JP Nadda dubs T’gana govt ‘ATM Sarkar’ for Congress leadership

Hyderabad, July 9 (IANS) Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Telangana government, dubbing it an “ATM Sarkar” for the Congress leadership in Delhi.

Addressing a meeting of intellectuals during his one-day visit to the state, he alleged that the state government was funnelling funds meant for the public into the coffers of the Congress leadership.

“According to claims surrounding Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s statements, the state is allegedly expected to send Rs 1,000 crore annually to the Congress family,” he charged.

J.P. Nadda further alleged that the current governance model in the state was marred by corruption, specifically citing alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project and the double-bedroom housing scheme, where, he claimed, costs were inflated while many genuine beneficiaries remained excluded.

The Union Minister said India is rapidly advancing towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

J.P. Nadda underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in strengthening democracy and enhancing India’s global stature.

“Today, every Indian travels abroad with a sense of pride and receives newfound respect, reflecting the credibility our nation has built,” he said.

“We have transitioned from an India that takes to an India that gives—a shift demonstrated by our ‘Corona Vaccine Maitri’ initiative, where we provided vaccines to 100 countries, with 45 receiving them free of cost.”

Highlighting the country’s economic transformation, Nadda contrasted the current “leak-proof” digital framework with the past, recalling a former Prime Minister’s admission that only 15 paise of every rupee reached the intended beneficiary.

“In the last 10 years, nearly Rs 51 lakh crore have been disbursed directly to beneficiaries, preventing approximately Rs 4.3 lakh crore in leakages,” he said.

He further highlighted India’s emergence as the “pharmacy of the world”, citing pharmaceutical exports worth Rs 2.6 lakh crore to 291 countries in 2025, alongside a 500 per cent increase in electronics production.

Refuting allegations by the state leadership that the Centre had neglected Telangana, J.P. Nadda described the narrative as a “bundle of lies”.

He asserted that Telangana had received Rs 2.74 lakh crore in tax devolution, representing its full 42 per cent share, effectively dismissing attempts to foster a “South versus North” divide.

Detailing the Centre’s infrastructure push in the state, J.P. Nadda said Rs 1.74 lakh crore had been allocated for national highways, with 2,674 km constructed over the last decade.

He added that these efforts were aimed at ensuring every part of Telangana could access Hyderabad within four hours, complemented by the ongoing redevelopment of 42 railway stations.

“As we move forward at world-class standards, our goal is to become a developed nation by 2047, a mission requiring the collective cooperation of all citizens,” he said.

Earlier, J.P. Nadda, along with Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, visited AIIMS at Bibinagar near Hyderabad.

He told reporters that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the country had made significant strides in healthcare services and infrastructure over the past decade.

Until the end of the 20th century, there was only one AIIMS in the country, located in New Delhi. Subsequently, six more AIIMS institutions were established during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said.

Since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the total number of AIIMS institutions has increased to 23, thereby strengthening super-speciality medical services across the country. Of these, 18 AIIMS institutions are currently fully operational, while the remaining institutions are under construction.

He claimed that the government had built a robust healthcare system integrating primary care with super-speciality medical services. Currently, primary healthcare services are being provided to approximately 15 lakh people through 1,85,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country, he said.

The number of medical colleges has increased from 370 to 820, he added.

J.P. Nadda noted that AIIMS Bibinagar, sanctioned in June 2022, has achieved remarkable growth and is delivering services within a short span of four years.

While funds exceeding Rs 1,000 crore have been sanctioned, Rs 110 crore has been spent so far. Currently, 132 faculty members and 133 senior doctors are providing services there, he said.

In addition to the MBBS programme, super-speciality courses, including MD programmes across 24 disciplines and DM/MCh programmes across five disciplines, are also available.

All major speciality services are now available at the AIIMS Bibinagar OPD, where approximately 1,800 patients receive medical care every day, he added.

–IANS

ms/pgh