CM asks officials to exercise restraint

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 20. The Chief Minister, Mr.N.Chandrababu Naidu, has counselled officials to exercise restraint in dealing with any ``disorderly situations'' that might arise during the 14th round of the Janmabhoomi programme from January 2 to 8 in view of the threat of some political parties.

Inaugurating a four-day orientation programme for Janmabhoomi officials here on Wednesday, he said that some parties were trying to create problems for the Government. Without naming the Congress(I), which had called for dharnas and rallies during the week-long Janmabhoomi programme, he said that the stand of these parties was unacceptable.

``If they try to deliberately create disorder at Gram Sabhas, you must be prepared to deal with the situation,'' he told the nodal officers attending the orientation course. He, however, called upon the officials to give a patient hearing to the problems brought to their notice and strive to redress them.

The Chief Minister stressed that officials should be able to distinguish the genuine protests of the people over pending problems from the deliberate attempts of some political parties to disturb the meetings. If there was commotion at any Gram Sabha over a genuine problem, officials should exercise discretion and tackle the issue, he advised them.

The Chief Minister said officials should draw upon the experiences of the earlier rounds of Janmabhoomi to expeditiously attend to the non-financial needs of individuals and community.

Collectors of five districts - Cuddapah, Adilabad, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Warangal - and 300 nodal officers besides district- level supervisory officers of RDO rank are attending the orientation programme.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said the focus of the ensuing Janmabhoomi being on agriculture, officials should pay special attention to the problems faced by farmers on account of crash in the prices of all agricultural commodities. As many as 3077 scientists will be attending the Janmabhoomi, he said. The growth rate of agriculture and allied activities was sought to be pushed up from 3.25 per cent to 6 per cent and this would be possible only if productivity was stepped up and cost of cultivation brought down. Soil testing must be taken up as a priority programme, he said.

The State Government borrowed Rs. 180 crores for procuring seven lakh tonnes of paddy while the FCI had committed to procuring another three lakh tonnes. This month alone, the Civil Supplies Corporation was required to procure 1.40 lakh tonnes, Markfed 35,000 tonnes and the FCI 75,000 tonnes of paddy. Procurement should go on a war-footing to rescue farmers.

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Section  : Southern States
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