The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : `Officials have been exceptional'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`Officials have been exceptional'

The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today dismissed reports that there was laxity on the part of officials in dealing with the court cases challenging its irrigation policy.

On the other hand, he complimented the officials, particularly, the Principal Secretary, Irrigation, C.V.S.K.Sarma, for the "exceptional and commendable" work they had done in preparing the ground for "Maha Jala Yagnam." Dr.Reddy said that hurdles would be tackled with greater care.

The court verdict was based on technicalities in case of the writ against tenders and there was no negligence in countering it in court, he said. As for Pulichintala, he said several projects had been taken up without clearances, as they were not polluting industrial units. Compensatory afforestation programme could be taken up later too, he argued.

However, the Government was not interested in prolonging the litigation, as it wanted the projects to be completed at the earliest. Defending the shortlisting of pre-bid qualification tenders, he said though initially only two companies were found to be eligible, the Government invited seven more companies as it was well within its means to do so. As the court now held against it some more companies would be invited and the works would be expedited, he said.

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