Amaravati image at stake

Vijayawada: Stung by the recent incidents of call money, spurious liquor and adulterated ghee that could affect the brand image of Amaravati, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to take all necessary measures to see that the guilty were brought to book and the incidents won’t recur in the future.

These issues were said to have dominated the District Collectors’ conference held here on Monday and Naidu is learnt to have given an earful to the officials saying their functioning should not tarnish the image of the government and Amaravati.

Talking tough on call money racket, the Chief Minister said that the officials need to act fast and see that the sternest possible action was taken as such incidents would bring disgrace to the government.

He told the police and the Collectors that such issues should not be allowed to be dragged for long lest they not only create a dent in the image of the proposed new capital city but also give a chance for the Opposition to politicise the issue.

While the spurious liquor killed five people, the call money issue has been a hot topic among the political circles these days. He told the Collectors and the police that whenever such an incident was reported it should be probed impartially and necessary action as per law should be taken. The Collectors and the police should nip them in the bud, he added.

Naidu asked the victims of call money not to repay their dues. Don’t be afraid of the call money organisers. “Nirbhaya Act would be slapped if the call money organisers don’t stop harassing the borrowers,” he said. The micro-finance companies used to collect exorbitant interest rates. In some cases, it crossed 50 per cent also. “As an Opposition leader, a few years ago, I asked the victims of micro-finance companies not to pay the dues,” he reminded the officials.

Naidu wanted the Collectors and police officials to think out of the box and put an end to these incidents. He said he wants a “demonstrative action.” It should send signals to criminals that the government would not tolerate and spare them anymore. “I am very clear on this.

Don’t excuse and be lenient to any person, however big he may be. Else, they will take it as our weakness. He also asked the officials to find out since when such activities have been going on in the state and if the TD government had inherited it. He told the officials to use the intelligence network so that the police can curb all such illegal activities.

Meanwhile, the main Opposition YSRCP is contemplating to raise this issue during the ensuing winter session of the state Assembly which would begin here on December 17. The APCC has already decided to make it a national issue and even approach the NHRC.