HYDERABAD: The State Cabinet has directed the administration to get into a target-driven mode in implementing the welfare schemes and programmes in the remaining two years of the Congress Government's tenure.

In the first Cabinet meeting convened after the Re-dedication Day celebrations held on May 14, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and his Cabinet colleagues reportedly laid emphasis on achieving the ambitious targets set for different programmes in time for the general elections in 2009.

The thrust of the Cabinet deliberations was similar to that of the Re-dedication Day celebrations -- that a coordinated effort between different departments was needed to ensure that targets of the massive Housing and Irrigation programmes were achieved, to give it an edge over other political parties.

Dr. Reddy reportedly told them that three years of scheme-oriented governance must now transform into a target-oriented one. Reminding the officials that his Government's welfare measures were aimed at benefiting every deprived section of the society, he asked them to be partners in the `silent revolution of development' sweeping across the State.

After completion of the official business, the Ministers turned their attention to the political challenges that the ruling party would be facing in the run-up to the 2009 elections.

Emphasising that no further political space could be lost to the Opposition which was relentlessly attacking the Government, the Ministers felt that a sharper focus on distribution of house sites and speedier implementation of housing schemes could turn the tide in favour of the ruling party.

It is learnt that that Ministers were critical of the `Bhoo Poratam' launched by the CPI (M) as the State had forged ahead of others in constructing houses for the poor and in distribution of pattas to the landless.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail