*PPP Policy will loot public assets*

Kakinada, August 11: Former minister Kurasala Kannababu said that the Andhra Pradesh government’s PPP-2026 policy is aimed at handing over public assets and essential services to private companies while making people bear the cost through user charges.

Speaking to media here on Tuesday, he said projects worth Rs 1.23 lakh crore were proposed under the PPP infrastructure pipeline, while around Rs 1,500 crore was being earmarked for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) in 2026-27.

Kannababu questioned why the government should provide land, financial assistance, loans and concessions to private companies and then allow them to collect user charges from the public.

He said roads, ports, education, healthcare, drinking water, irrigation, sanitation, housing, markets, bus terminals, parks and other public infrastructure were being brought under the PPP model. Privatising essential services would hurt poor and middle-class families, he said.

Kannababu demanded disclosure of all PPP projects, including land allotted and its market value, private investment, government contribution, VGF, tax concessions and proposed user charges. DPRs, financial models, land valuations and concession agreements should also be made public.

He demanded that the government withdraw the PPP-2026 policy or hold a public debate, warning that YSRCP would strongly oppose any attempt to hand over public assets to private interests.