Politics – YSRCP MLCs Accuse Andhra Pradesh Government of Avoiding Accountability
Politics – Members of the Legislative Council belonging to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday criticised the Andhra Pradesh government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing it of failing to respond to several important concerns raised during legislative discussions. The opposition leaders claimed the administration had not provided clear answers regarding welfare commitments, rising public debt, employment generation and the financial condition of farmers in the state.
Government questioned over key promises
Speaking to reporters at the Assembly Media Point, YSRCP MLCs said the government had avoided addressing questions raised in the Legislative Council on a range of subjects. According to them, these issues included the implementation status of the Super Six promises, increasing government borrowings, job opportunities for youth, minimum support prices for crops and the reported distress among farmers.
The opposition members alleged that instead of presenting concrete explanations, ministers had largely relied on political speeches. They also claimed that responses from the treasury benches did not provide clarity on several policy matters.
Concerns over budget allocations
YSRCP MLC Lella Appireddy stated that the government’s third budget had still not clarified funding allocations for several welfare programmes announced earlier. He argued that ministers were spending more time criticising the previous administration rather than explaining how current policies would be implemented.
Appireddy also referred to allegations connected with the Heritage dairy syndicate issue, which he said was linked to what he described as the Indapur Dairy matter. According to him, discussions on the issue in the Council were disrupted by the ruling party.
He further claimed that when evidence was presented during the debate, ministers avoided responding to the points raised. Appireddy also alleged that new controversies were being introduced in the Assembly, including discussions related to Tirumala Laddu prasadam and certain government orders numbered 746 and 747.
Debate over financial management
Another YSRCP MLC, Tumati Madhavarao, criticised Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav’s budget speech, saying it resembled a political address rather than a detailed explanation of fiscal policy.
Madhavarao argued that the minister had taken credit for reducing the state’s interest burden of approximately Rs 40,000 crore without acknowledging financial measures undertaken by the previous YSRCP government. He added that some of those adjustments were related to reserve funds used during the post-COVID financial recovery period.
Rising state debt raised as issue
MLC Mondithoka Arun Kumar also questioned the state’s borrowing levels under the current government. He said the administration had earlier promised to strengthen the state economy and generate wealth, but the borrowing figures suggested otherwise.
According to Arun Kumar, the government had raised loans exceeding Rs 3.28 lakh crore within the past 20 months. He claimed that this figure represented nearly 95 percent of the total amount borrowed during the five-year tenure of the previous YSRCP government.
He also said there was still no detailed explanation regarding the promise of creating 6.28 lakh jobs or implementing unemployment allowances.
Farmers’ concerns highlighted
MLC Varudu Kalyani focused on the challenges faced by farmers and agricultural labourers. She alleged that falling crop prices and delayed government support had contributed to severe financial stress in rural areas.
Kalyani stated that compensation had not yet been provided to families of farmers who reportedly died by suicide. She also pointed to pending input subsidy payments, including Rs 410 crore linked to the Montha cyclone and about Rs 1,100 crore in overall pending subsidies.
She further said banana farmers had been particularly affected, claiming that market prices had dropped from nearly Rs 30,000 per tonne to around Rs 5,000 per tonne. According to her, several promised financial benefits under the Annadata Sukhibhava programme had not been delivered and tenant farmers had not been adequately addressed in the budget.
Objections to land allotment decision
The YSRCP MLCs also raised concerns about the reported allocation of 55 acres of government land in Visakhapatnam to GITAM Deemed to be University. They claimed the land could be worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore.
According to the opposition members, the allotment was linked to Lok Sabha MP Bharat Mathukumilli and may have violated existing regulations. They demanded that the government review the decision and reconsider the allotment.
Meanwhile, MLC P Ramasubba Reddy said several commitments listed under the Super Six scheme, including Adabidda Nidhi, unemployment allowances and pension benefits starting from the age of 50, were not reflected in the latest budget.
MLC Kalpalatha Reddy also criticised the handling of protests by anganwadi workers. She alleged that protest tents and facilities used by the workers were removed early in the morning and claimed the minister concerned had provided inaccurate information in the House regarding the resolution of their demands.
Another member, Kumbha Ravi Babu, accused the government of allocating valuable public land to private institutions associated with individuals linked to the ruling establishment, saying such decisions were being justified in the name of encouraging investment.