KCR Modivated to Take Up Swachh Telangana Drive
HYDERABAD: Days after his return from the national capital, where he participated in the Niti Aayog meeting and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday announced that his government will take up the Swachh Bharat campaign in a big way in every nook and cranny of the State. This is the first time that the CM has embraced the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan — though the PM had launched it long back and even Governor ESL Narasimhan had set the example, neither KCR nor his government had evinced interest in it until now.
The CM also made another significant decision. Henceforth, all commercial establishments will be allowed to open shutters on Sunday too. The decisions were taken at a meeting KCR held with the State Planning Commission vice-chairman Niranjan Reddy, Finance Minister E Rajender and principal secretaries of various departments to discuss proposals to be sent to the Niti Aayog.
During the meeting, it was decided that Swachh Bharat campaign will be taken up on the first and third Saturday of every month. The cleanliness drive will be taken up across educational institutions, government offices, hospitals and other public places. “It is every individual’s responsibility to keep the environs clean,’’ KCR stressed and directed officials to also construct toilets in schools.
While permitting businesses and commercial establishments to transact business on Sundays, he instructed the officials to amend the law, if need be, to facilitate the same. The officials said this move will enable unhindered business transactions and bolster the coffers of the State. KCR, however, said the step was proposed as people, who work throughout the week, were finding it difficult to go for shopping on Sunday.
In an interesting observation, he remarked that Nehru had ruled with a socialist view. “But now, the situation demands that we look at market economy. Communist China is also forced to make changes,” he said.
No Reunification of AP & TS, Says Naidu
Warangal: Ruling out the possibility of the reunification of Andhra and Telangana, AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday found fault with his Telangana counterpart KCR for his alleged reluctance to sort out problems between the two States. “My government is ready to talk. I have been asking the TS government to come for talks but in vain,” he said during his visit to Warangal which was marred by protests.