MLA stages walkout from ZP meet

Ongole: Markapuram MLA Janke Venkata Reddy walked out of the Zilla Parishad general body meeting on Tuesday protesting against the officials’ apathy.

Starting the general body meeting on Tuesday, Zilla Parishad Chairman Edara Haribabu explained the agenda and asked the public representatives to start discussion on drinking water, drought and Ramayapatnam port. Bestavaripet MPTC Mallikharjuna Rao alleged that the officials are supplying water through tankers for the last eight months without inviting tenders. 

Responding to the MPTC, the RWS EE said that they have the provision to award a contract without inviting bids in emergency. But the members, including the Chairman, found fault with the response of the EE and asked him why they didn’t called for the tenders in the eight months and spent nearly Rs 6 crore while they can do away with Rs 5 lakh in emergency for works.

Similar questions on the award of contracts on nomination are raised by the members from Podili and they announced that they are taking up a deeksha in Podili on Wednesday against the officials. Konakanamitla MPTC Mettu Venkatareddy, Podili ZPTC Y Sai Rajeswara Rao and Markapuram MLA Janke Venkata Reddy walked out of the meeting.

Santhanutalapadu MLA Adimulapu Suresh demanded that the officials provide uniforms and books to the students immediately. He asked them to complete the construction of toilets for girls immediately and pass the bills of contractors. He said that Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas in the district are receiving great response and advised the officials to remove the online admission process for the district for the benefit of local students.

Zilla Parishad CEO Kailash Giriswar, MLC Vithapu Balasubrahmanyam, Sheep Breeders Society Chairman Katamraju, DCMS Chairman Bellam Satynarayana and other officials from various departments and public representatives also participated in the meeting.