TDP, Jana Sena forging alliances for political survival: Jagan

Bapatla: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy released Rs. 123.52 crores under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa to provide assistance during the marine fishing ban period from 15 April to 14 June. It will benefit 1,23, 519 fishermen families across the state.

An amount of Rs. 10,000 each would be credited directly into their bank accounts.

The chief minister also released Rs. 107.91 crores for 23,458 fishermen families who lost their livelihood due to ONGC pipeline works in Konaseema and Kakinada districts.

Later, the CM laid the foundation stone for the Rs. 417-crore Nizampatnam fishing harbour.

Addressing a public meeting, Jagan said so far, each fisherman family has received Rs. 50,000 in the last four years under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa. “I appeal to you to remember this is your government which will continue to work for your welfare,” he said.

He told the people to mark the difference between the present and previous governments. While the TDP spent hardly Rs. 104 crores to assist fishermen during the entire five-year rule, the present government has spent over Rs. 538 crores in the last four years, he said.

10 new fishing harbours

A total of 10 new fishing harbours and six fish land centres are being built in the state at an expense of Rs. 3,800 crores with a view to stop migration of fishermen. A fisheries university is also being established in West Godavari district.

The university will produce professional and skilled human personnel, impart knowledge on better fishing activities, train fishermen and aqua farmers on advanced technologies besides supplying quality seed, medicines, and feed supplements and helping recruit skilled fisheries assistants at RBKs.

The government is also setting up an aqua farm on 280 acres at Dindi, and 11385 aqua farmers will benefit from this, Jagan said, asserting that the government is committed to doing more for the economic development of fishermen and aqua farmers.

In response to the appeal of party MP M. Venkataramana, the chief minister sanctioned Rs. 37.50 crores for various developmental works at Nizampatnam.

TDP & Jana Sena lacks credibility

Chief Minister Jagan slammed TDP president N. Chandra Babu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan and said the two parties have no guts to contest all 175 seats independently but are trying to forge alliances for political survival. TDP will not get even second place in the next elections, he claimed.

“TDP and Jana Sena have no political credibility at all as Chandrababu remembers SCs, STs, BCs, and minorities only at the time of elections while Pawan Kalyan plays second fiddle to Naidu as part of their political match-fixing,” he said sarcastically.