The current financial disarray may not exactly be the immediate agenda of the K Chandrasekhar Rao government in Telangana, but erecting swanky quarters and plush bungalows for the party’s 24 lawmakers, is undeniably high on the list.
Despite the severe financial crisis, KCR has promised office cum residential complex for the MPs, including 17 members of Lok Sabha and seven Rajya Sabha in Hyderabad, at a price tag estimation of Rs 500 crore.
It may sound strange, but the generous gesture from the chief minister came on Thursday in the meeting he had with the TRS MPs, who called on KCR at the Secretariat.
As they have a discussion on various issues, including effective strategies to be laid down in order to get the central funds for the state projects, the CM asked the MPs to spend additional time in Hyderabad, so they can concentrate on the issues, while conducting review meetings with the officers and consulting related experts.
In reply, the MPs asked KCR to provide them accommodation for both residence and official purpose in the state capital, to which the chief minister willingly agreed.
“If at all we want to be effective as MPs, we need to stay in Hyderabad for the most part of the year. Excepting a few days in Delhi during the Parliament session and few days in the constituencies, we have to devote more time in the state capital, for which an exclusive residential and administrative complex is required,” said AP Jitender Reddy, TRS floor leader in the Lok Sabha.
Though his point was well taken by KCR, the plan has perplexed economists, experts and opposition parties, who are wondering where will the money come from?
According to officials in the finance department, the strongbox are empty even as they prepare for a full-fledged budget to be presented by finance minister Etela Rajender ister Etela Raje in July-August.
Estimate tax revenue for the year 201314 is pegged at Rs.47, 607 crore, though given the drought situation, the tax compliance would be off the mark, and it is doubtful that the target will be met.
The non-planning expenditure stands at Rs. 75,000 crore which accounts for salary, pension and other committed expenses, the short term loan to be paid back within March next year is Rs.20,972 crore.
Apart from this, the state has to pay Rs. 10, 519 crore as interest payment. If the massive farm loan waiver and other pet schemes, including grant access to free housing for the weaker sections and BC welfare are taken into account, the bungalows for MPs defies logic, According to opposition leader and many experts.
“We have achieved the statehood for Telang ana just to ensure justice for the people of Telanana, not to give urious life to the luxurious life to the politicians. I don’t see any rationale in providing plush bungalows for the MPs in the state capital, when they are given homes at Delhi, where they are expected to work,” said DK Aruna, senior Congress legislator and former minister.
“They are expected to spend time in their constituencies rather than in Hyderabad isn’t it ?,” asked an angry Aruna.
Experts said with the state look intently at a drought situation, the logic of building bungalows for the MPs would be the most unsympathetic step.
However the government is already looking at Kundan Bagh or Jubille Hills for the lavish complex, where the Telangana lawmakers will have houses on the lines of their Delhi bungalows and complex in Hyderabad.
“It is to benefit all the MPs cutting across the party lines. While the bungalows are for the residential purpose, the MP complex would be used for administrative purpose,” said Warnagal MP Kadiam Srihari.
The MP Complex would have office chambers of each MPs and MLAs of the assembly segments falling into the respective Lok Sabha constituencies and conference halls, he said.