Telangana Budget 2025: Home Department gets 6.52% hike; tech-driven policing, drug control remain top priorities

The Finance Minister highlights establishment of the Young India Police Residential School in Manchirevula village, Ranga Reddy district.

Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced a ₹10,188 crore allocation for the Home Department, marking a ₹624 crore increase (6.52%) from ₹9,564 crore in 2024-25.

This accounts for about 3.35% of Telangana’s total budget of ₹3,04,965 crore.

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“The government is focusing primarily on technology-based policing, developing the necessary infrastructure to provide transparent, friendly, fast, and efficient services to the public,” the minister said while presenting the budget at the Telangana Assembly on Wednesday (March 19).

Educational opportunities for police families and stronger drug control measures were other top focus areas for the government.

Young India Police Residential School

The Finance Minister highlighted establishment of the Young India Police Residential School in Manchirevula village, Ranga Reddy district. Modelled after Sainik Schools, the institution will offer admissions to the children of police personnel including those who lost their lives while in duty, as well as children of fire services, excise, special protection, and prison department staff, he said.

The school will feature international-standard infrastructure, sports facilities, and accommodation to ensure quality education and overall development for the students.

Increase in wages for Home Guards

The budget also includes a financial boost for home guards, with their daily wage increased from ₹921 to ₹1,000. Additionally, in the event of a natural or accidental death while on duty, the families of home guards will receive an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to provide financial security.

Narcotics control

Drug control continues to remain a priority for the government. “Our government is committed to taking a firm and uncompromising approach to drug control. We will not spare anyone involved in drug-related crimes, regardless of their position or influence,” the minister said, underscoring that drugs worth ₹148 crore were seized in the past year alone alongside strict action against suppliers.

Mr. Vikramarka said that the state IT Department and the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) have jointly developed the Mitra App, which uses artificial intelligence to help parents and teachers identify early behavioural signs of drug use among students, enabling timely intervention.

Currently in use across 1,000 schools in Hyderabad, the government plans to expand the app’s reach statewide.

Published - March 19, 2025 01:13 pm IST