Telangana Government Approves Major Funding Boost for Legislators in 2026-27 Budget
In a significant move to address the persistent demands from its legislators, the Telangana government has allocated a substantial sum of ₹3,300 crore in the state budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. This allocation is specifically designated for development initiatives under two key schemes: the Constituency Development Plan (CDP) and the Special Development Fund (SDF).
Allocation Details and Fund Distribution
Under this budgetary provision, each elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) will receive ₹10 crore. The CDP funds are directly allocated to the legislators, enabling them to recommend and oversee development projects within their respective constituencies. In contrast, the SDF is managed by the Chief Minister, who disburses these funds during district or village visits for various purposes as deemed necessary.
Officials have clarified that the government had previously released approximately ₹1,100 crore under the CDP for pending works in 2024. However, subsequent fund releases to MLAs were halted due to a shortage of funds and the state's challenging financial position. This pause had led to mounting pressure from legislators, who have been urging the government to release constituency development funds to fulfill promises made to the electorate.
Breakdown of Fund Utilization
The ₹10 crore allocated to each legislator comes with specific guidelines for expenditure. Out of this total, ₹2 crore must be directed towards enhancing education infrastructure, ₹1 crore is earmarked for drinking water projects, and ₹50 lakh is allocated for the maintenance of collectorates and government offices. The remaining funds can be utilized by MLAs and MLCs to recommend a variety of development works, including:
- Construction of community buildings and school buildings
- Development of toilets and educational institutions
- Provision of CCTV cameras for security enhancements
Sanctioning of CDP funds will be overseen by the respective district in-charge ministers, ensuring a structured approval process.
Historical Context and Previous Allocations
This allocation marks a notable shift from previous years. During the tenure of the BRS government, the highest allocations were recorded in the 2023-24 fiscal year, coinciding with the 2023 assembly elections. At that time, the state government had earmarked ₹10,348 crore for the SDF and an additional ₹800 crore under the CDP for elected MLAs and MLCs. This was a significant increase from the preceding year, 2022-23, when only ₹2,000 crore was allocated.
Official sources reveal that since 2014, following the BRS coming to power, the Chief Minister has sanctioned ₹8,470 crore for approximately 53,000 developmental works across various districts. In the 2022-23 financial year, about ₹930 crore was sanctioned for 930 works, representing a ₹400 crore increase over previous years. Allocations were ₹1,190 crore in 2023-24 and ₹1,000 crore in 2025-26.
Interestingly, the funds allocated under the SDF since 2014 have been three times greater than those under the CDP. Specifically, ₹2,560 crore has been provided to MLAs and MLCs under the CDP, highlighting the government's prioritization of the Chief Minister's discretionary fund for broader developmental initiatives.
This strategic budgetary decision underscores the Telangana government's commitment to addressing local development needs while balancing fiscal constraints, as it seeks to empower legislators to deliver on their electoral promises and enhance infrastructure across the state.
