Handlooms & Textiles Minister Dr. P Shankar Rao has decided to hold an official meeting in a guest house to protest against the lack of basic infrastructure in his official chamber in the State Secretariat.
Talking to reporters in Hyderabad on Monday, Shankar Rao said that he would hold a meeting with the Floor leaders of all political parties on 30 November, to discuss the problems being faced by the state's handloom workers.
Instead of his official chambers, the meeting will be held at the Lake View Guest House from 11am to 1pm. The Minister said that he does not have enough chairs and other infrastructure in his chambers to conduct the meeting.
Targeting Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, the Minister said that his ministry is being completely 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.
Shankar Rao said that hundreds of handloom workers in AP have been committing suicide due to the government's negligent attitude. He demanded that the Chief Minister get Rs. 2,000 crore from the Centre's fund of Rs. 10,000 crore meant for handloom workers.
Stating that AP's handloom workers need immediate financial assistance, he also asked the Chief CM to release Rs. 200 crore for them under the 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 the Chief Minister.
He also complained that APCO's Managing Director has been skipping his review meetings since August. He said that although he had complained about this to the Chief Secretary several times, no action has been taken. (INN)