Hans News Service Khammam

DeputyChief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said the Congress government was committed to transforming Telangana into a $3-trillion economy by 2047, while simultaneously strengthening agriculture, empowering women and ensuring transparent governance.

Addressing the Rythu Ashirvada Sabha at Jagannathapuram in Chinthakani mandal of Khammam district, Bhatti said the government’s vision extended beyond welfare programmes and focused on making Telangana globally competitive through sustained investments in agriculture, infrastructure, education and social development.

He said the government transferred Rs 9,000 crore under the Rythu Bharosa scheme into farmers’ bank accounts within nine days, describing the exercise as a reflection of its commitment to the farming community. Agriculture, he said, was not merely an occupation but an integral part of Telangana’s culture and way of life, adding that expenditure on farmers should be viewed as an investment in economic growth rather than as a subsidy. The Deputy Chief Minister said the State has spent over Rs 1.67 lakh crore on agriculture sector during the last two-and-a-half years. As many as 16.81 lakh farmers has been benefited from the latest round of investment support.

The government continued to provide free electricity to the agriculture sector by bearing an annual subsidy of around Rs 14,000 crore.

Highlighting the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, Bhatti said interest-free loans worth Rs 67,000 crore has already been extended to women’s self-help groups, while the credit ceiling had been enhanced from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

He said the government was encouraging women entrepreneurs by providing opportunities in setting up petrol pumps, canteens and power projects, with the long-term objective of improving their economic independence.

He said the government increased diet charges in government educational institutions by 40 per cent and cosmetic charges by 200 per cent, while work was underway to establish 100 Young India Integrated Residential Schools with an estimated investment of Rs 200 crore. The government has also introduced a mid-day meal programme for intermediate students, he added.

Launching a political attack on the previous BRS government, Bhatti alleged that it pushed Telangana into a debt burden of Rs 8.21 lakh crore and criticised its handling of irrigation projects, particularly the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. He claimed that the project’s cost had escalated significantly and alleged financial irregularities in its execution.

The Deputy Chief Minister contrasted Kaleshwaram with irrigation projects such as Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Jurala, Sriram Sagar and Sripada Yellampalli, stating that projects built during Congress governments continued to benefit farmers for decades.

He also accused opposition leaders of spreading misinformation against the government through sections of the media and social media, and urged people not to be misled by what he described as false propaganda.

Reiterating the government’s long-term vision, Bhatti said the Congress administration would continue to protect public resources, maintain fiscal discipline and pursue inclusive development under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.