T. Chiranjeevulu Retired IAS and Chairman, BC Intellectuals Forum
Telangana was forged through
the sweat, blood, and sacrifices of its Bahujan people. Yet today, dominant
castes are openly looting and controlling the very state these communities
fought to create. This is not governance—this is daylight robbery! This is not
development—it is institutionalized plunder!
In a manner unprecedented in
history, Telangana is being systematically looted, sold off, mortgaged, and
divided. Singareni's Naini coal mine in Odisha stands as direct evidence of
this exploitation. Until recently, we believed the looters were limited to
leaders, contractors, and officials. Today, however, media owners have also
joined this mafia of plunder!
Media owners are slinging mud
at each other—not in pursuit of truth, but to secure their share of the spoils!
During the special Assembly sessions, the corruption in the Palamuru-Rangareddy
Lift Irrigation project was exposed. ₹35,000 crores have already been siphoned
off, yet they claim another lakh crore is needed! Where is the water? Where are
the fields? Where is the livelihood of the Bahujan farmer? There is no water.
There are no funds. Jobs are even scarcer.
In reality, the Telangana
movement has become an illusion. It was not merely a regional emotion—it was a
people's movement with clear socio-economic objectives: water, funds, and jobs.
The primary community behind those objectives was the Backward Classes (BCs),
but the stark reality is:
Water for you (dominant
castes)—tears for us (Bahujans). Funds for you—despair for us. Appointments for
you—unemployment for us. Telangana for you—sacrifices for us.
These are not mere slogans.
They are the daily realities experienced by Telangana's BC society.
According to the recent
socio-economic, political, employment, and caste survey, BCs constitute 56.36%
of Telangana's population, yet they have virtually no representation in
political, administrative, or economic decision-making. Demands have intensified
to increase their reservations to 42% based on population proportion. While
some influence is visible in local bodies, overall political dominance remains
absent. Key sectors such as industries, land ownership, and businesses remain
concentrated in the hands of a few dominant castes. Despite the sacrifices made
by BCs, the benefits do not reach them. The sacrifices belong to BCs—the
enjoyment to dominant castes. Social justice is not even faintly visible here;
it has been completely murdered.
Water – Tears
During the movement, people
dreamed that with Telangana's formation, the waters of the Krishna and Godavari
rivers would transform the state into a green paradise, bringing prosperity to
every life. But what happened after Telangana's creation? Water did not
flow—but commissions flowed to the rulers! Crops did not grow—project loot
increased! Happiness did not come—debts and despair remained!
Rulers addicted to commissions
have inflated project costs enormously while showing empty hands to the people.
A direct example is the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme.
In 2017, when administrative
sanctions were granted, the estimated cost was ₹27,513 crores. After changing
the water source from Jurala backwaters to Srisailam and submitting the
Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Central Water Commission (CWC) in 2010,
the estimate rose to ₹55,086 crores. The current estimate stands at
approximately ₹85,000 crores. By the time of completion, it could reach
₹1,35,000 crores, according to official projections.
The BRS government spent
₹26,262 crores; the Congress government has spent ₹7,000 crores. Yet to this
day, not a single drop of water has reached the Palamuru-Rangareddy districts!
A total of ₹32,622 crores has already been spent—exceeding the initial estimate.
Now they claim another lakh crore is required.
The most alarming aspect is
that work continues without central environmental and other mandatory
clearances. Why this haste? Allegations suggest it is for commissions. Both
governments have adopted the same approach: extract as many commissions as
possible.
The project aims to provide
irrigation to 12.3 lakh acres, but given the rulers' endless greed for money,
people wonder whether it will ever be completed.
The Kaleshwaram Project
The Kaleshwaram project was
initially launched in 2012-13 as the Pranahita-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme
with an estimated cost of ₹35,000 crores. However, due to design changes from
Tummidihetti to Medigadda, the cost escalated to ₹71,436 crores by March 2016,
and further to ₹1,10,248 crores by March 2022.
By 2014, ₹6,000 crores spent at
Tummidihetti and ₹1,500 crores on tunnel works were wasted. By November 2023,
approximately ₹89,775 crores had been spent, yet the project remains
incomplete.
Through the Kaleshwaram
Irrigation Corporation, high-interest bank loans were obtained. Project costs
were inflated arbitrarily, reducing the cost-benefit ratio and making the
project doubly expensive. Over ₹90,000 crores have been spent, but no water has
reached the people! The Medigadda barrages developed cracks within days of
construction. Lakhs of crores of public money literally went into the mud.
Similarly, increasing the
Kaleshwaram lift capacity from 2 TMC to 3 TMC added an extra burden of ₹27,000
crores. If that money had been spent on Palamuru-Rangareddy without increasing
capacity, those districts would have become verdant.
The previous BRS government
spent ₹1.83 lakh crores from 2014 to November 2023. Yet only the names of new
or stabilized ayacuts (irrigated areas) were created. (Source: PowerPoint
presentation by Irrigation Minister Sri Uttam Kumar Reddy on the Palamuru-Rangareddy
project in the Assembly, dated 02-01-2026)
Similarly, reports indicate
that the current Congress government has paid ₹70,000 crores to contractors in
the last two years and issued tenders worth ₹90,000 crores.
The Comptroller and Auditor
General of India has repeatedly made severe observations regarding irrigation
projects. For example, in 1983, 20 irrigation projects were planned for
completion by 2018. However, by 2022-23, the total expenditure on these irrigation
projects reached ₹2,06,977 crores against an initial estimate of ₹1,02,388
crores—representing additional expenditure of ₹1,04,589 crores. These projects
remain incomplete.
Loot in the name of water has
continued uninterrupted since 2004. Jalayagnam (water sacrifice) became Dhana
yagnam (wealth sacrifice). In the last decade, ordinary contractors have become
billionaires. Telangana's people are drowning in debt, while rulers,
contractors, and officials become billionaires through commissions.
Whose money is this? Is this
Telangana's development? Is this the dream of the Bahujans?
Natural resources belong to
all. Yet for the sake of commissions, Singareni has been looted and ruined for
the last twelve years—this reality emerges daily in newspapers. The Naini coal
mine in Odisha belongs to Singareni. To seize those contracts, not just rulers
and businessmen—even media owners have entered the fray!
This is not mere loot—it is an
assault on state wealth! Rulers receive thousands of crores in massive
commissions. Mines and sand are looted indiscriminately, destroying natural
resources and reducing Telangana to ruins.
Telangana is drowning in debt,
the ruling class is floating on commissions, but for the people, only tears
remain.
Funds – Despair (₹28 Lakh Crores Spent… But Only Crumbs for BCs!)
In the twelve years since
Telangana's formation, approximately ₹21 lakh crores were spent through the
state budget. Another ₹7 lakh crores in loans were taken and spent. Total
public money spent: approximately ₹28 lakh crores.
But how much reached BCs, who
constitute over 60% of the population? Only ₹28,713.62 crores through the BC
Corporation (including BC hostels, scholarships, etc.).
Even in the Most Backward
Classes (MBC) and handloom sectors—visible loot. For the MBC Corporation (35
castes), ₹4,900 crores were allocated over the last ten years, but only ₹601.50
crores were released, and a mere ₹20.99 crores were spent. This demonstrates
the government's insincerity toward weaker sections.
For the Handlooms &
Textiles Department, ₹3,033.67 crores were allocated, with ₹2,696.11 crores
shown as spent. However, ₹2,148.58 crores went solely toward Bathukamma sarees.
Real welfare and development for weavers over the last twelve years: only ₹540
crores. Other caste federations are in the same pathetic state.
After the Congress came to
power, they promised ₹20,000 crores annually for BCs. In 2024-25, only ₹2,068
crores were spent on hostels, mess charges, and scholarships. The same pattern
continues this year. Upon assuming power, they created nine additional caste
federations for the existing 12 BC caste federations.
In 2024-25, approximately
₹2,200 crores were allocated for 21 caste federations—not a single rupee has
been released. This year as well, ₹2,150 crores were allocated—nothing released
yet.
In the last twelve years,
₹65,546.24 crores were allocated for BCs in budgets, but only ₹28,713.6 crores
were actually spent. ₹36,832.62 crores were diverted to other programs, leaving
BCs drowning.
They claim the treasury is
empty, yet contractors are looting massively. This is today's Telangana. Even
including other welfare schemes, over the last decade, amounts reaching BCs
have not crossed even one lakh crore. With 60% of the population, when will BCs
escape poverty with this level of fund allocation? When will light dawn on
their lives?
While government funds go to
dominant castes under the guise of farmer welfare, industrial incentives, and
development, Bahujans are left drowning in despair and helplessness, suppressed
with no way out.
The state is in debt… looters
are billionaires—dominant castes are tearing Telangana apart. Government funds,
instead of improving people's living standards, have become tools to build
economic empires for politically powerful classes. On one side, the state is
pushed into a debt trap; on the other, people from dominant castes are setting
billionaire records. This violates the spirit of the Constitution. Economic
inequalities have intensified, making ordinary people's lives miserable and
unstable.
Appointments – Unemployment Punishment for BC Youth
Reservations: After Telangana's
formation, the 42% BC reservation has not been implemented. In local bodies,
reservations have been reduced from 34% to 23%. Both courts and rulers are
responsible for this.
According to the Periodic
Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2022-23, Telangana's unemployment rate is
approximately 4.4%, higher than the national average. However, behind this
average lurks a more terrifying reality. Unemployment and underemployment are
extreme among BC youth in rural areas and urban slums.
During the movement, rulers
promised "Telangana means a job in every home." Yet even now, they
have not filled even two lakh jobs. Vacancies in government departments persist
long-term. Raising the retirement age is ruining the lives of unemployed youth.
BC candidates suffer most from these policies.
On the issue of 42% BC
reservation, rulers have cheated and betrayed BCs. This has increased severe
despair and dissatisfaction in BC society, exposing the government's deceptive
attitude.
Traditional Occupations Destroyed – No Alternative
BC traditional occupations are
gradually disappearing. Handicrafts have been destroyed in the name of
globalization, yet no alternative employment has been provided. Job fillings
proceed slowly. Existing reservations are not properly implemented.
The Chief Minister himself
announced "2 lakh government jobs by 2026," but in the last two
years, not even 60,000 have been filled. Over the past two years, not a single
teacher post has been filled in state universities. Meanwhile, private universities
fill positions with dominant castes without reservations, starving Bahujans of
opportunities.
Many departments still have
vacancies. This delay hurts BC youth most severely. Degrees and postgraduate
qualifications in hand, they roam unemployed.
Everything for you… only
unemployment for us—MLAs in the Assembly are you, MPs in Parliament are you,
nominated posts are yours, government jobs are yours, IAS promotions are yours,
profitable positions are yours, contracts are yours, industries are yours,
businesses are yours, cinema is yours… In every field, appointments for
you—only unemployment for us!
Movements Belong to Bahujans… Festivals to Doras
During the movement, BC youth
stood on the streets and fought. They endured lathi charges and faced legal
cases. Yet after the state's formation, suppression continues against those who
question. Governments change, but restrictions on democracy remain. This is
dangerous not just for democracy—especially for social justice.
Political Representation – No Right Proportional to Population
Despite BCs being the majority
in population, their representation in local bodies, the legislature, and
administration remains low.
Now only one question arises:
Whose wealth has Telangana become?
This state does not belong to
the Doras (dominant castes). It belongs to the people—especially as the result
of BC-Bahujan sacrifices. If justice is not done to those sacrifices,
Telangana's idea will remain a hollow slogan.
Need for a New Political Direction
What Telangana needs now is a
new political direction, another social revolution. BCs have numerical
strength, but it has not yet translated into political power. The time has come
to transform that numerical strength into organized power.
Social justice, implementation
of 42% reservations, equal distribution of resources, state power—these must
become central to the BC movement.
This is not a fight against
individuals. It is a fight against the system. To truly make Telangana a
people's state—BCs need their share, respect, and governance.
Do not allow Telangana to
become merely a geographical state, a den for looters. Until social Telangana
is achieved, our struggle must not cease.
That day will bring peace to
the souls of Telangana's martyrs. That day will bring true tranquility to
Mother Telangana.
Jai Telangana -
Jai Phule - Jai Ambedkar
Comments
Post a Comment