Hyderabad: The State government will be releasing guidelines for implementing crop loan waivers for farmers in four days, as announced by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Passbooks will be used for beneficiary identification, rather than ration cards. During a media address in New Delhi on Friday, Revanth stated that the State budget would be introduced two days after the Union budget is presented in Parliament.
He instructed officials to prepare budget estimates based on factual data, not like the "illusionary" estimates from the previous BRS regime. Revanth's ministerial team has already met with union ministers to request pending funds for the State.
The State's requirements have been communicated to the Centre before the union budget to secure maximum funds. Schemes with significant financial implications, such as crop loan waivers, will be prioritized, followed by Rythu Bharosa, crop insurance, and other initiatives.
Revanth emphasized that welfare schemes should benefit the underprivileged, not the affluent. He questioned why the Modi government faced no scrutiny for waiving Rs 16 lakh crore in corporate debts while facing criticism for implementing welfare schemes.
Discussing the Rs 7 lakh crore debt from the BRS government, Revanth noted that the State still pays Rs 7,000 crore in monthly interest. Negotiations with the Centre are ongoing to lower interest rates secured by the previous government. Revanth mentioned plans for a new BC Commission and the initiation of BC census once the current Commission's term ends in August.
Additionally, a commission for new mandals and revenue divisions will be established soon. Regarding TGSRTC's financial status, Revanth credited the increase in bus occupancy to free bus travel for women, which has reduced operational costs and put the corporation on a profitable trajectory.
On potential Congress leadership changes, Revanth stated that decisions are in progress at the party high command level. Only those who won on Congress B-form in the assembly elections will be appointed ministers in the cabinet expansion. Social justice will be a priority in the expansion. Revanth welcomed the idea of a female TPCC president. When asked about Congress endorsing defections, he highlighted similar instances in other states and noted that Telangana was not unique in facing defections.