T'gana govt to bring out white paper on its finances

Telangana government will bring out a white paper on its financial condition before the presentation of budget for 2015-16, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced here today.
Responding to a demand raised by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Legislature Party leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, and supported by Leader of Opposition K Jana Reddy of the Congress, the Chief Minister said in the Telangana Legislative Assembly that his government has no objection in publishing a white paper on the state's finances.
"There are a lot of issues that need to be settled, post- bifurcation. Some of the funds from the Centre are still being credited into the Andhra Pradesh account. Hopefully all accounts will be settled before the next (state) budget," the Chief Minister said.

Two days ago, the MIM leader had demanded that the TRS government publish a white paper on the state's financial condition as it was "worse than the power crisis".
Akbaruddin raised the demand again today as Finance Minister Etela Rajender, who replied to the general discussion on budget, did not speak anything about the white paper.
Jana Reddy supported Akbaruddin's demand and said the government could come out with the white paper even before the next budget.

The Chief Minister conceded the demand and said the government has no objection in doing so. He also intervened and replied to various issues raised by opposition members in the Assembly today.

Referring to the opposition criticism that the budgetary allocation of Rs 2,022 crore for backward classes welfare was "too meager", the Chief Minister agreed it was little, but promised to enhance the allocation after discussing all issues with leaders of all political parties.
Seeking to allay apprehensions over the power issue, the Chief Minister said "wonders will certainly happen" on the electricity front as the combined power generation capacity in the state would increase to 20,000 MW in the next three years.