Date:27/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/27/stories/2007102761131200.htm

Tamil Nadu

Politicians making country poor: Naidu

Staff Reporter

Stone laid for hostel block at Vellore Institute of Technology University

— Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

INAUGURATION: N. Chandrababu Naidu, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Hostel Block at the Vellore Institute of Technology University in Vellore, on Thursday. G. Viswanathan, Chancellor, VITU (left), is in the picture.

VELLORE: Though there was a problem of environment and climate, India was not at all a poor nation. The country was far superior to any country. It was only the politicians who were making this country poor, N. Chandrababu Naidu, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minster, said here on Thursday.

Participating at the foundation laying ceremony of S. Radhakrishnan Block Hostel at the Vellore Institute of Technology University (VITU), he said that China had introduced economic reforms in 1978. In India, they were introduced only in 1991. The unavoidable problem faced by the nation was that every year we face by-elections, and elections once in five years. Though the country had a good flow of money, the politicians were making the country poor. On the contrary, China developed a good model for sustainable development, he said.

Mr. G. Viswanathan, Chancellor, VITU said that Mr. Naidu was the first Chief Minister who used Information Technology for transparent administration and governance. His priority should be to take care of the poor and at the time generate wealth for Andhra Pradesh, he said. Pro Chancellor (administration), G. V. Selvam proposed a vote of thanks. Pro Chancellor (academic) Sekar Viswanathan was present.