The Hindu Business Line : Land distribution will make a difference, says AP Chief Secretary

THE proposed distribution of one lakh acres of surplus land to the landless in the State (to be taken up on the Republic Day next month) is going to make a vast difference in the Naxal-affected areas, according to Mr Mohan Kanda, Chief Secretary.

He was speaking to the reporters here on Tuesday after conducting a review meeting with the district collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam. Citing the recent destruction of coffee plantations by tribals in Visakhapatnam district, he said landlessness could be one of the main reasons. The land distribution will have to be taken up in such areas with great care to put an end to the social unrest.

Referring to the comments made by some ruling party MLAs that the officials had not changed their mindset even under the new Government, the Chief Secretary said it was not necessary for officials to change their perceptions or style of functioning with the change of the Government. "There is no political pressure on officials. I worked with the previous Telugu Desam Government and am doing fine with the present Congress Government. I have no problems," he said.

Officials would strive to implement the programmes for providing the basic necessities to the people sincerely. All political parties had agreed on those programmes.

On the other issues, they would be guided by the policies and priorities of the Government, he clarified. The Chief Secretary's comments assume significance in the light of controversy over the role of officials during the TDP rule.

Later, the Chief Secretary inaugurated the Instantaneous Access to Exceptional Information Station (INSTANXX station) in the collectorate.

The alerting system was developed by the Centre for Good Governance and it has been in operation for the past one year in the office of the Chief Secretary in Hyderabad.

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