Chandrababu Naidu Fudging Stats As No Correlation of GSDP, Revenues: Buggana Rajendranath Reddy

Hyderabad: YSRCP expressed its dismay over the unjustifiable statements by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu as the CM claims AP is surpassing the nation's average in gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. YSRCP MLA from Dhone and PAC Chairman Buggana Rajendranath Reddy on Thursday pointed out that there's no correlation between GSDP as claimed by Naidu and actual revenues of the state. Slammed Naidu for his bad propaganda to boost his image, Buggana further made it clear that AP has received neither special package nor special category status.

Generally, revenues will pick up along the GDP growth rate. Why do countries and states clamour for higher GDP growth rate? It is simply because higher GDP growth inevitably leads to higher revenue growth. Higher revenues in the hands of liberal democracy mean higher welfare and development. But, where is the revenue growth commensurate with GSDP growth rate for AP and what is happening to those investments?

Speaking to the media here, Buggana said: "Generally, revenues will pick up along the GDP growth rate. Why do countries and states clamour for higher GDP growth rate? It is simply because higher GDP growth inevitably leads to higher revenue growth. Higher revenues in the hands of liberal democracy mean higher welfare and development. But, where is the revenue growth commensurate with GSDP growth rate for AP and what is happening to those investments?"

Referring to Naidu's statistics presented during the district Collectors' meeting on September 28, Buggana said sarcastically he wants to know what made AP surpassing states like Gujarat, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. "What a remarkable performance!! Not many states including Gujarat, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka are anywhere near this performance," said Buggana.

Naidu claims that during 2015-16 financial year, GDP grew 7.5 percent and GSDP grew 10.99 percent. Naidu further said that GDP is expected to be 7.31 percent for the first quarter of 2016-17 fiscal and 12.26 percent GSDP.

Buggana said: " I have taken all these statistics from Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's core dashboard only. Naidu's numbers gimmick gives a false impression that our state is progressing, but in reality the situation is different. During the same period, revenues to the Centre rose 30 percent, while it was only 13 percent for AP. I ask Chandrababu Naidu how could it be possible?"

Criticizing Naidu further for taking AP people for a ride over special package in lieu of special category status, Buggana said: "The Central Government has neither given us the Special Category Status nor the Special Package? The Union Finance Ministry’s note dated 8 September 2016 only elucidated Central Assistance extended to AP under the AP Reorganization Act 2014. There was no mention of Special Package in Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s note."

I have taken all these statistics from Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s core dashboard only. Naidu’s numbers gimmick gives a false impression that our state is progressing, but in reality the situation is different. During the same period, revenues to the Centre rose 30 percent, while it was only 13 percent for AP. I ask Chandrababu Naidu how could it be possible?

Buggana further alarmed that the state is in dire straits with semblance of governance as Naidu talks about higher growth rate, but in reality no revenue growth at all. Except hype and propaganda, nothing seems to be happening in the state.

He further explains: "The Chief Minister has become a solo player. The result is the AP’s revenues were growing at around five percent during the first half of the current fiscal as against 13 percent in the previous corresponding period. This can't be attributed to bifurcation of the state. It is a clear case of malgovernance. At this rate, no development can take place. The State will get into irretrievable debt trap. There is no mention about slowing down of revenues during the current fiscal in the Collectors Conference."

Chief Minister has a different responsibility for the state and the public also expect the CM to render his responsibilities. "But Naidu is different. He always talks about GDP, GSDP and FRBM terms interacting with common public. He claimed that he personally inspected the works on pushkara ghats. why should a CM to inspect the ghat works as AE or DE can do that," questions Buggana.

Naidu recently claimed that he has done PhD in Economics, but Buggana expressed doubts over it. "Recently a university in the US proposed to confer PhD on Naidu, but it was shelved down. I don't remember when did Naidu do PhD in Economics?"

Buggana criticized Chandrababu Naidu for ignoring administration and welfare measures as all sections of the society are reeling under several problems.

"Farmers, employees, common men, no one is happy in AP. Except Chandrababu Naidu and his kith and kins. I request Naidu not to resort to this kind of bad propaganda that all are happy in the state."