Hyderabad: Telangana's Congress MPs are set to demand the Union government clear pending dues of Rs 1,800 crore under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) and extend the scheme by five years. They will also raise issues from the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (APRA) during the Budget session of Parliament starting Monday.
Section 94(2) of the APRA mandates special assistance for backward regions, with Rs 2,250 crore released from 2015-16 to 2018-19 and 2020-21, at Rs 450 crore annually for development in nine erstwhile districts. Utilisation certificates were submitted, urging the Centre to release pending dues for 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.
Additionally, Congress MPs will address unresolved matters under the APRA, including public debt apportionment issues as per Section 54(1). The total divisible amount is Rs 17,666.66 crore, with Rs 8,737.29 crore apportioned on a population basis. Telangana advocates population ratio-based apportionment for all 15 externally aided projects (EAPs).
Other agenda items include:
- Establishment of a tribal university
- Integrated steel plant in Khammam
- Rail coach factory in Kazipet
- AP government reimbursements of Rs 408.49 crore for common institution expenditures and Rs 208.24 crore for Commercial Tax department expenses
- Division of Schedule IX and X institutions
- Power dues settlement issues