Title: Harish Rao Disputes Claims of Rs 49,618 Crore Borrowing by Telangana Government
Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao has strongly rejected Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s assertion that the Telangana government has borrowed Rs 49,618 crore in the past ten months. In a statement, Harish contended that when factoring in the guarantees provided by the state government to lending institutions on behalf of various corporations and autonomous boards, the total debt could soar to Rs 80,000 crore.
“The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister is misleading the people of Telangana,” Harish remarked, challenging the figures presented by Vikramarka. He referenced a Legislative Assembly Question (LAQ) that revealed the government had guaranteed Rs 24,887.71 crore in loans as of July 26, 2024. Additionally, he noted that the Telangana State Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (TSCAB) secured Rs 5,000 crore from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
Harish further supported his claims by sharing the question posed by BRS MLAs in the assembly regarding borrowings, along with the response obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed with the State Bank of India. His statements underscore the ongoing political tensions in Telangana, particularly concerning fiscal management and accountability within the state government.
