YSRCP alleges massive corruption in Amaravati project

Vijayawada: YSR Congress Party alleged that Chandrababu Naidu-led state govt has turned the capital city Amaravati project into massive scandals with large-scale corruption. Addressing the media on Friday, party state coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy described Amaravati as a "never-ending scam story" and accused chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu of focusing the project primarily for "wealth creation for himself and his close associates". He alleged that the govt's excessive attention on Amaravati has come at the cost of neglecting other regions and key public issues across the state. Sajjala took strong exception to the recent cabinet approval of tenders for the additional fittings for the new secretariat complex at a cost of Rs 2,540 crore. He claimed that the estimated construction cost per square foot could go up to Rs 18,000, which he termed significantly higher than prevailing market rates. According to him, this reflects financial imprudence and raises serious questions over transparency in the tendering process. "The govt is resorting to brazen corrupt practices as the cabinet has been clearing approvals for spending of hundreds of crores in the guise of capital city structures. No govt will spend Rs 3000 crore just to erect mirrors and interiors in the secretariat buildings," said Sajjala. He said that the cabinet is not taking up any proposal that resolves the people's grievances. The YSRCP leader also referred to the earlier "Mavigan" proposal put forward by former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, which received wider public acceptance due to its economic viability and better connectivity to ports, highways and airports. Sajjala criticised the govt for allegedly ignoring pressing issues such as minimum support price, or MSP, for farmers and implementation of welfare schemes. He said that while the state claims financial constraints in establishing medical colleges and other public infrastructure, it is willing to spend heavily on Amaravati projects, benefiting contractors. He accused the govt of deliberately prolonging the capital construction works to facilitate financial gains through inflated contracts. "The rising project costs indicate where the priorities lie," he remarked. Sajjala also alleged that the ruling coalition has been targeting YSRCP leadership and cadre through irrelevant issues and harassment, but asserted that the party would continue to fight back politically with renewed strength in the coming days.