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Key Points

Konda Surekha, Telangana's Minister for Forest, Environment, and Endowments, has stirred controversy with her comments about ministers accepting money for file clearances. Speaking in Warangal, she suggested that although some demand bribes, companies should invest in social services instead. Surekha later clarified, alleging distortions in her remarks, and pinpointed the practice to previous BRS government ministers. This development is not Surekha’s first brush with controversy; she previously faced backlash over comments linking BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao to a celebrity couple's divorce.

Key Points: Minister Konda Surekha Sparks Corruption Debate in Telangana

  • Konda Surekha claims ministers solicit bribes for file clearances
  • Criticized for suggesting corruption in previous BRS government
  • Comments linked to controversy over ministerial conduct
2 min read

Telangana Minister Konda Surekha's remark triggers row

Konda Surekha's remark on bribe-taking by ministers incites controversy, claims distortion.

"Usually, ministers take money to clear such files. - Konda Surekha"

Hyderabad, May 16

Telangana's Minister for Forest, Environment and Endowments Konda Surekha's remark that ministers take money to clear files has triggered a controversy.

The minister made the remark while laying the foundation stone for the building of a government girls' junior college in Warangal on Thursday.

"Since I am the Forest Minister, some companies come to me for file clearances. Usually, ministers take money to clear such files. I tell them they need not give even a new paisa, but should do social service like building a school," she said.

The minister also stated that when a company approached her for approval of a file, she suggested that it construct the college building.

Surekha revealed that the company came forward to construct the building at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, and she was delighted over this.

The minister's remark triggered a row with the Congress government's critics terming this as an admission of corruption.

However, Surekha claimed that some people completely distorted her comments.

In her post on 'X' on Friday, Surekha said, "I was speaking about ministers in the previous BRS government who would take money to do any work. I made those comments referring to the performance of ministers in the previous BRS government."

"It's not proper to distort my comments," Surekha said, adding that she would provide more details on this issue via a video later in the day.

Controversies are not new for Konda Surekha. Last year, she raked up a huge controversy with her comments blaming Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao for the divorce of actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

Naga Chaitanya's father and popular actor Nagarjuna Akkineni and Rama Rao have filed separate defamation cases against the minister.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Whether she meant BRS or current govt, this is a shocking admission of how corruption works at high levels. Ministers openly talking about "usual practices" shows how normalized bribery has become. Shameful! 😠
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Priya M.
At least she's being honest about the system! Instead of taking money, she's asking companies to invest in education. Isn't this better than under-the-table deals? We need more transparent ministers like her.
A
Arjun S.
Typical political drama before elections. First make controversial statement, then backtrack when caught. Both BRS and Congress ministers follow the same playbook. When will Telangana get real leaders?
S
Sunita R.
Why is she always in controversy? First actors' personal life, now this. Ministers should focus on governance, not making headlines with loose comments. Our tax money pays their salaries! 🤦‍♀️
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Vikram J.
The real issue is - why do companies need to "approach ministers" for file clearances? Shouldn't there be transparent online systems? This "approval culture" is root of all corruption. #DigitalIndia needed!
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Neha T.
If a school got built because of this, that's good. But the bigger picture is worrying - seems like CSR is becoming new form of bribery. What about small businesses who can't afford 4.5 crore schools?

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