The YSR Congress has demanded that the State government order an inquiry by a competent authority into the funding and construction of the State Secretariat in Amaravati.
YSR Congress legislator Alla Ramakrishna Reddy said the extravagant spending by the government in the construction of the Secretariat was proved to be waste of money as the complex was beset with problems of leakages since the onset of monsoon. The temporary structure built at an exorbitant rate of ₹10,000 per square feet could not withstand a day’s rainfall with seepage of water from the cracks in the structure becoming evident. He faulted Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana for claiming that the leakage was a minor incident. The incident exposed the manner in which the government had compromised with the contractors and was trying to shield them. “The Minister’s remarks make it clear that kickbacks are involved in the award of contract and execution of works. Facts pertaining to this will come out only through a comprehensive inquiry,” he said. He recalled that a similar situation persisted last season with water seeping into the chamber of the Opposition leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and the government had then distorted the case by manipulating the evidence.
At a separate press conference, YSR Congress MLA R.K. Roja demanded that the government take steps to close down all the belt shops (illegal liquor vends) in 10 days. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu signed the file for removing belt shops immediately after assuming office three years ago, but no action had been initiated so far.
Direct action
Women were prepared to resort to direct action if the government failed to implement its promise at the earliest. She said the ruling party and the Chief Minister received a jolt with the YSR Congress announcing its resolve to close the belt shops if voted to power.
The State government had immediately announced that these outlets would be closed in one month.
“These are illegal vends. Why should the government take a month to close them and curb the illicit activity?” she asked.