In a major escalation of his party's campaign, YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has issued a stern warning of serious consequences, including arrests, for private entities bidding to take over government medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh. He declared that once his party returns to power after the next elections, the private firms and their owners involved in what he termed a "big scandal" to siphon off public money would face legal action.
A Democratic Referendum of One Crore Voices
On Thursday, Jagan Mohan Reddy framed the massive public opposition as a clear verdict. He stated that the overwhelming opposition of more than one crore people to the privatisation represents a democratic public referendum conducted peacefully across the state. Vehicles carrying the physical representations of these one crore signatures reached Lok Bhavan in Vijayawada, where officials from the Governor’s office examined the documents.
The day's events were rich with symbolism. Before meeting the Governor, YS Jagan, along with party legislators, district presidents, and senior leaders, paid tributes at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Social Justice Memorial. This act was intended to reaffirm that the movement is rooted in constitutional values, social justice, and the fundamental right to health.
Formal Submission and Grave Warnings
Subsequently, the YSRCP delegation met Governor S Abdul Nazeer at Lok Bhavan and formally submitted the voluminous signature petitions. Jagan explained in detail the strong public resentment against the Chandrababu Naidu-led government's decision. He emphasized that the signatures reflect the collective will to safeguard public healthcare and affordable medical education for the poor and middle-class families, who he said are inevitably exploited by high tariffs in the private sector.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Jagan Mohan Reddy outlined the dire consequences. "Poor and middle-class families benefit only when hospitals remain in the government sector," he asserted. He warned that if the privatisation is not stopped, future generations will suffer as healthcare falls completely into private hands, leading to unchecked exploitation.
Uncovering a Larger Financial Scam
The YSRCP chief alleged that the scandal is much bigger than it appears on the surface. He made a startling revelation that for two years, the present state government has committed to paying nearly Rs. 120 crore as salaries to the staff of private medical colleges. He condemned this as an unheard-of mechanism where public money is used to subsidise private profit.
Jagan contrasted this with the progress made during his tenure. He recalled that land was acquired, funding was tied up, and seven out of 17 new government medical colleges were completed, creating around 700 new medical seats at highly subsidised fees. He pointed out that with a state budget of Rs. 2.55 lakh crore, it would require only about Rs. 1,000 crore annually to continue this initiative, implying the halt in construction and handover to private entities is a deliberate choice.
Reiterating his party's resolve, Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that the YSRCP would continue its protests and pursue all legal and democratic avenues until the privatisation decision is rolled back. The fight, he stressed, is in the interest of justice, equity, and public welfare for the people of Andhra Pradesh.
