Revanth slams KCR for skipping Assembly budget session
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday criticised Leader of Opposition K Chandrashekhar Rao for not attending the Telangana Assembly’s budget session, stating that the House had expected his participation and suggestions.
Speaking during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, the Chief Minister said the government had also expected the opposition leader to attend the unveiling of the ‘Telangana Thalli’ statue in the Assembly precincts.
He alleged that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi leadership had not shed its “arrogance” even after losing power in the 2023 Assembly elections. “We are still witnessing autocratic tendencies in some leaders. In a democracy, people are sovereign and elect their representatives,” he said.
Revanth Reddy said the opposition leader had drawn ₹1,06,56,674 as salary and allowances since December 1, 2023. He said a decision was needed on members drawing salaries without attending Assembly proceedings. He expressed hope that Rao would participate in future sessions.
Encroachment drive and pollution concerns
Referring to the ongoing removal of encroachments, the Chief Minister said leaders who had earlier supported demolitions were now opposing the drive. He announced that the government was ready to set up a fact-finding committee to study demolitions during both the previous and present administrations.
The government was also willing to review development works in the Musi–Uppal Bagayat area undertaken earlier, he added.
Raising concerns about air pollution, Revanth Reddy outlined measures including tax waivers for electric vehicles and free retrofitting of e-auto-rickshaws under the ‘CURE’ initiative. “If we fail to protect our city and restore our lakes, future generations will not forgive us,” he said.
Vision document and economic targets
Highlighting the ‘Telangana Rising 2047’ vision document, the Chief Minister said the State was preparing for rapid technological change, including advances in artificial intelligence. The Governor’s address had outlined a policy framework to address emerging challenges, he said.
He added that the State aimed to achieve a $1-trillion economy by 2034 and a $3-trillion economy by 2047. For balanced development, Telangana had been divided into CURE, PURE and RARE zones, he said.
Revanth Reddy said the government would continue pursuing growth “against all odds”, even without cooperation from the principal opposition party. He also cited the role of past national leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, in shaping India’s development trajectory.
