Former minister T Harish Rao has alleged large-scale corruption in the education sector, reckless borrowing, excessive spending on projects, and policies that are hurting farmers, students, employees, and the common people in Telangana. He claimed that the postponement of school reopening was linked to a massive scam in the education department.
Allegations on School Reopening Delay
During an informal chat with the media at Telangana Bhavan on Thursday, Harish Rao said that schools were not reopened on schedule because contracts related to uniforms, bags, notebooks, belts, and other supplies had not been finalized due to commission-related issues. The former minister stated that the previous BRS government had entrusted the stitching of uniforms to handloom workers and the manufacture of shoes and belts to LIDCAP to support Dalit families and local livelihoods. However, the Congress government allegedly centralized the process and handed contracts to a Gujarat-based contractor. Nearly seven lakh Gurukul students have not yet received uniforms, bags, belts, or notebooks.
Criticism of Government Spending
Harish Rao criticized the government for spending on luxury items despite Chief Minister Revanth Reddy claiming that the state treasury lacks funds. He alleged that a luxury guest house named Bodhi Pavilion is being constructed at a cost of nearly ₹100 crore near the Chief Minister’s residence in Jubilee Hills. The project, initially sanctioned for ₹7 crore as a VVIP guest house, has now expanded into a ₹100 crore facility, accompanied by additional spending on fencing and recreational infrastructure. He further alleged that the Chief Minister is spending nearly ₹5 crore every month on helicopter travel, compared to about ₹2 crore earlier. “If there is no money for fee reimbursement, farmers’ welfare, employees’ dues, and welfare funds, where is the money coming from for luxury guest houses and helicopter rides?” he asked.
Internal Conspiracy in Congress
Turning to Congress affairs, Harish Rao said the rejection of the nomination of Telangana Congress in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan was the result of an internal conspiracy by leaders within the party itself. “Curtailing the political prospects of one’s own party in-charge reflects the internal state of the Congress. The CM must order an inquiry and reveal the truth behind this episode,” he said.
BRS Promises to Scrap Bharat Future City
The BRS deputy leader reiterated that the BRS government, after coming to power, would scrap the Bharat Future City project, as the state government abandoned the Hyderabad Green Pharma City project and turned it into a real estate project. The previous BRS government had secured all necessary environmental clearances for Pharma City and had completed substantial groundwork for the project. “I personally contributed 17 acres of land for Pharma City and was among the first landowners to support the project. By abandoning it, the Congress government has deprived Telangana of investments, revenue, and employment opportunities,” he said.
