Telangana State government not observing spirit of cooperative federalism: Pradhan

Hyderabad: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan has criticised Telangana State government for not observing the spirit of cooperative federalism with the Centre headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing media here on Saturday, Pradhan said, "We expected that the State government would follow the principles of cooperative federalism but they are not doing so and are depriving Telangana people the benefits of welfare schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) which aims to provide housing for all by 2022 marking the occasion of the completion of the 75 years of country's Independence."

"On its own it had made many promises but has failed to fulfil them. The two-bedroom housing scheme has not been implemented and it was also denying the facility of people availing medical services across the country under Ayushman Bharat Scheme," he said.

Pradhan said the State government has delayed releasing its share in implementing the Prime Minister Fasal Bhima Yojana (PMFBY) and was not implementing the 10 per cent Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservations in the education and employment services.

"Politics have a place during elections. But, people and the poor in Telangana should not be deprived of the benefits of various central schemes," he said.

The minister pointed out post-Lok Sabha elections 2019 have thrown surprising trends in three states. They are West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana.

Of three, "if there is any big political polarisation and consolidation of BJP it is in Telangana."

The party is gaining strength to strength in Telangana and it is destined to emerge a strong and viable political alternative ahead of the next State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, he added.