On a busy monsoon day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu took time off their schedules to be part of a two-day orientation programme for legislators.

They shared their experiences in legislative craft with the newly elected MLAs of Andhra Pradesh. Of the 175 members of the House, 98 are first timers.

The members heard with rapt attention as the senior leaders spoke about the changing contours of governance and the increased levels of expectation from people.

Venkaiah said governance has changed to being less government and more governance, there is no inspector raj and there is now enhanced private sector participation. Describing liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation as LPG and a reality now, he said this has brought about a paradigm shift in governance.

He expressed concern about judicial overreach. However, he felt that it is not possible to draw a Laxman rekha demarcating roles. Promise of freebies is fine but there is need to create resources, generate wealth and balance development with welfare, he said.

The political populism of distributing freebies needs to be properly assessed. The Union Minister said the role of legislators has changed from merely being lawmakers, to supervisory.

His advice to members: discuss, debate, decide but don’t disturb.

Chandrababu Naidu said MLAs are key resources in the development process and they need to function efficiently and deliver on people’s expectations.

He said the State has been divided against the will of the people and Andhra Pradesh is faced with huge challenges, including lack of capital.

It now requires extra effort to rebuild institutions and improve resources to ensure that people’s expectations are met, he pointed out. The State has to be built from the scratch and requires development of infrastructure and institutions and huge resources and support from the Centre, he said.

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