Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday defended the VB-G-Ram-G scheme, saying it would benefit the poor, create durable village assets and accusing the Telangana government of trying to block the programme through legal action.
Addressing a programme in Karimnagar, Bandi Sanjay said the State government should have discussed its concerns with the Prime Minister instead of approaching the Supreme Court. According to him, the legal challenge aimed to deny credit to the Union government.
VB-G-Ram-G scheme to strengthen rural development
The Union Minister welcomed the State government’s decision to provide breakfast, milk and lunch to students and teachers in government educational institutions.
However, he questioned the reported closure of nearly 10,000 government schools. He described the move as unconstitutional and against public interest.
Bandi Sanjay also alleged a “match-fixing” between the Congress and BRS. Furthermore, he claimed both parties were protecting those involved in the alleged phone-tapping case.
The Union Minister further accused the Congress government of failing to act against corruption during the previous BRS administration. According to him, the people of Telangana were looking towards a “double-engine government.”
VB-G-Ram-G scheme highlighted alongside development projects
Earlier, Bandi Sanjay laid the foundation stone for CC roads and drainage works worth ₹77 lakh in Karimnagar’s 37th Division. He also inaugurated an open gym at Shasha Mahala.
He announced that road works worth ₹50 crore under the Urban Development Fund would begin within a week. Additionally, beautification projects worth ₹840 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund would start within three months.
Highlighting development initiatives, Bandi Sanjay said ₹22,000 crore had come to the Karimnagar parliamentary constituency since he became an MP. The allocation included ₹10,000 crore for road projects.
Moreover, he said the Karimnagar-Warangal highway would open by Dasara. Work on the Karimnagar-Jagtial highway and the long-pending Ganneruvaram bridge would also begin soon.
Responding to criticism from State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Bandi Sanjay said the Urban Challenge Fund was a Central government initiative. He added that authorities had approved only 17 projects nationwide, including one for Karimnagar.
Finally, he urged the Telangana government to provide matching funds for the city’s development. He also promised to address waste management issues and reiterated his opposition to locating dumping yards near residential areas, including Huzurabad.