Chief Minister and TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday urged TDP activists to strive for fulfilling the ideals of the party’s founder and former Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao. Briefly addressing the media after paying tributes to the former Chief Minister at NTR ghat here on his 19{+t}{+h}death anniversary, Mr. Naidu recalled the oft-repeated words of NTR that society was a temple and poor people were gods and said his government was moving to implement ‘Smart Village, Smart Ward’ concept. The aim was to create a poverty-free, healthy and happy society.
Deputy Chief Minister K. E. Krishnmaurthy, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Chief Minister’s wife N. Bhuvaneswari, his son and TDP workers welfare fund coordinator Nara Lokesh, daughter-in-law N. Brahmani and several TDP leaders, including Telangana TDP president L. Ramana also paid their homage at NTR ghat.
Later inaugurating a health camp at NTR Trust Bhavan, Mr. Lokesh said NTR Model Schools would be started in all the districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He said a university of international standards would be set up and named after NTR. NTR blood donation centre would also be set up either at Karimnagar, Warangal or Tirupati.
Referring to fluoride problem in Nalgonda and drinking water scarcity in Chittoor district, he said under the aegis of NTR Trust, a pilot programme was started in Kuppam in Chittoor district to provide drinking water from ATM-like machines. Consumers would be given cards similar to ATM cards for drawing water from such machines. Impressed by the programme, he said the AP government decided to implement it all over the State.
Speaking at another blood donation camp at Miyapur on the city outskirts, he lashed out at TRS government and accused it of misleading people while not delivering. On the other hand, he said about 4,000 acres of the 45,000 acres required for the new capital region of Andhra Pradesh had already been acquired. He claimed that TDP’s roots were strong in Telangana and the party would not be affected.
Other family members, including TDP leader N. Harikrishna and Junior NTR also visited NTR ghat and paid their respects to the former Chief Minister.
