IAS officers in Andhra Pradesh, who have been bearing the brunt of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s so-called teleconferences day in and day out, are now said to be terribly upset with him for comparing them with drunkards.
Naidu, while reviewing the progress of digital transactions in the state a couple of days ago, made a harsh comment against the IAS officers. He asked them to raise their hands to know many of them had shifted to digital currency. And only 20 per cent of the 200-odd officials raised their hands, much to the astonishment of Naidu.
“That is the biggest challenge. Mindset. Your mindset has to change,” he quipped. ”“See how liquor shops are using point of sale machines. A drunkard’s mind will not work if he doesn’t drink by evening. That (drinking) gives him the kick, so he has learnt to make cashless transactions. He learnt it because of the need,” the Chief Minister observed. “You all, too, should switch to digital economy.”
The bureaucrats did not say anything immediately, but Naidu’s comments kicked up heated discussion among them. Many of them were upset for being compared to drunkards, though they were busy with their work all through the day. Some of them suggested that they should lodge a protest with Naidu, but some others said it might send wrong signals to the people.
“Let us bring it to his notice at an appropriate time,” they said.
