Tue Mar 25 15:38:42 UTC 2025: ## Telangana Opposition Alleges Massive School Bench Scam
**Hyderabad, March 25, 2025** – AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi has accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government of a massive scam involving the procurement of benches for government schools under the ‘Mana Ooru Mana Badi’ scheme. Speaking in the Telangana Assembly on Tuesday during a discussion on the Education Department’s budget, Mr. Owaisi claimed that benches costing ₹4,000-₹5,000 on the open market were purchased for ₹14,000-₹20,000 under the scheme.
He further alleged that the scheme saw minimal completion and that contractors remain unpaid. Mr. Owaisi demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, stating that while other alleged scams receive attention, this one has been overlooked.
The MLA also highlighted the dire state of government schools in Telangana, citing UDISE+ data showing the state lagging behind the national average in basic facilities. Thousands of schools lack toilets, he pointed out.
Mr. Owaisi criticized the allocation of only 7.54% (₹22,984 crore) of the 2025-26 budget to education, falling short of the ruling party’s manifesto promise of 15%. He questioned how international standards can be achieved with such inadequate funding.
He concluded by demanding action to reduce school dropout rates, fill 25,000 vacant teaching posts, de-reserve Urdu medium posts, and address faculty shortages in universities.
First Piper 