YS Sharmila Questions AP Population Policy, Flags Rural Job Crisis

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president YS Sharmila on Saturday criticised the Chandrababu Naidu government over its proposed population policy , while raising concerns about unemployment, rural distress and pending welfare payments in the state.

Speaking at a Rachabanda programme in Bhimadole mandal of Unguturu constituency in Eluru district , Sharmila addressed villagers as part of the ongoing MGNREGA Protection Yatra , a campaign launched to highlight the difficulties faced by rural labourers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act .

She alleged that recent changes introduced through the VB-G RAM G Act could weaken the employment guarantee framework and affect the livelihoods of workers dependent on the scheme. Pointing to the situation in Bhimadole, Sharmila said labourers had reportedly not been provided work for nearly three weeks , forcing them into financial hardship.

Recalling the tenure of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy , she said rural employment programmes once ensured steady work even during drought periods. “There was a time when relief works were carried out extensively, providing livelihoods to thousands of workers. Today, labourers are forced to protest to secure their rights,” she said.

Sharmila also took aim at the population policy recently proposed by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu , which reportedly offers ₹25,000 as an incentive for families having a third child . She questioned the rationale behind the proposal, arguing that the government should first focus on securing education, employment and welfare for existing children.

“Will families have a third child just for ₹25,000 when educated youth are struggling to find jobs?” she asked, adding that many graduates were forced to work as auto and taxi drivers due to limited employment opportunities.

The Congress leader also criticised the state’s financial situation , alleging that both the previous YSRCP government and the current administration had pushed Andhra Pradesh into a debt burden of around ₹12 lakh crore .

She further claimed that ₹3,000 crore in Aarogyasri dues and ₹6,000 crore in fee reimbursement payments were pending, affecting healthcare access and higher education for many families. Sharmila said the yatra would continue across the state to highlight the problems faced by labourers and unemployed youth and bring them to the attention of both state and central governments.