Telangana: BRS dares PM Narendra Modi to a debate on Central grants

HYDERABAD: Condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on the state government, especially not cooperating with the Centre for development of the state, BRS leaders asked what had the Centre given to the state in the last nine years that was prevented by the state government.
The ministers dared the PM to come for a debate on what has been given to the state and what Telangana contributed to the Centre in terms of funds and taxes in the last nine years. They said the PM has no love towards Telangana and even utilised an official programme to criticise and malign the state government.
Finance minister T Harish Rao said the PM spoke about family rule only to divert the issues from Gautam Adani. "Modi spoke on non-cooperation from Telangana. In fact, the Centre is not cooperating with Telangana," Harish Rao said.
"If there is no development in Telangana, why is the Centre giving awards to the state in various sectors. On Friday, the ministry of panchayat raj announced 13 awards to Telangana gram panchayats. The PM should tell if Telangana GSDP is highest in the country or not, 24x7 free power is being given to agriculture sector or not and filling up vacancies or not," minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said.
Telangana State Planning Board vice-chairman B Vinod Kumar called Modi a liar and said the state asked for projects and promises. But, the Centre was not responding on it, he said.
Minister Jagadish Reddy said the PM spewed venom against Telangana as he was jealous about the development of the state.