35 first-time MLAs meet CM

HYDERABAD: In a good move to instill the value of 'high fidelity' and gain the support among the first-time MLAs of his party, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy invited them to his chambers at the Secretariat.But the novices gave him a surprise, demanding their pound of flesh.Ranging from Cabinet berths to implementation of schemes, they wanted the chief minister to take them into confidence.While it is considered that the appointment of the chief minister to a first-time MLA as a rare opportunity, the chief minister took an initiative and invited the MLAs for the meeting to 'strengthen' the state administration for effective implementation of the government programmes.Initially, the MLAs met at the Congress Legislative Party office to determine the agenda for speaking with the chief minister for about two hours before meeting him.Nearly 35 first-time MLAs including eight women held discussions with the chief minister at his chambers for about two hours on Monday evening.Sources said that Kiran Kumar Reddy held discussions with the MLAs over topics ranging from Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to separate Telangana and also paralysing of administration across the state.“The chief minister assured to provide necessary support and resolve the problems faced in our constituencies.He tried to instill confidence among us and promised to give priority to our requests, if any,” said an MLA.But when it the turn of the MLAs to present their demands, the chief minister was in for a surprise.A few MLAs wanted at least a couple of berths to the first-time MLAs in the proposed Cabinet reshuffle apart from having a say in filling up the nominated posts in their districts.Others complained against certain officials who were not listening to them and wanted the officers to be replaced. They asked the chief minister to clear the pending applications pertaining to various schemes receiving during the Rachabanda programme.The legislators claimed that several eligible people were suffering due to the bureaucratic delays and wanted the government to implement the cash-transfer scheme to replace all other welfare schemes. The chief minister is learnt to have assured to resolve their problems at the earliest.