In a significant political appeal, leaders from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) have implored Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in and prevent the privatization of government medical colleges across Andhra Pradesh. This urgent request was made during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Kurnool.
Among those who submitted a formal representation to Prime Minister Modi were Alur MLA Virupakshi, MLC Madhusudan, and Zilla Parishad Chairman Errabothula Papi Reddy. They strongly voiced their opposition to the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu government’s decision to privatize these vital educational institutions.
Addressing the media, the YSRCP leaders highlighted a stark contrast in policy. They recalled that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had initiated the establishment of 17 government medical colleges, a move aimed at bolstering public healthcare and medical education. In their view, the current government, under Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, is now attempting to transfer these colleges to a select few favored individuals through privatization.
The YSRCP representatives didn’t hold back their criticism, calling the government’s decision to accept single-tender bids ‘highly objectionable’ and ‘financially irresponsible.’ They expressed profound dismay that established regulations were allegedly being sidestepped to benefit private entities closely associated with the ruling party. They emphasized that the foundational efforts made by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to expand access to medical education and quality healthcare for the underprivileged are now at risk of being systematically dismantled.
The leaders reminded the public that five medical colleges had already been completed and commenced academic operations during the previous administration, with construction on two more concluded last year. They issued a stern warning that handing over institutions designed to serve the public under government control to private hands would inflict severe damage on the poor and middle-class families of the state.
Furthermore, they drew parallels with other regions, noting that even in states governed by the BJP, newly established medical colleges are typically operated by the government rather than being privatized.