Did Jagan Spend Rs 500 Crore on a Palace and Rs 222 Crore on Travel?
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Synopsis
In a striking allegation, Nara Lokesh claims that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy wasted substantial public funds on luxury travel and extravagant properties. As the political tension rises, the truth behind these claims may reshape public perception in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of extravagant spending by the Chief Minister.
- Nara Lokesh claims to have funded his travels personally.
- Public funds reportedly mismanaged during Jagan's tenure.
- Political tensions rise over accountability in governance.
- RTI responses reveal spending patterns on air travel.
Amaravati, Dec 2 (ANS) Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh has claimed that Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy squandered Rs 500 crore on a palace and Rs 222 crore on air travel during his time as Chief Minister.
“While citizens grappled with unemployment and basic services, their Chief Minister was wasting Rs 500 crore on a palace and Rs 222 crore on travel. We are finally uncovering the reality,” stated the minister for education, information technology, and electronics on X.
“Andhra Pradesh needed a comprehensive vision but ended up with lavish vacations instead,” Lokesh added, being the son of Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu.
His comments came in response to a report revealing that Jagan spent Rs 222 crore on air travel over five years as the Chief Minister from 2019 to 2024.
The TDP's official handle on X emphasized how Jagan utilized Rs 222 crore of taxpayer money for his flights, while Lokesh refrained from drawing any funds from the treasury for his trips.
“In his 18 months as a minister, Nara Lokesh did not use any government money for helicopters or special flights for his travels. In contrast, Jagan spent Rs 222 crore in 60 months as Chief Minister on similar services,” the TDP posted.
Responses to applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act indicated that Lokesh financed his 77 flights to Hyderabad using personal funds.
The TDP dismissed as ‘outright falsehoods’ claims suggesting Lokesh utilized a special aircraft for his trips to Hyderabad during the past 18 months.
“None of these trips were personal; Minister Nara Lokesh funded them from his own finances,” the TDP stated in a post on X last week.
“It has emerged through responses from an RTI activist that Minister Nara Lokesh has not claimed any funds from the Human Resources, IT, Electronics, and Real-Time Governance departments under his management for these trips,” it added.
The TDP also shared replies from the concerned departments in response to queries made by activist Kodamala Suresh Babu from Guntur district.
In retaliation, the TDP pointed out how Jagan's expenditure on air travel amounted to Rs 222 crore.
According to Andhra Pradesh Aviation Corporation Ltd (APACL), the government’s total expenditure on air travel between 2019 and 2024 was Rs 222.85 crore. The yearly breakdown includes Rs 31.43 crore for 2019-20, Rs 44 crore for 2020-21, Rs 49.45 crore for 2021-22, Rs 47.18 crore for 2022-23, and Rs 50.81 crore for 2023-24.
The data further reveals Rs 112.50 crore spent on fixed-wing aircraft, Rs 87.02 crore on helicopter costs, and Rs 23.31 crore for operational expenses like crew and handling.
Point of View
The ongoing political battle in Andhra Pradesh underscores the critical need for accountability among public officials. As claims of extravagant spending surface, it’s essential for leaders to prioritize the welfare of citizens over personal luxury, creating an environment of trust and transparency in governance.
NationPress
02/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What allegations did Nara Lokesh make against Jagan Mohan Reddy?
Nara Lokesh accused Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of spending Rs 500 crore on a palace and Rs 222 crore on air travel during his tenure as Chief Minister.
How much did Jagan spend on air travel?
According to reports, Jagan spent a total of Rs 222 crore on air travel between 2019 and 2024.
Did Nara Lokesh use public funds for his travels?
No, Nara Lokesh financed his travels independently, without drawing any funds from the government treasury.
What is the source of these allegations?
The allegations are based on statements made by Nara Lokesh and reports from the Andhra Pradesh Aviation Corporation Ltd regarding government expenditures.
What is the public response to these claims?
The public response has been mixed, with some expressing outrage over the allegations, while others remain skeptical about the accuracy of the claims.
