caste census. 'Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao should decide which of these issues should be discussed. He is spewing venom against the government,' the Chief Minister said while addressing an event to mark Mahatma Basaveswara's birth anniversary. He recalled how the BRS leader had criticised the government at the party's silver jubilee public meeting held in Warangal. The State government had, in fact, helped the Opposition party by providing buses for the celebrations. 'People would have appreciated if the leader (Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao) listed out the good things which the government did and talked about issues of public importance,' he said. He took a jibe at the BRS president for not attending Assembly proceedings. 'The leader had been drawing salary and allowances without coming out of his house. Which law allows this? He drew ₹65 lakh in salary, used government vehicles and had police security, all while skipping his responsibilities as leader of Opposition. People are asking why he slept at the farmhouse instead of discharging his duties as Opposition leader,' Mr. Reddy said. He wondered what message Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao hoped to convey to the people by confining himself to the farmhouse and harping on stoppage of welfare schemes. 'Which of the schemes like Rythu Bandhu, Aarogyasri, free power to farmers, Shaadi Mubarak and Kalyana Lakshmi had been stopped? What does he wants to achieve through hateful speeches and by provoking people? People very well know which government has done what,' the CM said, asserting that the Congress would continue in power for 10 years given its focus on development and welfare. Referring to Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's claim that Congress was the 'first villain of Telangana', he said: 'Why has the Congress become a villain? Is it for achieving a separate Telangana? Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao and his family looted the State for 10 years and he has no moral right to criticise the Congress.'
