The Andhra Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has taken a landmark decision to resolve the long-pending Agri Gold crisis. In a high-level meeting held on Thursday, the government set a strict six-month deadline to refund the deposits of nearly 11 lakh victimized families. Expressing dissatisfaction over the previous administration’s slow progress, the CM directed officials to treat this not just as a promise, but as a time-bound mission to deliver justice to those who lost their life savings.
To expedite the process, the government has constituted a three-member high-level committee. This committee is tasked with the transparent verification of claims and the auctioning of properties worth ₹4,141 crore that were previously attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The cabinet resolved to clear legal hurdles immediately and auction undisputed assets to pool the necessary funds. The payments will be credited directly to the victims’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system to ensure transparency and prevent middleman interference.
While the previous government provided partial relief only to those who deposited less than ₹20,000, this new initiative aims to cover all remaining victims, including middle-class families who have been waiting for over a decade. The Chief Minister also indicated that the state might consider allocating advance funds from the government treasury if the auction process faces further delays. This decisive move has rekindled hope for millions who have spent years navigating courts and police stations, marking a significant political and social milestone for the current administration.
