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TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh Minister Kollu Ravindra on Thursday accused state Labour Minister and YSRCP leader Gummanur Jayaram of corruption charges. He alleged that the Minister is involved in a Rs 735 crore corruption case.

Kollu Ravindra accused Jayaram of amassing nearly Rs 735 crore in the last three years under the YSRCP rule. He added that Jayaram is more focused on buying expensive cars rather than ensuring proper governance in the state.

Addressing a press conference, the TDP leader Kollu said, “Jayaram has looted INR 6 crore via unaccountable commissions by promising to increase the age limit of ESI-Employees State Insurance medical staff from 60 to 63 years. Commissions of INR 140 crore were collected from such suppliers, INR 28 crore for sanctioning bills in referral hospitals and INR 5 crore in empanelment of referral hospitals.”

He further accused the Minister of extorting nearly Rs 17 crore via discrepancies present in the Workers Insurance scheme in the labour department. He also resorted to land grabs by threatening industrialists and businessmen with respect to construction workers’ insurance.

The TDP leader also demanded an explanation from the Minister as to why there was no action against such matters. “He has committed lots of illegalities and atrocious activities for the sake of his frauds and scams. He has shown work opportunities for his party activists and leaders in illicit liquor and gambling dens. Thousands of families became victims of these unlawful activities,” the former Andhra Pradesh minister said.

Kollu Ravindra slammed Jayaram by stating that the people were calling Jayaram a ‘Commissions Minister’ but not Labour Minister. 

The allegations come at a time when the  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is all ready to undertake a major reshuffle in his cabinet. Keeping his promise to provide more opportunities and chances to new members, he is expected to opt for a completely new team this time. Cabinet rejig is slated to happen on April 11; all 24 Ministers in the current cabinet will soon tender their resignations at a meeting with the Chief Minister.