Another burning of files generates heat in Andhra

Rajamahendravaram: There seems to be no let-up in burning of government files after the Madanapalle Sub-Collector office fire that occurred on July 21 which was described by Special Chief Secretary (Revenue) RP Sishodia as ‘not a natural incident.’

Following that incident, show-cause notices were served to many and two senior revenue officials were placed under suspension for their involvement in burning of files relating to 22A and certain assigned lands. The government immediately ordered a probe by the CID after pointing out accusing fingers at certain YSRCP politicians who were close to corridors of power when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was the Chief Minister.

After this, another fire was reported in the office of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), wherein the government is looking into the possibility of any malafide intention.

The recent one to rock the political circles was the mysterious burning of government files pertaining to Polavaram Left Main Canal at its Dowleswaram project office in East Godavari. After it was flashed by the local media, there was a claim by certain officials that only waste papers were burnt.

However, following intervention by the senior officials and ruling party leaders, three employees were suspended and two more were served show-cause notices. Some of the files connected with payment of compensation for the Polavaram Left Main Canal. Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said they would investigate the cause of the burning and whether standard operating protocols were followed for setting ablaze some papers, found to be waste papers. “We will not spare anyone if there is a conspiracy to destroy original records under the alibi of waste papers,” he cautioned.

After the Mandanapalle fire, Sishodia recently toured Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts to probe into allegations regarding land encroachments and ambiguity over status of ownership of certain parcels of land.