What purpose would it serve wondered chandrababu!
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wondered what purpose would it serve in the visit of AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to the cyclone-ravaged North costal districts of the state.
It might be mentioned here that the Gandhi scion is proposing to make a two-day visit on October 19 and 20 to Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakuklam districts which were ravaged by Cyclone Hudhud on Sunday last leaving behind a trail of destruction and throwing normal life out of gear.
Chandrababu Naidu who has been staying pout in Visakahapatnam from day one of the cyclone calamity to oversee relief and rehabilitation works in the devastated areas, especially in the Port City, at a media conference on Friday was informed about Rahul Gandhi’s proposed two-day visit to the affected areas.
“What will he do ?”, quipped the Chief Minister who undoubtedly has been peeved over the manner in which the Congress leaders have been taking pot shots against him over the relief measures. Non-availability of essential commodities, crippled power supply, shortage of even drinking water etc, seem to have given the needed ammunition to the Opposition parties, especially the Congress, to launch a tirade against the TDP government accusing it of failing to provide the needed succor to the people.
Thus when his attention was drawn to Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit, the Chief Minister reacted sharply by wondering how it would help to mitigate the sufferings of the people. However, Chandrababu Naidu was quick enough to pointed out that it was imperative for every one to give a helping had to the state administration in its task to restore normalcy in the affected areas. At the same time he felt that the Opposition parties ( oviously meaning the Congress) should verify from the affected people how the state administration had worked to provide the needed succor to them.
Chandrababu Naidu pointed out that though the power sector had been completely devastated and crippled, the officials and staff worked round the clock to restore power supply as early as possible. Though the power supply has not been completely restored, the government succeeded in ensuring that many affected were provided the minimum needed power supply. He disclosed that large contingents of engineers and experts from neighboring states of Karnataka, Odisha and Tamilnadu were assisting the officials of the state in the task of restoration of power supply. As a matter of fact power restoration in many areas was achieved in a record time by making use of the modern technology of bypass method, he explained.
Expressing confidence that Vizag City would son attained its past glory as the financial and industrial hub of the state, the Chief Minister once again vowed to rebuild the city as an international city. He said that relief and assistance would be provided to all eligible persons. The cokmpensation to be paid to the victims would be straight away deposited in the accounts of the beneficiaries to avoid exploitation of middlemen.
Chandrababu Naidu said steps have been taken to ensure that every family would be supplied 10 kg rice, one kg each of sugar, dal and salt, one liter of oil and half kg of chilli powder through ration shops. Necessary instructions were also issued to the ration shops that enough rice stocks should be made available in all the ration shops by evening. He lauded the support and cooperation being extended by the people in the government’s efforts and also praised the services being rendered by the student community. (NSS).
