The chief minister, responding to Pawan Kalyan's suggestion, is understood to have agreed with him that the department needs a shake-up to bring them to senses and make them work in accordance with law
Published Nov 07, 2024 | 8:39 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 07, 2024 | 8:39 AM
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is understood to have decided to keep the police department on a tight leash.
He is said to have shared the concern of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan at the state cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 26 November at the state secretariat at Velagapudi near Vijayawada, that the police officials were still not out of the YSRCP hang-over.
According to sources, Pawan Kalyan, giving an explanation why he had let out his bottled-up emotions while speaking at a meeting in Pithapuram two days ago, insisted on goading the police into taking decisive action to curb the disturbing trend of purveying false news and posting objectionable content on social media platforms.
As soon as the cabinet meeting started, Pawan Kalyan told the chief minister and the other ministers that the police were not doing anything even though social media was flooded with objectionable and obscene content targeting the NDA leaders and their families. He also took objection to discussion in social media whenever an atrocity is committed against women.
He is understood to have pointed out that the police officials have yet to come out of the YSRCP spell. He pointed out that under the YSRCP dispensation, they were asked to act to break the law while taking action against the NDA partners. “Now even when we are asking them to act legally against those who are resorting to character assassination on social media, they are only twiddling their thumbs.” He said it was imperative that the government has to move with an iron hand against those who post objectionable content on social media.
The chief minister, responding to Pawan Kalyan’s suggestion, is understood to have agreed with him that the department needs a shake-up to bring them to senses and make them work in accordance with law. He said that those who played a big role when the YSRCP was in power have not yet reformed themselves and that he will make sure that the entire police department falls in line within one month. He said that he would no longer tolerate any laxity in acting against those who carry out despicable campaigns against the government.
Several ministers had brought to Naidu’s notice that in their respective districts, police superintendents were not listening to them and when asked why no action was being taken against those who are breaking law, they were not coming out with satisfactory explanations.
After the cabinet meeting, Pawan Kalyan left for Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He might discuss with him political and other issues in Andhra Pradesh with him.
Taking up regular agenda, the cabinet cleared Andhra Pradesh Drone, Data Centre and semiconductor policies and green lighted restoration of the CRDA’s original jurisdiction of 8,352 sq km. The meeting also cleared the bill seeking to usher in a new Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, increasing the superannuation limit of the judicial officers from 60 to 61, constitution of Area Development Authorities for Kuppam and Pithpuram which are represented in the Assembly by the chief minister and the deputy chief minister.
As part of drone policy, it has been decided to set up 20 drone pilot training centres and 50 skill development centres. The cabinet cleared a proposal to facilitate at least 1,000 crore investments into the drone industry. The policy seeks to create jobs to 15,000 people and indirect jobs to 25,000 people.
Another policy that got cabinet’s clearance was Andhra Pradesh Data Centre Policy 4.0 under which 200 mw data is proposed to be added to the existing capacity. The policy will offer a better ecosystem for investment in the state for setting up data centres.
As part of information technology, electronics and communications policy, it has been decided to attract investment in these areas. The state proposes to provide a 30 percent subsidy in addition to the centre’s 50 percent relief to those who come forward to invest in this sector.
By another decision, the cabinet cleared Andhra Pradesh Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Bill, 2024 and another bill for repealing the 1982 Act. Under the proposed new Act, those who encroach government land are liable to face imprisonment from 10 years to 14 years and payment of the value of the land as fine. It will have the components of a similar Act in force in Gujarat.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
