Senior Congress member in Telangana Assembly D.K. Aruna on Friday alleged that the State Government was discriminating the constituencies represented by Opposition legislators in sanctioning development works.
Participating in the debate on demands from grants, she pointed out that the works worth Rs. 30 to 40 crore were being taken up in the constituencies represented by the ruling party legislators while works with only Rs. 3 to 4 crore value were being sanctioned in the segments held by the legislators of Opposition parties.
“In the past, we blamed Andhra rulers for bias but why this discrimination in Telangana,” she asked.
Finance Minister E. Rajender, objecting to her allegation, said Ms. Aruna had admitted that such discrimination was on during Congress and TDP regimes in the past when only the ruling party legislators secured lion’s share of developmental works. However, it would not be the case in Telangana as assured by the Chief Minister, he said.
Suggesting the government not to deduct dues of power charges from the funds being release to municipalities, Ms. Aruna said only Rs. 60 lakh was given to Gadwal municipality recently out of Rs. 7.60 crore funds released after deducting the power dues.
She urged the government to collect the power dues only in instalments or else development works would take a hit.
Ministers Mr. Rajender and Kadiam Srihari took strong exception to a sweeping remark made by Ms. Aruna alleging that 40 per cent of Aasara pensions were given to ineligible persons, mostly the ruling party workers. They suggested her to bring specific irregularities, if any, to the government’s notice.
On land regularisation, N.V.V.S. Prabhakar (BJP) said it was not fair on part of the government to collect land value and registration charges at present rates.
In the past, we blamed Andhra rulers for bias but why this discrimination in Telangana?
D.K. Aruna
Congress MLA