BRS Moves to File Privilege Motion Against Telangana's Finance Minister Over Debt Misrepresentation

Hyderabad, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Legislative Party has formally requested permission from Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad to initiate a privilege motion against Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka for providing misleading information regarding Telangana’s debt.

The BRS leaders alleged that the government exaggerated the debt figures to Rs 7 lakh crore, in contrast to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) report which states the debt is ₹3.89 lakh crore.

"The Finance Minister’s remarks have misled both the Assembly and the citizens of Telangana," stated BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao, referencing the RBI Handbook of Statistics on Indian States.

The BRS urged the government to provide accurate debt figures in the Assembly or to allow the privilege motion to be debated. KTR, as he is widely known, pointed out precedents where similar motions were accepted under Speaker Manohar against former Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, underlining the importance of respecting legislative practices.

Furthermore, the BRS condemned the government for focusing on tourism discussions in the Assembly while neglecting critical issues such as the imprisonment of Lagacherla farmers. KTR called for an urgent discussion on this matter, especially given its occurrence in the Speaker’s own district, Vikarabad.

KTR mockingly introduced terms like "Delhi Tourism" and "Jail Tourism", accusing the government of prioritizing trips to Delhi and unjustly detaining dissenters, including Lagacherla farmers, social media activists, and opposition leaders.

Addressing concerns about unpaid dues to sarpanches, the BRS highlighted the government’s biased allocation of funds that favors large contractors. KTR appealed to the Speaker to take action to alleviate the financial burdens faced by local representatives.

The BRS leader expressed indignation over new rules barring former MLAs from entering the Assembly premises. He contrasted this with the previous BRS administration, which allowed ex-legislators free access to Ministers and the Chief Minister.

“Protests using symbols like nooses, dried crops, and lanterns were once allowed in the Assembly. Now, even placards face restrictions,” KTR stated, accusing the government of stifling opposition voices.

KTR criticized Vikramarka for announcing financial aid for tenant farmers outside the Assembly, arguing that such declarations should be made within the Assembly, where they can be scrutinized. "These announcements should be made in the Assembly, where queries can be raised," he asserted.

Vikramarka’s declaration that Rs 12,000 would be given to agricultural laborers was labeled as a breach of Assembly protocol. It was emphasized that policy decisions ought to be announced solely in the Assembly while it is in session, a principle Vikramarka appeared to have overlooked. This issue has also been brought to the Speaker's attention.

Questioning the reliability of the government's welfare promises, KTR remarked: "The public no longer has faith in Sankranti schemes or votes based on deities. The government has failed to fulfill its obligations."