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Thursday, Jul 03, 2008
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YSR sounds alert at Collectors’ meet

Special Correspondent

Asks them to prepare ground for him to face elections, but rules out early polls

— Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

MEANS BUSINESS: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy addressing the district Collectors’ conference in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has asked district Collectors to prepare ground for cashing in on the goodwill for him to face the next elections by ensuring that the intended benefits of various schemes launched by his government reached the targeted sections.

Addressing a two-day conference of district Collectors at Jubilee Hall here on Wednesday to take stock of the situation on different fronts and fix responsibilities afresh to fill the gaps, Dr. Reddy, however, indicated that the Congress governments at the Centre and in State would complete their full term and that the general elections would be held only after March.

Referring to the frequent reports in the media about mid-term polls, he firmly said “there will be no elections before March (2009)” but asked Collectors to ensure that welfare schemes like Indiramma, pensions and Rajiv Arogyasri were implemented in their letter and spirit by October-end. The response to these schemes was so overwhelming that there was no anti-incumbency feeling in the State and Opposition parties were “scared” of taking on the Congress in the elections. As they were left with no opportunity to criticise the government, they were forced to search for political alignments, he said.

Heavy security was provided around Jubilee Hall in light of the Maoist attack at Chitrakonda. The entire Cabinet was in attendance, besides Chief Secretary P. Ramakantha Reddy and DGP S. S. P. Yadav.

In his one-hour speech, the Chief Minister drew parallels between his government and that of his predecessor N. Chandrababu Naidu. He described the previous dispensation as dark rule marked by drought for seven years, low economic growth and deprivation suffered by different sections, especially farmers who resorted to suicides.

Striking aspect

The situation had completely changed now due to the cumulative effect of schemes launched by his government. A striking aspect was the saturation concept adopted in all these schemes to ensure that the benefit reached the last man. He thanked the Collectors and the government employees, saying that these results would not have been possible but for their hard work.

“When I look back after a four-year journey, I can boast of real achievements with self-satisfaction.” There were smiles on the faces of every section.

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