PEOPLE’S RESPONSE: Welfare schemes are fine, not taxes

Tallavalasa (Visakhapatnam): A cross-section of the people here have expressed different opinions over the critical remarks made against AP government by former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu at the Baadude Baadudu on Thursday.

The DC reporter gathered views from the people on the rule of Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy and the issues raised by Naidu at the state-wide protest at Srikakulam a day ago.

Stated tailor Shankara Rao: “Welfare schemes like housing, Ammavadi, Vidya Deevena and the offer of Rs 10,000 to tailors like me are of help to many families. But, the decisions taken by the government like increasing the electricity charges are putting a burden on the poor people. What Naidu said is true. I used to pay Rs 165 as electricity charges in the past. Now, it has doubled.”

Responded housewife Parvathamma: “My husband was working in a laboratory in Bhimili. Help for children's education, the English medium concept etc are good. After the Corona pandemic, I shifted my children to a government school, which is run well under the Naadu-Nedu scheme. Jagan's policies on education are good for children."

Almost everyone said they expected the government to reconsider some of its decisions like collection of tax on waste, rise in petrol charges. They said more job opportunities should be created in the state. “We are not in a position to bear these increased rates.”

Suryanarayana, a retired teacher sipping tea at an eatery, said a lot of changes came about in AP politics. “Almost all politicians are engaged in the politics of revenge.

"Instead, both the government and the opposition should focus on the interests of the states," he said.