Rs 1,200 Cr APMB funds diverted by YCP rule: Pattabhi
No funds for Rs 1,000 Cr EPC advances for port works
AMARAVATI: TDP national spokesman K. Pattabhi Ram on Thursday slammed the YSRCP Government for causing a serious setback to the development of ports in Andhra Pradesh by ‘diverting’ Rs 1,200 Cr funds of the AP Maritime Board (APMB).
Pattabhi said the APMB became so bankrupt that it was not in a position to take up any developmental works at the ports. Over Rs 10,000 Cr would be required for taking up EPC works at different ports but the Board had no funds to give even Rs 1,000 Cr towards the 10 percent mobilization advances now.
Addressing a press conference here, the TDP leader demanded that CM Jaganmohan Reddy and Minister Gowtham Reddy should explain how the bankrupt Maritime Board could develop facilities at the Bhavanapadu, Machilipatnam and Ramayapatnam ports. The
APMB’s funds were diverted to the AP State Financial Services Corporation (APSFSC). This was nothing but a bogus corporation to aid in the corruption activities of the ruling YSRCP leaders.
Pattabhi said the Maritime Board was getting Rs. 100 Cr to Rs. 120 Cr yearly towards its revenue share from Kakinada deepwater port, Rs. 30 Cr to Rs. 40 Cr from Kakinada anchorage port, Rs. 40 Cr from Gangavaram port and Rs. 50 Cr to Rs. 60 Cr from Krishnapatnam port. Besides, the sale of Government shares in Gangavaram port got Rs. 645 Cr for the Maritime Board.
The TDP leader said that the Chandrababu regime formed the APMB to take up works on docks, jetties, piers, quays, etc for ensuring rapid development of ports. The Board has got Rs. 500 Cr to Rs. 600 Cr revenue in the past two years. Together with Rs. 645 Cr received from Gangavaram port sale, the Maritime Board had got over Rs. 1,200 Cr which was all diverted by the Jagan regime.
Pattabhi pointed out that GO 17 dated 06.03.2020 actually facilitated the departments and boards to request permission from the Government to access ‘surplus funds’ from corporations, societies, etc. Minister Gowtham Reddy should explain how Rs. 1,200 Cr could be called ‘surplus funds’ when the Maritime Board would require even larger funds for the development of the ports.
The TDP leader asked why the CM and his Advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy were silent on the recommendation of the Empowered Group of Secretaries to go for ‘open bidding’ for the sale of the Government’s 10.40 percent stake in Gangavaram port. The TDP challenged the Government on this 72 hours ago but the ruling bosses could not open their mouths. Their silence would mean acceptance of their guilt in the ‘unlawful sale’ of stake in a profitable port.
Pattabhi asserted that their party had exposed with evidence how the Government sold out Gangavaravam port stake by setting aside the Empowered Group’s advice that open bidding would bring profit to the State.
