Tight Security, Faster Replies Planned For AP Assembly Session
Elaborate security and administrative arrangements are being put in place for the AP Assembly and Council sessions from August 17, with officials directed to speed up replies to legislators and strengthen digital pass verification.
Elaborate administrative and security arrangements will be made for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Council sessions beginning August 17, with Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu and Council Chairman Koyye Moshen Raju directing officials to ensure smooth conduct of the proceedings.
The presiding officers held separate review meetings with services special chief secretary S.S. Rawat, GAD (political) principal secretary J. Shyamala Rao and additional DGP Madhusudhan Reddy at the Assembly premises in Amaravati on Friday.
They expressed concern over delays in replies to questions raised by legislators and directed officials to establish an effective coordination mechanism for timely, clear and comprehensive answers. Where a question could not be answered, the reasons should be stated clearly. Long-pending questions should also be reviewed and disposed of as per procedure.
The Speaker and Chairman stressed the need for a monitoring mechanism to ensure that assurances given by ministers and departments on the floor of the House were implemented within the stipulated time.
They directed officials to expedite payment of pending medical bills of legislators and resolve administrative or technical hurdles affecting eligible claims. Proposals for enhancement of legislators’ pensions should also be examined and processed expeditiously, taking into account administrative and financial implications.
Security arrangements were also reviewed. The Speaker directed police to ensure foolproof security and maintain high alertness to prevent any untoward incident during the session. With digital passes being introduced, entry into the Assembly and Council premises will be allowed only after mandatory scanning and verification.
Security personnel should be briefed on the digital pass system and ensure that only authorised persons are admitted, he said.
Special arrangements were sought for the ‘Mana Sabha–Mana Sabha’ programme being held on Friday and Saturday, when visitors may be allowed into the premises from 6 pm. Officials were asked to plan visitor entry, pass verification, vehicle movement, parking and security checks in advance.
Taking past experiences into account, Ayyannapatrudu directed police to identify and plug security gaps, particularly in open areas around the Secretariat. Adequate deployment should cover all four sides of the Secretariat, Assembly and Council premises, backed by CCTV cameras, communication systems and other surveillance technology.
Police were also asked to ensure smooth movement of legislators, officials, staff, media and visitors without compromising security.
Deputy Speaker Kanumuru Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, Assembly secretary-general Suryadevara Prasanna Kumar, Guntur SP Vakul Jindal, CM security SP Bhadraiah and senior officials attended the meetings.
