TDP shares air travel record: Lokesh used his own money; Jagan spent Rs 222 crore of public money

Amaravati: Exposing a sharp contrast in travel expenditure, data has revealed that former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy spent Rs 222 crore from the state exchequer on air travel during his five-year tenure, while current Minister Nara Lokesh personally bore the cost of his 77 trips to Hyderabad.

Response to allegations

The issue gained traction after YSRCP leaders accused Lokesh of frequently travelling to Hyderabad at the expense of the government.

In response, the TDP government released an RTI reply obtained by activist Kodamala Suresh Babu, confirming that none of Lokesh’s travel bills were paid by departments under his charge. The RTI shows that the minister personally funded all 77 of his Hyderabad visits.

Meanwhile, documents from the Andhra Pradesh Aviation Corporation reveal that between 2019 and 2024, a total of Rs 2,22,85,25,893 was spent on helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft rentals for Jagan’s official tours. The year-wise expenditure was:

- Rs 31.43 crore in 2019–20

- Rs 44 crore in 2020–21

- Rs 49.45 crore in 2021–22

- Rs 47.18 crore in 2022–23

- Rs 50.81 crore in 2023–24

Public funds were used for travel during Covid

“The payments for helicopter services were made entirely to GMR Aviation Pvt. Ltd., whose chopper fleet was in use during Jagan’s tenure. Fixed-wing aircraft charges were paid to multiple agencies. Records also show that government funds were utilised even for flight expenses incurred during the Covid-19 lockdown period,” said the expenses report.

Sharing the comparison online, the TDP posted on X: “In 18 months as a Minister, Nara Lokesh did not take a single rupee from the government for helicopters or special flights used during his tours. In 60 months as Chief Minister, Jagan spent Rs 222 crore from the state treasury on air travel.”

The contrasting figures have now triggered widespread debate on social media over the travel expenditure of high-ranking leaders.