TDP chief and AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu's 'Sankranthi gift' will cost Rs 430 crore to AP government.
Naidu has launched a new scheme "Chandranna Kaanuka" (gift) last year to supply essential commodities for free to people holding white ration cards on the occasion of Sankranthi.
There are 1.41 crore white ration card holders in Andhra Pradesh.
Officials of civil supplies department who worked out the expenditure submitted a report to the government stating that it requires to spend Rs 430 crore this Sankranthi to supply packets of essential commodities to 1.41 crore beneficiaries.
TDP leaders are bringing pressure on officials to award contracts to procure stocks of essential commodities only to those recommended by them.
They are not leaving even packet contracts insisting on that they should be given only to people of their choice.
TDP leaders expect to earn 20 per cent commission out of these contrats, which would mean they get at least Rs 90 crore. Then it would be a real gala Sankranthi festival for TDP leaders this time.
