Hyderabad: K T Rama Rao accuses Centre of showing indifference to TS

Hyderabad: Industries and IT Minister K T Rama Rao on Wednesday stirred a political storm by stating that the Union government has been showing indifference towards Telangana in the sanctioning of industrial development projects. Further, the Minister also said that the centre preferred Nagpur over Hyderabad in the development.

Participating in a business conference held here, KT Rama Rao said that many project proposals which were forwarded to the centre for approval have been gathering dust.

Several pleas were also made to the Union government seeking approvals, but it fell on ears. He alleged that Telangana and other Southern States were being neglected in the development of industries while the other States were accorded top priority in the approval of projects.

Injustice was meted out to Telangana which is one of fastest growing States in the country, he said. The Minister also said that the centre was not releasing adequate funds to Telangana under centrally sponsored schemes and State share in the tax money.

In a quick counter, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State unit maintained that the centre has given equal importance to all States in development. BJP State unit president K Laxman demanded that K T Rama Rao come for an open debate on the release of funds by the centre. He said that the Union government was also fulfilling the promises made under AP Reorganisation Act.