Buggana Rajendranath rules out criticism of TDP on Innovation Index of NITI Aayog

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath slammed TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and TDP leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu that they are deliberately spreading lies about state government, in a press meet held at Secretariat on Wednesday.

He said that since past few days Chandrababu Naidu and Ramakrishnudu have been making comments very low to their stature, regarding the NITI Aayog rankings on India Innovation Index 2019. Buggana gave a point to point befitting reply to them.

Minister termed the opposition party leaders' comments as 'mischief' while briefing on the misleading information being publicized by them.

Buggana stated that, "Yanamala alleged that the state government has fallen to tenth rank in India Innovation Index survey by NITI Aayog, due to the misrule of YSRCP government. But, the survey is conducted for the first time, then how the question of falling down arises."

The FM explained that the NITI Aayog survey focused on innovative advancement in education and industrial sectors, and they are based upon the status of various parameters in last 5 to 10 years. It is TDP that was in rule for last 5 years and they are blaming the YSRCP government that is in power since past four months only; he pointed out.

The Finance Minister reminded TDP that their government did not give incentives to industries but kept them in pending. They had shown big figures in budget but actual allocations were nominal. Then how come industries come to the state? Chandrababu Govt had increased the loan burden on state exchequer to Rs 2.60 lakh crores. It is TDP govt that threw power DISCOMs into losses. They had entered into agreements and blaming our government of buying power at excessive rates. Chandrababu and Yanamala had played foul and now blaming our government; he explained.

The Finance Minister said that those persons who have such a stature like former CM or FM should not stoop down so low and make false allegations.

Buggana said that the state government has inherited the worst economic situation from predecessor TDP government. Despite that the YSRCP government is implementing welfare schemes for the public. Buggana responded on Chandrababu Naidu's comment that while TDP government had run Anna Canteens for poor, present government is running liquor shops. Buggana said that the YSRCP government has reduced the number of liquor shops by 20 per cent. Shops with sitting rooms are removed. Liquor availability to public came down. Our government's ultimate aim is total prohibition of liquor and we will achieve it gradually.

While speaking on sand, he admitted that there is a shortage of sand in the state. He said that due to huge flood water intake into major rivers of the state, sand mining became troublesome. By the end of the year sand mining process will be streamlined, the minister assured. He claimed that the state government is successful in controlling the sand mafia.