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Andhra Pradesh
By Our Special Correspondent
The war of words between the two IAS officers dominated the House proceedings on Thursday when the Opposition faulted the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, for relieving Mr. Rao of his responsibilities promptly and referring the allegations against him to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, but soft-pedalling on Mr. Chandra against whom Mr. Rao levelled charges. The Congress, CPI (M) and the AIMIM wanted an ACB probe against both officers, apart from a House Committee to go into the issue. Mr. Naidu, who made an oral statement, agreed to place the files before the Speaker for their perusal, but ruled out a House Committee. This led to a walkout by the CPI (M) and the AIMIM. Earlier, the Congress sought to table an adjournment notice on the issue, but relented after the Government agreed to make a statement later. Mr. Naidu, in his statement, said the decision to shift Mr. Rao was taken only after an in-depth study of the land assignment wherein several lapses were found. While violations relating to assignment of lands in core areas were noticed in three cases, land in two cases were assigned without taking into account the civil disputes pending in the courts. In view of this, the Government had decided to stay the orders issued by Mr. Rao besides ordering an ACB inquiry into the issue. "Since the matter involves assignment of over 280 acre of evacuee property worth Rs. 122 crores, the Government has initiated action on the issue after taking legal opinion and confirming that irregularities were committed in the assignment of the lands,'' he said. Mr. Naidu also refuted the allegations levelled by Mr. Rao against Mr. Chandra stating that they were only counter-charges to defend oneself after the irregularities were exposed. Repeated requests by the Opposition members for the constitution of a House panel were in vain as Mr. Naidu said there was nothing the House panel could do in the issue. Mr. Naidu said the decisions taken by Mr. Chandra such as the procurement of equipment for the Kakinada Government Hospital were in the interest of the State and the Government was kept well-informed about them. Explaining the action launched against corrupt officials in the administration, Mr. Naidu gave out figures pertaining to the cases registered against IAS, IPS and IFS officials during the past few years as well as the action taken against them. "The Government will not compromise on corruption at any cost while it will mercilessly deal with the formation of lobbies among the official circles,'' he said. Earlier, the Opposition members, including, M.V. Mysura Reddy (Cong.), Asaduddin Owaisi (MIM) and N. Narasimhaiah (CPI-M), criticised the Government for not conceding their demand for a House Committee as well as its refusal to order an ACB probe. "Going by the proceedings it appears that the Government has firmly decided to shield Mr. Chandra while targeting Mr. Rao. The Government also has scant respect for the Assembly and its members and, hence, it is declining to constitute a House panel,'' they alleged. Favouring the constitution of a house panel, the BJP floor leader, N. Indrasena Reddy, wanted steps to ensure that officials on the verge of retirement were not given higher posts as there was scope for malpractices.
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