Opposition Accused of Spreading False Propaganda, Says Uttam

State Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused opposition parties of deliberately undermining the Telangana government’s development initiatives through misinformation campaigns, particularly regarding the state’s industrial policy.

Speaking at the ‘Face-to-Face with Ministers’ programme at Gandhi Bhavan on Thursday, Reddy first met with citizens to address their concerns before holding a press conference where he defended the government’s industrial policy against what he described as baseless criticism.

“Whatever good work the government undertakes, whatever development activities it initiates, the opposition parties create a ruckus and try to sling mud,” Reddy stated, addressing allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

The Minister emphasized that the industrial policy’s primary objective is to transform Hyderabad into a pollution-free city by relocating industries outside the Outer Ring Road (ORR), a strategy he claims has been under consideration for years.

“There is no scope for any scam in this policy. It is highly transparent,” Reddy insisted, suggesting that opposition leaders from both the BJP and BRS had failed to properly understand the policy before criticizing it. “They should first understand it fully before making unfounded allegations.”

The industrial relocation initiative represents a significant shift in Hyderabad’s urban planning approach, potentially affecting hundreds of businesses and thousands of workers. Environmental experts have long advocated for such measures to address the city’s growing air quality concerns, which have worsened with rapid industrialization and population growth.

Reddy pointed out that the policy wasn’t created from scratch by the current Congress government but builds on existing frameworks. “This is not a new policy brought by us; it existed earlier as well. But the opposition parties are creating unnecessary controversy as if we introduced something entirely new,” he explained.

The Minister also noted that similar discussions had taken place during the previous BRS government’s tenure. In response to BRS claims that they would reverse the policy if returned to power, Reddy dismissively remarked, “They are not coming to power, and the policy will not be changed.”

As one of the key architects of the industrial policy, Reddy defended its economic merits, stating that it would generate additional revenue for Telangana, which faces significant fiscal challenges following years of infrastructure investments and welfare schemes.

Reddy further countered opposition attacks by addressing allegations from the BRS regarding a purported ₹50,000-crore scam in power plant construction. “Not even a ₹50,000 scam had taken place, let alone ₹50,000 crore,” he retorted.

Turning the tables, Reddy alleged that the Bhadradri Kothagudem Power Project constructed during the BRS administration was itself “a major scam.” According to the Minister, the previous government purchased “unused, outdated equipment” from India Bulls and built the plant using “sub-critical technology,” making it “practically unusable.”

“Why was outdated technology used for the Bhadradri project?” Reddy questioned, characterizing it as “an unnecessary burden imposed on the people of Telangana.” Energy sector analysts have previously raised concerns about the efficiency and environmental impact of sub-critical coal plants compared to more modern supercritical or ultra-supercritical technologies.

The exchange highlights the increasingly contentious political environment in Telangana, where the Congress government, which came to power in December 2023 after ending the BRS’s nine-year rule, faces persistent challenges from opposition parties as it attempts to implement its policy agenda.

The industrial policy debate is likely to continue as stakeholders assess its potential impacts on Hyderabad’s economic development, environmental quality, and the livelihoods of industrial workers who may be affected by relocations.