Will combat drought with united efforts, says Kalava

Anantapur: Minister for Rural Housing and Information Kalava Srinivasulu has called upon people's representatives and officials to join hands with him in combating drought and in steering the district on the path of development. Addressing an introductory meeting with district officials at the Revenue Bhavan here on Saturday, Kalava Srinivasulu told the officials that he or the former Minister were new to each other.

He said that he believed in hard work and is not biased against anyone. He called upon one and all to join hands with him in his quest for driving out drought which was ruling the roost for 200 years. He maintained that he was not from an affluent family. He came up only by hard work and climbed the ladder of success by sheer grit and determination.

The Minister observed that he did not have differences with anyone and will always carry everyone with him. Being non-controversial was his style, he added.Kalava said that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has a special place in his heart for the district. Despite financial constraints, he had been releasing funds out of the way for the district. He said that the 20,000 acres of sand dunes posed a big challenge for him in his constituency.

The state, he said, has a target for construction of 10 lakh houses. During the past three years, housing programme suffered due to various reasons. The next couple of years are crucial for the government, Srinivasulu said. He promised to bring Handri-Neeva water to the entire district.

Later, speaking to reporters, the Housing Minister said that Agriculture and industrialisation were his priority areas and he would work towards realisation of goals. He promised to release wages for NREGS workers within 15 days. He stated that he worked as journalist for 15 years and very well knew the challenges and problems of the media persons. He said he would sort out all media related issues including health cards etc.