The developments within Andhra Pradesh have been the subject of much discussion in print as well as at different public fora. The government of Andhra Pradesh itself has been providing documents detailing its goals and reports of its achievements. What is missing however, is a continual, critical and comprehensive assessment of the impact that the various policies of the government have had on the social sector in the state and on the vulnerable sections in particular. The Andhra Pradesh Social Watch (AP Social Watch) was formed with the explicit purpose of understanding and analysing the state government’s policies for their impact on different social groups.

"Rethinking Priorities: Making Policies as if People Matter", AP Social Watch Report, ed. by Rekha Pappu

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In a system where the rich dominate the levers of power, even a larger share of the incremental revenue would be coveted by them, either in the form of tax reduction or subsidies for rich people’s consumption. The opposition to such programmes will come in the name of helping the poor. The removal of fertilisers and petroleum subsidies will be opposed in the name of poor people’s interest, although their share of the consumption of these products is really small. But the most stringent opposition to pro-poor programmes will be in the name of their inefficient delivery system. Any attempt to make institutional changes for bringing effective social auditing will be opposed in the name of corrupt practices.-Right will oppose all aam aadmi policies
Right will oppose all aam aadmi policies Arjun Sengupta, Deccan Chronicle, June 15, 2009

Making NREGA work better: a brief note, Public Interest Foundation, 01 May 2009