Telangana rejects Adani Group's Rs 100 crore donation for skills varsity amid bribery allegations
PTC Web Desk: In a significant development, the Telangana government has declined the Adani Group's Rs 100 crore donation intended for the Young India Skills University, citing prevailing controversies surrounding the conglomerate.
Addressing the matter, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said, "The Telangana government has not accepted funds or donations from any organisation, including Adani, for the Young India Skills University. A letter was sent to the Adani Group yesterday, informing them of the government's decision to reject the promised Rs 100 crore funding."
Reddy said, "Rahul Gandhi has stressed the importance of issuing tenders in a systematic and democratic manner. Whether it is Adani, Ambani, or Tata, the process must remain fair and transparent."
The Telangana Chief Minister said several companies had contributed to the Young India Skills University, including a Rs 100 crore offer from the Adani Group. However, in light of recent allegations, the state government has decided to decline this particular funding.
Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary and Commissioner for Industrial Promotion in Telangana, formally conveyed this decision to Adani Foundation Chairperson Dr Priti Adani. In his letter, Ranjan wrote, "We are grateful for your commitment to donate Rs 100 crore for the Young India Skills University. However, based on the Chief Minister's instructions, we will not be seeking a transfer of these funds due to current circumstances and related controversies."
Controversy surrounding Adani donation
The Adani Group's donation, handed over on October 18, 2024, drew criticism from opposition parties. The BJP and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) accused the Congress of contradicting its stance on the Adani Group. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said, "Despite Rahul Gandhi's vocal criticism of Adani, the Telangana Chief Minister accepts a donation from the group. It’s a double standard."
BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) said, "While Rahul Gandhi opposes the Adani-Modi connection, in Telangana, we see a new equation — Revanth and Adani, or 'Revdani'."
The controversy comes amid allegations of bribery against Gautam Adani and others, with US prosecutors recently accusing them of a $265 million scheme to influence Indian government officials. The Adani Group has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Earlier on Monday, the winter session of Parliament was disrupted by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the bribery accusations involving the Adani Group.
- With inputs from agencies
