Visakhapatnam, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) YSR Congress Party leaders reaffirmed that the party would provide Rs 1 crore compensation to each family of the six fishermen who lost their lives in the Visakhapatnam fishing boat tragedy once it returns to power.
They also promised a new fishing boat to survivor Chinna, who lost his livelihood in the accident.
The assurance was made while distributing Rs 49 lakh in financial assistance, Rs 7 lakh each to seven affected families, including Chinna.
The party has assisted with its own funds. YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy personally signed the cheques.
YSRCP leaders said the six fishermen would have survived had the government launched rescue operations immediately, rather than delaying the response for nearly 18 hours. They criticised the coalition government for failing to visit the bereaved families even after 15 days and said the administration limited its response to an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh per family.
They questioned Fisheries Minister Atchannaidu for citing eye surgery as the reason for not visiting the victims while taking time to criticise Y. S. Jagan, and said Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha confined her response to a video call rather than visiting the families in person.
The leaders recalled that Y. S. Jagan personally visited the victims’ families, extended financial support and stood by them during their time of grief. They also highlighted the welfare measures introduced for fishermen during the previous YSRCP government, including an enhanced oil subsidy, Matsyakara Bharosa, and pension benefits at age 50.
Stating that fishermen deserve dignity, security and timely government support, YSRCP leaders said the party would continue its fight until every affected family receives Rs 1 crore compensation, and reiterated that a future YSRCP government would also provide a new boat to Chinna and ensure comprehensive rehabilitation for the victims’ families.
Meanwhile, in Vijayawada, YSRCP extended financial support of Rs 10 lakh to the family of Dalit youth Kranti Kumar, who died by suicide following alleged police harassment.
Acting on the directions of Jagan Mohan Reddy, senior party leaders handed over Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance and announced that the party would take full responsibility for the education of Kranti Kumar’s children and provide free medical treatment to his ailing son. The assistance includes fixed deposits of Rs 5 lakh in his daughter's name and Rs 2.5 lakh each for his two sons.
Addressing the media, YSRCP leaders accused the coalition government of abandoning Dalits and failing to deliver justice even in the State capital. They said the government attempted to suppress the case until Y. S. Jagan personally intervened and stood by the bereaved family, following which the case was converted under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
They criticised the government for failing to provide the statutory compensation, government employment for the victim’s wife, free education for the children, and the agricultural land and house site benefits guaranteed to the family.
The leaders said Kranti Kumar’s son, who is suffering from a spinal tumour that affected his mobility, has already been shifted to a major hospital in Hyderabad for treatment under the party’s initiative, with all medical expenses being borne by YSRCP. They described Y. S. Jagan’s intervention as a humanitarian commitment that went beyond politics.
Source: IANS
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