The state government has rejected a Rs. 100-crore donation from the Adani Group meant for the Young India Skills University, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced on Monday. It was decided to disassociate the organisation from the current Adani conglomerate controversies.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Chief Minister said,: “We have not accepted funds or donations from any organisation, including the Adani Group, for the Young India Skills University. This decision ensures we stay clear of unnecessary disputes.”
The action follows accusations in a US indictment that the Adani Group bribed Indian government officials to get solar power contracts, a claim the company has vehemently refuted.
At a meeting with Revanth Reddy in October, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani revealed the `100-crore donation, which was intended to help the Skill University grow. The Congress-led Telangana administration has been attacked by other parties, such as the BJP and BRS, for “double standards,” considering its outspoken criticism of Adani in other settings.
In a letter addressed to Adani Foundation chairperson Priti Adani, IT and industries special chief secretary Jayesh Ranjan said that the state government would not proceed with accepting the funds. “In view of present circumstances and arising controversies, the Chief Minister has instructed not to seek transfer of funds,” the letter stated.
Revanth Reddy dismissed speculation that external pressures influenced the decision. “There is no pressure. This is a proactive decision to avoid controversies that could tarnish the state’s image or that of my government,” he said.
He added that the state government was committed to transparency, with funding processes following a tender-based approach. “Rahul Gandhi has emphasised that public projects must adhere to systematic, democratic processes. Whether it’s Adani, Ambani, or Tata, all tenders must be fair and open.”
Revanth Reddy expressed hope about the university plans’ progress despite the upheaval. He pointed out that other contributors could now make contributions without facing financial obstacles because the state government’s attempts to get income-tax deductions under Section 80G for gifts had been successful.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that other corporate donors had contributed to the university but did not elaborate on whether similar scrutiny would apply to those donations.
“The previous BRS government maintained ‘close relations’ with the Adani Group,” Revanth Reddy said. In addition to news clippings of his inviting Adani to establish power plants in Telangana, he made public images of BRS chief and former chief minister K. Chadrashekar Rao’s 2014 meeting with Adani Group chairman Goutam Adani. Additionally, Revanth Reddy shared images of Gautam Adani with former IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, asking him to make investments in Telangana.
