Urea crisis, healthcare, Steel plant privatization expose Govt’s incompetence

Visakhapatnam, September 7: Former Minister and leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Botsa Satyanarayana condemned the state government’s decision to privatize public healthcare, calling it corrupt, exploitative, and anti-people.
No government in the past had ever handed over the medical and health sector to private players, but Chandrababu Naidu continues to favor corporate interests over public welfare. In contrast, the YSRCP government sanctioned 17 new medical colleges and completed five, even during the COVID-19 crisis, launching admissions on time and strengthening public healthcare.
Privatizing government-built medical colleges amounts to betraying the poor. YSR introduced Aarogyasri to provide corporate-quality treatment to the underprivileged, but the present government has weakened it by starving it of funds. Network hospitals are now refusing patients due to non-payment of dues. Despite borrowing ₹2 lakh crores, the government has failed to allocate even ₹6,000 crores for public health.
On the urea crisis, Botsa charged the government with gross incompetence. Artificial shortage is being created under its watch, pushing farmers into distress. Ministers further insulted farmers by comparing them to buffet queues. Instead of threatening those who question, the Chief Minister must explain why such scarcity exists only in Andhra Pradesh and not in BJP-ruled states. YSRCP has called for statewide protests on September 9 at all RDO offices demanding immediate resolution.
On the Vizag Steel Plant, Botsa demanded categorical assurances from the Prime Minister or Union Steel Minister against privatization and announced participation in the September 12 Round Table meeting.
On the Rushikonda issue, he said the government has already handed over vast lands to outsiders and may do the same with the new buildings. If confused, it may as well turn them into wedding destinations. Responding to Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s suggestion of a mental hospital, Botsa stated such remarks reflect the mental state of those making them.
Botsa concluded that privatizing healthcare and failing farmers expose the government’s incompetence. People are watching and will hold the rulers accountable.