Cabinet meeting held at state secretariat in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday held a cabinet meeting at the state secretariat to discuss various issues including the relief measures in cyclone Fani-affected areas, scarcity of drinking water, effect of climatic changes, status of employment including NREGS in the state.

Though the cabinet meeting built some tension in Andhra Pradesh, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday gave permission for the meeting as the Model Code of Conduct is in place.

The ECI gave nod to the cabinet meeting after the Chief Secretary L V Subrahmanyam paid a visit to CM N Chandrababu Naidu's residence on Monday afternoon to discuss the prevailing situation in the state.

The ECI also clarified that it has no objection for the proposed meeting, subject to the condition that any new decisions or revision of rates or any outstanding payment will require ECI's permission before implementation. Further, the ECI restricted to make any media announcement of enhancement of rates.

Meanwhile, Naidu alleged that the ECI is acting against TDP in the state as it changed the Chief Secretary of AP and some other senior bureaucrats. TDP has also been very vocal about the new Chief Secretary LV Subrahmanyam for allegedly favouring YSRCP in the state.

However, four ministers - Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Adinarayana Reddy, Sujaya Krishna Rangarao, Pitani Satyanarayana - did not attend the cabinet meeting. Kidari Sravan Kumar, who resigned from his ministerial post recently, also did not attend the meeting. Reportedly, these ministers could not attend the meeting due to personal reasons or as they were abroad.