No surge in ailments due to liquor: Andhra ex-minister Vidadala Rajini
VIJAYAWADA: Former minister Vidadala Rajini slammed the NDA government's claims linking YSRCP's liquor policy to a surge in liver and kidney diseases, calling them baseless attempts to tarnish the previous regime.
She refuted the allegations of increased liquor consumption under the YSRCP government, citing data showing a decline in liquor sales from 3.84 crore cases in 2018-19 to 3.32 crore cases in 2023-24, and beer sales dropping from 2.77 crore to 1.12 crore cases.
She highlighted the YSRCP's measures, including reduced hours, and eliminating 43,000 illegal belt shops, besides no reports of illicit liquor deaths during 2019-24.
Rajini accused the coalition of ignoring their record, noting Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's introduction of 200 liquor brands during 2014-19, while the YSRCP maintained existing ones, verified by Chennai's SJS Lab and compliant with the Competition Act.
She emphasised YSRCP's healthcare reforms, expanding Aarogyasri procedures from 1,059 to 3,254, increasing ambulances from 622 to 2,204, and reducing shortage of doctors, nurses, and technicians significantly.
The NDA's claims lack scientific backing, she said, as improved diagnostics under YSRCP led to better case detection, not a liquor crisis.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
YSRCP alleges AP govt withdrew COVID advisory to facilitate TDP's Mahanadu event, blames rise in cases
Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 3 (ANI): Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) Spokesperson Putha Siva Sankar Reddy alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government withdrew the COVID Advisory to favour a TDP event in Mahanadu. Putha Siva Sankar Reddy said, 'On May 24, 2025, the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory warning against all mass gatherings, including prayer meetings, public events, and crowded spaces. However, within just three days--on May 27--the advisory was withdrawn, clearly to allow the TDP to proceed with its massive Mahanadu event.' He further alleged that the TDP government was not bothered about public health. 'As a result of this irresponsible decision, COVID cases have spread across the state, including in Kadapa, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, and Anantapur districts. So far, neither Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu nor other officials have conducted a single review meeting on the COVID situation. At the very least, they should show concern for public health,' he further said. 'During the YSRCP regime, effective measures were taken to handle the pandemic. We implemented the Family Doctor concept and ensured door-to-door delivery of medicines. In contrast, today, all medical colleges have been privatised, and even basic medicines are unavailable in government hospitals,' he further said. Reddy further said that the YSRCP is demanding a review of the COVID situation. 'The state government should conduct a review of COVID and take precautionary measures,' he added. Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India's active COVID-19 case count stood at 3,961 as of 8 AM on Monday, June 2. The cumulative number of deaths since January this year has reached 32, with four new deaths reported on Sunday. According to official data, 203 new cases were added to the active case count since Sunday. Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Kerala each reported one COVID-19 death since Sunday. Delhi reported 47 more COVID-19 cases, increasing the total active cases in the national capital to 483. In Kerala, active COVID-19 cases rose to 1,435, with 35 new cases reported since Sunday. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
YSRCP to observe 'Betrayal Day' across Andhra Pradesh on June 4
Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 3 (ANI): The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has announced that it will observe June 4 as 'Betrayal Day' across all constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, launching statewide protests against the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government's alleged failure to fulfill its pre-election promises. Speaking to ANI on Monday, YSRCP spokesperson Putha Siva Sankar said that protest rallies will be organised at the constituency level, where party workers will also submit representations to local officials. The demonstrations aim to raise awareness among the public about what the YSRCP describes as the ruling alliance's unfulfilled assurances. 'June 4th, YSR Congress Party will be observing the Betrayal Day across Andhra Pradesh in every constituency. We will hold protest rallies and submit the petitions to officials at the constituency level and gather the people about the promises,' said Sankar. He alleged that not even a single promise made by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and his allies has been implemented so far. Among the unfulfilled pledges, Sankar specifically pointed to the 'Super Six', 'Super Seven', and the 154 pre-poll guarantees which had been central to the ruling alliance's election campaign. 'Whatever promises Chandrababu Naidu and his alliance have made, the promises of mainly Super Six and Super Seven and 154 promises they made before elections, no promise has been fulfilled for the people of Andhra Pradesh. Everyone is very angry about this government,' he added. Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders visited the residence of former MLA Kakani Govardhan Reddy in Nellore city on Friday to express solidarity with his family following his arrest in an alleged false case. The leaders extended their support to Reddy's family, condemning the legal action against him. Speaking to ANI, Kakani Poojitha, daughter of Kakani Govardhan Reddy, said, 'My father is an innocent man who has always fought for the people. It is unjust that such a person has been sent to jail in a false case. I sincerely request that my father be released immediately.' The visit comes amid growing support from YSRCP leaders, who have rallied behind Reddy, claiming that the charges against him. Earlier on May 26, Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) condemned the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy and held a protest in Nellore. Along with Chandra Shekhar Reddy, other party leaders, including MLC Parvathareddy Chandrasekhar Reddy and former MLA Kiliveti Sanjeevayya, gathered to express their support and voice their concerns. They stated that Kakani Govardhan Reddy has no direct or indirect connection to the mining case, and arresting him based on someone's false statement is unjust and malicious. Even though he has already challenged the case legally, the ruling party is deliberately obstructing the process to deny him bail, which they described as deplorable. The leaders expressed confidence that Reddy would be acquitted and emerge unscathed in the case. They also said that the unlawful activities and injustices being committed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would soon be brought to the attention of the people, and those responsible will be held accountable. Former Minister Anil Kumar Yadav said, 'Even after a year in power, the alliance government has failed to fulfill a single promise. If they face the public today, people are ready to question them.' He further criticised the TDP government, stating that arrests are being carried out unprecedentedly, not seen since India's independence. 'From former ministers to YSRCP leaders, arrests are being made out of political vengeance. We will fight these cases legally,' he said. He demanded a clear statement from the district SP regarding Kakani Govardhan Reddy's arrest. 'We have received information that he has been detained in the DTC. Filing false cases will not scare the YSR Congress Party. In fact, we will continue to work with even more determination on public issues,' he concluded. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
PM to meet council of ministers on June 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the council of ministers on June 4, days ahead of the first anniversary of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's third term in office on June 9, people aware of the matter said. PM Modi is likely to set the agenda for the remainder of the government's term as well as outline the sectors that will see a renewed push, the people added. The council of ministers also includes leaders from the BJP's alliance partners in the NDA — the Janata Dal (United), the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the Telugu Desam Party, the Shiv Sena, the Apna Dal (Soneylal), the Janata Dal (Secular), the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and the Republican Party of India. 'The ministries have put together reports of their yearlong achievements that will be shared with the people. The PM usually sets the agenda for the government, which the ministries and departments will then be instructed to follow,' a person aware of the details said. The meeting comes on the heels of Operation Sindoor, India's military strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) last month in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. The meeting also comes at a time when the BJP has planned a slew of events to celebrate the completion of 11 years of PM Modi-led government at the Centre. The Modi-led Union government completed 11 years in office on May 26. As part of its '11 Years of Modi Government — Sankalp Se Siddhi (from commitment to accomplishment)' programmes, the BJP has instructed its lawmakers, legislators, corporators, and local body representatives to ensure 100% enrolment in centrally sponsored schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat Yojana for senior citizens.
