YSR Congress Party Chief YS Sharmila has criticised the Andhra Pradesh government for failing to support farmers affected by recent heavy rains. She stated that the floods have compounded the already severe struggles of local farmers and called on the coalition government to take immediate action to aid them.
Sharmila also condemned the central government for not providing sufficient assistance to the state over the past decade. She urged former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to work towards debt relief for AP farmers.
“Looks like the Modi government does not consider Andhra Pradesh to be a part of India. While states like Bihar, Assam, and Himachal Pradesh received additional funds for flood control and rehabilitation; Andhra Pradesh, the state where NDA is in power, received no relief for the woes people are facing here due to flooding,” said Sharmila.
Earlier, YS Sharmila also lamented over raw deal towards the state in the Union Budget. Stating that the budget should contain figures, not big promises, she described it as a BJP’s Manifesto, but not a budget at all.
She recalled that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has sought Rs 1 lakh crore assistance from the center, but the budget provides only Rs 15,000 crore. She asked how much funds are going to be given to Polavaram Project, Industrial Corridors and Backward regions?
She advised the BJP leadership that “you can say whatever you want in the election manifesto. Anything can be guaranteed. But, budget means numbers. There should be a time limit. But it is purely a manifesto”.
Though Chandrababu asked only Rs 1 lakh crore for the state, Sharmila said that it needed Rs 12 lakh crore. If the center gives Rs 5 lakh crore, at the rate of Rs 1 lakh crore every year, how can it be utilized?, she asked.
With regard to AP Reorganization Act, Sharmila reminded the first and most crucial issue is according special category status to Andhra Pradesh. But, she wondered if the finance minister was silent on this important issue. Why is the Chief Minister hesitating to raise issues of concern with the Modi government, though his support is crucial for the very survival of the government, she asked.