‘Even Kuberudu would join the queue’: Telangana HC flags freebies
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Friday questioned the sustainability of the state government’s welfare spending and its practice of selling land to raise resources.
Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka said that if the trend of indiscriminate freebies continued, “even Kuberudu” would join the queue for government benefits.
The judge made the remarks while hearing a contempt petition against state Finance Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania over pending dues to the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB)., as reported by TOI.
Court questions welfare spending and land sales
Sultania told the court that the government would clear the dues in instalments because of financial constraints.
The court questioned the government’s dependence on land sales to raise funds. It asked what the state would do after selling all its available land.
The judge also questioned whether welfare benefits were reaching only those who genuinely needed them.
He pointed out that even millionaires were receiving benefits under Rythu Bandhu, now Rythu Bharosa. He also referred to people using expensive motorcycles and high-end iPhones while receiving free rice meant for the poor.
“If this trend of freebies continued, even ‘Kuberudu’ (god of wealth) would quit everything and join the govt-sponsored food scheme and avail all freebies,” the judge remarked.
The court also raised concerns over the engineering fee reimbursement scheme. It observed that some students allegedly received benefits despite not attending college.
The judge noted that nearly 1.15 crore people across Telangana receive benefits under various welfare schemes.
Sultania gets one week to clarify dues
The observations came after Sultania appeared before the court and explained the status of the pending SCB dues.
The court had earlier issued an arrest warrant against him. After Sultania assured the court that he would appear on Friday, it released him on a personal bond of ₹5,000.
The authorities later placed details of the warrant’s execution before the court.
After recording Sultania’s appearance, the judge gave him one week to clarify the status of the pending dues. The court also exempted him from further personal appearance.
“It pains to summon officers over such matters since the officer concerned was a good one, but we (courts) are also helpless,” the judge observed.
Sultania told the court that the government would remit the pending surcharge on stamp duty collected from the board in instalments. He also said he would file a detailed affidavit before the next hearing.
Judge flags labour shortages
The court also discussed labour shortages in rural areas and their wider impact.
The judge observed that farmers were struggling to find workers, while labourers from other states were increasingly filling the gap.
“If this trend continues, the working class would become extinct and would have to be confined to museums,” he said.
The judge clarified that his observations were not directed at any individual. He said they reflected concerns about the future of society and the challenges faced by government officials in implementing policies.
“With the number of freebies disbursed now, even the officer would be helpless even if he becomes the CM (of the state),” the court observed.
The judge acknowledged that policymaking remains the government’s prerogative. However, he stressed the need for greater public awareness about the long-term impact of welfare policies.
The matter will come up for further hearing on August 19.
