Hyderabad: Congress wants old Secretariat to be converted into Covid hospital

Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy on Thursday demanded that the State government use the old Secretariat building as Covid-19 hospital or a quarantine centre instead of demolishing the present structure.

Narayana Reddy, in a media statement, said that the demolition of present structures and construction of a new Secretariat at a cost of nearly Rs. 1,000 crore would be a criminal waste of public money, especially in the present circumstances. "The end of the pandemic does not look near. Therefore, it is high time that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao shifts his entire focus on combating Covid-19 situation. Our focus should be on upgradation of health infrastructure and appointment of medical professionals at all levels. Access to free and quality medicare in present situations," he said.

The leader said that the Secretariat was strategically located and many blocks were in extremely good condition. He said usable space in many blocks could be utilised as a dedicated Covid-19 hospital or quarantine facility. He said that the KCR government should change its adamant attitude and open up for new ideas and suggestions. "KCR's stature will not go down if he accepts the suggestions made by leaders of opposition parties. The Chief Minister should apply his wisdom and not just heart in taking decisions which can benefit the common people," he said.