Sensational: YSR insulted by PC.

This is a major blow to state government and also the ambitions and goals of Late YSR. At a meeting of Central Planning Commission in Hyderabad to discuss the direction of development of State through Government welfare policies and schemes and to finalize the states annual plan 2010-11, it was a dire shock that Planning Commission has given the thumbs down to practically every scheme launched by late chief minister YSR during the last five years and more or less directed his successor Rosaiah.

Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen wondered how a state’s 80 per cent of the population was poor and yet it recorded the highest growth in the country. Major schemes that were criticized by Planning Commission:

>1. Free Power to Farmers, Paavala Vaddi, Agricultural Input Subsidies, Loan waivers:
Planning Commission comments: You have had good rains and bumper crops in the last four years. The agriculture growth rate is shown as very high. In such a situation, why do farmers need subsidies and why sops like loan waivers, paavala vaddi scheme, free power and input subsidies? Such subsidies are necessary only when there is drought and crop failure. When everything is ok, why such a huge unproductive expenditure?

>2. Arogya Sri:
Planning Commission comments: State Government spends 66 per cent of its health care budget or Rs 800 crore every year on Arogyasri. You have brought under it every disease and ailment from common cough to heart attack and almost all the cases are being treated in corporate hospitals. Through this scheme, you are indirectly fattening the corporate hospitals and killing the state health system.

>3. Power Subsidy to industries:
Planning Commission comments: The industrial power tariff in Andhra Pradesh is already very low compared to other states. Therefore, there is no reason to give them any more incentives. Take away with the power subsidy being extended to industries.

So, why did Planning Commission open its eyes very late, when Central patted YSR for his brilliant work? Is this a plan to side track the development of Andhra Pradesh? Or do you think the word FREE should be completely banned from the state? What do you comment folks...