Sparks fly at Cabinet meeting as Ministers question release of funds to Ponguleti’s firms

The Telangana Cabinet meeting witnessed sharp disagreements over the release of funds to contractors allegedly linked to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. Simultaneously, several Ministers expressed concern over the handling of Forest Minister Konda Surekha’s case and the broader neglect of BC-related issues.

Hyderabad: The State Cabinet meeting on Thursday saw heated exchanges, with several Ministers questioning the release of funds to firms allegedly linked to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, even as the Konda Surekha episode continued to draw attention.

According to sources, Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy raised the issue during the meeting, pointing out that the implementation of Mission Bhagiratha works was below expected standards. He reportedly questioned how the government could release funds to the contractor despite such lapses.

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Echoing his concern, several other Ministers objected to the release of nearly Rs 2,000 crore to large contractors, suggesting that the amount could instead have been used to clear pending bills of small contractors and employees’ salaries.

Though Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka attempted to pacify the members, some Ministers pointed out that even petty bills worth Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh were facing long delays.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is learnt to have intervened, assuring Ministers that he would look into the priority being given to the bills of firms associated with Srinivas Reddy.

The handling of Forest Minister Konda Surekha’s episode also came up for discussion, with several Ministers expressing displeasure over what they described as hasty action against a colleague from the BC community. BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reportedly remarked that such actions could damage the government’s image.

Some Ministers felt that before terminating the services of the Forest Minister’s OSD, the matter should have been discussed with her. They cautioned that introducing “a new culture and practice” of targeting Ministers could harm both the government and the party, providing ammunition to opposition parties.

The Ministers also voiced concern over growing discontent at the grassroots level, citing issues such as the pending approval of BC Bills, uncertainty over 42 per cent BC reservations, and the treatment of a BC woman Minister. They warned that continued neglect could hurt the party’s prospects.

Sources said the Chief Minister asked Ministers to end the discussion, stating that party leaders had already spoken to the Forest Minister and that the matter would be resolved soon.