Amaravati, March 9 (NationPress) Y. S. Sharmila Reddy, the President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress unit, accused the government of committing 'murders' following the tragic demise of 11 individuals due to milk adulteration in Rajahmundry. In a vehement critique of the state government, she claimed that the administration had shown a shocking level of negligence and a total inability to safeguard food safety.

After visiting victims receiving treatment at KIMS Hospital in Rajahmundry, Sharmila emphasized that the incident was not merely an accident but the end result of years of governmental indifference and lack of oversight.

In her statements to the press, she pointed out that the Varalakshmi milk vendor had been functioning without a proper license for nearly 11 years, yet the Food Safety Department failed to conduct any inspections or take necessary actions. She raised concerns about how this illegal dairy business was allowed to operate freely for over a decade without any action from the authorities, stressing that such negligence inevitably leads to the loss of innocent lives.

Sharmila further stated that numerous individuals fell seriously ill after consuming milk allegedly tainted with ethylene glycol, with many still fighting for their lives and some requiring ventilator support.

She highlighted the dire situation regarding food safety in Andhra Pradesh, noting that adulteration has become pervasive, impacting not only milk but also ghee, liquor, drinking water, and other vital food products, while the monitoring agencies remain largely inactive.

Sharmila pointed out that Rajahmundry reportedly has just one Food Safety Officer, who is not even stationed there consistently, underscoring the critical shortage of regulatory personnel.

Holding the government accountable, she asserted that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu must accept both moral and administrative responsibility for this tragedy. She called for an immediate overhaul of the Food Safety Department through extensive recruitment and rigorous, regular inspections to avert further fatalities.

Moreover, she demanded that the compensation for the victims' families be raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Sharmila criticized former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for his lack of empathy, as he did not visit the victims, indicating a failure to show concern for the plight of ordinary citizens.

She warned that if the government continues to neglect public health and food safety, similar tragedies could happen again. Sharmila urged the administration to take immediate action and ensure stringent enforcement of safety regulations throughout the state.