YSRCP Distributes ₹49 Lakh Financial Aid to Families Affected by Visakhapatnam Boat Tragedy

Leaders of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Sunday distributed financial assistance worth ₹49 lakh to the families of fishermen who went missing in the recent boat accident involving a fishing vessel from the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour.

The aid was provided in line with an announcement made by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy . Under the initiative, the families of the deceased and missing fishermen received ₹7 lakh each , while Kari Chinna , the boat driver who survived the incident, was also given ₹7 lakh . The total assistance distributed amounted to ₹49 lakh .

A YSRCP delegation, led by Visakhapatnam district party president K.K. Raju , former minister Gudivada Amarnath , former MLAs Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar and Boddakonda Appala Naidu , East constituency coordinator Molli Appa Rao , and MLC Varudu Kalyani , personally visited the affected families near Jabbartota Junction on AVN College Road and handed over the cheques.

Speaking on the occasion, party leaders alleged that the authorities failed to launch a timely and effective rescue operation after the accident. They claimed that a delay of nearly 18 hours in initiating rescue efforts contributed to the disappearance of six fishermen. The leaders also criticized the coalition government, officials, and local ministers for not providing adequate support to the victims' families even after more than two weeks had passed since the tragedy.

According to the YSRCP leaders, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had visited the affected families soon after the incident and assured them of the party’s support. They said the financial assistance was being extended from the party’s own resources as part of that commitment.

Former minister Gudivada Amarnath argued that prompt action by the Fisheries Department and revenue authorities could have reduced the extent of the tragedy. He also accused ministers of failing to personally engage with the affected families during a difficult period.

The YSRCP reiterated its demand for higher compensation, stating that the party would continue its efforts until each affected family receives ₹1 crore in compensation . Party leaders further said that if voted back to power, the YSRCP would implement Jagan Mohan Reddy’s promise of providing ₹1 crore compensation and a new fishing boat to the families impacted by the accident.