The cash-strapped Andhra Pradesh government has spent almost Rs 3 lakhs for a root canal treatment for its finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu in Singapore. Through a government order numbered 1844 dated 23rd August released the entire amount without any objections.

What baffled the common man in the state is that the minister who is supposed to look after the finances of the state that was bogged down by several financial constraints flew all the way to the island nation for a root canal treatment which could have been performed right here within few thousand rupees of expenditure.

The GO says that the minister had his root canal treated at the Azure Dental, 22 Sixth Avenue, Singapore on April 12th this year. The amount of Rs 2, 88,823 was paid from the Dr NTR Vaidya Seva Trust on 23rd August, after thorough scrutiny.

The amount is paid from the medical reimbursements and advances head under the ministers and deputy ministers’ salaries account. General Administration Department (GAD-Political) secretary Srikanth Nagulapalli, the signatory of the order, made it clear that the release of the funds doesn’t require clearance from the finance department.

The residual state of Andhra Pradesh which has an accumulated revenue deficit of over Rs 16000 cr has no monies for the construction of the new capital at Amaravati. The state recently raised Rs 2,000 crore through bonds, offering 10.32 per cent interest, for building the capital.

However, netizens did not take kindly the largesse of the state government that professes simplicity. Neither the minister nor the government has made a comment on the matter so far.