Funds row: Rajgopal Reddy alleges bias towards CM, Ministers’ Constituencies

Congress MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy criticised his government over fund allocation and alleged bias in development works. He flagged delays in irrigation projects and said MLAs were being forced to seek funds from Ministers and the Chief Minister.

Hyderabad: Congress MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy has once again mounted criticism on his own government. He used the Assembly as a forum to allege discrimination against the ruling party legislators in respect of the grant of funds for MLAs.

He alleged that priority was being given to constituencies of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Ministers in development works and fund allocation.

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Speaking during the voting of demands for grants in the House on Sunday, the Munugode MLA said works on the Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme had stopped. He said contractors were citing delays in bill clearance as the reason for suspending works.

“I am a ruling party MLA and I have no fear. Bills for works in the Chief Minister’s and Ministers’ constituencies are being cleared, but works in other constituencies are not,” Rajgopal Reddy said.

He criticised the government for discrimination in clearing bills. “Will there be a government, Chief Minister or Cabinet without MLAs? Why should MLAs plead with Ministers and the Chief Minister for funds and bill clearance?” he asked.

Raising concern over delays in the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, he accused the government of discriminating between North and South Telangana projects.

He said there were three Ministers from the erstwhile Khammam district and added that there was a perception that resources were being directed there.

“Is it not my responsibility to fulfil the aspirations of my constituency? As the Chief Minister seeks funds and projects for Kodangal, I too have a responsibility to develop Munugode,” he said.

Rajgopal Reddy said Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy was sanctioning lift irrigation schemes to Huzurnagar, including lift projects for 5,000 acres, while Munugode was not receiving similar benefits.

He questioned how he should respond to his constituency members. He said it would be a crime if he did not raise his voice against the injustice faced by Munugode. “I will be unfit to continue if I fail to meet the expectations of my people,” Rajgopal Reddy stressed.

The MLA said he had been facing several hardships over the past two and a half years. He called for an end to regional and constituency-wise discrimination in project approvals and fund release. He also urged the Irrigation Minister to complete the Udayasamudram project at the earliest.