Date:06/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100653100300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Minister takes officials to task

Staff Reporter

ADILABAD: Tribal Welfare Minister D.S. Redya Naik on Sunday warned officials of being ‘sent home’ in the event of any laxity on their part in control of viral fevers in tribal areas. He asked them to devise a special plan of action with regard to control of fever related deaths in the agency areas of Adilabad district.

The Minister reviewed the functioning of all agencies involved in the special drive undertaken in view of rampant fevers in the five mandals of Utnoor, Indervelli, Sirupur (U), Jianoor and Narnoor. He was sore especially at the officials of the Rural Water Supply, Housing and Electricity who were found to be lax in discharging their duties.

On Saturday, Mr. Redya Naik had visited some villages. To his surprise, he found officials from these departments missing. Villagers told the Minister saying they had taken to drinking polluted water from local streams as the RWS officials failed to repairs drinking water sources like bore wells.