It is very unfortunate but common to witness middlemen playing a spoil-sport role, despite the top leadership diligently fulfilling the duties and delegating responsibilities to them.
Specifically, we are addressing the government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh, where crores of rupees are allocated to various media houses. However, discrepancies arise as certain middle men exercise their own preferences when it comes to paying for media ads and processing bills.
These middlemen are aware that pro-YSRCP media houses or contractors tend to remain silent if payments are delayed or not paid. Consequently, they intentionally delay payments to these groups while promptly releasing funds to pro-TDP media houses and other contractors.
Additionally, existing middlemen harbor envy towards their own party's social media activists or media supporters, often delaying their payments to assert their prominence.
It is bewildering to observe the significant amounts being paid to a list of media houses and websites. Upon investigation into the poor reach and lack of identity of certain media channels on the list, it is revealed that they were included based on recommendations from bureaucrats or through the influence of middlemen.
It should be noted that several social media influencers affiliated with YSRCP have been working without receiving a single penny from the government or party sources. However, the Chief Minister may believe that he is allocating a sum of Rs 70 lakhs to Rs 80 lakhs per month to pay only YouTube influencers who advocate for the YSRCP government. The destination of this money remains unclear, with no transparency in the expenditure.
As an example, a 'journalist' has been actively supporting the YSRCP government by highlighting its positive actions, despite not receiving any compensation. This raises concerns about potential shifts in loyalty if he is courted by the opposition party before the election. While individuals may provide services out of affection, there should be recognition for their contributions in some form.
Conversely, many party workers who were awarded civil contracts have completed the assigned tasks, but only the first installment of payment has been released. The middlemen on behalf of Chief Minister assures that the balance will be paid once he regains power, but uncertainties about the future exist. Unpredicted political outcomes, as seen in the defeat of Congress in Chhattisgarh and BRS in Telangana, could pose a significant risk to the livelihoods of these contractors.
Jagan Mohan Reddy should address this issue seriously before the elections. While significant amounts are promptly released to major contractors and Rs 10 crores are spent on surveys monthly, there is a question of why the small time contractors cannot be paid in the meantime.
The most significant manipulation taking place involves these middlemen paying the opposition media to prevent the publication of any negative articles against them. In simpler terms, these middlemen are diverting government funds for personal gain, using the money to pay the opposition media to control the narrative in their favor.
Unfortunately, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy seems unaware of this regrettable situation, and there appears to be no direct channel to bring such matters to his attention. Sad but true!
Usha Chowdhary
