Funds diverted for corruption but not welfare: Anuradha
Rs 70,000 Cr collected through increased taxes
AMARAVATI: TDP state general secretary Panchumarty Anuradha on Saturday accused the YSRCP Government of mortgaging public assets for more corruption but not for the welfare of poorer sections.
Anuradha said thousands of crores mobilised through taxes and loans were being diverted and misused in an indiscriminate manner. The CM was telling lies that welfare could not be taken up in a big way because revenue dropped due to Covid-19.
Addressing a press conference here, the TDP leader said AP got over Rs. 70,000 Cr revenue through increased taxes. It got Rs. 9,000 Cr from 90 percent hike in liquor prices, Rs 8,000 Cr from 15 percent hike in property tax and Rs 2,000 Cr from RTC fare hike. The hike in petrol and diesel VAT yielded Rs. 560 Cr.
Anuradha pointed out that the YCP regime caused a steep hike in rates of cement, sand and natural gas. Current rates were increased several times. Though the State got thousands of crore revenue, the CM and his Ministers were trying to mislead the public. They were just finding excuses to deny the welfare benefits.
The TDP leader demanded the YCP leaders to explain why they could not even continue Anna Canteens to quench the hunger of the poor people. Jagan Reddy did not fulfill his promise to fill lakhs of Government jobs. Even the Rs. 2,000 unemployment allowance was stopped. This led to suicides of over 400 jobles youth in the past three years.
Anuradha said the YCP regime was mortgaging drinkers, DWCRA groups, bust stands, hostels, colleges, market yards, collectorates, tahsildar offices and so on for bringing huge loans. Over Rs. 5,000 Cr loans per month were brought on an average. All this money from loans and taxes was going to the Tadepalli treasury and into the pockets of the ruling YCP leaders.
The TDP leader deplored that the Jagan rule was mortgaging even parks in Vijayawada. The CM promised a bright future for the people but now destroying the whole Andhra. Why did he promise Navaratnalu when he could not implement them? When the vegetable market in Guntur was put up for sale, the court intervened and stopped it.
Anuradha asked how other States could take up so many Corona relief measures when AP could not do so during and after the pandemic lockdowns.
Maharashtra extended a relief package of Rs. 5,000 Cr, Tamil Nadu Rs. 4,000 Cr, Orissa Rs. 2,200 Cr and Kerala Rs. 22,000 Cr. On his part, Jagan Reddy did not announce any relief on the pretext of lack of revenue. What happened to Rs. 50,000 Cr benefits provided by the Centre during Coronavirus?
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