Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had completed three years in office on Monday. It was on this day in 2019, Jagan Mohan Reddy took the oath as Chief Minister at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Vijayawada.
He settled down with his first cabinet on June 8, 2019, with many surprises in the cabinet, which included five deputy chief ministers, which was a record and perhaps a first ever thing to happen in any government in the country.
His dispensation started rolling out of one after the other direct cash transfer schemes, which he had promised in his election manifesto – called Navarathnalu.
He had implemented 90 per cent of his promises in the first year itself, which was again a record of sorts as no political party had done so till date.
But the journey took somewhat difficult turn with the world experiencing the worst ever crisis in the form of Covid 19.
Jagan Mohan Reddy and his 25 cabinet ministers, his officials and his party elected representatives could not move out of their homes for one year due to lockdown.
As chief minister it was the toughest period for Jagan Mohan Reddy as he had to invest on facing the Covid 19 challenge.
There was just one testing centre for Covid 19 at Tirupati initially, which was later spread across the state with Jagan government investing on health care.
The government had purchased over 2000 ambulances giving some confidence to the people during the crisis.
The government had also increased the oxygen plants in the government hospitals along with adding more beds.
In all, the government had spent over Rs 8,000 crore on health care in handling the Covid 19.
The lockdown had completely zeroed the tax revenue to the state while Jagan did not stop any of his cash schemes.
The cash schemes have helped the poor, the daily wage labourers, during the lockdown and it was well appreciated by all, including global economists.
Despite the opposition creating hurdles, including legal hurdles, Jagan Mohan Reddy went on giving his new style of administration, taking governance to the door step of the people through the village secretariats.
The volunteers’ system was a blessing in disguise during the Covid 19 crisis and it continues to take the government’s welfare programmes to the door steps of the people.
Nadu-Nedu had changed the face the government schools, hospitals across the state as it added infrastructure to the people.
However, what is lacking in Jagan’s administration is the communication – telling people what the government is doing.
The government is far behind in communicating with the people except giving rejoinders and replies to the criticism.
The next two years are crucial for Jagan Mohan Reddy government if the party has to retain the power.
