Reckless borrowing of Congress government in Telangana to cross Rs 1.52 lakh crore officially

In just 15 months, the Congress government in Telangana has shattered all records, accumulating a staggering Rs 1,52,918 crore in debt - a financial burden that will weigh heavily on future generations

Hyderabad: In just 15 months, the Congress government in Telangana has shattered all records, accumulating a staggering Rs 1,52,918 crore in debt — a financial burden that will weigh heavily on future generations.

With yet another Rs 3,000 crore market borrowing on Tuesday, the government seems to be operating on an unsustainable fiscal model, raising serious questions about its economic management.

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The numbers paint a grim picture. Of the total debt, Rs 69,827 crore falls under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) limits, while a massive Rs 83,091 crore has been raised through non-FRBM loans.

These non-FRBM borrowings — Rs 62,000 crore drawn by various corporations and special purpose vehicles (SPVs) with government guarantees and another Rs 10,099.7 crore without guarantees – point to an opaque financial strategy that lacks accountability. Another Rs 10,000 crore loan was obtained through HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation).

As per government disclosures, RBI data, and CAG reports, between December 2023 and November 2024, the State borrowed Rs 1,24,209 crore. Another Rs 28,709 crore has been borrowed between December 2024 and March 2025. Yet, despite this relentless borrowing spree, there is little to show in terms of infrastructure development, employment generation, or welfare implementation.

Sources said the government borrowed another Rs 10,000-15,000 crore in non-FRBM loans which are yet to be disclosed. If these undisclosed debts are factored in, economists warn that Telangana’s total debt could skyrocket beyond Rs 1.65 lakh crore by the end of this fiscal year (including four months of 2024-25). Will the government come clean in its upcoming budget session, or will it continue to drown the State in unchecked liabilities, remains a million-dollar question.

Economists warn that the Congress government’s borrowing pattern lacks transparency. Instead of presenting a clear roadmap for debt utilisation, it has resorted to acquiring loans through various entities, effectively bypassing financial accountability.

If the current trend continues, Telangana risks sliding into a fiscal abyss, with ordinary citizens left to bear the consequences of the Congress government’s financial recklessness.