As tenure ends, Visakhapatnam ZP focus now on asset sharing

Zilla Parishad chairperson J. Subhadra felicitated by elected members at the final general body meeting in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: V RAJU The Visakhapatnam Zilla Parishad (ZP) held its final general body meeting on Tuesday, marking an end to the elected body’s five-year tenure against the backdrop of the Visakhapatnam ZP reorganisation—from one into three districts— Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam. Elected representatives and officials reflected on the five years of grassroots governance.The meeting, chaired by ZP Chairperson Jallipalli Subhadra, reviewed rural development milestones, while addressing administrative transitions following the redrawing of the district boundaries.Opening the proceedings, Ms. Subhadra said that completing the five-year tenure since September 2021 brought immense satisfaction. She added that the redrawing of district boundaries marked an emotional occasion for the elected representatives, and their commitment to public service would continue regardless of holding formal office.Members raised several issues concerning rural services, including the need to augment medical services, deploy ambulances across mandal headquarters, streamline referral protocols to King George Hospital (KGH) from agency areas like Paderu and S. Kota, and easing eligibility criteria for single-women pensions.To a request to clear pending honorariums to local representatives through the ZP general fund, the Chairperson responded positively.Highlighting the significance of local bodies, Rajya Sabha MP Golla Babu Rao said that the Panchayati Raj system is the stepping stone for any political career. Recalling his own journey as a former ZP Chief Executive Officer who progressed to legislative roles, Mr. Babu Rao said: “Local governance bridges the gap between authority and public accountability.” Despite Visakhapatnam district now comprising fewer mandals post-reorganisation, focus on community welfare must remain uncompromising, he addedMLC Varudu Kalyani said that public trust was the ultimate badge of honour for any representative. He emphasised the need to continue infrastructural development and rural welfare programmes through the ZP.Madugula MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy recalled his four-decade association with the ZP and stressed that elected officials must maintain transparent public records. Mr. Satyanarayana further urged authorities to ensure an equitable distribution of ZP assets, guest houses, and resources among the newly carved districts of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Alluri Sitharama Raju based on population metrics.The meeting concluded with emotional exchanges as MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and fellow members felicitated Ms. Subhadra and participating ZPTC members with shawls and mementos.ITDA Project Officer Aditya Varma, Koppula Velama Welfare Corporation Chairman P.V.G. Kumar, and district departmental heads were present. Published - September 22, 2026 07:51 pm IST