Telangana Assembly seeks Rs 20,000 crore aid package from Centre

The Telangana Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Friday seeking comprehensive financial assistance from the Union Government to tackle the El Nino-induced crisis. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu moved the resolution, which demands a special package of Rs 20,000 crore for drinking water, irrigation, and drought relief. The state has requested an early visit by a central team to assess ground-level conditions and the immediate release of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the state's share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

The resolution also seeks an additional 50 days of employment under the VB-G RAM G scheme beyond the existing 125 days, with the entire expenditure to be borne by the Centre. The state has asked for 1,500 MW of additional power, 5 million tonnes of coal, and more rail wagons for transport. Other demands include increased fertiliser supplies, higher allocations for drip irrigation under Per Drop More Crop, subsidised seeds for alternative crops, and a relaxation of the FRBM borrowing limit from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent of GSDP for 2026-27.