Non-payment of CM convoy dues indicative of financial mess: Naidu

Amaravati: TDP National President N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday described the non-payment of the CM convoy bills as an indication of the prevailing financial crisis in the state.

Naidu termed it as 'shameful' that the government dues to the taxi drivers rose to Rs. 17.5 crore over the past three years. It was alarming that the bills were not being paid even for the taxi cars that were hired for the Chief Minister and other dignitaries' convoy.

In a statement, the TDP chief said that the helpless situation in the transport department once again exposed the total collapse of all systems. "The state had slipped into such a dire situation that it was not able to raise money for the CM's own convoy," Naidu said.

Naidu said that the inability of the transport department should not be seen as an isolated case. This would hold a mirror to the overall financial mismanagement and destruction of institutions in the State.

Naidu asked how the officials could arrange convoys if the bills were pending for three years. "Who would take responsibility for the agony of taxi owners who did not get the bills," he said.

He pointed out that the officials and the employees were under unimaginable stress due to the collapse of systems.

The TDP chief said that the failed government was responsible for the alarming situation where the Ongole officials snatched away a pilgrim's car for the CM convoy. The irresponsible regime and uninformed Chief Minister should be blamed for this situation.

Naidu asked the government to release a white paper providing details on the pending bills and the overall loans brought in the past three years.