Atchannaidu calls YSRCP’s one-crore signature drive a political gimmick

Describing the one crore signature drive launched by the YSRCP against the ‘privatisation’ of medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh as a ‘political gimmick’, Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu has said that the move was desgined to ‘deceive the people’.

“Such theatrics are used for political gain. Simply collecting signatures cannot bring real change,” the Minister said in a statement on Monday and urged the public to recognise the NDA government’s genuine efforts for citizens’ welfare and reject the YSRCP’s ‘hollow political stunts’.

Mr. Atchannaidu said a revolutionary transformation in medical education through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model aims at benefiting students from poor and middle-class families.

“As part of the new initiative, the construction of a medical college that previously took 20 years will now be completed in just two years. The total number of medical seats is expected to increase from 500 to somewhere between 1,700 and 2,000, with 850 seats specifically reserved for economically weaker and middle-class students,” he said.

In addition, 220 seats will be added to the government quota, increasing it by 110 seats. “The hospitals built in PPP mode will provide world-class infrastructure, high-quality staff, and superspecialty doctors. Citizens will benefit from free and efficient medical care under the Universal Health Policy,” he said.

Hospitals will expand to accommodate up to 1,500 beds, Mr. Atchannaidu said, adding that the government aims to ensure better healthcare for women, children, and the underprivileged, making the resources accessible to the general public.