The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Probe sought into Pushkaram works

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 30, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Probe sought into Pushkaram works

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 29. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Sunday sought a judicial probe into the works executed for the Krishna Pushkarams, which they alleged were "sub-standard" and involved corrupt practices.

At separate press conferences, the TDP leader, N. Janardhan Reddy, and the BJP leaders - B. Dattatreya and K. Laxman -- lambasted the State Government for failing to make proper arrangements for the Pushkarams and wanted that adequate facilities be provided to pilgrims. The BJP wanted the judicial probe to also cover the tragedy at Vijayawada, which claimed five lives.

YSR criticised

Urging the Government to ensure that no more untoward incidents occurred, the leaders of both parties criticised the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, for blaming officials for the tragedy and said he should own up responsibility.

Lack of seriousness

Mr. Dattatreya and Dr. Laxman accused the Congress Government of not taking the mega event seriously. They alleged that only 50 per cent of the arrangements were completed at some places and 25 per cent at others. The Government released funds in July end and allotted works on a nomination basis.

The BJP leaders also alleged that Dr. Reddy never monitored the arrangements though seven to eight departments were involved, while the Endowments Minister, M. Satyanarayana Rao, confined himself to "merely issuing statements."

Eyewash

They termed the transfers of the Vijayawada Police Commissioner, T. Krishna Prasad, and the Krishna district Collector, K. Prabhakara Reddy, eyewash.

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