VIJAYAWADA: In his first reaction after the arrest of TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asserted that no one is above the law.
The former chief minister was arrested on September 9 for his alleged role in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam. He was shifted to the Rajahmundry Central Prison after the special court for ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau) cases remanded him to 14 days in judicial custody.
Speaking during an event held at Nidadavolu in East Godavari district on Saturday for the distribution of Rs 536.77 crore under the Kapu Nestham scheme to benefit 3,57,844 women belonging to Kapu, Ontari, Balija and Telaga communities, Jagan remarked, “Looting and cheating people has been Naidu’s political ideology for the past 45 years.”
Stating that probe agencies have procured compelling evidence pointing to the TDP supremo’s involvement in the scam, Jagan noted that the State Crime Investigation Department (APCID) has proof that Naidu had signed at 13 places in the documents pertaining to the Skill Development Corporation.
“Central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), too, have investigated the case and arrested people involved in the scam. Not just that, Naidu’s personal assistant also played a role in the scandal and fled abroad,” he added.
“Who should be sent to prison when all the evidence and investigations point a finger at Naidu? If not in prison, where else should Naidu be lodged,” he questioned.
Further, he said, “Despite all the proof, an influential gang of his associates is trying to protect him. They are trying to convince 10 crore people that he did nothing wrong.”
Citing the ‘Note for Vote’ case, Jagan said, “There was video and audio evidence against the former chief minister in the scam. It was even certified by forensic experts. People were aware that it was Naidu’s voice in the audio clip and that money offered in exchange for votes was black money. Yet, his supporters gave him a clean chit and pronounced him innocent. This is because they too were partners in the crime.”
Reiterating that the law is the same for powerful people as well as the common man, the Chief Minister said, “The CID also submitted before the court the Income Tax (IT) Department notice issued to Naidu.”
Lashing out at Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, Jagan sought to know if the actor-politician really cared about the people of Andhra Pradesh, and why has he not questioned Naidu’s role in the scam through which public money was looted. “Why isn’t he asking where the money went,” he questioned.
Pawan had recently announced that the JSP would fight the 2024 elections along with the TDP.
Over Rs 39,000 crore extended to Kapu women in State
After releasing the financial assistance under Kapu Nestham for the fourth year, the Chief Minister said his government is implementing the scheme even though it was not mentioned in the election manifesto.
He added, “So far, we have spent Rs 2,069 crore by extending Rs 15,000 to Kapu women aged between 45-60 years. A sum of Rs 22,333 crore has been spent under YSR Cheyutha, Kapu Nestham and other welfare schemes.”
Further, he explained that 16.70% of the total Rs 2.35 lakh crore spent on welfare schemes, which is Rs 39,247 crore, was provided to women belonging to Kapu communities.
Highlighting the various initiatives that benefitted the community, the Chief Minister said, “Over 34,37,000 women have received benefits under YSR Cheyutha, Kapu Nestham and other schemes. The YSRC government has created 2,06,000 permanent jobs in the last four years, of which 9.5% jobs went to Kapu youth and women. As many as 2,46,000 house sites were given to Kapu women. Besides, we have also ensured social justice by allocating 12% nominated posts to Kapus and appointing a Kapu Deputy Chief Minister for their political empowerment.”
Rs 66 crore sanctioned to lay BT road
Responding to local MLA Srinivas Naidu’s request, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy sanctioned Rs 66 crore for laying a BT road for the benefit of 17 villages in the constituency, Rs 19 crore for upgrading the local hospital into a 100-bed structure. He also promised to construct community halls for SCs and BCs and a hall for all communities