National News
Telangana financially on a firm footing

Despite the dent in revenues during the last two years due to Covid pandemic and lack of help from the Centre, Telangana financially appears to be on a firm footing.
With a higher growth rate and per capita income than many bigger states, India’s youngest state has become the fourth largest contributor to national GDP in a short span of less than eight years and claims to be a model for the entire country in welfare and development.
According to 2020-21 budget estimates, Telangana’s estimated outstanding public debt will be over Rs 2.86 lakh crore. However, the economists say the state has the capacity to manage debts.
According to a study paper released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last month, Telangana’s debt-to-GSDP ratio is the lowest in the country, indicating the fiscal health of the state.
Based on the annual data between 2014-15 and 2018-19, the study paper revealed that the State Performance Composite Index (SPCI) of Telangana has improved. SPCI measures both the fiscal performance and market development of states.
The average debt to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Telangana from 2014-15 to 2018-19 was 16.1 per cent, which is the lowest among the states in the country.
According to state finance minister T. Harish Rao, Telangana is among the states having the lowest debt burden in the country, dismissing the claim by the opposition parties that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government has pushed the state into a debt trap.
Harish Rao had told the state Assembly last year that Telangana’s debt burden is only 22.8 per cent of GSDP, which is well within the permissible limits under the FRBM Act. Telangana was then at the third place from the bottom in the country.
“The Centre’s debt burden is 62.2 per cent of GDP while Telangana’s debt burden is just 22.8 per cent of GSDP,” he had stated.
The RBI also revealed recently that Telangana is the fourth largest contributor to the country’s economy. According to “Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy 2020-21” the Net State Value Added (NSVA) by Telangana at current prices to the country increased from Rs 4,16,930 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 8,10,503 crore in 2020-21.
Leaders of ruling TRS say this contribution is significant considering the fact that Telangana is the 11th largest state in terms of geographical area and 12th in terms of population.
According to Telangana State Statistical Abstract Report released this week, provisional estimates show the GSDP of Telangana at current prices in 2020-21 was Rs 9,80,407 crore. Between 2012-13 and 2020-21, the average annual GSDP growth of Telangana was 6.8 per cent and GDP of India was 5.1 per cent.
For 2021-22, the state presented a Rs 2.31 lakh crore budget despite the pandemic drastically impacting the state’s economy. For 2020-21 the budget size was Rs 1.82 lakh crore.
The budget for FY22 comprised revenue expenditure of Rs 1.69-lakh crore and capital expenditure of Rs 29,046 crore. The fiscal deficit went up to Rs 45,509 crore from Rs 33,191 crore in the previous financial year.
Telangana’s growth rate has been consistently higher. In 2018-19 it was 9.8 per cent against GDP growth rate of 6.5 per cent. The growth rate was 6 per cent in 2019-20 against GDP growth rate of 4 per cent. In 2020-21, it was -0.6 per cent against All India -7.3 per cent.
In another key performance indicator, the per capita income of Telangana increased from Rs 91,121 in 2011-12 to Rs 2,37,632 in 2020-21. This is against all India averages ranging from Rs 63,462 in 2011-12 to Rs 1,28,829 in 2020-21.
In another boost for Telangana, the latest data by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy revealed that the state has lowest unemployment at 0.7 per cent.
Economist Papa Rao believes that Telangana has no financial worries as it is performing well despite not receiving the support from the Centre. “Some debts were unduly raised but the state has the capacity to manage them. It can generate its own resources,” he said while pointing out that the state’s tax revenues have gone up during the current year. He, however, said the state should be cautious in raising new loans.
According to him, Telangana in a short span of time has emerged as a progressive state with Hyderabad as the growth engine attracting massive investments. The state created assets in the form of irrigation projects and Mission Bhagiratha which envisages drinking water supply to every house.
He, however, believes that Dalit Bandhu scheme launched by TRS government recently is not viable. Under the scheme claimed to be the only one of its kind in the country, the government plans to provide Rs 10 lakh grant to every Dalit family.
“There are 50 lakh Dalit families. Mobilizing such huge funds is very difficult. This may take many years and may not yield desired results,” Papa Rao said.
Pointing out that an overwhelming majority of Dalits are agriculture labourers, the economist said distribution of land rather than cash would have been more practical.
The state claims to be number one in welfare in the country with a welfare budget of over Rs 40,000 crore. It is implementing a plethora of welfare schemes from social security pensions to various categories to financial help for marriages of poor girls to Rythu Bandhu under which every farmer gets Rs 10,000 as annual investment support for every acre.
However, opposition Congress party leader Dasoju Srravan says that welfare programs should ultimately empower people. “Farmers’ suicides have not stopped despite Rythu Bandhu. During the last 4-5 years 8,000 farmers have ended their lives. Farmers do not want Bandhus, they want MSP for the hard work they put in and market support for agricultural produce,” he said.
The national spokesperson of the Congress party believes that the TRS government is focusing more on voter alluring programs but not voter empowerment programs. “As a result the state has landed into a serious debt trap and today we are a financially bankrupt state. We don’t have money for salaries and we don’t have money for repayment to contractors.”
He blamed lopsided priorities of the government, mismanagement, callous understanding of development for this situation. “On top of it is mysterious corruption in projects. TRS leadership has become extremely rich overnight,” he said.
The Congress leader alleged that the state government is making people addicted to liquor by opening more and more wine and bar shops across the state. “It is giving pensions and some money under Rythu Bandhu but draining their resources through sales tax on liquor. See how liquor revenue has increased in these 7-8 years,” he said.
The revenue from liquor sales, which was Rs 10,833 crore, has gone up to Rs 27,888 crore in 2020-21.
He alleged that the TRS government completely ignored sectors like education, health and employment generation
“The chief minister proudly says a private villa in Hyderabad costs Rs 25 crore and still people are coming and buying. Is that a development indicator? It is a third-rate governance indicator. In management we call it critical incident analysis while analyzing performance. The CM made critical comments reflecting his innate mindset and how he sees development,” Srravan said.
Crime
RG Kar rape victim’s parents dismiss NCRB report calling Kolkata ‘safest city’

Kolkata, Oct 4: The parents of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, on Saturday, have refuted the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) published, where Kolkata has been termed as the safest city across the country.
As per the NCRB report, Kolkata for 2023 (latest available) has recorded the lowest cognisable offences per lakh people, which is the fourth time in a row.
On Saturday, while speaking to the media persons, the parents of the R.G. Kar victim rubbished this part of the NCRB report, and claimed that these findings were not based on proper field research and probably the report was prepared to please anyone.
“Was my daughter secured, and that too at her workplace? Was the senior citizen at Kultali in South 24 Parganas district, who became a victim of gang-rape this week, safe? No one is secure here. I do not know who prepared the report. It seems that the report was prepared while sitting in the comfort of the office and without any proper field-based research,” the victim’s mother said.
The victim’s father expressed doubts over the credibility of those in the NCRB who have prepared the report.
“I do not know who in NCRB is responsible for preparing such reports. Even if I believe that the report of Kolkata being the safest city in the country, does that not mean the safety aspect in other Indian cities is unimaginable? I doubt that the NCRB had been misled, and hence the outcome was such a report,” the victim’s father said.
According to him, the only possibility is that the police personnel in Kolkata do not register most of the complaints filed by common people, and hence the crime figures in the city are projected as low.
“We can realise what the reality is since our daughter left. Probably, the experiences are the same,” he added.
As per the latest report of NCRB, Kolkata recorded 83.9 cognisable offences per lakh people in 2023, the lowest among the 19 cities.
National News
Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray Slams BJP For Vitiating Harmony; Calls Devendra Fadnavis ‘Helpless’ CM Amid Corruption, Farmer Distress

Pune, Oct 4: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday dubbed Devendra Fadnavis a “helpless” chief minister who has failed to crack down on “rampant corruption” under his watch.
Citing the announcement of various welfare schemes in poll-bound Bihar, he appealed to the Centre to extend financial assistance to women in Maharashtra.
Thackeray addressed gatherings of women and Sena (UBT) workers in Pune. He also interacted with the media.
Addressing an interaction organised by the Pune Union of Working Journalists, Thackeray said the Sena (UBT) did not need a certificate on Hindutva from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which was “creating walls within the country.”
“India is a beautiful country. It has a great culture. However, these people (BJP) have vitiated the entire atmosphere and made it hell. These people have created walls within the country. I have been working hard to prevent further deterioration.
“I have said time and again that the BJP cannot run governments in the state or at the Centre. The Narendra Modi government has failed to address issues in Kashmir and Manipur,” the former Maharashtra chief minister alleged..
The BJP is taking the country on the path of dictatorship, Thackeray added. Attacking Fadnavis, he said, “I don’t consider anybody as an enemy, not even the prime minister. But considering the state’s current situation, the chief minister looks ‘hatbal’ (helpless) despite (BJP-led Mahayuti) having a brute majority. Despite several instances of corruption, the CM is helpless to act against corrupt individuals,” he claimed.
Thackeray alleged the Fadnavis government had failed to help farmers, hit by heavy rains and floods..
Responding to criticism that he had abandoned the Hindutva fold (after his alliance with the Congress and NCP (SP) in 2019), the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed it was the BJP that had started ‘Saugat-e Modi’ campaign to appease Muslims.
“I do not require any certificate on Hindutva from the BJP. My grandfather (Prabhodankar Thackeray) was a well-known reformer. Our Hindutva has been progressive,” he said.
Thackeray also slammed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for “big talks” against Pakistan.
Singh on Friday asserted that the NDA government has demonstrated, through the 2016 surgical strike, 2019 Balakot airstrike, and the recent Operation Sindoor, that the country can cross any border whenever necessary to protect citizens and safeguard India’s unity and integrity.
Addressing a gathering of women, Thackeray stated that the state government provided financial assistance to women for two to three months during elections, just to win votes.
“This is cheating. Ladki Bahins desperately need financial help. I hope PM Modi will announce some aid during his upcoming visit to Maharashtra”, he added.
Thackeray said the (Central) government acted promptly when Bihar needed financial help. “If you are providing assistance, do not restrict it to Bihar; extend it to all women in the country. These women are not paid voters,” he added.
Addressing Sena (UBT) workers, Thackeray called for expanding the party network by setting up “shakhas” or branch offices.
Without naming Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, he said the attempt to break the Shiv Sena will never succeed. He said the Sena (UBT) can win the upcoming elections to local bodies in Maharashtra, provided it works hard.
“Vote theft is the result of illegal voting. Why can’t we do the same thing that Rahul Gandhi ji has done? Find bogus voters. We won the Lok Sabha polls, but lost assembly polls, which were held shortly,” he told the party workers..
National News
Mumbai: BMC Chief Bhushan Gagrani Inspects Goregaon-Mulund Link Road & Coastal Road (North) Projects, Orders To Expedite Work

Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, on Saturday, inspected key infrastructure projects in Mumbai, including the twin tunnel site at Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon under Phase 3(B) of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project and the Versova–Bhayander stretch of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North).
During the visit, Gagrani reviewed project layouts, interacted with engineers and issued firm directives to speed up the work. He stressed that all necessary permissions and no-objection certificates (NOCs) for the Coastal Road (North) project must be secured without delay and instructed officials to fast-track land acquisition for areas affected by the alignment.
Deputy Commissioner (Infrastructure) Shashank Bhore, Chief Engineer (Bridges) Uttam Shrote, P North Ward Assistant Commissioner Kundan Valvi, along with other senior officials and project consultants, accompanied him on the inspection.
The BMC chief’s visit also highlighted progress on the six-lane flyover between Dindoshi Court and Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, a crucial part of Phase 3(A) of the GMLR project. Out of 31 planned piers, 27 have already been completed, with work on the remaining four currently underway near Ratnagiri Junction. The flyover, stretching 1,265 meters, is being built using box girders and reinforced concrete and will also feature a pedestrian bridge equipped with escalators.
According to the project timeline, girder launching, deck slab casting, and approach road construction will begin soon. The approach road at Dindoshi Court is expected to be finished by January 31, 2026, while the one at Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari will be completed by April 30, 2026. The flyover is targeted to open for traffic by May 16, 2026. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar also reviewed the project’s progress at the BMC headquarters on Friday.
A senior BMC bridge department official said that of the 26 spans, 12 have been completed, with the remaining 14 scheduled for completion by February 15, 2026. While construction is progressing steadily on most parts, some work on the Mulund side is facing delays due to rehabilitation and land acquisition challenges. Once resolved, the pending flyover work will resume.
The Rs 14,000-crore GMLR project, spanning 12.2 km, will link the Western Express Highway at Goregaon with the Eastern Express Highway at Mulund, slashing travel time between the suburbs from 75 minutes to just 25. Once completed, it promises to deliver seamless east-west connectivity across Mumbai, easing congestion and commuter woes.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra12 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra12 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra1 year ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News12 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra11 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News1 year ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime12 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report