RTI reveals former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy spent ₹222.85 crore on air travel

Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had incurred an expenditure of ₹222.85 crore of public funds on helicopter and aircraft travel during his term from 2019 to 2024.

Records from the Andhra Pradesh Aviation Corporation Ltd. (APACL) show that ₹87.02 crore had been spent on helicopters, ₹112.50 crore on fixed-wing aircraft, and ₹23.31 crore on boarding, crew handling and lodging,  all paid from the State exchequer.

These disclosures emerged at a time when RTI responses from all the four departments under Minister Nara Lokesh (HRD, IT, Electronics and Communication, and RTG) categorically refuted the reports allegedly published by ‘Sakshi’, which claimed that Mr. Lokesh had undertaken “77 flights to Hyderabad at government expense.”

Each department confirmed in writing that Mr. Lokesh did not claim a single rupee from the government for official travel, with all tickets, including special flights, fully self-funded.

Reacting to the revelations, Mr. Lokesh said, “While people struggled for jobs and amenities, former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was splurging ₹500 crore on a palace and ₹222 crore on flying around. We’re finally hearing the truth. Andhra Pradesh deserved a vision, they got a vacation instead.”

Referring to the RTI requests filed by activist Suresh Babu, Mr. Lokesh said that the revelations also dismantled the Telugu daily’s portrayal of “Lokesh vacationing in Hyderabad and holidaying during the Budameru floods.”

Lies exposed: Lokesh

Verified travel and activity timelines show Mr. Lokesh attending continuous official engagements across Patna, Puttaparthi, Mangalagiri, Vijayawada, and Amaravati, including personally overseeing flood-relief efforts in Vijayawada through the night.

“Their lies stand exposed before the people. Instead of misleading the public, Sakshi should question Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy with the same intensity. Why are they silent about ₹222 crore spent on his air travel?” Mr. Lokesh said.