The people of Telangana gave a rich state to the previous government but it handed over a debt-ridden state to the present regime, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said on Thursday. The governor, who addressed the joint session of the legislature on the opening day of budget session, said the government is committed to restoring financial discipline and transparency. The White Paper on Finance released during the last session of the assembly has "laid bare the incompetent and reckless manner" in which the previous government had managed public finance, she said. "The people of Telangana had handed over a rich state to the previous government and after ten years, they have handed over a debt-ridden state to us," she said. The immediate challenge is to improve the state's financial situation without burdening the people. The budget gives the government an opportunity to start the path of restoration, responsibility and accountability in the management of public finance, sh