Shankar Rao targets CM, again

Handlooms and Textiles Minister Dr P Shankar Rao has decided to hold an official meeting in a guest house to protest against lack of basic infrastructure in his official chamber in the State Secretariat.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, Dr Shankar Rao said that he would hold a meeting with the floor leaders of all political parties on November 30 to discuss the problems being faced by the handloom workers in the State. Instead of his official chambers, the meeting would be held at the Lake View Guest House from 11 am to 1 pm. The Minister said that he was not having sufficient chairs or other infrastructure in his chambers to conduct the meeting.

Targeting Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, the Minister said that his ministry was completely being ignored by the state government. "If the High Command asks, I will resign from my post. However, I will not tolerate injustice to my department," he said.

Dr Shankar Rao said that hundreds of handloom workers have been committing suicide in the State due to the negligent attitude of the government. He demanded that the Chief Minister gets Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre's fund of Rs 10,000 crore meant for handloom workers. Stating that the handloom workers in the State need immediate financial assistance, he also asked the Chief Minister to release Rs 200 crore under Rajiv Vidya Mission.

"You might be having some personal enmity or grudge against me. But don't penalise my department," Dr Shankar Rao appealed to Chief Minister. He also complained that the APCO's managing director has been skipping his review meetings since August. He said although he complained about this to the Chief Secretary several times, but no action has been taken.