Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy compared coal grades to liquor brands to explain power plant efficiency. He said, "Both may serve the purpose, but their quality and impact on health would differ." He argued that using inferior G13 coal instead of superior G9 coal increases pollution and financial costs.
When coal quality became the subject of a political slugfest in Telangana, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy found an unusual way to explain the difference between superior and inferior coal -- by bringing liquor brands into the conversation. The CM's comparison, made at a press conference to counter BRS leaders' claims about the Yadadri Thermal Power Plant's ability to function with any grade of coal, evoked laughter among those present. Revanth said liquor consumers could choose between the expensive Royal Salute and the cheaper Royal Stag. Both may serve the purpose, but their quality and impact on health would differ. Likewise, the Yadadri power plant could generate electricity using either G9, the superior grade, or G13, the inferior grade of coal, but the consequences would be vastly different, he explained. The CM argued that using inferior coal would mean burning much larger quantities to produce the same amount of electricity. The result would be increased pollution and a heavier financial burden on the state exchequer. The coal debate thus acquired a liquor-flavoured punchline, with the CM making his point without missing an opportunity to take a political swipe at his rivals.
Jaju's keen eye rattles babus
The files returning from Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju's office to various departments in the Secretariat are increasingly carrying two familiar tags -- 'discuss' or 'PPP' (PowerPoint Presentation). The buzz in Secretariat corridors is that the CS is sending back most files with these instructions, seeking more details and subjecting them to closer scrutiny of the fine print involved in government decision-making. While some complain that routine file clearance has become an exercise involving repeated visits to his office, the state's top bureaucrat, who has spent over a decade on Central deputation, has clearly honed the knack of looking for loopholes before clearing files. Quite naturally, detailed scrutiny of files involving major policy decisions or important government initiatives is understandable. This exactitude of the 1992-batch IAS officer is clearly aimed at saving the government embarrassment at a later stage, the grumbling notwithstanding. Some officials have wised up to the new standards and are providing comprehensive data, the fly on the wall suggests.
At Alai Balai, a very human moment
Hyderabad's much-loved Alai Balai gathering -- long associated with former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and known for bringing people together across political lines -- has for years been a place where even those who spar with one another every day share time and space in an atmosphere of camaraderie. And, at times, it brings out very human moments. One such moment involved senior BJP leader Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, the 74-year-old former Khairatabad legislator, who was anchoring the programme and briefly appeared to lose track of the script. As children were about to recite Vande Mataram, he asked for a recorded version instead, before colleagues gently reminded him of the plan. Then came the bigger slip: he asked the audience to sit during the National Song, apparently forgetting the customary protocol of standing. The crowd needed no prompting: everyone remained respectfully on its feet. Though he may have appeared younger than his age, sporting a black crop of hair and a beard, the veteran leader, for a few moments, reminded everyone that anyone can make a mistake -- one that was quickly addressed with a gentle reminder.
Tummala sets off fireworks before Diwali
Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, who also knows a thing or two about what and when to sow, could well have left this particular seed untouched. In what appeared to be a case of the uninformed leading the unaware, the minister, at a meeting on Indiramma houses at Velugumatla in Khammam district, wanted to know the date of Diwali, the festival that would serve as the deadline for completing construction of the houses. When his question was met with silence, Tummala, known for his occasional acerbic tongue-lashing, shot back with the remark, "Ee naa kodukuku teliyada?", shocking the officials and elected representatives present at the event. Video clips of Tummala's comments quickly began doing the rounds on social media, drawing equally harsh reactions.
Naidu now gets into Gen Z mode
Forty-eight years in politics have taught Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu many lessons, but his appetite for learning more has clearly not diminished. Naidu has now embraced Gen Z's viral '6-7 Seconds Challenge', complete with rapid-fire answers and trendy hand gestures. While some leaders may prefer sticking to microphones and lengthy speeches, Naidu chose to meet youngsters on their digital turf. Asked to choose between Hyderabad and Amaravati, he initially played it safe with "both" before settling for Amaravati, describing it as the "most liveable city in the world". Even a youth-oriented challenge could not keep his capital-building ambitions out of the conversation. Heritage or the Telugu Desam Party? The party won. Yoga beat the gym, work took precedence over family time, and Hyderabadi biryani defeated Nellore fish curry. Some choices, apparently, require less deliberation than political alliances. Asked about his biggest rival, Naidu replied, "Competition is with me." He described N.T. Rama Rao as a "great human being" and said he wanted people to remember his work. The takeaway? After nearly five decades in politics, Naidu knows that staying relevant means keeping up with the changing times.