IT ministers in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh turn people's saviours

HYDERABAD: Only two Cabinet ministers, one from Telangana state and one from Andhra Pradesh, are very active in social media, out of the 38 Cabinet ministers from both the states. In Telangana state, minister K.T. Rama Rao and minister Nara Lokesh in Andhra Pradesh are solving many issues that are taken to their notice on Twitter. Both ministers look after Information Technology in addition to other portfolios. 

Telangana state has 18 Cabinet ministers and AP 20. Only some of them have Twitter accounts. It is very difficult for a common man to meet the ministers and seek redressal for their issues. Using Twitter, several people are bringing their problems to the notice of the ministers from their respective states through their official Twitter account.

Both Mr Rao and Mr Lokesh take keen interest in responding. They respond not only to issues related to their portfolios. If anyone asks about a problem related to other departments too, they forward the complaint to the minister and officials concerned. Mr K.T. Rama Rao posted on his Twitter account: “To those of you wondering if I look at your posts in issues such as roads, sewerage, water supply, I assure you that I do and forward them to various heads of departments for action”. 

Mr Lokesh said in his Twitter account: “Tracking and resolving every grievance is our priority. As part of this, we request you provide your contact number and the details of your village, mandal and constituency for quick resolution and feedback purposes”.   An officer of TS municipal administration department said the social media is helping many people to solve their problems without visiting office.  “If the problem is genuine and within their purview, they are solving them immediately,” he said.  Their staff monitors the progress of redressal of problems reported by the ministers.