Quench peoples thirst

Warangal: Thought-provoking suggestions were given and fruitful discussions took place at Dasa-Disa, a public debate programme, organized jointly by the HMTV and The Hans India here on Saturday. Discussions took place on varied topics like drought, education, health, illicit liquor, industrial growth and development of Warangal as a whole.

Warangal MP P Dayakar, Warangal (West) MLA D Vinay Bhaskar, Mayor N Narender, Congress leader G Venkataramana Reddy, TDP district president G Satyanarayana Rao and TDP leader Seetakka, ex-Mayor E Swarna, CPI district secretary T Srinivas Rao, CPM district secretary S Vasudeva Reddy, BJP state secretary G Premender Reddy, retired NIT Prof M Panduranga Rao, noted writer Ampasayya Naveen, Prof Jayashankar Research Centre founder V Prakash and hundreds of people from different walks of life took part in the programme.

Several speakers opined that the state government should take necessary steps on a war-footing basis to ensure drinking water and fodder to cattle in rural areas severely affected by drought.

During the discussion on education, noted writer Ampasayya Naveen said the government is planning to introduce English medium from the ensuing academic year but there is lack of teachers to teach in English. The government should first appoint sufficient number of teachers to instruct in English medium.

A social activist from Mulug DK Yadav wanted better implementation of RTE Act, the implementation of which is being opposed by private school managements and government teachers as well.

Former MLA Seetakka expressed concern over closing of residential and non-residential schools on the pretext of lack of sufficient strength.

BJP leader Dr K Vijayalaksmi suggested that in order to improve quality education in government schools, it should be made mandatory for teachers serving in government schools to admit their children in government schools.

Opposing the suggestion, some of the guests at the programme wanted legislators and elected members to come forward and admit their wards in the government schools which they said could ensure quality education in the schools.

The transgenders too who participated in the programme wanted that the state government should implement the Supreme Court directions in regard to social benefits for them.

The issue of water scarcity and drought in Warangal took centre-stage during the discussion on Dhasa Dhisa. While the Congress leader G Venkataramana Reddy wanted the government to declare entire Warangal district as drought-hit and link MNREGS programme with drought-relief work, MP Dayakar said that the state government has decided to supply water on alternate days to Warangal residents by pumping from river Godavari to Dharmasagar reservoir.

MLA Vinay Bhaskar suggested that water-harvesting pits should be made mandatory which was the only solution to improve groundwater levels.

TDP leader Satyanarayana Rao said suggested that a barrage should be built at Tupakulagudem across Godavari to ensure water for drinking and irrigation needs.

Stating that it was not fair to blame TRS government for drought situation, BJP leader Premender Reddy, however, said the government had failed to prepare a report on the steps to be initiated to address the crisis.