Govt has no role in CBI's actions: Kanna

Housing Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana clarified that the state government had no role in the investigations or arrests being carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation in various cases.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, the Minister said that the CBI's investigation is being directed by the judiciary. "The government did not poke its nose into the CBI affairs,” he said. Fielding a question, he made it clear that the CBI would proceed as per the law against the cabinet ministers of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, if they were involved in any unlawful activities. He said the CBI would add new names in the FIR as when it deems fit.

Describing Telugu Desam Party chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu as an opportunist, the Minister said Naidu has been praising CBI and Anna Hazare to draw political mileage. Recalling the views of former chief minister YSR, the minister made light of Naidu’s expressions, saying that the former blamed Naidu for his double standards.

The Minister also informed that in 2011, while the government fixed a target of six lakh house to be built under the Indiramma housing programme, so far only 1.9 lakh houses were completed. As against a budget of Rs 3000 Crore, the minister said only Rs 1200 Crore has been spent so far.

Further, the government has revamped the existing payment to ensure release of funds to the beneficiaries’ accounts in three instalments within 10 days with effect from Sept 1. For this purpose, funds have been kept at the disposal of the Project Director at the district level.