Guntur: Cracking the whip against an errant official, Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) commissioner Puli Srinivasulu took strict action against assistant director of horticulture, Pulivarthi Srinivas, by surrendering him to the state govt.
The inquiry was initiated after nursery owners in Kadiyam complained about Srinivas’s visit, where he allegedly demanded favors in exchange for clearing their bills. While a few owners agreed under duress, a nursery owner is believed to have called the commissioner and informed him about the visit and demands of the horticulture official. It may be noted that Srinivas had joined GMC on deputation recently, reportedly through political references. Sources said that the horticulture official reportedly told the owners of the nurseries that he was deputed by commissioner himself.
The controversy surrounds the procurement of plants worth ₹30 lakh from Kadiyam nurseries for chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s visit in Jan. Though the plants were procured for the CM’s visit, GMC commissioner directed the horticulture department headed by AD Srinivas to make use of them in the beautification of medians and parks in the city. However, most plants withered away due to negligence, sparking widespread criticism.
Meanwhile, a few saplings which were planted in the medians dried up due to poor management.
GMC Commissioner Srinivasulu, who previously worked in East Godavari district, had directly contacted Kadiyam nursery owners to supply ornamental plants and flowers at a low cost. The horticulture department’s poor management has raised questions about the utilization of funds and the effectiveness of the beautification projec
