Struggle Forward and Victory Will Await You - Smt. JL Padmavati, Minister of Com. Taxes

She may not have the in born skill to counter and encounter the tricks of her political rails, or she may not like to be dashing and out wit those in front of her. But the path she follows in more important. Her inner heart, and mind, both yearns for the upliftment of women. She is Jagarlamudi Lakshmi Padmavathi, minister for commercial taxes.

Politics is not new in her family. However, she had no interest in the politics. After nearly fifty-six years of normal life and after the demise of her husband Shri J.Krishnamurthy, she entered politics.

Her unstilted struggle towards the uplifting of the fair sex in the society brought her unexpected majority in the elections from Ponnuchuru in Prakasam district and made her attain the position of a minister.

Her struggle, preference, the incidents inspiring her internal stability and her debut in political field are all interesting. In this background, HamaraSehahr.com met Smt. Lakshmi Padmavathi for an interview.

Q. How did you pick up interest in politics?

A. From 1961, I was the president of Chirala Mahila Mandal. Some how I was not interested in politics from the beginning. My uncle Mr. Bolla Bulli Ramaiah was a stalwart in politics and my brother-in-law Mr. Jagarlamudi Chandramouli was also a great leader. Even then we somehow did not pick up any interest in politics along with them. After Sri Chandarbabu Naidu became the chief minister, the importance he was giving to women sprouted my interest in politics.

Q. What was your entry point?

A. In the last elections, I applied for the party ticket keeping in view his preference of giving party tickets to women candidates. Others who applied along with me had gone to Hyderabad for that. But I applied for the ticket from Chirala itself. People around me enquired about the steps I was taking to make sure of the ticket. However, I used to say, "Mr. Chandrababu has announced that he will send tickets to the house of candidates who are efficient and result oriented. Wasn't it? Let us see." The ticket came searching for me to my house. That too for the prestigious Parchur constituency and it was against Sri Gade Venkatrami Reddy. Who was the senior leader of congress for the last forty years? I was stunned, but was happy. Sri G. Venktarami Reddy was close to our family almost like a family member. In the beginning, I felt a bit nervous to contest against such a personality and win. The women power brought me victory.

Q. How come they all forgot about the services of Sri Venkatrami Reddy to the Parchur constituency for the last forty years and chose you as their leader?

A. To tell you the truth, I was not a new face to Parchur. We had our fields there and my husband had a ginning mill in Parchur. We also had good relation with Parchur through my brother-in-law J. Chandramouli, a political figure. I take the reason for my win as the changes in the of women folks.

Q. Did you aspire for a minister ship?

A. Never. At first, there was the doubt about the ticket, then about winning. I could never think of the minister ship. But the people from my constituency had guessed that I stood a chance of Minster ship since I was the first woman MLA for the Prakasam district.

Q. What did you do before entering politics?

A. We established the Mahila Mandal of Chirala in 1961. Though it was a time pass in the beginning, it has now expanded to an organisation of over thousand members and 150 staff. Through our organisation, we have offered free training to women in trades of tailoring, embroidery, and bakery. Held camps in slum areas. Over 100 of non-formal centres were opened to assist in our mission of Adult education.

Q. What is the literacy rate of your district?

A. It is very low. Only around 45 percent in males with 20 percent in females.

Q. As the representative of your constituency, what are the steps you have taken towards literacy programs?

A. A scheme named "Sthree Vikasam - education in hundred days" was started recently for women belonging to the dwacra. We wish to educate them through easy methods of teaching. So far, these dwacra groups have toiled towards small savings. We are working towards imbibing a thought of learning and education in them.

Q. There is a general opinion that commercial tax department is a corrupt department. Are you taking steps to improve the situation?

A. Yes. I also hear that, but it is only partially true. The corruption will have no place if few more facilities are provided from the department side.

Q. Facilities like?

A. Strict vigilance at the check posts, strong inspection gates are some of the ideas we are thinking of.

Q. As the first women minister in this department what are your feelings?

A. I am happy that this time a department other than women's welfare has been allotted to a woman. For this I have to praise Chandrababu Naidu.

Q. Do you feel the present position contradictory after being a president of Mahila Mandal and catering to women's needs?

A. Of course, I do, but we have to administrate whatever department is allotted to us by the C.M isn't it.

Q. You mean to say that you do not have a free hand in your department! The final decision belongs to the CM?

A. It is not like that. I am new to this field and more over I became a minister. It will naturally take time to settle in. During this transition period, I feel that I need some guidance. For that I am turning towards CM and learning what is new to me.

Q. What is your most memorable experience in life?

A. Nothing so far. I did not even accomplish any thing as a minister as of now. There is a lot to be achieved.

Q. Are there any incidents, which you would like to forget?

A. The demise of my mother and similarly the death of my husband due to brain hemorrhage. These two are the most disturbing incidents in my life.

Q. What are the efforts put in by you to improve your constituency?

A. Prakasam District can be divided in to two those that has developed and those that are under developed. We have provided irrigation facilities through NABARD from Ethipothala Project to the areas like Markapuram, Darsi, Kanigiri etc. Water level in these areas has increased due to watershed projects. Similarly the ground water level also increased in many places. Constructions of roads, drinking water supply are of utmost priority in the district agenda.

Q. Aren't you getting tired of the busy life at this age?

A. No. its not tedious, except for the tiring travels. Busy life in satisfying. My grown up children are well settled and I have no family responsibilities to burden me. I would like to spend my time in social service.

Q. Any message to the women?

A. They should have education. They shrine in all fields once they are well educated. They should not wait for the opportunity to knock at their door. Instead, struggle forward towards victory and victory will await them. The swing in women votes is the main reason for my win.

Personal Profile

In 1942, Smt. Jagarlamudi Lakshmi Padmavathi was born into the family of landlords from East Godavari district. As her mother was ailing at the Madanapalli sanatorium, and being the eldest in the family she was married off at the tender age of 13 to her maternal uncle Sri Jagarlamudi Krishnamurthy Babu. Presently her three children have grownup and are well settled in life.

Educational Qualifications

After her marriage she completed her matriculation from Sontam School. The social discrimination towards females at that time prevented her from continuing her education further.

Social responsibilities & Posts held

She has the unique distinction of being the president of Chirala Mahila Mandal continuously for the past 40 years. She also held other responsible positions like president of women's super bazaar of Chirala, secretary, district federation of Mahila Mandal Chirala, ex-president of rotary club Chirala etc.

She founded Mahila Mandal of Chirala in 1961 and worked relentlessly towards the upliftment of women. From 1965 to 1976 she was instrumental in improving the literacy of girls and women. For women who could not afford training in any particular skill she offered training for free in the trades of tailoring and embroidery through Mahila Mandal. She established Chirala Mahila consumer super bazaar in 1978 and worked hard towards its growth. She was responsible for opening many Angan Vadi Centres and over 100 non-formal centres through her Mahila Mandal to promote adult education.

Awards and Rewards

She was awarded the prestigious National award for her services to the society in 1985 by the then president of India Sri Zail Singh.

Ideals and Aims

As the cabinet minister of A.P. state she is aiming to lead her district forward in all-round development and literacy.

Her desire is to earn as much income as possible to the government as the minister of commercial taxes and earn a good name just like other ministries. Her ideal is to work towards the upliftment of women and serve the state government causing least difficulties to the general public and the business circle.