It seems Chandrababu's 'Sankranthi Sambaram' is turning into 'Republic Day Sorrow.' His ambitious Chandranna Sankranthi Kanuka - a gift of essential commodities for the poor people this Sankranthi - has now become his biggest headache.
It could even cause a massive loss of Rs 47 crore to his already problem-ridden exchequer and here is how.
This Sankranthi, Chandrababu Government distributed Chandranna Sankranthi Kanuka - bag comtaining jaggery, tuar dal, wheat flour, ghee, palmoil, bengal gram etc.
The officials reportedly prepared 1,45 crore bags based on the number of ration cards in the state. The bags were distributed from Jan 7 to Jan 14.
After Sankranthi, there are over 15 lakh undistributed bags, each bag costing Rs 275. The total number of packets in these bags is around one crore. The total cost of these bags is Rs 47 crore, reports said.
Now, the authorities do not know what to do with these bags. If they kept for sale, there would be no takers. After all, who will buy what was given for free to them?
If they are given for free, then questions would be raised about the efficacy of Chandrababu Government's ration distribution system. If they are dumped in the garbage, it would turn out to be a cause for a fiery debate.
Questions would also be raised as to why the Government has wasted Rs 47 crore at a time when it says that it has no money. If they are kept lying in the godowns, the material could get damaged.
Already, there are questions about the quality of material supplied as part of the Chandranna Sankranthi Kanuka. The biggest problem is even the dealers are refusing to take these bags.