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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

JC's remarks on YSR trigger controversy

Special Correspondent

Diwakar Reddy wanted review of welfare schemes initiated by the former Chief Minister

J.C. Diwakar Reddy

HYDERABAD: Even as the Rosaiah administration is grappling with the aftermath of the cyclone, a controversy has erupted in the ruling Congress over the remarks of its senior leader, J.C. Diwakar Reddy, who called for a review of the welfare schemes initiated by former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Interestingly, Mr. Diwakar Reddy, who is considered to be close to Mr. Rosaiah, had called for the review on the ground that the State's financial position was precarious.

Danam's poser

Objecting to his comments, Health Minister Danam Nagender wondered why Mr. Diwakar Reddy had not spoken his mind when he was in YSR's Cabinet.

Talking to reporters, he said one could seek for a review of the manner in which the schemes were being implemented but it was not proper to ask for halting them. A Cabinet Sub-Committee was already looking into ways of augmenting the finances.

Joins issue

Panchayat Raj Minister Botcha Satyanarayana also joined issue with Mr.Diwakar Reddy and attributed the financial problems to the fall in revenue earnings compared to last year and asserted that the government was only trying to plug “leakages” in the schemes. He warned that he would not sit quiet if any attempt was made to dilute the schemes initiated by YSR.

Resource mobilisation

Tourism Minister J. Geetha Reddy ruled out the question of ending the schemes initiated by YSR which have become quite popular. The task before the government was to mobilise more resources to implement them in view of the financial crunch.

PCC president D.Srinivas sought to play down the controversy saying that there was nothing wrong to seek a review of the schemes as it was meant to improve their implementation. Reviewing various schemes was part of administrative routine and used to be done during YSR's time too.

Unfortunate

However, party general secretary Ambati Rambabu described Mr.Diwakar Reddy's comments as unfortunate and maintained that the Congress was voted back to power because of YSR's schemes.

It was the government's responsibility to implement them. Reviewing the schemes per se would tantamount to cutting the branch on which one is sitting.

JC's clarification

Meanwhile, Mr. Diwakar Reddy clarified that he had only sought a re-look at the implementation of the schemes and not for doing away with them.

In some instances even well-to-do people were availing of some of the benefits meant for the needy and it was having an impact on the economy. His views were endorsed by Congress MLA P. Kista Reddy.

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