Neither the State Nor Adivasis Benefit from the Mining
Former Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar Explains the State of Affairs in Telangana under the Congress Government (Interview with Prime Post)
Prime Post (PP): Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has spoken of making Telangana a three trillion GDP state. What are your thoughts on this ambitious goal?
Puvvada: While the ambition is laudable, it seems highly improbable given the state of Telangana’s economy. Telangana currently ranks 9th nationally, behind states like Maharashtra and Gujarat. The economic situation is deeply troubling. For instance, fee reimbursement arrears have reached Rs 10,000 crore. This is forcing students to drop out mid-year because college managements are turning them away due to non-payment. This shows the immediate financial strain on the state and its citizens.
PP: The Congress government is reportedly trying to boost income by selling land in Hyderabad. Are these efforts proving successful in generating the necessary revenue?
Puvvada: I don’t see how they can be successful when the state’s resources are being openly looted, often with the alleged complicity of key ministers. Take the example of sand mining.
Thousands of lorries of sand are transported daily from Bhadrachalam and Kaleswaram, yet virtually no cess revenue is coming to the government. Meanwhile, people in Hyderabad are paying exorbitant prices for sand. In Bhadrachalam, even the Adivasis are not benefiting, as the mining is reportedly conducted under the guise of “benami Adivasi committees.” The state has lost thousands of crores due to illegal sand and mineral mining.
PP: What do you attribute the fall in the state government’s income to over the past couple of years? What are the underlying reasons?
Puvvada: Telangana’s economy has seen a marked decline in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate. The real GSDP at constant price is projected to drop to 6.9% in 2024-25, down from 7.4% in 2023-24. Consequently, the state’s rank in real GSDP growth has fallen significantly to 13th place nationally. Additionally, per capita income and revenue collections have also decreased. This financial distress is so severe that benefits to government retired employees haven’t been paid for over two years.
PP: Congress frequently alleged that KCR remained confined to his farmhouse during the BRS rule. What is your response to that criticism?
Puvvada: The governance during the BRS period was excellent. Not a single person be it a farmer, an auto-driver, or a labourer faced the kind of widespread hardships we see today. Rythu Bandhu was implemented precisely. Government monitoring ensured traders paid Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to farmers. Chilli farmers, for example, received up to Rs 22,000 per quintal during the BRS regime. While KCR stayed at the farmhouse, the public never complained of any inconvenience in administration. Today, people feel betrayed by the haphazard implementation of the Six Guarantees, and even flood relief assistance has been insufficient.
PP: Your party has highlighted the row between Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Minister Konda Surekha. Are such differences not common among leaders within a political party?
Puvvada: Not at all. We never witnessed such open disputes in BRS during our time in power. The issue in the Congress government is not merely a personal one; it reportedly stems from a dispute over kickbacks related to real estate and a cement factory. There was a clear line of control and discipline in BRS. That kind of decorum is completely missing in the current Congress government.
PP: The Chief Minister assured a ‘fourth city’ project, promising a facelift for Hyderabad and land acquisition for it. It sounds like a positive developmental project. Do you agree?
Puvvada: It is a ridiculous proposition. On one hand, the government is selling valuable lands in places like Kokapet, Mokilla and other places just to generate revenue. On the other, they talk about a massive new city. For the last two years, they haven’t made a single effort to ease the crippling traffic in the Financial District; all the existing flyovers were built by the BRS government. Land is being acquired from farmers, seemingly to benefit specific people within the government, rather than for genuine cause, well-planned state development.
PP: On a scale, how many marks would you give to the 23-month Congress-led government in Telangana?
Puvvada: Zero mark. You heard correctly: absolutely nothing.
PP: Are you giving a zero mark simply because you are the opposition BRS? How do you justify such a harsh assessment?
Puvvada: Why would I give them anymore? The Congress government has failed miserably. They failed to ensure the MSP for paddy and cotton farmers. They failed to supply adequate Urea during the Kharif season. Most farmers are not receiving Rythu Bandhu and feel betrayed. Auto drivers’ incomes have plummeted, putting them in a crisis. Real estate transactions have dried up in districts and even Hyderabad, and businesses across the board are witnessing a severe slowdown. The entire state’s economic activity is sluggish.
Editor, Prime Post
Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.
Adequate steps to be taken by the Revant Reddy Government to arrest this illegal sand mafia. I don’t understand why this is being entertained? This shows that there will be kickbacks entertained by higher officials with the knowledge of concerned ministry. Never seen this complaint in BRS Government.