Reforms must be implemented fully for results — Naidu

Addressing Telugu Desam leaders from six Lok Sabha constituencies at the poll review session at the NTR trust office here, the chief minister explained that unless the reforms were implemented fully, the desired results would not be achieved.

He dismissed the criticism that the reforms were meant only for the elite and were anti-poor in nature. "On the contrary, it has been proved even in China and South Korea that changes in economic polices were essential for achieving overall growth," he said.

In an oblique reference to the charge that his government had agreed to the conditions of the World Bank, Naidu said: "For securing any loan from any institution, we will have to follow certain rules and norms and it cannot be termed as bowing to conditions".

Asserting that the reforms benefitted TDP in the elections, the chief minister reminded the party functionaries that his government had also launched a large number of welfare schemes for the socially oppressed and the poor.

"For the first time in the state’s history, we have spent huge amounts on welfare schemes. People have understood that we alone can safeguard their interests well and rejected the Congress which promised free power to the farm sector," he said.

Rejecting the Congress demand for waiver of electricity dues of the farm sector, Naidu contended that any such move would affect the growth of the power sector. "If we waive the arrears, we cannot supply quality power in the long run," he said.

On the unabated violence by the extremists in the State for the last two weeks, the chief minister expressed concern over the loss to the public property. But he vowed to maintain the law and order at any cost and said that the government would not be cowed down by any threats.