Telangana Dy CM seeks centre's financial aid, loan restructuring

Telangana Demands: To bail out the State from its dire financial situation, the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday to seek financial assistance and the release of pending dues related to the State Reorganisation Act. The meeting was an attempt to understand the state's problems and garner the Union government's support for Telangana.
Vikramarka pointed out the present state of affairs regarding the finances of the state and called for the rescheduling of non-budgetary loans availed by the previous government and a cut in interest rates. He expressed concern over the additional interest burden of Rs 31,795 crore on account of high-interest loans inherited from the previous administration.

"I explained the state's financial situation to the Union Minister and requested assistance. I also reminded them about the release of funds for centrally-sponsored schemes and the funds that are due as per the Reorganisation Act," Vikramarka told reporters after the meeting. He added that the state's interest payments on loans now exceed the amount spent on salaries, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

He also demanded the immediate release of pending funds for backward districts in Telangana and sought the Centre's intervention to get outstanding dues towards electricity from Andhra Pradesh. The Union Finance Minister assured that a meeting would be arranged with state and central officials over these issues.

In another meeting, Telangana's Tourism Minister, Jupally Krishna Rao, met with Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to discuss the state's tourism sector development. Rao sought the Centre's support in enhancing Telangana's tourism infrastructure; Shekhawat assured him of full cooperation in these efforts.