Only 8 of 390 municipal GOs have been made public, sparking allegations of secrecy and raising concerns over transparency in key urban projects.

A growing controversy has emerged in Telangana’s municipal administration, with activists alleging that the Congress government is withholding vital information from the public. Of the 390 Government Orders issued by the municipal department so far, only eight—barely 2 percent—are publicly accessible, while the remaining 98 percent remain undisclosed.

Transparency advocates say the lack of access to these GOs is concerning, especially given the significance of agencies involved—including GHMC, HMDA, Hyderabad Metro Rail, ORR, Musi River development, DTCP, and CDMA. They argue that citizens deserve clarity on who has been granted exemptions, concessions, or subsidies through these orders.

Critics are also highlighting a political irony: the same Congress leaders who earlier demanded full public disclosure while in opposition are now being questioned over limited transparency in governance.

The issue extends beyond urban administration. In the Panchayat Raj department, 480 GOs were issued since January, but only 26 have been uploaded online. This gap, according to analysts, weakens accountability mechanisms and could create mistrust among citizens.

Local Impact & Analysis
Lack of transparency in government decisions affecting infrastructure, land use, and municipal resource allocation could hinder civic monitoring and increase suspicions over preferential policymaking. Experts caution that digital disclosure of all GOs would not only build public confidence but also strengthen the government’s accountability credentials—especially ahead of upcoming local body elections.