Kishan Reddy - Journalistfile Telugu News

Stop Looting Fuel Buyers: Kishan Reddy Slams Telangana's Sky High VAT

Journalist File Desk — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:43:37 +0530

HYDERABAD — Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Telangana state government, demanding an immediate reduction in Value Added Tax on petrol and diesel — pointing out that Telangana levies the highest VAT on fuel anywhere in the country, even as the central government moves decisively to shield citizens from rising oil prices triggered by the Israel-America-Iran war.

Addressing a press conference at CGI Towers in Hyderabad, Kishan Reddy outlined the measures taken by the central government to ensure adequate supplies of LPG, petrol, and diesel across Telangana — while simultaneously putting the state government firmly on the spot over its fuel tax policy.

Telangana Charges Highest VAT in India

The numbers Kishan Reddy placed before the public were stark and difficult to dispute.

Telangana has been levying VAT at 35.20 percent on petrol and diesel — the highest rate in the entire country — for the past twelve consecutive years. Not once in that period, the minister pointed out, has the state government seen fit to reduce this burden on its citizens by even a single paisa.

The contrast with neighbouring states makes the figure even harder to justify. Andhra Pradesh levies VAT at 31 percent. Karnataka charges 29 percent. Maharashtra imposes just 26 percent. Yet Telangana — governed first by the BRS and now by the Congress — has maintained its 35.20 percent rate without revision.

"Why is Telangana levying 35.20 percent when neighbouring states charge significantly less?" Kishan Reddy demanded. "Why has this not been reduced? The Congress party beats the drum about KCR's people-friendly governance — but in twelve years, not one paisa of VAT has been cut. Reduce it now."

The minister's challenge was direct and unambiguous — and it placed the Telangana government in an uncomfortable position at a time when fuel prices are already under pressure from global conflict.

Centre Acts to Cushion Global Oil Price Shock

Kishan Reddy made clear that the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has moved proactively to protect Indian citizens from the price shocks rippling out of the Middle East conflict.

With the Israel-America-Iran war disrupting global oil markets and pushing crude prices upward, the central government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel — a direct intervention designed to prevent pump prices from spiralling out of control.

The minister urged state governments across the country to follow the centre's lead by cutting their own VAT rates — reducing the cumulative tax burden on fuel and passing the benefit directly to consumers. Telangana, he made clear, has the most room to move — and the most obligation to act.

Ample Stocks — No Need for Panic

Turning to address growing public anxiety over fuel availability, Kishan Reddy was reassuring and categorical.

Telangana has abundant stocks of LPG, petrol, and diesel, he said. There is no shortage. There is no crisis. And there is absolutely no reason for citizens to panic.

Oil companies are currently providing a three-day credit facility to petrol and gas agencies — a measure designed to ensure smooth and uninterrupted supply across the state. The pipeline of fuel into Telangana remains fully functional, and the central government is working actively to ensure that oil and gas supplies reach India on schedule despite the turbulence in global markets.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kishan Reddy added, is personally monitoring the situation — a signal of the seriousness with which the central government is treating the issue.

The minister also urged citizens to use LPG, petrol, and diesel conservatively and responsibly during this period of global uncertainty — a call for collective prudence rather than panic buying.

No Lockdown — Stop the Rumours

Kishan Reddy used the press conference to address one of the most damaging pieces of misinformation currently circulating on social media — the claim that India is preparing to impose a fresh lockdown.

The rumour, he said, originated from a misreading and misrepresentation of Prime Minister Modi's recent remarks in the Lok Sabha. Social media users have uploaded thousands of posts falsely claiming that a lockdown is imminent — posts that have spread rapidly and caused unnecessary alarm among the public.

"Do not believe these rumours," Kishan Reddy said firmly. "There is no lockdown coming. The Prime Minister's words have been taken completely out of context and twisted beyond recognition."

Arrest Those Spreading Rumours

The minister reserved his sharpest words for those deliberately spreading false information on social media — and he had a specific request for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

It is social media videos and fake news posts, Kishan Reddy argued, that have caused vehicle owners to queue up at petrol stations in panic — creating artificial demand and long lines at pumps that would otherwise be functioning normally. The same misinformation has created what he described as a "fire in kitchens" over LPG cylinder availability — panicking households into hoarding behaviour that serves no one.

"We have requested Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to arrest those who are creating and spreading rumours on social media," Kishan Reddy said — a demand that underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the misinformation problem.

Industry Representatives Present

The press conference brought together senior officials from India's major oil marketing companies alongside representatives of Telangana's petroleum and LPG dealer communities.

Present at the event were Indian Oil Corporation Executive Director Piyush Mittal, BPCL Chief General Manager (Retail) Nitish Selukar, HPCL Chief General Manager (Retail) Sushil Kumar Ray, Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association President Amarendra Reddy, and State LPG Owners Association President Jaganmohan Reddy, along with other senior officials.

Their collective presence at the press conference was itself a message — that the fuel supply chain in Telangana, from the national oil companies down to the local dealer level, is functioning normally and is committed to meeting public demand.

The Political Subtext

Saturday's press conference was simultaneously a public reassurance exercise and a pointed political attack — and Kishan Reddy made no attempt to disguise either dimension.

By highlighting Telangana's 35.20 percent VAT rate and the state government's twelve-year failure to reduce it — under both BRS and Congress administrations — the Union Minister placed a clear political marker. At a time when global oil prices are rising and the central government is cutting excise duty to protect consumers, Telangana's continued imposition of the country's highest fuel VAT becomes an increasingly difficult position to defend.

The ball, Kishan Reddy made abundantly clear, is now firmly in the Telangana government's court.

The Telangana state government had not responded to Minister Kishan Reddy's statements at the time of publication. This report will be updated as further developments emerge.

JP Nadda Criticizes Congress for Deceiving Telangana, Emphasizes BJP as the Solution

Journalist File Desk — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 10:55:51 +0530

Telangana, Hyderabad ( Journalist File ) : BJP National President JP Nadda has asserted that the only way for Telangana to see meaningful change is through the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at a public rally organized by the BJP at the Saroor Nagar Stadium in Hyderabad, Nadda accused the Congress government, led by Revanth Reddy, of deceiving the people of the state. He praised the BJP's fight against the failures and corruption of the Congress government, particularly under the leadership of BJP leader Kishan Reddy.

Nadda lambasted the Congress government for its failure to deliver on promises, accusing it of neglecting farmers, women, and unemployed youth. He criticized Congress for making false promises and failing to implement welfare measures for various sections of society.

In his address, Nadda highlighted the national political landscape, stating that Narendra Modi, after Nehru, is the third prime minister to serve three terms, with no major opposition parties during his tenure. He added that BJP governments are in power in 13 states, and NDA governments are running in six other states. The BJP has consistently performed well in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Haryana, securing repeated victories. Even in Jammu and Kashmir, where opposition parties have united, the BJP has made significant electoral gains, he noted.

Nadda criticized Congress for its dependence on regional parties in states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, while it remains in power in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. He accused Congress of betraying the people by not fulfilling the promises made during elections.

The BJP President specifically targeted the Telangana government, claiming that the Congress administration has failed to deliver on its promises, including financial support for farmers, auto drivers, and women. He alleged that the government had promised Rs. 12,000 to auto drivers but failed to deliver, and similarly, it had not provided the Rs. 15,000 promised to farmers under the Rythu Bharosa scheme. Additionally, Nadda accused the government of failing to give Rs. 2,500 to each woman as promised.

Nadda concluded by reiterating that the BJP stands as the only viable alternative to Congress in the state, promising a government that would truly serve the interests of the people.

BJP Leaders Launch Scathing Attack on Congress Government at Massive Telangana Rally

Journalist File Desk — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 21:28:55 +0530

Hyderabad ( Journalist File ) : Telangana BJP leaders, who have largely remained silent until now, ramped up their political rhetoric with a major public rally in Saroor Nagar, where they fiercely criticized the policies of the Congress government. The rally was organized to highlight the failures of the Congress administration as it marked one year since the formation of the state government.

Speaking at the event, BJP state president and Union Minister, Kishan Reddy, made sensational claims, stating that Telangana is headed for an economic crisis under the Congress rule. He criticized the government for failing to introduce a single new pension scheme in the past 12 months. Reddy declared that the BJP had launched a "movement against the Congress government" and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections. He asserted that the change Telangana needs can only be brought about by the BJP.

Central Minister Bandi Sanjay also took aim at the Congress government, referring to it as the "RK government," and said that BRS leader K. Chandrashekar Rao's leadership is now confined to his farmhouse. He accused Congress leader Revanth Reddy of betraying farmers, claiming that Reddy had failed to deliver on promises. Sanjay stated that Revanth would be given time until Sankranti, after which no Congress leader would be allowed to roam freely on the streets.

Sanjay also criticized Revanth Reddy for spreading false propaganda, such as claiming to have created 55,000 jobs when only 20,000 were given. He questioned why Revanth had remained silent about the controversial 317 GO (government order) and accused him of deceiving unemployed youth with promises of new housing schemes.

The BJP leader further questioned the state government's commitment to implementing the BC Sub-Plan and reminded the public about the attacks on temples that had occurred under Congress rule. He expressed confidence that the BJP would win the GHMC Mayor's seat and warned that efforts to turn Hyderabad into "Bangladesh" would not be tolerated. Sanjay also took a swipe at Revanth Reddy’s criticism of central ministers, stating that the Congress leader had not accomplished anything as Chief Minister and had only credited central funds for schemes like Indiramma houses.

Sanjay concluded by asserting that if the government attempts to distribute housing without Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo, the BJP would protest against it.

This rally marks a significant escalation in the political discourse ahead of the state elections, with the BJP intensifying its attack on the ruling Congress government in Telangana.