Hyderabad: Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Wednesday and sought ₹5,000 crore in special assistance for the state under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
During the meeting, Bhatti Vikramarka discussed Telangana’s development plans, large-scale investments in the education sector, capital expenditure and infrastructure expansion.
The Deputy Chief Minister submitted representations seeking additional financial support and exemptions from FRBM limits for education sector investments.
Special assistance sought for education and infrastructure
Bhatti Vikramarka thanked the Union government for extending interest-free loans to states for 50 years under the SASCI scheme. He noted that Telangana already received ₹4,208 crore during the 2025-26 financial year.
He said additional financial support was necessary to continue welfare schemes and development programmes across the state.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that Telangana, despite being one of the youngest states in the country, witnessed rapid development. However, he said debt repayments linked to Special Purpose Vehicles between 2014 and 2023 increased pressure on the state’s finances.
He added that the Telangana government continued to invest heavily in education, healthcare, rural infrastructure and human resource development.
Special assistance linked to Young India schools project
Bhatti Vikramarka informed the Union Finance Minister that the state government remained committed to providing world-class education through the Young India Integrated Residential Schools project.
He said the government was establishing new medical colleges in districts, expanding rural healthcare services and strengthening educational infrastructure to achieve sustainable and socially inclusive development.
The Deputy Chief Minister also submitted another representation regarding Telangana’s ₹30,000 crore education sector investment plan.
According to the proposal, the government planned to construct 105 Young India Integrated Residential Schools campuses with an investment of ₹21,000 crore. Another ₹9,000 crore would be spent on government junior colleges, degree colleges, technical institutions and digital infrastructure development.
Bhatti Vikramarka thanked the Centre for approving two major projects through the Department of Economic Affairs. These included the ₹4,049.11 crore Young India Integrated Residential Schools project supported by the Asian Development Bank and the ₹4,903.44 crore Telangana Education Infrastructure Upgradation Mission project backed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Special assistance request includes FRBM exemption
The Deputy Chief Minister requested the Centre to exempt loans linked to both projects from Telangana’s FRBM borrowing limits.
He said these were long-term capital investments aimed at strengthening human resource development and improving educational empowerment for SC, ST, BC and minority communities.
Bhatti Vikramarka stated that Telangana’s investments in education and infrastructure would contribute significantly to the “Viksit Bharat-2047” vision. He added that stronger support from the Centre would accelerate the state’s growth.
Finance Principal Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania and Planning Department Secretary Dr Gaurav Uppal accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister during the meeting.
Met Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman Ji in New Delhi today to discuss Telangana’s growth & infrastructure expansion.
Requested an additional ₹5,000 Cr under the SASCI scheme for capital investment. Also urged FRBM exemptions for ADB & AIIB loans worth ₹8,952 Cr… pic.twitter.com/62b0EpEFUv
— Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu (@Bhatti_Mallu) May 20, 2026