Pawan Kalyan promises transparent governance and local development

Vijayawada: Expressing gratitude to the people of Pithapuram for electing him as their representative in the state assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said he will always be grateful to them and will try to live up to their expectations. Addressing a Varahi public meeting in his home constituency Pithapuram on Wednesday, an emotional Pawan Kalyan said people made him deputy chief minister when his opponents used to say he could not even touch the door of the assembly. “Your mandate has brought about a change in national politics. The historic victory of the Jana Sena Party has strengthened the NDA,” he said. Silencing most of his opponents who were saying Pawan Kalyan would leave Pithapuram after being elected, the JSP chief said he has become a proud resident of Pithapuram as he has bought three acres of land and will soon set up his camp office in the constituency. He said people have given him a big responsibility. He said inspired by Dokka Sitamma, an incarnation of Goddess Annapurna, he will strive for development in all areas of the state as a sevak. About the Panchayat Raj department, he said that though many people had suggested him the Home, Revenue and Finance departments, he chose Panchayat Raj as he firmly believes that it is the key to Gram Swaraj. I told my officers that I don’t need any tainted money and no recommendation will be made from my side. With their cooperation I will strengthen the department. I have instructed them to ensure that contracts and other works are executed properly and everything is accounted for. I have never looked at my personal accounts like I am now checking the accounts of the Panchayat Raj department. I want the system to be transparent to let people know about every transaction in the department. Alleging that the previous YSRC government derailed and destroyed the existing systems, the Deputy Chief Minister asked people not to expect miracles overnight. “It takes some time to set everything right and restore normalcy,” he said, adding that locating a missing teenager after nine months is an example of his commitment. Pawan Kalyan said he told his party MLAs not to boast of their victory but to behave humbly and that disciplinary action would be taken against them if any complaint was received against them. Vow to develop Pithapuram constituency as a model constituency in the country, he promised to develop temple tourism in Pithapuram. Reeling centre for silk producers, chilli crushing unit at Durgada and cold storage unit at Gollaprolu would be developed soon. Similarly, the issue of railway bridge at Kotagummam junction would also be looked into, the JSP chief promised. Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister visited Uppada along with officials of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Maritime Board and took stock of coastal erosion.