Naidu promised during the elections to give Rs. 15,000 annually to every badge-holding auto driver. In Andhra Pradesh, there are about 15 lakh such drivers. Beyond them, he also pledged the same benefit to lorry and tipper drivers.
But in the end, he restricted the scheme to just 2.9 lakh auto drivers, leaving out nearly 80% of the beneficiaries. Under the banner of “Driver Seva”, Naidu disbursed only Rs. 436 crore.
During the COVID crisis, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government had supported drivers through the YSR Vahana Mitra scheme. Now, Naidu’s government has cut their livelihoods and, after two years, handed out a meagre Rs. 10,000, an outright betrayal that has angered auto drivers.
12 Lakh drivers cheated
Out of more than 15 lakh eligible drivers, the coalition government excluded 12 lakh citing eligibility rules. Of 3,21,531 who applied, only 2,90,669 were declared eligible. Based on the election promise, the government should have spent Rs. 2,250 crore, but instead settled with just Rs. 436 crore—an 80% cut from what was promised.
YS Jagan govt showed by Deeds
For Y.S. Jagan, the manifesto was sacred—like the Gita, Quran, or Bible. Once in power, he implemented Navaratnalu schemes for all eligible beneficiaries. The YSR Vahana Mitra scheme covered every self-owned auto, taxi, maxi cab, and ration vehicle driver. Even during COVID, support was given without interruption.
“Driver Seva” – Just a Show
At yesterday’s launch of “Driver Seva,” Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and Minister Nara Lokesh rode in autos in what turned into a showpiece event. The spectacle resembled a movie shoot. After stepping out of the auto, Pawan Kalyan gave a Rs. 100 note to the driver—seen as pure drama. Lokesh, while riding in a lady driver’s auto, made inappropriate comments that went viral on social media.
Critics point out that while the coalition focuses on publicity for schemes, it lacks sincerity in implementing them.
