The Hindu : POTA will not be used against political opponents: CM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

POTA will not be used against political opponents: CM

By Our Staff Reporter

KESAMUDRAM (WARANGAL DT.) APRIL 10. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has reiterated that his Government will not use POTA against political opponents at any cost.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister said the Government would not get into an unnecessary controversy by booking cases against political leaders of any party by using provisions of POTA.

Despite pressure from the Police Department that they had enough evidence to register a case against the MLA, Konda Surekha, and her husband, Murali, the Government had decided not to use the POTA and instead would proceed against them as per other acts. "We are facing pressure from the police. However, we are not interested in getting dragged into a controversy,'' he said.

Referring to the resignation of the Kakatiya University Vice-Chancellor, Chandrakanth Kokate, the Chief Minister said he spoke to the Vice-Chancellor over the issue. Asked whether political interference was the reason for his resignation, Mr. Naidu said he was not aware of it and had asked Prof. Kokate to meet him. "I have asked the Minister (K. Srihari) and the Vice Chancellor to meet me. Soon the crisis will be resolved,'' he pointed out.

Earlier, addressing a public meeting at Inugurti village, the Chief Minister stressed the need for water conversation and urged the public to contribute their mite in making the programme a success.

"Many people are cynical about the programme. Not only this but any programme taken up by the Government. But, I am sure that this will go a long way in sensitising the people on a serious issue,'' Naidu said.

The State Government has spent several crores of rupees on the water conservation works such as rainwater harvesting pits, check dams, percolation tanks and desiltation of drinking and irrigation water sources. However, following the drought, it did not yield expected results.

With a view to tackle the continuous drought situation, the Government has decided to take up water conservation works on a large scale involving the people. "Today, we have directly sent the money and rice earmarked for the drought relief works to the panchayats. We will give more rice and money in the next two months and we expect you to make use of them to make the Jalachaitanyam a success,'' he told the villagers.

The Chief Minister listed the achievements of the TDP government and the amount spent on each of the welfare programmes. According to him, the State Government is giving top priority to irrigation projects in Telangana region.

Major Irrigation Minister Kadiam Srihari and MLA Sriram Bhadraiah also spoke. MLA and Government Whip Errabelli Dayakar Rao, ZP chairman A. Baswa Reddy and the District Collector, K. Prabhakar Reddy, were also present.

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