SOURCE ; NEW18
Last Updated:May 05, 2025, 20:00 IST
“I am entitled to fly by special aircraft, but I sometimes travel economy…Even if you cut me into pieces, I can’t raise over Rs 18,500 crore a month,” says CM Revanth Reddy
Revanth Reddy had an emotional outburst.
Telangana Chief Minister (CM) Revanth Reddy on Monday admitted that the state was nearing financial bankruptcy, urging government employees to understand the gravity of the situation instead of resorting to strikes.
Speaking at a media organisation’s event in Hyderabad, the CM revealed that the state requires Rs 22,500 crore every month to meet its obligations, but is only able to generate Rs 18,500 crore. “Even if you cut me into pieces, I can’t raise more than Rs 18,500 crore per month,” he said emotionally.
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“Tell me—should we stop welfare schemes? Should we raise petrol prices to Rs 200? That’s not right. Protests and hunger strikes at this stage could lead to a complete collapse of the government machinery,” he warned.
Reddy emphasised that the government has been practising fiscal discipline since taking office, avoiding any lavish spending. He pointed out that for the first time in a decade, state employees are receiving their salaries on the 1st of each month. “As the Chief Minister, I am entitled to fly by special aircraft, but I sometimes travel economy. I never publicised this. Unfortunately, financial institutions are treating us like thieves,” he lamented.
He also took aim at the previous administration, blaming them for leaving the state in financial disarray. “They (BRS) destroyed the system by not repaying loans. We’ve taken Rs 1.58 lakh crore in loans and already repaid Rs 1.54 lakh crore. We’re trying to rebuild the system. Please bear with us,” he appealed.
Urging employees not to become political pawns, he asked how would it be fair to fight the public to meet employee demands. “If you have concerns, speak to the finance minister or Secretary. We are willing to be transparent,” he added.
The Chief Minister concluded by reminding that employees are part of the government machinery and praised the police force for maintaining law and order in the state.
‘Only for the Deserving’
Meanwhile, agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao triggered a debate about possible cuts to welfare schemes.
Addressing a public gathering in Dharur, Vikarabad district, the minister questioned the current distribution model, pointing out a significant mismatch in ration card data. “The state has around 1.10 crore families, but there are 1.25 crore ration cards. Shouldn’t we ensure that only the truly poor benefit? Free rice should go only to those who genuinely cannot afford food. When N.T. Rama Rao was the CM, rice was sold for Rs 3 and the government gave it at Rs 2 — people hailed him as a god. But today, should rice costing Rs 60 be distributed free of cost,” he asked.
He challenged locals to show even 10 to 20 people in the village without ration cards, questioning whether the entire village could really be classified as poor. His remarks reportedly caused unease among fellow dignitaries, including Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, at the event.
The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) responded sharply, accusing the Congress-led government of using such rhetoric to dodge its election commitments. BRS spokesperson Manne Krishank told News18, “The Congress made 420 promises before coming to power. Now it’s backtracking. Not a single new ration card has been issued. The farm loan waiver hasn’t reached farmers. Under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, they promised Rs. 15,000 per acre but reduced it to Rs 12,000 — and even that hasn’t been paid. There’s no sign of farmer insurance either.”
Tummala, who served earlier in KCR’s cabinet as Roads and Buildings Minister, had previously stated that 24-hour free electricity for agriculture was not essential and claimed that even farmers didn’t want it. Meanwhile, many of the welfare and development programmes promised by the Congress during the elections are yet to see full-scale implementation. Reddy has maintained that the rollout will happen in phases. However, he has also openly admitted in the Assembly that the state is grappling with a financial crunch — to the extent of depending on the RBI to pay salaries.
- First Published:
May 05, 2025, 19:34 IST
