The AP controversy

Sir, - With reference to the article by Mr. V. K. Srinivasan, former Special Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh, on ``The AP controversy'' (TheHindu, Jan. 2), I wish to state the following:

Any discerning reader of the article would conclude that the author as a seasoned bureaucrat should also have been a little more critical of the statements of the World Bank chief, as he has been critical about the Chief Minister of AP. The statement of Mr. Wolfensohn which runs as follows ``I do not know anything about the application of Internet technology nor do you know much about it, but I should not say this in your home State as I would be locked up in this place ``(quoted from the same article) does not appear to be mannerly or even properly informed as the CM's pioneering efforts in the field of Internet technology application are common knowledge.

This statement gives room for reading between lines and does not appear to be constructive in tone or tenor. Mr. Srinivasan could have avoided quoting Lalooji on AP as Bihar is a classic example of a backward State chaotically governed. Mr. Naidu is definitely one of the very few IT-literate Chief Ministers in India.

As to the criticism of Mr. Naidu being ``overenthusiastic'' in his administrative reforms, one would say that this is a rare phenomenon in the post-independent era and one that should be lauded. Let us remember the fact that Mr. Naidu wants to make the best out of the existing globalisation policy for the benefit of his home State and he has no choice except to borrow to build up sound infrastructure. Instead of severely criticising his borrowing policy it would be prudent to offer him constructive suggestions on generating funds fast enough to return World Bank loans.

B. Duraiswamy,

Chennai

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