IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu criticized the Union Budget for 2026-27, saying it was against the spirit of the Constitution and weakened the principles of cooperative federalism.
Contributing more than 5% to the gross domestic product (GDP), Telangana did not find a single mention in the budget speech. This omission is disappointing and reflects a discriminatory approach towards the state, he said in a report on Sunday.
He said the Center had shown political bias in the financial allocations, adding that the slogan ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ seemed to contradict the treatment of Telangana. Though the state was expected to receive ₹22,782 crore as central grants in the current financial year, ₹4,000 crore has been released so far, the minister said.
The Constitution envisages equitable distribution of resources between the Union and the States, Mr. Sridhar Babu said, adding that the current budget has weakened the framework of cooperative federalism. He also expressed disappointment over the Centre’s failure to allocate funds for key infrastructure projects sought by the state, including the regional circuit, II. metro phase, Godavari–Musi river link, better rail connectivity, new airports and outstanding liabilities under the State Reorganization Act.
Published – 1 Feb 2026 21:04 IST
