Chandrababu’s Unemployment Allowance To Youth Another Betrayal

Kathipudi, East Godavari District: Today my padayatra passed through Gollaprolu of Pithapuram constituency and Shankavaram mandal of Prathipadu constituency. In the last elections, Prathipadu people voted for YSR Congress Party, but the winning leader got influenced by Chandrababu’s temptations and shifted from YSRCP to TDP. That the the region remains underdeveloped to this day is another matter, what's shocking is the fact that even the funds released for construction of toilets have been siphoned off. The corruption is so rampant here that even Annavaram temple is not spared.

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This morning, unemployed youth from Pithapuram met me. There were 1.42 lakh posts vacant when the state was bifurcated and over the four and half years various posts have got vacant. But the TDP government has not been filling up the vacant positions. With elections round the corner, the government has now promised to pay Rs 1000 to a few people as unemployment allowance. Is this not betrayal, the unemployed youth asked me.

“Anna, Chandrababu has neither created new employment opportunities nor has he filled up the vacant posts. He has not even regularized contract employees. Above all, he has reduced the number of employees and even done away with many posts. In the name of outsourcing, many jobs have been handed over to private firms, because they pay huge commissions. Chandrababu is the reason for unemployment in the state,” they lamented.

Raju from Tirumali, belonging to Kapu community met me. He works as a driver at a private firm and is an ardent fan of my father Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy. “Sir, thanks to your father my co-brother was treated for heart disease free of cost under Arogya Sri. My children could pursue their studies because of the fee reimbursement. This is the reason I have placed your father’s photo next to God in my house,” he said. On hearing this I felt happy and proud.

Later, Chebrolu Handloom Cooperative Society members met me and said Dr YSR issued loan waivers to handloom societies to revive the industry. But Chandrababu has once again pushed it into debts and even closed many societies, they said.

Asha worker Satyavati said over the last four and half years, the government did not bother about their salaries. But now there would be a hike in their salaries since elections were coming up, she told me when she met me today. Listening to them, I was remembered of my father’s padayatra. It was in Prathipadu, that my father’s padayatra had touched the 1000 kilometres milestone. During that time, my father had said, “I am sure this Praja Prasthanam will bring down the government. Having forgotten people all these years, and now showering so many sops is a reflection of their true colours.” I am remembered of these words which he had written in his diary. Then and now, it is Chandrababu ruling the state. Unfortunately, there has been no change in Chandrababu, the only change is that he has gained more experience in cheating people.

I have a question for the chief minister—You had promised at least one job per household or unemployment allowance of Rs 2000. For four and half years, you had conveniently forgotten about it. Now that the elections are approaching, you have promised to give Rs 1000 to a few people. Is this not betrayal to the youth of the state? Just like you had cheated farmers and self-help groups in the name of loan waivers, you are also cheating the youth. Is it fair on your part?