Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar urges Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to release pending ₹1,000 crore dues to Secunderabad Cantonment Board and calls for overdue elections.

Hyderabad: Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has written to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, demanding the clearance of ₹1,000 crore in pending dues owed to the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB). The minister stressed that the funds, collected as user charges, are crucial for improving civic amenities in areas that fall under overlapping state and defence administration.

Prabhakar also welcomed the Centre’s decision to allocate portions of defence land for public use but urged officials to fast-track the handover. According to him, these land parcels are essential for the timely execution of key infrastructure projects across the twin cities.

Another pressing issue raised was the delay in holding elections for the Secunderabad Cantonment Board. Prabhakar noted that the polls, long overdue, must be conducted without further postponement to restore democratic functioning in the body.

Analysts point out that unresolved financial disputes and administrative delays have long hindered civic development in cantonment areas. If the dues are cleared and elections held on schedule, it could significantly improve governance and infrastructure delivery for thousands of residents who often find themselves caught between military and civil authorities.