One of the controversial actions of the previous YSR Congress government was the provision of a newspaper allowance to state volunteers.
The 2.6 lakh volunteers in the state received Rs 200 per month specifically to purchase the Sakshi newspaper daily. This allowance was in addition to the usual advertisements given to Sakshi, directly benefiting its circulation.
However, with the YCP being replaced by the TDP-JSP-BJP government in Andhra Pradesh, a decisive action has been taken to eliminate the regulation requiring volunteers to buy the Sakshi paper. A new Government Order has been issued to immediately cease the “Sakshi” allowance for volunteers.
Previously, the government spent Rs 5.3 crore per month on purchasing Sakshi papers for the volunteers, totaling approximately Rs 60 crore annually.
Over the next five years, this change will result in a substantial saving of Rs 300 crore for the government of Andhra Pradesh, effectively preventing Rs 300 crore from being funneled into Sakshi’s revenue.
