At the last minute, on the eve of giving the go-ahead for the ‘Chandranna Sankranthi Pathakam’ which would cost the government nearly Rs 300 crore, one TDP legislator apparently had a brainwave.
This legislator is learnt to have asked Naidu, “We are spending so much on this free gift. Would we not be better off in using this amount for development works in the constituencies?”
To this Naidu replied that the scheme was designed to bring cheer to the families of the poor so that they can celebrate the festival happily.
He further requested the legislators to ensure that the funds earmarked for the scheme in various constituencies were put to proper use.
But the point raised by the TDP legislator is indeed commendable! The gifts will be used up during the festival and the people will soon forget about it.
What the legislator meant was that there would be no lasting value to the expenditure of around Rs 300 crore!
