In a humanitarian gesture, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh on Friday released an amount of Rs 17 lakh to noted film critic and actor Kathi Mahesh towards his medical expenses.
An order to this effect was issued by Dr M Hari Krishna, special officer to the chief minister, in the afternoon.
The order comes in the wake of criticism from various quarters that the ruling YSR Congress party in Andhra Pradesh turned a blind eye towards extending help to Kathi Mahesh despite he being an ardent supporter of the party.
In the order, the CMO announced sanction of Rs 17 lakh form the chief minister’s relief fund (CMRF) to Apollo Hospital, Chennai, where Kathi Mahesh has been undergoing treatment.
A letter of credit was issued to the hospital to this extent.
Mahesh, who met with a gruesome accident on the outskirts of in Nellore last week was initially admitted to Medicover Hospital, Nellore, but was later to Apollo Hospital, Chennai, for better treatment.
The CMO letter asked the Apollo Hospital authorities to provide necessary treatment to Mahesh and submit the original bills to the CMO after the completion of the treatment within 90 days of the discharge of the patient for reimbursement of the hospital bills.
Mahesh, a popular Dalit activist is known for his bitter criticism of Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan and also for his strong support to Jagan.
He has been openly praising the programmes of the YSRC government.
Before 2019 elections, Mahesh participated in various YSRC programmes, including the dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
In the recent by-elections to Tirupati parliamentary seat, too, he campaigned for YSRC candidate Dr Gurumoorthy.
