Telangana Ministers Clash with BRS Over Budget Claims and Policy Legacy
In a heated assembly session, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, along with ministers Seethakka and Jupally Krishna Rao, launched a strong rebuttal against senior BRS leader T Harish Rao's criticisms of the state budget. The ministers accused Rao of disseminating false information regarding registration revenue and other key issues, sparking a political confrontation over governance records.
Deputy CM Defends Registration Revenue Allocation
Intervening during Harish Rao's budget speech, Bhatti Vikramarka asserted that the BRS leader was misleading both the legislative assembly and the public with claims of decreased revenue from registrations. "For the financial year 2024-25, the stamps and registration department generated a substantial revenue of Rs 14,250 crore," Bhatti stated emphatically. He detailed that the government allocated Rs 5,740 crore from this sum to municipalities and corporations, contrasting it with the previous administration's practices.
Bhatti criticized the BRS government for delaying the transfer of registration revenue to local bodies since 2020, instead of inaccurately reporting these funds as stamp duty income. "Our government has ensured proper allocation to municipalities and corporations to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past," he declared, highlighting a commitment to transparent fiscal management.
Land Reforms and Dharani Portal Scrapped
The deputy chief minister further lambasted the BRS regime for introducing the Dharani portal, which he claimed created significant problems for farmers. He alleged that lands distributed by the previous Congress government were unjustly placed under the ‘Part-B' disputed land list, leading to nearly a decade of harassment for agricultural communities. "During my padayatra from Adilabad to Khammam, I personally heard grievances from assigned farmers in every village, many of whom lacked rightful ownership over their lands," Bhatti recounted, emphasizing grassroots concerns.
He described as disgraceful the inclusion of lands allotted to freed bonded laborers for cultivation and housing in the prohibited list under Dharani in the erstwhile Adilabad district. In response, Bhatti announced that the Congress government, fulfilling an election promise, has scrapped the Dharani system and introduced the transparent ‘Bhu Bharati' platform. "Justice will be served to the poor regarding lands acquired through land reforms," he assured, taking a swipe at Harish Rao by questioning the irony of those who allegedly encroached on assigned lands now discussing land issues.
Excise Minister Counters Liquor Policy Criticisms
Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao challenged the moral standing of the previous BRS government in criticizing the state's current excise policy. Responding to Harish Rao's allegations, he placed responsibility for the sharp rise in liquor consumption squarely on the BRS administration. "Excise department revenue, which was below Rs 10,000 crore at Telangana's formation, was systematically pushed to Rs 35,000 crore by the time BRS left office," Rao stated, arguing that these figures reveal who incentivized liquor sales and fostered addiction in the state.
The minister clarified that the current Congress administration has maintained fiscal restraint by not increasing taxes during its tenure. He highlighted the success of the 2025-27 liquor policy, noting that the government earned nearly Rs 2,800 crore through non-refundable application fees alone. "This robust response to the new policy demonstrates effectiveness without imposing additional tax burdens on the public," he concluded, defending the government's approach.
Employment and Governance Achievements Highlighted
Minister Seethakka addressed employment issues, contrasting the BRS and Congress records. She pointed out that while the BRS government had issued notifications for several jobs, it was the Congress administration that actually filled 62,000 vacancies. "Issuing notifications alone does not provide employment or satisfy unemployed youth. It is the filling of vacancies that truly matters," Seethakka asserted, underscoring the tangible outcomes of their governance.
The ministers' collective response underscores a deepening political rift in Telangana, with the Congress government vigorously defending its policies against opposition critiques. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over fiscal management, land reforms, and social welfare initiatives in the state.
