Emulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ initiative, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is planning a public interaction programme to share his ideas and vision on matters of public importance.
Naidu briefly mentioned the idea during his speech in the state assembly recently. He said he was working on a programme that would facilitate direct communication with the public, on the lines of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, a monthly radio programme where Modi interacts with citizens on themes and issues that matter to the nation.
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The Telugu Desam Party supremo also discussed the idea with his party leaders and cabinet colleagues and sought their suggestions on the format of interacting with the people.
“The modalities are being worked out. In all probability, the once-in-a-month programme is likely to be introduced from January 14, coinciding with Sankranti festival, which is very auspicious for the Telugu people,” a senior TDP leader said.
The initiative is expected to address government policies, social issues, and significant events through audio and video formats. The chief minister might choose television media to address the people, which would be telecast by various channels. “The government would buy half-an-hour or one-hour slots in the channels for the programme,” he said.
Another suggestion is that Naidu should invite creative ideas on various developmental works or any innovative suggestions from the people so that he would respond to them in his address during the programme.
Another idea is to revive the ‘Dial Your CM’ programme which Naidu had introduced in his earlier stint as the chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh between 1995 and 2004. Then, there were not many private television channels and Naidu would make use of Doordarshan to interact with people.
“In this method, people can dial up a dedicated number and speak to Naidu directly. They can raise questions pertaining to their constituency or give suggestions on various schemes. Naidu would note down every query or suggestion and pass them on to the officials concerned to find a solution,” the TDP leader said.
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