Telangana Assembly passes resolution urging Centre to confer Bharat Ratna on Manmohan Singh

The special session of the Assembly that was convened to pay homage to the former PM also resolved to install a statue of Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Assembly on Monday paid rich tributes to the former prime minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, and passed a resolution unanimously urging the Centre confer upon him the country's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna.

The special session of the Assembly that was convened on Monday to pay homage to the former prime minister had also resolved to install a statue of Manmohan Singh at the Financial District in Hyderabad.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy moved a motion to condole the death of Manmohan Singh and express gratitude for the role played by him in the formation of Telangana state in 2014.

“The demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is an irreparable loss for the country. Despite criticisms, the former PM maintained silence and never lost his patience. Manmohan Singh focused on strengthening the country economically and socially. The former PM will be on the top among all others in economic and political issues. He participated in the protest in Delhi with us as a member of Parliament for the protection of democracy. This is an event that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Participating in the protest to protect democracy in Parliament is a testament to the former PM's humility,” said Revanth Reddy after moving the condolence motion.

He added that the eminent leader in the country Manmohan Singh introduced the Employment Guarantee Scheme and provided 100 days of work to the poor. He is a great person who also brought the Food Security and Right to Information Acts. Land Acquisition Act -2013 was also introduced to ensure landless poor are benefited, Revanth said.

“Manmohan Singh served as Prime Minister and union Finance Minister of the country and also a soulmate of Telangana. The Telangana people will keep the former PM in their hearts as he delivered statehood for Telangana. Manmohan's services to the country are momentous. We are moving a resolution requesting the Centre to present India 's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to Manmohan Singh for his services to the country. Cutting across party lines, all political parties should support the resolution,” said Revanth Reddy.

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy described Dr Simgh as a unique personality and a global statesman.

Speaking on the condolence motion introduced by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in the Assembly on Monday, Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted Manmohan Singh’s vast contributions to India, including his pioneering economic reforms and welfare initiatives.

He lauded Manmohan Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister, crediting him with waiving farmers' loans, enacting the National Employment Guarantee Scheme, and drafting the Land Acquisition Act with a humanist approach. He also emphasised Manmohan Singh’s instrumental role in granting tribal rights to forest lands and rehabilitating displaced persons through the R&R Act.

He also acknowledged Manmohan Singh’s support for Telangana, stating his role during the movement was critical and that Manmohan Singh often engaged with Telangana leaders during the statehood struggle.

He supported the resolution to establish a memorial in Hyderabad for Manmohan Singh and called for him posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. He said Manmohan Singh’s legacy of economic reforms and welfare policies would inspire future generations, asserting that his contributions to India’s progress would endure eternally.

Respect for PV Narasimha Rao

While welcoming and endorsing the Telangana government resolution to honour late prime minister Manmohan Singh with Bharat Ratna , BRS working president, K T Rama Rao also proposed that former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao also be given due respect and recognition.

“PV Garu is the only Prime Minister who does not have the honour of a memorial in National Capital, New Delhi. We demand that the state government come forward and move a resolution requesting the same in the state assembly and also hope that the union government will accept the same,” added KTR.