CPI MLA flags fund shortage despite Ministerial approvals in Telangana

CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao said no funds were released for his constituency despite Ministerial approvals. He raised concerns over delays by the Finance Department and criticised diversion of debates through repeated references to Kaleshwaram.

Hyderabad: After Congress MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy raised concerns, CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao also said that no funds were being released for his constituency.

His remarks carry weight as the CPI is an ally of the Congress government in the State. He spoke in the Assembly on Sunday during the discussion on demands for grants.

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The Bhadradri Kothagudem MLA said he did not know whether three Ministers from the erstwhile Khammam district were receiving funds. However, he confirmed that his constituency was not getting any allocation.

He said that whenever he approached Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, the works were approved quickly. However, the Finance Department did not clear the funds. This situation has continued for the past two-and-a-half years, he told the House.

He added that Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy also approved requests without delay. Despite this, the Finance Department did not release funds and not a single project has been taken up.

“As CPI is an ally of the Congress, I can neither strongly criticise the government nor remain silent. The Ministers are taking advantage of my leniency,” Sambasiva Rao said. He stressed the need for better coordination among ministers in the Cabinet.

The CPI MLA also criticised the government for repeatedly raising the Kaleshwaram project issue. He said the topic was brought up whenever serious discussions took place in the House and questioned how long this would continue.

He said the issue was being used to divert attention from key matters. While it may benefit the government, he said people were growing tired of it and were no longer paying much attention.