Hyderabad, June 27: It appears Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has started making preparations for next Assembly elections to be held in 2014 as the ruling Congress recorded only a simple majority (winning 156 seats as against magic figure of 148) in recent elections to come to power again.He has chalked out various programmes to come closer to the people and improve the party’s performance next time. Surprise visits to villages was meant to check whether basic amenities were provided to locals, implementation of housing and Rs.2-a-kilo rice schemes, distribution of ration cards, Arogyasri cards and pensions, awareness on safe drinking water, cleanliness, sanitation, free power supply to agriculture sector, delivery mechanism etc. Besides, Reddy has promised supply of bottled mineral water in all villages in the State from August 15 (Independence Day) onwards.
He has also taken steps for effective implementation of NREGP (National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme), increase in rice quantity from 4 kg to 6 kg per person under the Rs.2-a-kg rice scheme, increase in free power supply from seven hours to nine hours, promotion of community farming etc.
Rajasekhara Reddy, in his inaugural address at the two-day District Collectors’ conference at Jubilee Hall in public gardens this morning, noted that the people in their judgement in recent polls have given ‘good and go ahead’ marks, but had not given distinction marks to the Congress.
There was still scope to work in a better way in giving good governance during last five years period.
People of the State have reposed faith in the Congress in spite of ‘allfree’ promises like Cash transfer scheme, colour TV sets etc. made by the opposition before elections. “We (both Ministers and officials) should rededicate ourselves to work in a better way. Government’s credibility is important, and we have established it properly. In all, credibility, compassion and courage is required to rule the State,” he added.
The Chief Minister informed that he, as part of Rajiv Palle Bata, would undertake two surprise visits to villages on Sundays every month to feel the pulse of the people and to look at the existing delivery mechanism and problems faced by locals.
The proposed visits would begin from coming Dasara festival. Local officials would be informed about the visit one hour in advance to make them available at the venue.
Permanent helipads to land choppers would be constructed in all the mandal headquarters numbering over 1,100 in the state, he added.
On this occasion, Rajasekhara Reddy assured to come to the rescue of officials if they committed mistakes ‘unintentionally’. He, however, urged them to be proactive and dynamic, and work with a commitment and good intention.
“Government is committed for having an inclusive growth. Nobody should be excluded from the growth process. Let’s all strive and rededicate ourselves to give a governance better than the last five years performance,” he further added.
The Ministers, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Principal secretaries, secretaries, heads of departments, commissioners and other senior officials were present. Government advisor and the Chief Minister’s confident K V P Ramachandra Rao was also present..
–Agencies–