Naidu exploited Kuppam branch canal as fund-raiser, manipulating estimates, says YS Jagan

KUPPAM: In a landmark moment for the people of Kuppam, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated the Kuppam branch canal and released Krishna water to over 4 lakh residents in Kuppam and Palamaneru constituencies on Monday.

The water was sourced from the newly constructed Kuppam branch canal, a monumental project completed at a cost of Rs 560.29 crore under the Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi Project phase-2, located in Rama Kuppam Mandal, Chittoor district.

This significant achievement by the YSRCP Government ensured irrigation water to 6,300 acres of ayacut through 110 minor irrigation tanks in the Kuppam constituency. This development fulfilled the long-standing desire of the people of Kuppam for access to drinking and irrigation water, marking a new era of prosperity and growth for the region.

Speaking at a public meeting at Gundisettipalle in Shanthipuram Mandal, Chief Minister Jagan said: "Krishna water traveled 672 kilometers, over hills and canals, climbed 1,600 feet, and entered our Kuppam constituency from Srisailam, we are making history today."

Exposing the failures of Chandrababu's regime, YS Jagan said, "For 35 years, Chandrababu Naidu represented Kuppam and held the CM office for 14 years. Shockingly, in all this time, he couldn't complete the Kuppam branch canal. Instead, he exploited it as a 'fund-raising project,' manipulating estimates and awarding contracts to his cronies.”

He said that the YSRCP Government transformed neglect into progress, and fulfilled Kuppam's long-awaited dream by providing water to two lakh people. “We've rewritten history with action, not empty promises," he added.

Chief Minister Jagan further lambasted Naidu for committing injustice to the people of his constituency. He said that Chandrababu Naidu, after facing rejection from the people of Chandragiri constituency in the 1983 elections with a humiliating defeat of a 17,000-vote margin, used his money power to capture Kuppam, a BC constituency. For the past 35 years, he maintained control over Kuppam through his financial influence, neglecting the welfare and development of the constituency. “It's time for a change that prioritises the needs and aspirations of the people over personal gains,” he observed.

Highlighting the stark contrast between YSRCP’s social welfare and the previous TDP Government, YS Jagan explained that Chandrababu Naidu allocated Rs 200 crore to provide Rs 1,000 each as a social security pension to just 31,000 beneficiaries in Kuppam.

In contrast, over the last 57 months, the YSRCP government increased the pension amount to Rs 3,000 and extended it to 45,374 beneficiaries in Kuppam, spending a substantial Rs 507 crore solely on pensions in the constituency.

"Who brought Krishna water to your doorstep? Who elevated Kuppam to a municipality? Who established the revenue division and police subdivision in Kuppam? Who constructed integrated government complexes? It is your Jagan. Chandrababu shut down the Chittoor dairy to benefit his company, the Heritage Group. In contrast, our government revived the dairy by partnering with Amul, ensuring fair prices for dairy farmers. Similarly, Chandrababu and his relative Ramoji Rao obstructed the development of Vellore Medical College in Chittoor. It was your Jagan who restarted it," he said.

He mentioned that his Government allocated Rs 66 crore for various developmental projects in the Kuppam municipality, establishing a strong commitment to Kuppam's growth and prosperity.

He highlighted the substantial welfare support provided by his Government to the people of Kuppam. "Over the last 57 months, our government has disbursed benefits totaling Rs 1,400 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Rs 1,889 crore through both DBT and non-DBT means to beneficiaries in the Kuppam constituency. This support has reached 82,039 families out of a total of 87,941 in Kuppam,” YS Jagan said. The YSRCP Government also provided Rs 155 crore in incentives to 35,951 mothers in the Kuppam constituency under the ‘Amma Vodi’ scheme for sending their children to school, he said.