Governor meets President, PC

New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan on Wednesday called on President Pranab Mukherjee and briefed on the situation in Andhra Pradesh, which has been placed under President’s Rule. This was the first formal meeting after the administration passed into his hands.

The Governor is understood to have explained to him the general law and order situation in the State. He also explained the loss caused to the farmers by the recent unseasonal rains. The Governor, who held a review here is understood to have directed Chief Secretary P K Mohanty to take all steps for alleviating the plight of the farmers affected by the recent rains.

Narasimhan later met Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and briefed them on the developments in the State.

He is also understood to have given a briefing on the political situation, where local bodies elections have been ordered. Now the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls have also been announced. In a brief interaction with media persons, he played down the action against the petrol pump dealers. He said there was no vindictiveness in his action. However, the dealers should act with responsibility, he felt. The Governor also rejected any design behind the recent transfer of officials, after the State came under the President’s rule. Transfer of officials is quite a normal process and it was a routine exercise and nothing unusual about it, he said.