Deputy Chief Minister warns corrupt officials of severe action

"coordination between revenue, stamps and registration departments would be enhanced to ensure improved services to people"

Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishnamurthy being greeted by senior IAS officer S.P. Singh after he occupied his chambers at the Secretariat on Sunday morning. Photo: Nagara Gopal

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishnamurthy has warned officials indulging in corruption of stringent action and said the coordination between revenue, stamps and registration departments would be enhanced to ensure improved services to people.

Talking to reporters soon after he entered his chambers at Secretariat here on Sunday, he said government lands would be fully protected. Lands which have been encroached and those which have not been utilised for the purpose for which they were allotted would be resumed. He said the process would have total transparency.

The first file signed by Mr. Krishnamurthy related to sanctioning of ex gratia to the kin of those killed by heat wave.

Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Ayyanna Patrudu, who also assumed charge on Sunday, rued that despite a three-tier system of governance and devolution of powers to local bodies, Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC) members did not have much role to play in the system.

Talking to presspersons after occupying his official chambers , he said though the system of having MPTCs was initiated by the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi it was not serving any purpose now. He said they did not have a chair, a table or an office from which they could function.

People and the members themselves did not seem to know the responsibilities. In such a scenario, it was better to do away with that position. “What is the purpose of people electing such members when they apparently do not seem to have a role in the local bodies”, he added. Mr. Ayyyanna Patrudu signed file relating to NTR Sujala Sravanti water scheme.

Endowments Minister Manikayala Rao talking to reporters after entering his chambers, said a committee would be constituted to protect endowment properties. He said one of his priorities would be to reduce delays for darshan at important temples.

Minister for Women Empowerment, Child Welfare, Mines and Geology P. Sujatha signed the first file relating to creating awareness and publicity on women protection. She also said steps would be taken to ensure that there were no irregularities in the Mining Department.

Rural Development Minister K. Mrinalini and Agriculture Minister P.Pulla Rao too assumed charge.