Vishakhapatnam, July 19: The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) announced on Saturday that upon returning to power, each family of the six fishermen who lost their lives in the Vishakhapatnam boat tragedy will receive compensation of ₹1 crore. The party also pledged to provide a new fishing boat to Chinna, a survivor of the incident.
Party leaders distributed ₹49 lakh in financial assistance to the affected families, with each family receiving ₹7 lakh, including Chinna’s family. YSRCP stated that this aid was provided from party funds, with party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy personally signing the checks.
YSRCP leaders criticized the government, claiming that if relief and rescue operations had commenced immediately after the tragedy, the six fishermen could have been saved. They alleged that the government delayed the rescue efforts by nearly 18 hours.
The party further accused the coalition government of failing to send a senior representative to meet the victim’s families even 15 days after the incident, asserting that the government merely fulfilled its responsibility by offering a ₹10 lakh ex gratia payment.
YSRCP leaders targeted Fisheries Minister Achannaidu, stating he avoided meeting the affected families citing eye surgery, yet found time to criticize former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita was also criticized for only responding via video call and not visiting the families.
The leaders emphasized that Jagan Mohan Reddy personally met with the victim’s families, provided financial assistance, and stood in solidarity with them during their time of grief. They claimed that under the YSRCP government, subsidies for fishermen were increased, the Matsyakara Bharosa scheme was implemented, and several welfare schemes, including pensions for those over 50, were initiated.
YSRCP reiterated that fishermen should receive respect, security, and timely government assistance. The party promised that upon regaining power, all affected families would receive ₹1 crore in compensation, Chinna would be provided with a new boat, and proper rehabilitation for all victim families would be ensured.
Meanwhile, in Vijayawada, YSRCP provided ₹10 lakh in financial assistance to the family of Dalit youth Kranti Kumar, who allegedly committed suicide due to police harassment.
The party reported that under the direction of Jagan Mohan Reddy, senior leaders delivered the assistance to the family. Additionally, YSRCP announced it would cover the full educational expenses for Kranti Kumar’s children and provide free medical treatment for his seriously ill son.
As part of the assistance package, a fixed deposit of ₹5 lakh has been made in the daughter’s name, and fixed deposits of ₹2.5 lakh each have been arranged for both sons.
YSRCP leaders accused the coalition government of failing to deliver justice to Dalits and attempting to suppress the case until Jagan Mohan Reddy intervened. They claimed that only after his intervention was action taken under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The party also alleged that the government failed to provide the victim’s family with legal compensation, a government job for the wife, free education for the children, and legal entitlements such as agricultural land and residential plots.
According to YSRCP leaders, Kranti Kumar’s son, who suffers from a tumor in his spine, has been admitted to a major hospital in Hyderabad at the party’s initiative, with YSRCP covering all medical expenses. They stated that Jagan Mohan Reddy’s actions exemplify a humanitarian approach beyond politics.
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