The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : `Sapthami' clears new Ministers' muhurtham blues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

`Sapthami' clears new Ministers' muhurtham blues

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: An auspicious `Sapthami' cleared the `muhurtham blues' of five of the 17 recently-inducted Ministers in the State Cabinet, who preferred to occupy their chambers in the Secretariat on Wednesday.

The five Ministers — R. Chenga Reddy, T. Jeevan Reddy, Galla Aruna Kumari, Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy and Vanama Venkateswara Rao — took their seats amid Vedic chantings and after performing pooja in the respective chambers. Family members and supporters of the Ministers joined the new incumbents. Bureaucrats and office staff connected with the respective departments were also present.

The ceremonies were accompanied by greetings to the Ministers and distribution of sweets to all those present. The Ministers were closeted with the heads of departments for a quick briefing on departmental activities.

Immediately thereafter, the Ministers addressed media personnel. They were obviously touchy about the first files that they signed. Mr. Venkata Krishna Reddy, a devotee of Lord Venkateswara, chose to sign a recommendation letter for darshan at Tirupati.

Mr. Venkateswara Rao, who holds the subject of Vaidya Vidhana Parishad and Hospital Services, signed the file relating to sanction of Rs. 3.13 crore for repairs and maintenance of hospitals. He told reporters that a State-level cell to book complaints against the functioning of Government hospitals would be established soon.

Family courts

R. Chenga Reddy, who occupied his chambers as Law, Courts and Technical Education Minister, said he would accord priority to setting up of family courts.

On the technical education side, he said 80 engineering colleges had applied for affiliation with Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. Taking over charge as Roads & Buildings Minister, T. Jeevan Reddy, said fresh road works costing Rs. 3,000 crore would be executed shortly in addition to those under progress which cost Rs. 3,000 crore.

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