Hyderabad: Chief minister (CM) A Revanth Reddy has appealed to all state govt employees to work an extra hour every day to plug revenue leakages, curb tax evasion and boost revenue.Addressing a meeting after signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with various banks to provide insurance coverage to the state govt employees on Thursday, he said the additional revenue generated would be used for the welfare of the employees and also for the implementation of various welfare schemes. The CM said he has been working 15 to 20 hours a day without taking leave since the day he took oath as CM.He said that the hard work of the employees would help the successful implementation of welfare schemes. “The employees’ trust is the govt’s strength,” he added.Revanth Reddy said the Congress govt was paying employees’ salaries on the first day of the month, while the previous govt used to pay salaries in instalments.Taking potshots at BRS leaders, who call him ‘gumpu mestri’ (group leader) satirically, Revanth Reddy said he would not mind even if some people call him that as he is ‘gumpu mestri’ for all employees, who were his and govt’s strength and reputation. He said he would like to be called ‘Revanthanna’ by people as he reached this stage from ZPTC to CM with the support of people and employees. “My lifestyle has not changed in 17 years of my public life,” he added.Replying to his critics that he was visiting Delhi frequently, he admitted that he visited the national capital 72 times for restructuring loans taken by the BRS govt at a higher rate of interest and also getting approvals for Metro, Musi rejuvenation and Regional Ring Road (RRR), etc.“The state govt had paid Rs 2 lakh crore towards interest and loan repayment in the past 30 months,” the CM said.The CM alleged that the BRS leaders were obstructing Metro rail expansion and Musi rejuvenation project. “Landlords and those who live in farmhouses may not take Metro rail, but middle-class people and employees need it,” he added.“The BRS govt, which had borrowed Rs 8.11 lakh crore in 10 years destroyed the state in a way that is equivalent to 100 years of destruction and the Congress govt is streamlining it now. Govt wanted to do more for employees, but it is facing financial constraints,” Revanth Reddy said. He vowed to make Telangana a three trillion economy by 2047 by attracting investments.
