YSRCP alleges ‘misappropriation’ of Rs, 534 cr flood relief funds

Tadepalli: NTR district YSRCP president Devineni Avinash and Vijayawada Mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi strongly condemned TDP coalition leaders for their alleged misappropriation of Rs 534 crore in donor funds meant for flood relief, accusing them of presenting false accounts despite the generous contributions from donors worldwide moved by the plight of flood victims.

Speaking to the media at the party central office here on Monday, Avinash criticised the TDP coalition government for not helping the flood victims as they should have. He said instead of providing aid, the government used the situation for publicity and corruption. He said that the government falsely claimed to have spent Rs 1.4 crore but didn’t set up even one rehabilitation centre.

He also pointed out that the government claimed to have spent Rs 368 crore on food, Rs 26 crore on bottled drinking water and Rs 23 crore on candles and cooking stoves, yet the flood victims didn’t get basic supplies for three days. He demanded that the government reveal the details of the contractors involved and show transparency about how the flood relief funds were used.

Mayor Bhagyalakshmi also questioned the government’s spending, saying the claim of spending Rs 23 crore on candles and matchboxes seemed exaggerated. She doubted the government’s claim of using 412 drones for food distribution, as there was no proof of that during the relief efforts.

She also wondered what happened to the food that charitable organisations, like the Akshaya Patra Foundation, provided every day. Both leaders called for the government to be open about how the money was spent and ensure the victims get the help they need.