Hyderabad: Revenue and Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Sunday issued a daily public hours mandate directing newly elected municipal councilors to spend at least two hours every morning in their wards for five days a week.
Addressing a gathering at the Edulapuram municipal office in Peddathanda, the Minister said public representatives must shift focus from politics to governance after elections. “Politics persists only until the elections are concluded. Once elected, it is imperative for representatives to serve the people on behalf of the government,” he said.
He added that leadership meant accountability, not authority. Therefore, he urged councilors to remain accessible to residents and resolve civic issues directly in the field instead of staying in offices.
The Minister attended the official assumption of charge by Pokabathini Anitha as the newly elected chairperson of Edulapuram municipality. He said the electorate had placed trust in Congress candidates in the recent municipal polls and expected responsive governance in return.
Minister outlines daily public hours mandate and civic targets
Explaining the daily public hours mandate, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said not all problems required funds. Instead, he stressed that effective coordination with officials and staff could address many grievances swiftly.
He instructed municipal authorities to take immediate steps to ensure drinking water supply, prevent sewage stagnation and remove encroachments on drains. Moreover, he announced that he would review progress in 15 days and expected councilors to present a clear understanding of ward-level challenges.
Later, the Minister attended a housewarming ceremony of a beneficiary under the Indiramma Housing Scheme in Satyanarayanapuram. He congratulated the family on their new home and presented silk garments as a gesture of goodwill.