Andhra Pradesh CM Criticizes Rishikonda Palace Construction
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has criticized the previous YSR Congress-led government for spending Rs 431 crore on the Rishikonda Palace. During his visit to the 61-acre site, he questioned the use of public funds for such a lavish project.
Without naming former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Naidu questioned how someone who spent so much on a luxurious residence could claim to be a leader of the poor. Initially, the plan was to build seven blocks over 10 acres, but it was amended to four blocks over 1.84 acres, completed by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC).
Naidu detailed the costs: Rs 92 crore for the first phase, Rs 94 crore for the second, and Rs 112 crore for the third. Additional expenses included Rs 46 crore for infrastructure and Rs 1 crore for water supply. Landscaping cost Rs 21 crore, and interior works amounted to Rs 33.48 crore.
Naidu stated that an official committee proposed converting the site into a camp office-cum-residence for the Chief Minister. He emphasized the need to consult the public on the palace’s future use and criticized the previous government for not allowing visits to the site.
Naidu suggested that the funds could have been better spent on infrastructure projects in northern Andhra Pradesh.
Doubts Revealed
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its rich culture, history, and beautiful landscapes.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in an Indian state. The Chief Minister is responsible for making important decisions and running the state.
Chandrababu Naidu -: Chandrababu Naidu is a politician in India who has served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He is a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Rishikonda Palace -: Rishikonda Palace is a building project in Andhra Pradesh. It was constructed by the previous government and has been criticized for its high cost.
YSR Congress -: YSR Congress is a political party in India, mainly active in Andhra Pradesh. It was led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was the Chief Minister before Chandrababu Naidu.
Rs 431 crore -: Rs 431 crore is a large amount of money, where ‘Rs’ stands for Indian Rupees. A crore is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to ten million (10,000,000).
Public funds -: Public funds are money collected by the government from people through taxes. This money is supposed to be used for the benefit of the public, like building roads, schools, and hospitals.
Infrastructure projects -: Infrastructure projects are large construction projects that help improve the basic facilities in an area, like roads, bridges, and water supply systems.