Andhra Pradesh CM spent Rs. 16cr on office, residence
What's the story
While multiple construction workers in Andhra Pradesh have committed suicide over an employment crisis, it seems Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has been busy redecorating his home. Reportedly, Reddy has spent almost Rs. 16 crore on the camp office and CM's residence, including Rs. 73 lakh on doors and windows alone. This has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. Here are more details.
Details
Truly cringe-worthy: Former AP CM Naidu
On Wednesday, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu and former CM N Chandrababu Naidu shared a government order, dated October 15, approving a grant of Rs. 73 lakh for installation of aluminum windows and doors at the CM's residence. Naidu wrote, "This comes at a time when AP is grappling with the fiscal mess caused by mismanagement in the last 5 months. Truly cringe-worthy!"
Twitter Post
'Super expensive view at the expense of State exchequer'
.@ysjagan’s Govt has allotted a whopping Rs. 73 LAKHS to fix WINDOWS for his house! Now that’s one super expensive view at the expense of State exchequer! This comes at a time when AP is grappling with fiscal mess caused by mismanagement in the last 5 months. Truly cringe-worthy! pic.twitter.com/ABz5Vva2FB
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) November 6, 2019
Information
View cutters at Reddy's home cost Rs. 3.25 crore
Notably, Reddy's government had razed a conference hall built by his predecessor Naidu for Rs. 8 crore, stating that it was "illegal." Several other sanctions, including a Rs. 3.25 crore grant for view cutters at Reddy's home, took the total expenditure to Rs. 15.79 crore.
Other expenses
Reddy spent Rs. 8.5L for electrical-maintenance; Rs. 5cr for roads
Since taking office in May, Reddy has reportedly spent Rs. 15.79 crore on the CM's new camp and residence building. Naidu shared GOs of other sanctions including: Rs. 5cr grant on June 25 for road-widening at Tadepalli residence. Rs. 1.895L for security arrangement on June 26. Rs 8.5L for electrical maintenance on July 9. Rs. 2.5L for 'Praja Vedika'—a public grievances hall—on August 20.
Criticism
Nara Lokesh calls Reddy a 'hypocrite'
Further, Naidu's son and TDP national secretary Nara Lokesh also accused Reddy of being a hypocrite as "he says he takes home Re. 1 as salary." Terming the Rs. 73 lakh sanction "unbelievable," Lokesh criticized the CM for quoting a deficit in the budget when it came to compensation of construction workers while spending exorbitant amounts of money on his residence.
History
Reddy facing criticism since taking power in May
To recall, Reddy took office on May 30 after a landslide victory in the Andhra Pradesh elections, driving Naidu out of power. Ever since, he has invited criticism over renaming schemes of the previous government after his father YS Rajashekhara Reddy. His move to paint a village secretariat building in the colors of his party YSR Congress was also condemned.