Huge debt burden stands testimony to failure of bureaucrats during YSRCP term, says Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan

The inability of the bureaucrats to say ‘no’ cost the State dearly, as it led to the debt burden touching ₹10 lakh crore during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan observed on December 11, 2024 (Wednesday).

Addressing the District Collectors’ conference at the Secretariat, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, “The bureaucrats could not prevail over the previous government as far as financial discipline was concerned. They failed to discharge their duties. Irregularities on all fronts in the last five years had shaken the very roots of the system. Negligence and indifference had crept into the system.”

“It is painful to see a bureaucracy, which has the power to control unconstitutional decisions, standing helpless. Many bureaucrats lacked the courage to resist injustices at that time. It was astonishing to see IAS officers trained in Mussoorie and IPS officers trained in Hyderabad, who come out as experts in governance, remaining silent during the previous government’s term,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

“It was that helplessness that forced us to take to the street and fight on behalf of the people. No one had responded when blunders were committed right in front of everyone — from movie tickets to sand, liquor sales to looting of natural resources,” he observed.”

In countries such as Syria and Sri Lanka, the executive stood strong even when the rulers failed, and fixed the situation. The people suffered greatly due to the atrocities committed by the previous YSRCP government. “It is saddening to see the flood of complaints from people now. Employees and staff suffered without salary,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said.

Referring to the alleged illegal export of rice meant for Public Distribution System (PDS), the Deputy Chief Minister said he didn’t speak about rice smuggling alone that day.

“Failure to prevent such smuggling activities opens the door for terrorist groups, which can sneak explosive materials to the country. In 2008, terrorists such as Kasab had entered the country through the Mumbai Port and killed about 175 people,” he recalled.

“If the Kakinada port is not secure, where is the guarantee that such incidents won’t happen again? We must also consider the future threats, not just illegal rice smuggling,” he said.