YSRCP govt left behind a debt of Rs 9.74 lakh crore: Andhra CM Naidu

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has identified a debt of Rs 9.74 lakh crore borrowed under the erstwhile YSRCP government, according to the state’s incumbent Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Speaking at the Assembly on Friday, November 15, Naidu wondered if this debt would rise further once tha account books are digged up. He also said that the current government has saved the state which was on ventilation with the assistance of the Centre, and that they are “moving forward by building brick by brick.”

Listing the components of the debt at the Assembly, the Chief Minister said that it includes Rs 4.3 lakh crore in state debt, Rs 80,914 crore in Public Account Liabilities (PAL), Rs 2.47 lakh crore in corporations debt, civil supplies debt of Rs 36,000 crore, power sector debt of Rs 34,267 crore, outstanding dues of Rs 1.13 lakh crore to vendors, dues to employees to the tune of Rs 21,980 crore, and the non-contribution of syncing fund Rs 1,191 crore.

“We don’t know how much more debt will be found on digging further. If anybody denies these debts, they are welcome to see the account books,” Naidu said in the Assembly.

He also alleged that the YSRCP government between 2019 and 2024 led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy “totally” reduced capital expenditure, among other irregularities.

Recalling Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s statement ahead of the Assembly election that the anti-incumbency votes should not get divided, Chandrababu said that their alliance received a 93 per cent strike rate after the BJP too joined hands. “This is a classic example of how the people reposed faith in all of us and 100 per cent we will stand by them to keep the promises made to them,” he remarked.

Naidu added that even in 1995, when he was the Minister for Finance before becoming the Chief Minister, the situation in the erstwhile combined Andhra Pradesh wasn’t as bad. “At the time, taking the situation as a challenge, we had taken certain new initiatives then in the administration,” he said.

When the state was bifurcated in 2014, there was absolutely no revenue to the residual Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said. “The days were so hard that doubts were expressed if even salaries and pensions could be paid on time. The TDP and the BJP contested the polls in 2014 and the then government strived hard with the close cooperation of the people, because of which it had overcome the 22.5 million units power scarcity too,” he said.

“The farmers voluntarily came forward to donate 33,000 acres for constructing the capital city while 72 per cent of Polavaram works was completed. Had the TDP come back to power by 2021, the project would have been completed,” he remarked.

Naidu further assured that the state government would implement all the Super-Six promises (made during the elections), in addition to which more welfare schemes and programmes will be implemented. He also said that a separate legislation will be enacted to deal firmly with the “social media psychos,” expressing shock about those who resort to posting highly objectionable comments on their own mother. “How can those who resort to assassinating their own mother’s character be called political leaders?” Naidu asked, in a veiled reference to the deepening rift in the YSR family.

He also informed the Assembly that 300 acres have been allocated for the drone hub, while necessary land has been allotted for the railway zone. “Very soon, foundation will be laid by the Prime Minister and house-warning will be organised in December for one lakh houses. House-sites of two cents in urban areas and three cents in rural areas will be allotted to the eligible beneficiaries,” he added.