Controversies, protests and dissent mark Congress government’s 1,000 days

The Congress government in Telangana has completed 1,000 days in office amid criticism over HYDRAA demolitions, land acquisition, Musi Riverfront evacuations, food poisoning incidents, farmers’ protests and internal dissent among MLAs over inadequate funds for development works.

Hyderabad: The Congress government is celebrating the completion of 1,000 days in office in the State while facing criticism over a series of controversies that have marked its tenure.

HYDRAA demolitions, evacuations linked to the Musi Riverfront project, frequent food poisoning incidents in government schools and hostels, the inclusion of private lands in the 22A prohibited category and the latest Konda Surekha episode have kept the government in the news for the wrong reasons.

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The controversies have not been limited to these issues. People from different sections have taken to the streets over the State government’s failures. Farmers have protested delays in procurement and inadequate urea supplies, while government employees have been demanding PRC and DA arrears. Pensioners have raised concerns over retirement benefits, and unemployed youth have continued to seek jobs.

The State government’s land acquisition exercises for various projects have also drawn widespread criticism. The alleged forcible acquisition of farmers’ lands in Lagacherla made national headlines, with the Human Rights Commission stepping in after complaints of custodial torture were lodged.

Similarly, farmers facing land acquisition for the Regional Ring Road staged protests, alleging that their lands were being specifically targeted for the project. Apart from seeking better compensation, they also alleged that lands belonging to influential persons were being spared.

Amid these controversies, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced plans to develop Bharat Future City across 30,000 acres.

The Congress government sidelined the Pharma City project, for which the previous BRS government had pooled nearly 12,000 acres, and announced the Future City project instead. However, farmers have been opposing the acquisition of their lands for the project as well as the laying of roads.

Controversies within the party

The controversies confronting the government outside the party have also spilled into the Congress, with several MLAs expressing frustration over the lack of funds for taking up development works in their constituencies.

In October last year, Mahabubnagar MLA Yennam Srinivas Reddy said that, apart from attending marriages and other functions, MLAs had little to do when they visited villages. He said residents sought sanction for even petty works costing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, but getting funds sanctioned for such works was proving difficult.

Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and Jadcherla MLA J Anirudh Reddy have alleged that contractors from Andhra Pradesh were securing major contracts. They also admitted that contractors were abandoning works midway due to delays in the release of funds by the government.

Against this backdrop, opposition parties have criticised the Congress government for celebrating 1,000 days in office despite, they allege, failing to fulfil several promises made to the people.

Major controversies

• HYDRAA demolitions
• Evacuations linked to the Musi Riverfront project
• Frequent food poisoning incidents
• 22A prohibited category
• Assaults on Lagacherla farmers
• Procurement delays and insufficient urea supply
• Sidelining Pharma City
• 30,000 acres for Bharat Future City