There are only two hot topics of discussion in Andhra Pradesh these days. These two topics are being discussed in the political circles, media and the general public. These two topics are – the deteriorating financial situation in the state and the cabinet reshuffle. The YSRCP activists, leaders and supporters too are intensely debating the second topic.

The reason for the heated debate is that YS Jagan had promised that there would be a complete rejig of the council of ministers after two-and-a-half years. He said the performance of every minister would be evaluated and new people would be roped in based on this evaluation. YS Jagan took oath as a CM on May 30. So, the two-and-a-half month period would be completed in three months.

Initial reports also said that two ministers from the Reddy community, three from Kapu community, all the BCs, all but one minister in the SC community would be replaced. Almost all the ST ministers would be replaced, according to these reports. But, now sources say that there would be no change of senior ministers. Even among the others, only those facing serious allegations of corruption would be replaced. Sources say that Jagan fears that there would be a major backlash and discontent if the seniors are removed. Similarly, there could be upheaval in the social groups if the existing leaders are replaced. So, the rejig could be minimal.

Sources also said that several of the existing ministers had approached YS Jagan and are said to have pleaded for some more time to prove themselves as Corona has virtually incapacitated them for most of the time. Due to corona they could not discharge their duties to their satisfaction, they said. Sources reveal that Jagan felt they had a point. That, the sources say, could emerge as the main reason for a minimalist cabinet reshuffle.

Andhra Pradesh police at Bhimavaram in West Godavari district heaved a sigh of relief after Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit concluded without any untoward event on Saturday.

Police had some anxious moments on the eve of Reddy’s visit after an unexplained explosion took place on the outskirts of the town.

“We have taken the samples, it is a local thing (blast) from the scrap shop to ascertain how it occurred and what happened,” West Godavari superintendent of police (SP) Rahul Dev Sharma told IANS.

Sharma said police can get an understanding once the reports come as to what actually happened.

On Friday evening, a blast occurred in a scrapyard in the outskirts of the town, forcing police to run helter-skelter considering the CM’s visit in less than 24 hours.

Incidentally, a cow got injured in the blast where discarded electronic appliances were lying.

Besides this, another blast also occurred on the same Undi road when a chemical tanker was being welded without following the standard operating procedures.

“That person had not done welding properly. Without opening the vent he was welding, that’s why a lot of smoke came in and with the build-up of pressure it blew off,” said the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

The second blast occurred around 10.45 p.m., resulting in the tanker’s door getting blown off and falling on nearby power lines, leading to a local blackout.

Fortunately, both of the blasts were some random unexpected events which did not pose any threat to Reddy’s visit.

On Saturday morning, Reddy flew in to Bhimavaram to attend the wedding of Unguturu MLA Puppala Vasu Babu’s daughter.

He flew back to Amaravati after blessing the newly married couple.

Is YS Jagan planning to reshuffle his council of ministers during Vijayadasami festival? YSRCP insiders say, Jagan might effect changes in his cabinet during the festive season. If sources are to be believed, at least 18 of the 25 ministers would be changed. Sources say that Jagan would rejig his cabinet taking into account social and communal balance.

As many as 23 of the 25 ministers have completed two-and-a-half years. The other two ministers were appointed after Mopidevi Venkat Ramana and Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose were sent to the Rajya sabha. Sources say that some of the ministers would be continued but at least 18 of them would be replaced.

There is a general dissatisfaction among the Reddy community, the community to which YS Jagan himself belongs, about being under-represented in the AP Cabinet. Key leaders like Karunakar Reddy, Roja and Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy have been omitted. Some of them are said to be unhappy about being omitted. Sources say, this has been done to ensure that there is adequate representation to SC, ST , BC and minorities.

According to YSRCP sources, Jagan may have to replace the existing ministers with leaders from the same community as that of the outgoing ministers. Thus, an SC will have to be replaced by an SC. This might still leave the Reddy community unhappy. But, that’s one calculated risk that YS Jagan may have to take. Sources say that Jagan is planning to talk to the leaders from his community to wait for some more time.

A NITI Aayog team met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday and presented the SDG India Index 2020-21 report.

The Chief Minister explained to the team the reforms being undertaken by the state government for the integrated development of Andhra Pradesh, prioritising the development of various sectors.

The NITI Aayog team comprising advisor Sanyukta Samaddar, SDG officer Alen John and data analytics officer Saurav Das appreciated the efforts of the state government in achieving sustainable and integrated development.

Under the guidance of NITI Aayog, a two-day workshop is to be organised in the state secretariat on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) India Index 2020-21 and Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), during which the officials will discuss and chart out plans to keep the state ahead in the SDG rankings.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy sought investments in the state when British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming called on him on Tuesday at his camp office.

“The British team expressed interest in investing in health, energy, electric vehicles, agricultural technology and climate change sectors,” said an official statement.

Fleming is leading a delegation to the southern state, which includes the head of British Trade and Investment, Varun Mali.

Based in Hyderabad, the Deputy High Commissioner oversees British interests in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Andhra Pradesh government’s financial crisis has been hitting national headlines for the past few days.

The YSRCP government is drawing flak for financial mismanagement, taking loans over and above the permissible limits and even resorting to irregularities to secure more loans from financial institutions. The government is not in a position to pay even salaries and pensions for employees in time.

But all these are not stopping AP Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy from doling out cash transfer schemes to beneficiaries in the name of welfare schemes or Navaratnalu.

Jagan on Tuesday (today) transferred Rs 192.08 crore into the bank accounts of 80,032 weavers from his official residence in Tadepalli under “YSR Nethanna Nestham” scheme.

As part of this scheme, Jagan promised to transfer Rs 24,000 into the bank accounts of weavers every year.

This is the third instalment released by Jagan The first two instalments were released in 2019 and 2020. Each weaver will get Rs 1.20 lakh in five years. Each weaver has already received Rs 72,000 so far.

Jagan said despite Covid financial crisis, his government is committed to the welfare of all sections of people in AP.

Jagan government has spent Rs 576 crore on this scheme in three instalments so far.

The bankers in Andhra Pradesh are said to be amazed and worried about the kind of demands that the AP Government is making. They are said to have been shocked at the kind of suggestions that the AP Government advanced. The Government wanted the banks to deposit money as matching grants so that the Centre can give its share.

Highly placed sources tracking the financial behaviour of the YSRCP government revealed that the Jagan Government held an important meeting with the bankers. During the meeting, the government told them that the Central Government’s welfare grants totalling Rs 15000 crore a year would be given only when the state government deposits Rs 12000 per year as matching grants in dedicated accounts meant for the specific schemes. Since the State Government did not have adequate revenues, it wanted the banks to deposit the amount as overdraft and then take it back once the Centre deposits its share of money.

This is unacceptable to the banks as it amounts to financial irregularity. The bank officials have reportedly rejected the proposal outright. Sources say that the Central government has brought this new procedure to check diversion of funds. It has reportedly found that the Jagan government was diverting the funds given for specific schemes and was not even releasing the mandatory matching grant. To check this, the Centre said that it would release its share of the funds only after AP deposits the matching grants. Accordingly, the Centre will deposit Rs 30000 crore for two years, only after the AP Government deposits Rs 24000 crore.  It also wanted the login details and passwords for cross verification. Unable to pay the amount, the state government is now said to be forcing the banks to deposit that amount on AP Government’s behalf. 

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday directed officials to take all measures to protect Wakf properties.

“Conduct a comprehensive study on Wakf lands, build compound walls around the properties and look into possibilities if they can be constructed under employment guarantee programme,” he said.

Holding a review meeting on the issue at his camp office, he instructed officials to appoint home guards for security of wakf lands.

“Take suggestions from experts to which extent they can be utilised,” he said.

The Chief Minister told officials to conduct a survey on Wakf lands along with YSR Jaganna comprehensive land survey.

Similarly, Reddy directed officials to set up a Wakf Tribunal in Kurnool.

Meanwhile, officials informed the CM that 500 acres of Wakf lands were freed from encroachments after the YSRCP came to power.

Reddy also directed officials to open new cemeteries for minorities as a priority this year and ensure honorariums are being paid to imams, and pastors on time.