BJP: Government fudged Budget figures for loans

The BJP on Wednesday accused the TRS government of inflating Budget figures to increase its FRBM limit for securing more loans from banks and other financial institutions.

Initiating the debate on TS Budget for 201718 in the Legislative Assembly, BJP Legislative Party leader G. Kishan Reddy said the TRS government had pushed the state into a debt trap in these three years with its ‘financial indiscipline’. He added that to cover up a financial crisis, the government was resorting to manipulation of Budget figures and securing more loans.

“From `1 lakh-crore Budget in 2014-15 to `1.49 lakh-crore in its fourth Budget, the TRS government manipulated Budget figures to present a false picture that everything is fine on financial front but the reality is that the government is in a huge debt trap. It could hardly spend 60 to 70 per cent of total Budgetary allocations in any year so far. Despite knowing this very well, this year it again ventured to present `1.50 lakh-crore Budget. This is being done only to increase FRBM limit to obtain more loans,” Mr Reddy said.

He accused finance minister Etala Rajender for coming out with ‘unrealistic figures’ in the Budget. “The government fell short of achieving revenue targets on commercial taxes last year. Despite this, it raised revenue targets this year. From excise department alone, it has been expecting `19,000 crore this year. Does it mean that the government will promote liquor consumption on a large scale this year to meet its target?” he asked.

The BJP leader said the government had totally neglected education and health sectors.

Mr Reddy said the TRS government had failed to even construct toilets for Osmania

If the government is sincere, it can place all irrigation tender documents before the Speaker. If I fail to prove irregularities, I will resign as MLA — G. KISHAN REDDY BJP MLA

University students, who spearheaded Telangana movement, in these three years while making tall claims on holding year-long OU centenary celebrations.

“If we visit OU campus in the morning, we can see students taking bath in the open, outside the hostels. They are forced to go out to attend nature’s call. Out of 53 departments, 46 have no professors due to which OU even lost NAAC grade. What we require now is not celebrations but to fill teaching vacancies and improve infrastructure facilities in the OU. The situation in other universities too is deplorable,” Mr Reddy added.

He alleged severe irregularities in award of irrigation contracts. “Contracts are being awarded as per the whims and fancies of TRS leaders,” he said.