Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly dismissed the opposition’s criticism that Telangana was treated unfairly in the Union Budget, saying that if Telangana was a surplus state during the bifurcation of AP, it has now been turned into a debt pile.
During the debate on the budget in the Rajya Sabha, the Union Finance Minister made it clear that the NDA government at the Center does not discriminate against any state, and moreover, it does not blame any party. She recalled that the Modi government was the first to set up a railway station in the Medak constituency won by Indira Gandhi.
She also pointed out that it was the Narendra Modi government that renovated the Ramagundam fertilizer factory and the capacity of fertilizer production has been increased to a record 12.7 lakh metric tons. She also said that the credit for setting up the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad goes to Narendra Modi.
She revealed that the Union Cabinet has taken a decision to set up an industrial corridor in Zaheerabad to help Telangana. The Union Finance Minister reminded that the PM Mitra Kakatiya Mega Textile Park has been set up in Warangal. She also said that the Sammakka Sarakka Tribal University has been set up and AIIMS has been set up in Bibinagar.
She stated that 2605 km of national highways have been laid and four green corridors have been set up under Bharat Mala. She explained that a budget of Rs. 5,337 crore has been allocated to Telangana for the development of railways and a new railway track of 753 km has been built between Yerupalem Namburu and MalkanGiri Pandurangapuram.
She recalled that five new Vande Bharat trains have been given to Telangana and 40 railway stations have been redeveloped. The Finance Minister said that two lakh houses have been constructed under PM Awas Urban and 31 lakh toilets have been built under Swachh Bharat Mission.
Nirmala Sitharaman said that 38 lakh water connections have been provided under the Jaljeevan Mission, 82 lakh Ayushman Bharat health cards have been issued and 199 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been set up.
Stating that Telangana has been given due priority in the Union Budget, she said that it is not right that Bihar and other NDA-ruled states have been given high priority in the Budget. Nirmala Sitharaman said that funds have been provided in Telangana as well.
