CM Revanth Targets Centre Over ₹151 Lakh Crore Debt Added Under Modi Government

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday accused the NDA government of burdening the country with unprecedented debt, alleging that ₹151 lakh crore has been added to India's liabilities since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. He questioned whether the sharp rise in borrowing had translated into visible national development.

Speaking at a meeting with government school teachers who recently returned from an international study tour to Finland and Germany, Revanth Reddy said India's total public debt has reached ₹201 lakh crore, referring to figures cited in a recent Parliament reply. He claimed that successive governments from Independence until 2014 had collectively borrowed ₹51 lakh crore, whereas the Modi-led administration alone had added ₹151 lakh crore over the past 12 years.

The Chief Minister said earlier governments had invested in railway networks, national highways, power infrastructure, irrigation projects, drinking water facilities and educational institutions, creating long-term public assets that continue to benefit the country. He challenged the Centre to reveal how many new major airports, railway corridors and large seaports had been built during the same period despite the significant increase in public borrowing. According to him, the scale of infrastructure created does not justify the magnitude of the debt.

Revanth Reddy also defended the contributions of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, stating that they laid the foundation for India's development and should be remembered for strengthening the nation's institutions. He further said that India's victory in the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh remain among the country's most significant historical achievements.

Turning to education, the Chief Minister called upon teachers to play a leading role in transforming Telangana's public education system over the next five years. He said exposure to the education models of Finland, known for its learner-centric approach, and Germany, recognised for its vocational training framework, would help teachers adopt global best practices in government schools.

Highlighting the State government's initiatives, Revanth Reddy said the administration has introduced a breakfast scheme for students from Nursery to Intermediate, completed large-scale teacher recruitment and transfers, and is upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Advanced Technology Centres to improve industry-ready skills. He reiterated that the government is committed to making Telangana's education system a national model.

Responding to criticism over retaining the Education Department, Revanth Reddy questioned why he should step aside when the government is implementing major reforms. Recalling that he himself studied in government institutions, he said quality public education had shaped his life and asserted that education remains the strongest foundation for individual, social and economic progress.