Chairman of the YSRCP NTR district doctors wing Ambati Naga Radhakrishna Yadav criticized State government over the abrupt halting of new medical college projects in Andhra Pradesh, initiated by the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government. Radhakrishna accused the current administration of sabotaging public healthcare and educational opportunities, particularly for students from weaker sections, by planning to hand over these colleges to the private sector.
“By stalling these crucial projects, the TDP government is blocking the growth of the State’s healthcare infrastructure and depriving backward classes of their right to education,” he said. He further alleged that the government is prioritising the interests of the private medical colleges, which stands to benefit from this move. The YSRCP government had proposed a sustainable fee structure that would ensure financial viability while protecting the interests of SC, ST, and BC students. Under their plan, general category students would be charged Rs 15,000 per year, while Category B seats and NRI students would pay Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, respectively.
“If these colleges are handed over to private entities, students will be forced to spend crores to secure medical seats,” he warned. Out of the 17 proposed medical colleges, the YSRCP had already completed five, with another five near operational readiness. However, the TDP has now halted the construction of these colleges, raising questions about their commitment to public health and education.
Radhakrishna dismissed the TDP’s claim that they are unable to run these colleges, calling it “unconvincing.” He argued that the move has far-reaching and damaging consequences. He alleged that this decision is a deliberate conspiracy to protect private medical colleges, which have a history of prioritising profit over the welfare of the people.