The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Social Welfare officials pulled up for bad shape of hostels

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Social Welfare officials pulled up for bad shape of hostels

By Our Staff Reporter

NALGONDA, NOV.27. The Minister for Social Welfare, D.S. Redya Naik, has pulled up the officials of his department for not following the guidelines issued by his Ministry, and warned them of severe punishment if they fail to discharge their duties properly.

At a review meeting in the Zilla Parishad meeting hall here on Saturday, the Minister expressed displeasure over the performance of officials of Nalgonda district. "You earned a bad name for your district. Since we are receiving highest number of complaints on the mismanagement of hostels from this district, you must pull up your socks and take care of SC and ST students,'' he said.

At one point, Mr. Naik rebuked even the Joint Director, Prashanti, for not being equipped with the required data. "How can it be that you don't have any details? I guess a lot of public money is being wasted (by you). You are all responsible for the mess in hostels and if I don't take against you, I'll be held responsible,'' the Minister told officials expressing displeasure over the dropout of 5,000 students from hostels.

He also warned them of surprise visits by him to hostels and take action against the officials if found guilty. "Have you visited any hostel under your jurisdiction? What did you find there and have you reported to the Collector about the doctor's failure to visit the hostel,'' he asked the District Social Welfare Officer.

Medical kits

He advised the ZP Chairperson, Laxmamma, and the local MLA, Venkat Reddy, to inspect hostels.'' On coming to know that cheppals and medical kits were not delivered to students, the Minister said: "I proudly announced on the floor of the Assembly that we are giving medical kits. But you have kept the funds in bank to get interest on it. You are proving that what we announce in the Assembly is an utter lie.''

Observing that hostels in Telangana region were in bad shape, he said: "You know why anti-social elements and naxalites are attracting people? They point out the loopholes in the system to get the attention of public. If we perform our duties well, there will be no scope for them (naxals) to point their finger at us.'' Mr. Naik ordered the officials to ensure 95 per cent results in hostels. The Deputy Secretary (Residential Schools), Sudhakar Rao, the Collector, K. Vijayanand, and the SP, Harish K. Gupta, were present.

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