Top News

Visakhapatnam: Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has spent Rs 222 crore of tax payer funds on air travel during his five year tenure while Minister Nara Lokesh spent his own money on several trips to Hyderabad, new data revealed.

The controversy erupted when YSRCP leaders accused Nara Lokesh of flying regularly to Hyderabad using public money.

గాలి పార్టీ నాయకుడి గాలి తిరుగుళ్ళ ఖర్చు రూ.222 కోట్లు #222CrForJaganFlights#PsychoFekuJagan#AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/yIGLNxgxkr

— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP)

In response to accusations by YSRCP, the state government released an RTI reply that was obtained by TDP activist Kodamala Suresh Babu, which said that none of Lokesh’s bills were paid with tax payer funds and all of his 77 trips to Hyderabad were paid by the minister.

Over 200 crore spent on helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft rentals:

However, documents from AP Aviation Corporation revealed that a total of Rs 222 crore was spent on helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft rentals for Jagan Reddy’s official tours between 2019 and 2024.

The expenses report showed that the payments for helicopter services were made to GMR Aviation Pvt Ltd while payments for fixed-wing aircraft charges were billed to various companies. Government funds were used during covid-19 lockdown for flight expenses, the report said.

In a post on social media platform X, TDP highlighted the comparison and stated, “In 18 months as a minister, Nara Lokesh did not take even a single rupee from the government for helicopters/special flights used for his tours.

In 60 months as Chief Minister, Jagan spent Rs.222 crores from the government treasury for helicopters/special flights used for his tours.”