BRS leader Harish Rao accuses the Telangana government of neglecting public health centres while prioritising liquor revenue. During his visit to a Basti Dawakhana, he highlighted staff salary delays and poor facilities.

Hyderabad: Former Health Minister and BRS MLA T. Harish Rao has launched a sharp attack on the Telangana Congress government, accusing it of sidelining public healthcare while chasing liquor revenue.

During his inspection of the Basti Dawakhana in Old Lingampally, Rao interacted with doctors and patients who revealed that several staff members have not received their salaries. He pointed out the shortage of medicines and malfunctioning medical equipment, including basic tools like BP monitors, allegedly due to a lack of funds.

Rao said the Congress government seems more interested in revenue generation through liquor licenses than improving healthcare. “The license fee for wine shops has been raised from ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh, and even the deadline was extended to attract more applicants,” he remarked.

The Siddipet MLA also flagged poor maintenance and hygiene at the facility, alleging that stray dogs freely enter the premises, endangering staff and patients. He blamed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for failing to uphold basic standards in civic and health infrastructure.

Analysis: Harish Rao’s remarks underline a growing tension between public health priorities and state revenue strategies. With Basti Dawakhanas serving as lifelines for low-income communities, their neglect can erode public confidence in urban healthcare. The state government may need to reassess its resource allocation to prevent such criticism from gaining wider traction ahead of local polls.