The State Government has decided to expedite construction of godowns for storing election-related equipment in all the 33 districts.
The EC, in its directives, had asked the States to set up warehouses for election material before the onset of monsoon next year and, accordingly, efforts had been initiated in this direction.
Presently, the State has warehousing facilities for storing VVPATs, EVMs and other election equipment in 10 erstwhile districts. With the reorganisation of districts, works were launched in 21 districts with the Roads and Buildings department entrusted with construction of godowns in 19 districts and the Education and Panchayat Raj departments taking up works in one district each.
During a review meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday, Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi informed ECI senior consultant Bhanwarlal and Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar of progress in the works. The R&B department took up construction of warehouses in eight districts and tenders were finalised in respect of five more districts. Tenders in respect of three districts were under process while revised permissions were applied in case of two more godowns.
According to an official release, the Chief Secretary wanted the officials to ensure that construction of godowns in the 23 districts was taken up keeping in view the future requirements.
The officials should analyse the number of voters, EVMs and other equipment allotted to the specific districts, extent of land required, construction costs, permissions and other aspects and submit a report to the Government in this regard.
Railway works
The Chief Secretary reviewed pending railway works with senior officials, including South Central Railway General Manager Gajanan Malya. The officials were instructed to expedite land acquisition works in consultation with Mancherial, Peddapalli and Narayanpet districts. The meeting reviewed the status of the road over-bridges and under-bridges and the officials were asked to close the level crossings wherever works were completed.
