A press conference conducted by three State ministers here on Friday to convey the Government’s thanks and appreciation to the people for celebrating Deepavali on Thursday without crackers in view of the havoc caused by cyclone Hudhud, ended abruptly when questions were asked about the absence of GVMC employees in the relief operations.
After HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Information Minister Palle Raghunadha Reddy profusely praised the people for their grit and determination in restoring normalcy after cyclone and thanked them for avoiding crackers during Deepavali in response to the call given by the Chief Minister, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana was hard put to explain the absence of GVMC staff for four to five days after the cyclone.
Mr. Narayana said 10,000 personnel, including 5,000 staff of the GVMC, 3,000 from other civic bodies and 2,000 policemen, NDRF, Defence and Fire Service personnel from AP and other States were involved in the relief operations and cleaning up the city. “GVMC staff are dealing with the wet garbage and others are taking care of removing the fallen trees and branches”, he tried to explain, but failed to give a convincing reply why the GVMC staff were not seen for the first few days which was pointed out by staff from other civic bodies.
Mr. Ganta Srinivasa Rao came to his rescue and announced that the press conference was over.
On Friday and Saturday the 14 parks under VUDA and 92 parks managed by the GVMC would be cleaned up and the 12.5 km. stretch of National Highway running through the city, along which major work of removing trees and tree branches was taken up, would be totally cleaned up on Sunday, Mr. Narayana said.
Power supply was restored to 90 per cent of the area under GVMC and 70 to 80 per cent of rural area. Total coverage would be achieved by October 31, he added.
The Ministers and MP of Anakapalle M. Srinivasa Rao and MLA Visakha North P. Vishnukumar Raju appreciated the Chief Minister for restoring power and water supply in a record time and providing commodities to the cyclone affected people. Chairperson of Zilla Praja Parishad Lalam Bhavani and MLAs Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, Palla Srinivas, Peela Govind and P. Ramesh Babu were also present.
