It seems to be a pattern now. The Naidu government splurges without reason and then talks of putting austerity measures in place.Apparently, a circular will be issued to all government officials and bureaucrats to curtail their spending and the government says that it is not even in a position to pay the salaries of its employees.
If that is indeed the situation, the first person to be blamed should be Chandrababu Naidu. In recent times, the man has used the state treasury like his personal asset to revamp his residences and offices in Hyderabad and Vijayawada apart from having customized buses worth Rs 7 crore made only for his travel.
Now obviously, a CM does need to have proper residences and offices and spend for the same. But not when the rest of the state is reeling under a financial handicap. A leader should lead by example. Mahatma Gandhi did not give a call for the eradication of poverty and untouchability, sporting a Rolex and a Denim T-shirt.
The AP government should first come clean on how much it has spent for the Amaravathi function. Only then, will any cries for help merit consideration from the Centre. Post-Hudhud, Chandrababu estimated the total losses at Rs 70000 crore. Modi gave him Rs 400 crore. Need one say more?