Huge public funds being given to Sakshi: ex MLC
Can Jagan release white paper on welfare spending?
AMARAVATI: TDP former MLC Bathyala Chengalrayudu on Tuesday slammed the YSRCP Government for spending huge public funds on advertisements for publicity to the Chief Minister without extending welfare benefits to the intended sections of people.
Chengalrayudu said that CM Jagan Reddy has spent over Rs. 500 Cr on the media advertisements till now in the name of publicity for welfare programmes. Over Rs. 200 Cr funds were given to the CM’s own family media, which was discriminatory and unlawful.
Addressing a press conference here, the TDP leader said the general public were getting doubts whether the advertisements given in the name of welfare benefits were meant for publicity to the Government or to the ruling YSRCP. Jagan Reddy was the only CM who was spending exorbitant public funds on fake publicity. The CM should release a white paper on welfare spending to put the facts before the public if he had any courage.
Chengalrayudu said the Government spent Rs. 323 Cr on advertisements for 20 months between May 2019 and January 2020. Of this, over Rs. 130 Cr was given to the Sakshi media. These facts were revealed in an RTI reply from the Government itself. Now, since January 2020, the Jagan regime spent another Rs. 180 Cr of which over Rs. 75 Cr was given to Sakshi.
The TDP leader said the CM was claiming false credit in the name of clicking the button to deposit Rs. 703 Cr into the accounts of beneficiaries who did not receive benefits under 12 programmes. In this, housing was mentioned as one of the 12 programmes. In that case, the CM should clarify how many houses were constructed for the poor families during his regime in the past two and half years.
Chengalrayudu said Jagan Reddy had cancelled over 47 programmes that were brought by the Chandrababu regime. These included Ramzan Thofa, Christmas Kanuka, Sankranthi Kanuka, Dulhan, Pendli Kanuka, SC, ST Sub Plan funds, vehicles distribution and son. The TDP provided JCBs to the SC, ST youth but the Jagan Reddy rule was using the JCBs to destroy public and private wealth in the State.
The TDP leader said the YCP rule had not laid a single new road nor built a single infrastructure project anywhere in the State. The poor people were also unable to bear the burden of increased costs of living due to higher taxes and charges. Now, it was giving advertisements saying Rs. 703 Cr was given to 9 lakh beneficiaries.
