We Only Saw Stones and Rocks, Chandrababu Envisioned a Metropolis: Pawan Kalyan
Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister, addressed the district collectors conference chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. During his speech, Pawan Kalyan highlighted the profound impact of the previous administration's policies, describing how they disrupted institutional foundations. He emphasized unity among leaders to rectify the situation, stating, “We moved forward together, setting aside differences, solely to protect democracy and ease the struggles of the people.”
He expressed concerns over irregularities discovered during his review of various departments. “Many aspects are inconsistent with the rulebook, and I’ve encountered numerous financial irregularities,” he said, stressing the need for strict adherence to governance principles.
Pawan Kalyan accused the previous government of numerous administrative abuses, ranging from compelling revenue officials to sell movie tickets to enabling sand mining scams. Addressing senior IAS officers, he remarked, “It baffles us that officers of your caliber did not question such practices despite being aware of them. Why was there silence in the face of these transgressions?”
Drawing a broader comparison, he warned of the dangers of administrative failure, citing public uprisings in countries like Sri Lanka and Syria that led to government collapses. “When governance systems fail, people inevitably revolt. History is a testament to this.”
Lauding Chandrababu Naidu’s vision, Pawan Kalyan praised his role in transforming Hyderabad. “When we saw stones and rubble, Chandrababu envisioned a metropolis. The way he advanced the unified state back then is commendable,” he stated.
Turning his attention to current issues, Pawan Kalyan urged officials to cooperate with the government. He criticized ongoing malpractices at Kakinada Port despite measures to curb them. “Minister N. Manohar set up three checkpoints, yet the irregularities persist. Whom should we hold accountable?” he asked. Warning of potential threats, he cited the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks as an example of negligence leading to catastrophic outcomes, stressing the need for vigilance to prevent such events.
Addressing the sand mining issue, Pawan Kalyan echoed Chandrababu Naidu’s call for strict action against interference in sand policies. “We are here to serve the people and must dedicate ourselves fully to this purpose,” he concluded.