Almost 75 per cent of Telangana Minority Welfare funds unused, finds Hyderabad RTI activist

Hyderabad: Despite the Telangana government sanctioning and releasing significant funds for welfare schemes, the Minority Welfare Department has shown poor performance in utilising them.

An RTI was filed by Hyderabad-based RTI activist Kareem Ansari on February 18, seeking detailed information regarding the disbursement of scholarships to minority students under the Reimbursement of Tuition Fees (RTF) and Maintenance of Tuition Fees (MTF) schemes.

According to Kareem, who got the reply in March 2025, despite the Telangana government sanctioning and releasing significant funds for the schemes, the Minority Welfare Department has shown an alarmingly poor performance in utilising them. This raises serious concerns about the department’s commitment to the upliftment of minority communities—a cause that is both crucial and urgent.

‘Rs 227 crores left unspent’

“For instance, under the RTF scheme, the government allocated and released Rs 300 crore between April 1, 2024, and February 2025. Shockingly, only Rs 73 crores were utilised, leaving a massive Rs 227 crores unspent. Similarly, under the MTF scheme, out of the Rs 120 crores sanctioned, only Rs 30 crores were spent, leaving Rs 90 crores idle. In total, a mere 25 per cent of the allocated funds were utilized, while an astounding 75 per cent remained unused,” explained Kareem.

He opined that this underperformance not only defeats the purpose of these essential welfare schemes but also deprives countless minority students of the financial support they desperately need for their education. Immediate and effective measures must be taken to ensure the full and timely utilization of sanctioned funds. These schemes must be implemented in their true spirit to serve their intended purpose—empowering and uplifting minority communities.

“It is imperative that prominent minority leaders within the Congress Party step forward and demand swift remedial actions. Their leadership is essential in holding the Minority Welfare Department accountable and ensuring that justice is served for the communities they represent,” he added.