*Withdraw Ramayapatnam Port privatization decision: YSRCP*

Nellore, June 26: YSRCP has slammed the coalition government for trying to privatize Ramayapatnam Port, which was developed under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to strengthen the blue economy and benefit the fishing community, and demanded that the decision be withdrawn.

Speaking to the media here on Friday, former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy said the government is attempting to privatize Ramayapatnam Port under the DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer) model, which is against the interests of local people and the state's revenue.

He said YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had almost completed the Ramayapatnam Port, along with the Machilipatnam and Mulapeta ports, besides initiating 10 fishing harbours and fish landing centres to promote the blue economy.

He alleged that Chandrababu Naidu was now trying to privatize Ramayapatnam Port, a move that would adversely affect the fishermen living in the surrounding areas.

Referring to Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, he claimed it was developed in a similar manner and that many fishing families had suffered, while the role of the local MP in the disappearance of boats had also been exposed.

As Ramayapatnam Port was built with public funds, Chandrababu Naidu should withdraw the privatization decision. Otherwise, YSRCP would join local fishermen and other affected sections in launching an agitation against the government, he said.

Questioning the rationale behind privatizing a port that was almost completed, he said Chandrababu Naidu had no explanation and was only trying to hand over the project under the DBFOT model to deny YS Jagan Mohan Reddy credit for developing the port.

He further alleged that when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had initiated the establishment of 17 medical colleges, Chandrababu Naidu attempted to privatize 10 of them, reflecting a policy of creating wealth for a select few at the cost of public welfare.

While YS Jagan Mohan Reddy focused on creating better opportunities for fishermen through infrastructure development, Chandrababu Naidu was only interested in privatization with no concern for local communities or weaker sections, he said, reiterating the demand to withdraw the decision to privatize Ramayapatnam Port.