Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS deputy floor leader Harish Rao on Thursday levelled a series of allegations against the Congress government, accusing it of corruption in the education sector, excessive borrowing, extravagant spending and policies that he claimed were hurting farmers, students, employees and the public.
Speaking during an informal media interaction at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao alleged that the postponement of school reopening was linked to a ₹2,000 crore scam in the Education Department.
He claimed that officials delayed the reopening because they had not finalised contracts for uniforms, bags, notebooks, belts and other supplies. According to him, commission-related issues stalled the process.
Harish Rao said the previous BRS government had assigned uniform stitching work to handloom workers. It had also entrusted shoe and belt production to LIDCAP to support Dalit families and local livelihoods. However, he alleged that the Congress government centralised the process and awarded contracts to a Gujarat-based contractor.
He further alleged that supplies meant for nearly seven lakh Gurukul students had not reached schools. The items included uniforms, bags, belts and notebooks.
“During the BRS government, students received all materials on the very first day of school. Today, even after postponing the reopening of schools, the required supplies have not reached students,” he said.
Harish Rao allegations focus on education sector
Harish Rao alleged that authorities nearly doubled tender rates compared to previous years. He claimed the increase resulted in large-scale corruption.
He also alleged irregularities in egg procurement for students in residential schools.
In addition, he accused the government of failing to properly implement the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme. He claimed officials delayed payments to women’s self-help groups working under Amma Odi committees.
He further alleged that the government had not paid school scavengers’ salaries for four months.
Harish Rao allegations target Congress affairs
Turning to Congress affairs, Harish Rao alleged that party leaders orchestrated the rejection of Telangana Congress in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination.
He claimed that a close associate of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy leaked information that led to the rejection.
“Curtailing the political prospects of one’s own party in-charge reflects the internal state of the Congress. The Chief Minister must order an inquiry and reveal the truth behind this episode,” he said.
Harish Rao allegations extend to borrowings and Future City
Harish Rao also criticised what he described as lavish spending by the Chief Minister despite claims that the state treasury lacked funds.
He alleged that authorities were constructing a luxury guest house named Bodhi Pavilion near the Chief Minister’s residence in Jubilee Hills. He claimed the project would cost nearly ₹100 crore.
According to him, officials initially sanctioned the project as a ₹7 crore VVIP guest house. He claimed it later expanded into a ₹100 crore facility. He also alleged additional spending on fencing and recreational infrastructure.
Harish Rao alleged that the Chief Minister spent nearly ₹5 crore every month on helicopter travel. Earlier expenditure stood at about ₹2 crore, he claimed.