While the late YSR infused humanity into governance, earning a lasting place in people’s hearts, his son, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, advanced his vision with innovative schemes. Yet, Chandrababu, despite claiming to be a visionary, failed to introduce new initiatives and dismantled YSR and Jagan’s transformative programs.
YSR’s Golden Era of Governance
YSR revolutionized welfare and development, making agriculture thrive through Jala Yagnam and farmer-friendly schemes, showcasing true people-centric governance. On May 14, 2004, as Chief Minister, he signed the first file for free agricultural electricity, waiving Rs. 1,100 crore in dues and powering over 35 lakh pump sets. Despite the subsidy rising from Rs. 400 crore to Rs. 6,000 crore, YSR upheld the promise. Even TDP’s Chandrababu, who ridiculed the scheme, had to continue it when in power.
Arogyasri: A Healthcare Revolution
From 2004 to 2007, YSR disbursed Rs. 168.52 crore for medical aid under the CM Relief Fund. Recognizing the poor’s struggles, he launched Arogyasri for free corporate-level healthcare, eliminating their need to seek aid at the CM’s office. The scheme became a healthcare lifeline, inspiring the central government’s Ayushman Bharat. YSR also introduced 108 and 104 ambulance services.
Jala Yagnam: 41 irrigation Projects completed
YSR’s Jala Yagnam diverted river waters to make Telugu lands fertile, initiating 86 projects, including Polavaram, and completing 41 within five years, irrigating 23.49 lakh acres—a national record in irrigation.
Fee Reimbursement: Empowering poor students
To ensure no one was denied higher education due to poverty, YSR introduced fee reimbursement, believing access to fields like medicine and engineering could eradicate poverty. He established universities in every district, a horticulture university in Tadepalligudem, a veterinary college in Tirupati, and an IIT near Hyderabad. IIITs in Basar, Idupulapaya, and Nuzvid provided higher education to lakhs.
Homes for the Poor in every village
In the United States, YSR ensured every poor applicant received a house, overseeing large-scale housing construction across villages.
Shielding against Economic Recession
The 2007–09 global recession impacted India, but YSR protected the state through irrigation projects, housing, and road development, maintaining economic stability.
Investment boom under YSR
From 2004 to 2009, the state led in investments with Sri City SEZ and widespread industries, creating abundant jobs. Ports like Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, and Kakinada boosted exports, while Shamshabad International Airport put Hyderabad on the global map, driving a 566% rise in IT exports.
YS Jagan: Advancing His Father’s Vision
Founding the YSR Congress Party, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy governed exceptionally, continuing YSR’s schemes while delivering fourfold welfare. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, he sustained welfare and development, prioritizing social justice with representation for BC, SC, ST, and minorities, and 50% posts for women. His secretariat and volunteer systems ensured door-to-door welfare delivery.
Jagananna Colonies built entire villages, Arogyasri expanded to 3,300 procedures, and fee reimbursements were credited on time. Farmers benefited from timely crop loss compensation, free crop insurance, and the Rythu Bharosa scheme, supported by a Rs. 3,000 crore price stabilization fund. Schemes like YSR Sunna Vaddi aided 84,66,217 farmers with Rs. 2,050 crore, YSR Free Crop Insurance supported 54,75,651 farmers with Rs. 7,802 crore, and input subsidies helped 34,41,500 farmers with Rs. 3,261.61 crore. The Amma Vodi scheme provided Rs. 26,067 crore to 44,48,865 mothers over five years, while government schools were upgraded to rival private ones. Schemes like Jagananna Vasathi Deevena, Vidya Deevena, and others supported students, with Rs. 2.73 lakh crore transferred via various welfare programs. Jagan revived the stalled Polavaram project and secured foreign investments, ranking the state first in Ease of Doing Business for three years.
Chandrababu’s dismantling of YSR and Jagan’s Legacy
Chandrababu scrapped YSR and Jagan’s schemes, starving Arogyasri of funds, leaving poor patients without quality care, and moving to privatize it. Government hospitals lack medicines. Jagan’s 17 medical colleges, with five operational, face privatization as coalition leaders reject additional medical seats. Feeamna
