metro india news  I amaravati

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Tuesday welcomed the State Cabinet’s decision to merge the Addanki and Kandukur Assembly constituencies back into Prakasam district, stating that the move reflected the long-standing aspirations of the people of the region and corrected administrative anomalies of the past.

Addressing a press conference at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) central office in Mangalagiri, the minister said the Coalition Government had taken a people-centric decision by undoing the unscientific district reorganisation carried out by the previous regime. He asserted that the latest Cabinet resolution would significantly improve administrative convenience and access to government services for residents of the two constituencies.

Recalling assurances made during the Yuvagalam padayatra, Ravi Kumar said the reintegration of Addanki and Kandukur into Prakasam district was a fulfilment of commitments given by Nara Lokesh. He noted that residents of Addanki, in particular, had been demanding a separate revenue division since 2012 to address persistent revenue and governance-related issues. “The decision to declare Addanki as a revenue division acknowledges the genuine demands of the people,” he said, expressing gratitude to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Lokesh for responding positively to public sentiment.

The minister said that Addanki residents had faced considerable hardship while remaining under Bapatla district, and that the latest decision would bring long-awaited relief by restoring administrative alignment with Prakasam district. “This correction will streamline governance and ensure faster resolution of public grievances,” he added.

Responding to questions on the recent brief power disruption at the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada, Ravi Kumar clarified that the incident was the result of a coordination lapse among officials and not due to any technical fault in the power system. He said electricity supply was interrupted for only about 10 minutes and was restored immediately after the issue was brought to his notice.

The minister warned that accountability would be fixed and action initiated against officials responsible for the lapse. To prevent recurrence, he announced that a special review meeting would be convened on January 6 or 7 under the leadership of Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, involving the temple executive officer and senior departmental officials.

Ravi Kumar criticised opposition leaders for politicising the issue, stating that exploiting minor administrative lapses to provoke public sentiment was unwarranted. “Matters linked to public faith and traditions should be handled with responsibility, not turned into political controversies,” he said, adding that the Coalition Government remained committed to safeguarding religious institutions and public sentiments with sincerity and transparency.