Naidu-led NDA pushed AP into debt trap, says YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

VIJAYAWADA: Lashing out at Naidu-led NDA regime, former chief minister and YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said the govt has pushed the state into debt trap. He said that the Naidu regime incurred debts of ₹1,75,112 crore in a span of just one year.

Surprisingly, Naidu could not implement even a single promise made by him before the elections.

Speaking to media here on Wednesday, Jagan said that they took around ₹3,32,671 crore during the five-year rule. He said that they have continued welfare schemes despite finances being reeled due to two years of COVID. “Naidu govt made 52.34% of the debt we took over 5 years. He has not implemented even a single scheme in the last 14 months.

Where did all this money go? Who benefited?” Jagan questioned. He wondered that Naidu is expecting that no one should question him despite deceiving people. He charged that the govt burdened people with ₹18,272 crore in electricity charges under the guise of Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA), a form of exploitation. He said that Amul is facing losses, while Heritage is making profits thanks to the Naidu’s policies.

He said that milk prices have risen, children’s fees have increased, and Nadu-Nedu works have stalled. Still, Naidu wanted that no one should speak up. “Privatization of new medical colleges, sale of ports, fish landing centers, soil mafia, sand scams—nobody should talk about these. Construction costs have been inflated, with payments of nearly ₹10,000 per sft. They give 10% mobilization advances and take 8% kickbacks. Land is being given to unknown companies. Yet, no one should speak or question. Even when PPAs are signed at inflated prices, don’t ask has become Naidu’s policy,” said Jagan. He deplored that rapes against girls have increased and govt exerting pressure on the opposition not to speak. Jagan vowed to stand with the people and fight for them. “We’re not afraid of cases. A warning to Naidu and his supporters: We won’t spare anyone.

We’ll repay with interest. In three years, our government will return,” said Jagan. He said that YSRCP govt allocated land to Indosol, who paid farmers and promised 8,000 jobs. Naidu govt shifted the land allotment to Kareddu, where farmers refuse to give up fertile double-crop land. “The company is investing ₹42,000 crore. Do you want industries to come or not? If BPCL needs land, there are thousands of acres of government land in Prakasam district. Why give Indosol’s land to them?” asked Jagan.