The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Other side of the story!

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Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Other side of the story!

The prime location of Bhimraobada and its vicinity to Gandhi Bhavan has been a major reason for the demolition and eviction of the residents. The act has received widespread criticism from all political parties apart from vociferous protests of residents.

However, there is another side to the issue. The fact remains that for generations, due to the prime location, the residents of Bhimraobada have benefited immensely in monetary terms. Several residents had rented out their small houses, preferring to stay somewhere else nearby.

Surely, the fact that from now the residents could not be able to earn additional monthly income might have also played a role for the big disappointment!

These days, policemen are on edge if various incidents that occurred in twin cities are any indication. Whether it is a shoot-out incident at Santoshnagar, demolition of a temple wall at Koti or forcible eviction of residents from Bhimraobada, policemen are literally facing criticism from people for their actions.

At Bhimraobada, several police personnel removed their badges inscribed with names on their shirts to escape from political leaders identifying them. Politicians also found fault with the police for their high-handed behaviour while evicting residents and forcibly arresting leaders who came to protest.

Seems the men in khaki are at the receiving end!

Next time you win a contest that promises you interaction with your favourite star, don’t jump with joy. Ask the concerned person whether the media would be invited. For the winners of a recent contest, meeting and greeting cine-actress Anushka simply didn’t happen, leave alone ‘interaction’. After a wait of almost an hour, they were left trying to catch a glimpse of Anushka and the team of ‘Chintakayala Ravi’ in the midst of the media f renzy. And even when it finally did, it was for a photo-shoot with the team. Soon, the poor winners were forgotten as mediapersons tried to get ‘exclusive’ interviews with Anushka. One winner was heard complaining, “It’s easier to see my favourite star on the television than trying to meet her in person.”

It took an inspection by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to shake the somnambulant Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) to come up with an alternative to the Octroi and Toll Tax being fleeced from people. Despite being aware of the fleecing by contractors, neither the administration nor the elected representatives did anything all these years. Of course, they did pass resolutions twice before seeking abrogation of both taxes and left it at that as higher officials of the Defence Estates Directorate sought an alternative.

Such was the impact of CBI inquiries that it was the single agenda in the SCB meeting held last week where the proposal of a rationalised single point entry tax was passed. When one elected member sought to oppose, other members nudged him not to be “vociferous” lest the assembled presspersons seek more information!

The other day GHMC Commissioner and Special Officer S.P. Singh and his senior staff invited the media for an annual run down of activities and plans for the year ahead. Since, the civic body undertakes several activities besides the usual municipal work of roads, sanitation, street-lighting, etc., they had several points to gloat.

But, one question that had officials squirming was about some of its employees being caught in the ACB web. The Commissioner could only mumble on how he could be expected to answer to the question! True, when those facing graft charges or caught continue to function merrily.

M. SAI GOPAL,

M. SRINIVAS,

D.V.L. PADMAPRIYA,

V. GEETANATH

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