Take Precautionary Measures To Tackle El Nino Threat: JP

Hanamkonda: Lok Satta movement founder Dr Jayaprakash Narayan has urged the Telangana government to take advance measures to tackle the threat of water scarcity in the state due to the impact of El Nino.

He called on the government to prioritise public welfare and take decisions based on suggestions from all-party leaders and intellectuals, without allowing political criticism to influence the process.

Speaking at a press conference organised jointly by the Lok Satta movement and the Jwala anti-corruption organisation at the Lok Satta office in Hanamkonda on Monday, he questioned why the government was not taking adequate steps to utilise the available water in the Godavari and Pranahita rivers to address drinking water shortages.

He said water could be lifted and stored in reservoirs to meet both drinking water and irrigation requirements.

Jayaprakash Narayan questioned why the basic needs of people were not being fully met in Telangana despite the state's economic development.

He said the taxes collected from the public should be spent on creating infrastructure rather than unnecessary expenditure.

Referring to revenue from liquor sales, he said the state's earnings from the sector had increased from around 10,000 crore in the initial years after Telangana's formation to 42,000 crore at present.

He asked the government to explain how the revenue was being utilised for public welfare.

He also called for measures to protect young people from alcohol and drug abuse and urged the government to introduce reforms in the political and electoral systems, as well as in the judiciary and police administration.

Emphasising accountability in public service, Jayaprakash Narayan said elected representatives and government employees were servants of the people, not their masters.

Sunkari Prashanth, Parcha Kodanda Rama Rao, Bandaru Ramamohana Rao and others attended the meeting.