Hyderabad simmered with frustration on Saturday as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader T. Harish Rao leveled sharp accusations against Telangana’s Congress government, claiming it had abandoned the state’s differently-abled citizens. Speaking at a 'Samara Shankharavam' protest, Rao stated the government failed to deliver on every major promise made before the 2023 elections.

Key facts

  • BRS claims Congress broke promises on ₹6,000 monthly pension, free bus travel, and job backlog filling
  • About 5.11 lakh differently-abled persons live in Telangana
  • Previous BRS government increased pensions from ₹500 to ₹4,016

Broken Promises and Mounting Dues

Rao’s voice carried a mix of outrage and disappointment as he detailed the gaps. The Congress had pledged a monthly pension of ₹6,000 for each person with disabilities—a promise that remains unfulfilled. Instead, he revealed, the state hasn’t even consistently paid existing pensions month to month.

He put numbers to the pain: arrears for the enhanced pension over 33 months now total ₹66,000 per individual. “This government earned ₹30,000 crore from land sales,” Rao noted, “yet couldn’t find the funds for those who need it most.”

A Decade of BRS Welfare vs. Current Inaction

Rao contrasted the present inaction with the BRS’s nearly 10-year record. Under former Chief Minister KCR, he said, the state spent approximately ₹54,000 crore on social security pensions, with ₹10,300 crore directed specifically to the disabled.

Telangana’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed—the state won a national award in 2015 for implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The BRS also introduced reservations: 5% in double-bedroom housing and 4% in education and employment.

“During the BRS regime, the social security pension was increased from ₹500 to ₹4,016 and they were treated with dignity and not merely as vote bank,”

Rao’s quote hung in the air—a reminder of what he framed as a stark shift in approach and priority.

Protest and Political Pressure

The gathering saw several BRS leaders stand in solidarity, including P. Sabita Indra Reddy and T. Srinivas Yadav. Their presence underscored the party’s attempt to hold the government accountable on an emotionally charged issue.

Rao ended with direct questions: Where is the free bus travel? Why are backlog posts still vacant? For now, the Congress government has yet to respond.