AP govt to reshuffle entire staff

Govt has also decided to undertake sand quarrying through the state-owned mineral development corporation in partnership with women SHGs

In an unprecedented move, Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has decided to shift every government officer - from a mandal revenue officer (MRO) to a secretary in the government -- from the present place of work within a month.

Giving details of the Cabinet decisions, IT and information and public relations minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said the government had decided to transfer officers at all levels for the sake of proving a pure and transparent governance to the people.

"Those who are working in their existing positions had developed certain fixed opinions about the issues and responsibilities. We will not keep any officer in the existing place as a matter of a non-discriminatory gesture," the minister said without elaborating any further.

The government also decided to launch 'NTR canteens' in towns and cities on the lines of Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu, to provide breakfast and lunch at a discounted price. It has also decided to launch generic medicines stores that sell drugs at a cheaper price. A Cabinet sub-committee will be constituted to study the proposal before rolling out NTR canteens and medicine stores, he said.

Setting aside the present practice of auctioning sand reaches to the highest bidders, the government has decided to undertake sand quarrying through the state-owned mineral development corporation (APMDC) in partnership with women self-help groups (SHGs). The government will share 25 per cent of the sales revenue with the SHGs, the minister said.

The Cabinet, headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has also approved a proposal to allot over 1,100 acres of land to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for setting up defence manufacturing units in Chittoor district. It has decided to facilitate large-size solar power parks in Anantapur, and Guntur districts, according to the minister.