Jagan Criticizes Chandrababu’s Government Over Education and Employment Promises
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of undermining key welfare schemes and pushing students into hardship. In a social media post, Jagan strongly condemned the police action against students, parents, and unemployed youth who participated in the "Yuvatha Poru" protest organized by YSRCP.
Jagan alleged that despite attempts by the police to disrupt the protest, students voiced their grievances against the difficulties imposed by the current government. "Chandrababu garu, this is the first warning from students and unemployed youth. Our government, with a firm commitment that no student should be deprived of higher education due to poverty, implemented the Vidya Deevena scheme for full fee reimbursement and the Vasathi Deevena scheme for hostel and mess charges. However, your government has completely weakened these initiatives," Jagan stated.
He further criticized Chandrababu Naidu, claiming that the financial support promised under fee reimbursement has not been fully disbursed. "For the January-March 2024 quarter, the fee reimbursement amount should have been verified in April and paid in May. Annually, ₹2,800 crore must be allocated for fee reimbursement, with an additional ₹1,100 crore for hostel expenses under the Vasathi Deevena scheme—amounting to ₹3,900 crore per year. However, Chandrababu garu, you have released only ₹700 crore, and even that has not reached all students," Jagan alleged.
He questioned Chandrababu Naidu’s commitment to students, asking, "Does this not mean you are neglecting the education and future of poor students? Are you not pushing their lives into darkness? Is this not a betrayal of students?"
Jagan also criticized Chandrababu Naidu for not fulfilling promises related to employment. "You promised 20 lakh jobs or an unemployment allowance of ₹3,000 per month. For this, ₹7,200 crore should have been allocated annually. However, in last year's budget, not a single rupee was assigned. Even this year, no funds have been allocated. In the past two years, each unemployed youth has been denied ₹72,000," he claimed.
The YSRCP leader further alleged that the current government is attempting to privatize new medical colleges established by the previous administration, making quality healthcare inaccessible to the poor and restricting medical education opportunities for underprivileged students.
"Chandrababu garu, have you ever seen so many unemployed youth, students, and parents protesting against a government within just one year of coming to power?" Jagan asked.
He praised those who participated in the "Yuvatha Poru" protest, commending students, parents, unemployed youth, YSRCP leaders, and activists for making the movement successful. He assured that the YSRCP would continue to stand by students and other affected communities.