Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday and requested the immediate release of Rs 1,800 crore as special assistance for the backward districts of Telangana under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
During their meeting in Parliament, the CM stressed the Centre’s commitment to provide Rs 450 crore annually to nine districts in Telangana, a promise that remained unfulfilled in the years 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.
Revanth said that Telangana spent Rs 703.43 crore as operational expenses for undivided institutions like the High Court, Raj Bhavan and Lokayukta post-bifurcation.
He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh owes Rs 408.49 crore as its share of these expenses and urged Nirmala to direct Andhra Pradesh to clear the dues with interest. Despite agreement from Andhra Pradesh and reminders from the Union Home Ministry, the payment remains pending, the CM said.
The CM also raised concern over the Centre’s unilateral recovery orders for Rs 2,547.07 crore from Telangana for
loans used in externally aided projects launched in United Andhra Pradesh. Revanth urged a review of the decision, asserting that Telangana should not be burdened with this liability.
The CM also requested the release of Rs 495.20 crore due to Telangana for Centrally sponsored schemes allocated exclusively to Andhra Pradesh in 2014-15. Revanth sought the Finance Minister’s intervention to ensure that these funds are transferred to Telangana promptly.
MPs Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Mallu Ravi, Balaram Nayak, Anil Kumar Yadav, Kadiyam Kavya, and former MP V. Hanumantha Rao accompanied the CM during his meeting.
Revanth also met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding the establishment of an integrated railway coach factory at Kazipet, as promised in the AP Reorganisation Act. The CM said that while a Periodical Overhauling Workshop was sanctioned in Kazipet, the coach factory remains pending.
Revanth proposed a new railway line between Vikarabad and Krishna stations, which would reduce the distance by 70 km and connect backward areas in South Telangana. He highlighted the potential for industrial development, particularly cement clusters and other sectors.
The CM also sought approval for a rail route between Kalwakurthi and Macherla, which would connect remote areas and benefit the cement industry and the forest product trade. He explained that this route would improve connectivity between Secunderabad, Guntur and Dhone while facilitating easier travel to the spiritual hub of Srisailam.
Revanth requested the reconsideration of the proposed rail alignments between Dornakal-Miryalaguda and Dornakal-Gadwal. He pointed out that these routes pass through fertile lands, mainly owned by farmers from BC, SC, ST groups and minorities.
He suggested alternative routes through backward areas like Vennaram and Maripeda to Mothe, which would reduce land acquisition costs and shorten the distance by 19 km.
MPs Mallu Ravi, Kadiyam Kavya, Kunduru Raghuveer Reddy, Suresh Shetkar, Gaddam Vamsi Krishna and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy accompanied the CM during the discussions.
