Budget did not address Telangana's needs: Minister

Telangana Finance Minister E Rajender expressed displeasure today over the Union Budget 2018-19 presented today, stating that it did not address the needs of the state.
He, however, welcomed the initiatives in the budget, such as minimum support price to farmers, health insurance to poor people and allocations to some of the agriculturel allied fields.
"We sought funds for irrigation projects. We also sought financial assistance for Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya. There was no mention of them in the budget speech. We are thoroughly disappointed," he said.
Senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbircharged that the KCR government had once again failed to get any benefits from the Centre in the budget in spite of supporting the BJP in its "pro-Hindutva"drives in Telangana.

Ali alleged that the budget focused on granting sops to eight states that go to elections in the current year, but neglected all demands andassurances to Telangana during the bifurcation of the state by Centre.