Hyderabad: Finance Minister T. Harish Rao criticizes Union Budget 2023-24 as discriminatory towards Telangana, calling it "anti-farmer," "anti-people," "anti-labour," and "pro-corporate." In a statement on Wednesday, Harish Rao claimed that the budget will further push India into a "debt trap" and benefit only the GIFT City in Gujarat and Karnataka. Harish Rao expressed disappointment over the lack of attention given to Telangana in the budget, including the absence of a railway coach factory in Kazipet and insufficient funding for tribal universities. He also took issue with the lack of national project status given to any irrigation project in the state and the reduction in allocations for the MNREGA scheme, which will negatively impact workers. The minister also expressed anger over the lack of GST exemptions for handloom workers and industrial incentives for Telangana. In conclusion, T. Harish Rao has declared the Union Budget 2023-24 as discriminatory towards Telangana and harmful to farmers, workers, and people.
