BRS alleges Rs 100 crore scam in Gurukul supplies, questions handloom policy
Hyderabad: BRS MLC Dr. Dasoju Sravan Kumar on Saturday alleged a scam in Gurukul supplies exceeding Rs 100 crore. He accused the Congress government of purchasing substandard bed sheets and carpets at inflated prices while denying procurement opportunities to Telangana’s handloom weavers.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on November 7, Sravan questioned the Revanth Reddy government’s procurement policies. He alleged that private companies from Gujarat had secured contracts at the expense of local handloom cooperatives.
The BRS leader claimed that materials costing around Rs 150 were being purchased for more than Rs 400. He said the alleged price difference had placed a substantial burden on public funds.
Sravan accused the government of favouring private suppliers, including Mafatlal, over the Telangana State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (TSCO). He claimed that contractors had supplied recycled and inferior materials instead of quality handloom products.
Sravan alleges Rs 100 crore scam in Gurukul supplies
Sravan demanded a comprehensive investigation into the alleged scam in Gurukul supplies and questioned the government’s procurement decisions.
He alleged that officials had diverted a substantial share of tenders from TSCO to private companies. As a result, Telangana’s handloom weavers had lost opportunities to supply materials to Gurukul institutions.
The MLC also questioned Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s defence of the quality of the supplies in the Assembly. Challenging the Chief Minister’s position, Sravan asked whether he would use the same materials for his own family.
He maintained that Gurukul students deserved quality bed sheets and carpets rather than allegedly inferior products purchased at higher prices. According to Sravan, the government had failed to protect public funds and safeguard the livelihoods of local weavers.
BRS questions procurement policy and impact on weavers
The BRS leader alleged that the Congress government’s procurement policy had severely affected Telangana’s handloom sector.
He claimed that 54 handloom weavers had died by suicide because of inadequate employment opportunities. Sravan argued that the government should have prioritised local production rather than directing contracts towards outside suppliers.
The MLC said TSCO should receive procurement orders for bed sheets and carpets required by Gurukul institutions. He also questioned the functioning of the centralised Project Management Unit (PMU). According to him, officials had misused the procurement system despite directions from the High Court.
Sravan demanded that the government follow the High Court judgment and route all future procurement of carpets and bed sheets through TSCO. He insisted that the authorities ensure quality materials for Gurukul students while protecting employment opportunities for Telangana weavers.
Sravan accuses Congress government of targeting opposition
Apart from the alleged scam in Gurukul supplies, Sravan accused the Congress administration of undermining democratic institutions and targeting political opponents. He alleged that the government had used police machinery to suppress dissent through false criminal cases against opposition leaders.
The MLC cited the case of former Sheep and Goat Development Corporation chairman Dudimetla Balaraju Yadav. According to Sravan, police had attempted to implicate Balaraju Yadav in false cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
He said the BRS legal team had secured bail for the former chairman. Sravan also warned police officials against acting under political pressure. The BRS leader maintained that law enforcement agencies should discharge their duties without political interference.
BRS questions Rs 200 crore Ekta Mall project allocation
Sravan also raised objections to the allocation of the Rs 200 crore Ekta Mall project. He questioned the decision involving 6.5 acres of land near LIDCAP and the allocation to Aparna and Vamsiram Builders.
According to the MLC, the government’s decision had undermined the project’s intended public purpose. He demanded accountability over the allocation and questioned the administration’s handling of the project.
Returning to the Gurukul procurement controversy, Sravan sought immediate corrective action against the alleged irregularities. He demanded an investigation into PMU procurement and insisted that future tenders should comply with the High Court judgment.
The MLC reiterated that the alleged scam in Gurukul supplies required scrutiny to protect public funds, students and handloom workers. Former Zilla Parishad chairperson Tula Uma, BRS leader Ravi Nayak and other party leaders attended the press conference.