Deadline for minority scholarship application extended

Hyderabad, Jul 31 : The Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Finance Corporation Ltd (APSMFCL) today announced the extension of last date for online submission of Government of India Scholarship applications till August ten.In a statement, the APSMFCL Vice-Chairman and Managing Director said Minorities Welfare Minister Mohd Ahmadulla considered to extend the deadline after receiving representation from parents of Minority students.Minority students who have already registered their applications online are requested to submit the applications to the office of the Executive Director, APSMFC, of the district concerned on or before August 6, 2010 without fail.Those who have not registered online so far are requested to register their application and submit applications to the office of the Executive Director on or before August 10, 2010.
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ISNA Welcomes Statement from the National Association of Evangelicals Against Qur'an Burning

USA(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) July 29, 2010) ISNA applauds statements released by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) that denounces the planned burning of Qur'ans on September 11th by a Floridian group. ISNA President, Dr. Ingrid Mattson states, "We live in a time when all people of faiths must be committed to mutual understanding and reconciliation, for there is no doubt that some people from each of our traditions are using the power of religion to foster hatred and discord. I applaud the ethical leadership of the NAE in issuing this statement. We should never blame all Christians, evangelical or otherwise, for the actions of an individual pastor and his congregation." According to the press release, the National Association of Evangelicals states that it encourages increased understanding and reconciliation between those of different faiths and backgrounds, and it laments efforts that work against a just and peaceful society. "The plans recently announced by a Florida group to burn copies of the Qu'ran on September 11 show disrespect for our Muslim neighbors and would exacerbate tensions between Christians and Muslims throughout the world. The NAE urges the cancellation of the burning." NAE President Leith Anderson said, "The most powerful statement by the organizers of the planned September 11th bonfire would be to call it off in the name and love of Jesus Christ."In 1996 the NAE addressed religious persecution saying that "If people are to fulfill the obligations of conscience, history teaches the urgent need to foster respect and protection for the right of all persons to practice their faith." [1] In the same resolution, the NAE pledged to "address religious persecution carried out by our Christian brothers and sisters whenever this occurs around the world." The NAE calls on its members to cultivate relationships of trust and respect with our neighbors of other faiths. God created human beings in his image, and therefore all should be treated with dignity and respect. The proposed burning of Qu'rans, it said, would be profoundly offensive to Muslims worldwide, just as Christians would be insulted by the burning of Bibles. Such an act would escalate tensions between members of the two faiths in the United States and around the world. "We have to recognize that fighting fire with fire only builds a bigger fire," said Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed, in Orlando, Fla., and member of the NAE Board of Directors. "Love is the water that will eventually quench the destruction."[1] National Association of Evangelicals, Worldwide Religious Persecution 1996. See http://www.nae.net/government-affairs/policy-resolutions/413-worldwide-religious-persecution-1996
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TRS chief demands separate statehood after massive poll win

Hyderabad, July 31 : Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao has said the party's victory in by-elections in the Telangana region nothing less than a referendum for the creation of a separate state, and asked the Centre to take immediate steps in this regard,"I humbly appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi that please deliver Telangana state without any further loss of time. The time has come; the time has ripened. This verdict is nothing less than a referendum," he told reporters here on Friday.He also urged the Justice B N Srikrishna Committee, constituted by the Central Government to go into the Telangana statehood issue and submit its report quickly."In the meantime, the Congress should prepare for delivering Telangana after December 31. They should come forward. They should ask the Justice Srikrishna (Commission) to expedite, expedite proceeding and submit the report immediately in the view of bye election results," he said.The TRS won eleven seats while its new political ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won one seat.The polls to the 12 seats were held in the wake of resignations of provincial lawmakers over the issue.Pro-Telangana activists have been agitating since December 23 after the Central Government deferred its promise to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.The agitations have resulted in series of violent incidents in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as some other parts of the state.
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HMDA makes new zonal office for building layout approvals

Hyderabad, Jul 31 : The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has established a zonal office at Medchal to provide better public facilities regarding building layout approvals of people covering nine revenue mandals.According to a release here yesterday, these revenue mandals are Medchal, Shameerpet, Quthbullapur of R R Dist and Jinnaram, Narsapur, Toopran, Shivampet, Mulugu and Wargal of Medak Dist.HMDA has also held a first co-ordination meeting in connection with layout approvals of buildings with the officials of Gram Panchayats falling under Medchal Mandal on July 30, the release said.In the meeting, officials explained the role of Gram Panchayats in respect to giving permission of building construction as well as enforcement action against the unauthorised constructions. With regard to approval of non-residential buildings, HMDA will technically approve the building plans and forward the same to local body for final release. The applications of said category and residential buildings above ground plus two upper floors shall be directly submitted to zonal office HMDA for necessary approval, the release added.
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Student commits suicide for Telangana, Osmania University tense

Hyderabad, July 31 : Osmania University here was tense Saturday as yet another student committed suicide in the campus, demanding the formation of separate Telangana state.The charred body of Ishan Reddy, an engineering student, was found near the university library. In his hand-written suicide note found near the body, the student said he was fulfilling his "wish" as all 12 legislators, who had resigned for the cause of Telangana, were re-elected. "I wished before Maisamma (deity) that I will sacrifice my life if D. Srinivas and other Congress candidates are defeated in the elections and now that they are defeated I am fulfilling my wish," he said. Andhra Pradesh state Congress chief D. Srinivas and other Congress candidates were defeated in the by-elections in the region. Ishan congratulated the people of Telangana and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao for ensuring the re-election of 12 legislators. Ishan, who hailed from Medak district, also wanted that Congress and TDP leaders like D. Srinivas, Jana Reddy, Damodar Reddy, Sridhar Babu, K. Venkat Reddy, Kadiam Srihari, E. Dayakar Rao and N. Janardhan Reddy be declared "traitors" of Telangana and hanged publicly. Tension prevailed on the campus as the students were resisting police attempts to shift the body to the mortuary. Ishan Reddy, in his suicide note, expressed his wish that autopsy should not be conducted on his body. He also wanted his body to be taken in a procession from the university to Telangana martyrs' memorial near the assembly. Ishan Reddy completed his B Tech from St. Ann's Institute of Technology and was undergoing coaching for GRE TOEFL exams. He is the fourth student to commit suicide on the Osmania University campus this year. In March, Sai Kumar, a second year B Tech student of Osmania University, had ended his life by hanging in his hostel room as he was upset over the delay in formation of a separate state. On Feb 20, a Class 12 student had immolated himself at the main entrance of Osmania University in full public view during a protest by university students. In January, a MCA student had self-immolated on the campus. Parties fighting for a separate Telangana claim that over 300 students and youth have committed suicide in the region since protests began in November last year.
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TRS scores historic victory in Telangana by-polls

Hyderabad, July 31 : The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which won all 11 seats it contested in the Telangana by-elections, made history with its massive victory margins.Riding on the popular Telangana sentiment, the party not only retained all 10 seats it won in the 2009 elections but also wrested one from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). TRS had not fielded its candidate in Nizamabad Urban where BJP's A. Lakshminarayana once again defeated state Congress chief D.Srinivas. Its candidates, who won last elections with a few hundreds votes, retained the seats by a bumper majority. The victory margin in most of the constituencies was anywhere between 60,000 to 95,000. Political pundits say a candidate polling 70 to 85 percent of votes in assembly elections is unprecedented. The TRS performance reminds one of the massive victory of the Telangana Praja Samiti (TPS) in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections. Fighting on the similar slogan, TPS had bagged 10 out of 14 seats it contested in Telangana. But even the TPS had polled 50 to 65 percent of votes. The performance of TRS this time has been so strong that the ruling Congress finished a poor second while TDP candidates lost security deposit as they failed to get the minimum of one-sixth of the total votes polled in their respective constituencies. TRS leader T. Harish Rao registered a record victory with a margin of 95,858 votes in Siddipet, polling 82 percent of votes. His nearest rival of the Congress could get only 12,921. Both Congress and TDP forfeited their deposits. The second highest margin of victory for TRS was in Huzurabad where its former leader in assembly E. Rajender retained the seat with a majority of 79,227 votes. The margin was 78,047 in Manchiryal constituency. ballot papers were used for Tuesday's polling in five constituencies, the results were announced after Friday midnight. TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao's son K.Tarakarama Rao, who won last election with a margin of 171 in Sircilla, this time defeated his rival by 67,997 votes. In Warangal West, D. Vinaybhaskar was re-elected with a majority of 67,809 votes. Former minister and Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir was defeated in Yellareddy by TRS candidate A. Ravinder Reddy by 37,535 votes. TRS also retained Korutla seat with a victory margin of 56,525 votes. The Congress could put up some face-saving performance only in Nizamabad where the BJP candidate's victory margin was only 11,981 votes. It also gave a good fight to TRS in Sirpur. In its worst ever performance, TDP lost security deposits in all constituencies. The by-elections were necessitated by the resignation of all 10 legislators of the TRS and one each of the BJP and the TDP on the issue of a separate Telangana state in February.
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Trains partially cancelled/diverted due to breaches

Hyderabad, Jul 30 : The South Central Railway (SCR) today partially cancelled/diverted some trains due to breaches on track caused by rain water between Kinwat-Ambari-Kosai Stations on Mudkhed-Adilabad section of Nanded Division.According to a press release here, Train No 7406 Adilabad - Tirupati Express, scheduled to leave today, has been partially cancelled between Adilabad and Nizamabad. Train No 7405 Tirupati-Adilabad Express, which left Tirupati today, will be terminated at Nizamabad and the same train will run as Train No 7406A to Tirupati leaving Nizamabad at 0215 hrs tomorrow.Train No 551 Purna-Adilabad Passenger, scheduled to leave Purna at 1745 hrs today, will be terminated at Kinwat and will be partially cancelled between Kinwat and Adilabad and will return as Train No 554/A from Kinwat to Parli tomorrow. Train No 7610 Purna-Patna Express, scheduled to leave Purna today, has been diverted to run via Akola and Bhusaval. Train No 1045 Chathrapathi Sivaji Maharaj (Terminus) Kolhapur - Dhanbad Express, which is on run, has been diverted to run via Manmad, Bhusaval, Nagpur to Dhanbad.
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Statehood wind blows through Telangana, TRS sweeps bypolls

Hyderabad, Jul 30: Sailing on the separate Telangana sentiment blowing across the region, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was poised tonight to make a clean sweep of all the 11 Andhra Pradesh Assembly seats it contested in the July 27 by-elections while its ally, the BJP, had won the lone seat it had vacated along with the TRS candidates.TRS-BJP combine had swept all the seven seats for which results have been declared so far and is leading in five constituencies for which counting of ballot votes was in progress.Hopes of Pradesh Congress President D Srinivas to make a comeback to the State Assembly were dashed when he was defeated by BJP candidate Lakshminarayana from the Nizamabad Urban Seat.This is Mr Lakshminarayana's second victory over the PCC President within 14 months. The results leave Mr Srinivas, who had hoped to become the Deputy CM if he won, in political wilderness once again.Mr Lakshminarayana led Mr Srinivas by about 20,000 votes at the end of 11th round of counting.The first result to be declared in the morning was that of the Siddipet Constituency which TRS Candidate Harish Rao won with a record majority of 95,858 votes. The result left his opponents -- Congress, TDP and Independents, --forfeiting their security deposits.TRS Candidates Gaddam Aravind Reddy won from Mancherial, Kaveti Sammaiah from Sirpur, Harish Rao from Siddipet, Koppula Eshwar from Dharmapuri, Nallala Odelu from Chennur and Chennamaneni Ramesh from Vemulawada, while the BJP's Lakshminarayana retained his seat from Nizamabad Urban Constituency.TRS retained all the seats it had vacated to press for the formation of separate Telangana State.Mr Harish Rao, a former AP Minister, entered the record books by capturing the Siddipet Assembly Constituency by a margin of 95,858 votes, the highest in an election to the state Assembly.
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TRS win 11 seats in Andhra by-polls

Hyderabad, July 30 : The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) on Friday won eleven seats in the Telangana by-elections, while its new political ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won one seat.Both the Congress and the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) drew a blank in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats caused by the resignations over the Telangana issue.The entire counting process was being videographed and a media and data centre were set up at every counting center for quick information.State Congress president D Srinivas and TRS president K.Chandrasekhar Rao's son K T Rama Rao were among the prominent candidates in the fray.
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Delete 'newly added facts' in paternity suit: Tiwari

July 30 : Former Andhra Pradesh governor N.D. Tiwari Friday asked the Delhi High Court to direct the person claiming to be his biological son delete the newly added facts in the paternity suit.

Tiwari, represented by his counsel Chetan Sharma, raised objections to the additional facts incorporated by Rohit Shekhar in his fresh paternity suit. He said that Rohit should have sought the court's permission to amend the suit with the new fact that he had tried to meet Tiwari at an airport in 2005.
"The court did not grant permission to him to file a fresh petition after incorporating the new facts into the suit," Tiwari's counsel said referring to the March 2008 order of the court. Rohit, in the fresh lawsuit, alleged his request to meet Tiwari was deliberately turned down. Meanwhile, he also moved an application to direct Tiwari for a DNA test to determine the parentage. The court fixed Aug 13 for the next hearing of the case. The apex court had on May 10 dismissed the appeal filed by Tiwari challenging the high court's decision to adjudicate the paternity suit. Rohit claimed he was born out of a relationship between his mother Ujjwala Sharma and Tiwari, a charge denied by the 84-year-old Congress leader. Tiwari had earlier refused to undergo DNA test and denied ever having any physical relationship with Rohit's mother. The Congress leader had to resign as governor after he was purportedly shown in a sting operation to be in a compromising position with three women. Earlier, the high court had dismissed the plea by Tiwari who sought dismissal of the petition on the ground that it was filed 31 years after the petitioner was born in order to malign his character.
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Telangana by-poll results trigger rumblings in Congress, TDP

Hyderabad, July 30: The crushing defeat of the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the Telangana by-elections has triggered rumblings within the two parties over the Telangana statehood issue.

Leaders of the Congress from Telangana blamed their counterparts in other regions of Andhra Pradesh for the loss, while TDP leaders from Telangana advised those opposing separate statehood to reconsider their stand. Both Congress and TDP drew a blank in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats caused by the resignations over the Telangana issue. TDP lost the lone seat it was holding while Congress candidates, including party's state unit chief D. Srinivas had to bite the dust. Chief Minister K.Rosaiah, who is from outside Telangana, said he respects the people's verdict. Party general secretary and state incharge M. Veerappa Moily said in New Delhi that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won due to "local factors". Congress leaders from Telangana lashed out at party leaders belonging to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions for opposing the demand for a separate Telangana state. Senior Congress leader from Telangana and former minister G. Venkatswamy blamed leaders from Andhra for the party's defeat. Another leader from the region T.Jeevan Reddy termed the poll results an "eye opener" for those opposing the separate Telangana demand. Congress legislator Shankar Rao said he was happy over the election results as people, through their verdict, paid tributes to 600 "martyrs" of the Telangana movement. He said the results had increased the responsibility of the Congress party to carve out a separate Telangana. TDP's senior leader in Telangana N. Janardhan Reddy wanted his party leaders from other regions to reconsider their opposition to a separate state. It may be recalled that strong protests by Congress and TDP leaders from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions had forced the central government to go back on its announcement last year to start the process for formation of Telangana state.
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TRS sweeps Telangana by-elections, Congress chief loses

Hyderabad, July 30 : Riding on the Telangana sentiment, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) swept the assembly by-elections in the Andhra Pradesh region, winning six seats and was leading in six other constituencies Friday.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained one seat with its candidate Lakshminarayana defeating state Congress chief D. Srinivas in Nizamabad Urban segment. It was big blow for Srinivas who was aiming to join the state cabinet and even emerge as successor to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah. Proving that the Telangana sentiment is still strong, TRS retained Siddipet, Sirpur, Manchiryal, Dharmapuri and Chennur seats with huge majority and wrested Vemulawada seat from Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Its leader T. Harish Rao set a record by retaining Siddipet with a margin of 95,858 votes, breaking the record of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who was re-elected from Pulivendula constituency in Kadapa district last year with a margin of 68,681. The ruling Congress party and main opposition TDP were virtually wiped out in the by-elections, necessitated by the resignation of all 10 legislators of the TRS and one each of the BJP and the TDP on the issue of a separate Telangana state in February. In a majority of the constituencies, Congress and TDP candidates lost their security deposits. Among other prominent losers were former ministers G.Vinod (Congress) and Babu Mohan (TDP). Another former minister and Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir was trailing in Yellareddy constituency. The verdict has come as a morale booster for the TRS, which has long been fighting for a separate Telangana state. Celebrations broke out in TRS camp, which termed the results as a victory of Telangana's "four crore" people and a defeat of "anti-Telangana forces". During the poll campaign, TRS had targeted both Congress and TDP for betraying the cause of Telangana. "This victory will give us new strength and vigour to fight for a separate Telangana state," said TRS leader K. Tarakarama Rao, who is leading in the Sircilla assembly constituency. Tarakarama Rao, who is also son of TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, is confident that a separate Telangana state will become a reality in December this year when the Justice Srikrishna committee is scheduled to submit its report.
The committee, constituted by the centre in February to look into demands for and against Telangana state, is currently holding public consultations on the issue. TRS nominees not only retained their respective seats but significantly improved their victory margins. The Election Commission said 66.67 percent of 23.60 lakh voters in the 12 constituencies spread over five districts cast their votes in the elections held Tuesday.
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Setting up of New Training Camps by Lashkar-e-Taiba

(PIB NEWS) July,29,Government has seen reports that the Lashkar-e-Taiba has expanded its operations in Afghanistan and set up training camps. Government continuously monitors the existence and operations of terrorist groups that target India and Indian interests. Government has consistently raised with its international partners, including the Government of Afghanistan, the issue of existence of terrorist sanctuaries in the region which target India and other countries. The Communiqué issued after the Kabul Conference, co-hosted by the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations, also referred to combating terrorism by ending support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorists. Government of India has comprehensively reviewed and enhanced security measures for the safety and security of our personnel and other Indians working in Afghanistan. It is also in regular touch with the Government of Afghanistan, which has assured necessary security for Indians in that country. Government is committed to taking all necessary steps to safeguard the nation’s security. This information was given by the Minister of External Affairs Shri S. M. Krishna in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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PM’s statement at the Joint Press Conference with his British counterpart

(PIB NEWS) July,29, It is my great privilege to welcome the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom His Excellency David Cameron on his first visit to India. Prime Minister Cameron has a distinguished political career. He brings with him the finest qualities of leadership and a bold vision for Britain and a better and safer world. His presence here, so soon after his election victory in May this year, indicates the strength of the bonds that tie India and the United Kingdom. It also demonstrates the Prime Minister’s strong personal commitment to take our partnership to an even higher level of understanding and purpose. Our discussions were wide ranging, warm and extremely productive. We share the same vision for a renewed and enhanced partnership between our countries. To this end we have agreed on specific initiatives in the areas of economy and trade, science and technology, energy, education, defence, culture and people to people contacts. We have decided to constitute an India-UK CEOs Forum and an India-UK Infrastructure Group. We will work towards doubling our trade in five years. Building upon past experience, we have also agreed to launch a new phase of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative. We will intensify bilateral exchanges at all levels. India and the United Kingdom are natural partners to shape a better world. If we join hands together, we can make a meaningful contribution to addressing the challenges of poverty and development, reform of global institutions, terrorism and climate change. We also reviewed the regional security situation and developments in Afghanistan. There was agreement between us that today terrorism constitutes the single biggest threat to the region and to open and pluralistic societies like ours. We have agreed to further intensify our cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. Finally, I conveyed to the Prime Minister that the people of India look forward to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi which we hope will further strengthen the spirit of the Commonwealth. With Prime Minister Cameron’s visit we have set in place a new momentum to drive our partnership forward. I have no doubt that this will be good for both our countries, and responds to the wishes and aspiration of both our peoples.
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PM calls Andhra, Maharashtra chief ministers on Babhali row

New Delhi, July 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called a meeting of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Aug 2 to discuss the row over the Babhali dam project between the riverine states, official sources said.

The sources said Thursday that the meeting was aimed at addressing apprehensions among political parties in Andhra Pradesh on Maharashtra not sticking to its commitment about the project following Supreme Court directions. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah had Monday led an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to direct the Maharashtra government to dismantle the gates installed at the Babhali barrage and take necessary action to put an end to the dispute. The delegation, which had representatives from all registered political parties in Andhra Pradesh, also urged the prime minister to call a meeting of the chief ministers of the two states to resolve the issue of Babhali barrage and 13 other barrages built on Godavari river, which flows through both states. Political parties in Andhra Pradesh have accused Maharashtra of carrying out illegal construction on the Babhali barrage against a Supreme Court order, but Maharashtra denies it. Andhra Pradesh's opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with some supporters had earlier this month entered the Maharashtra border district of Nanded in a bid to go to the site of the Babhali barrage.
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Andhra High Court dismisses petition against power project

Hyderabad, July 29 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court Thursday dismissed a writ petition against the environmental clearance granted to East Coast Energy Pvt. Limited (ECEPL) for developing a thermal power project in Srikakulam district.A division bench headed by Chief Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakru dismissed the petition filed by an NGO, which challenged the environmental clearance on the ground that the project site is a wetland. The court, however, allowed the petitioner to avail the statutory remedy within 30 days. ECEPL is developing a 2640 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Kakarapalli village of Santhabommali mandal in Srikakulam district. ECEPL, an SPV incorporated for setting up the project, has already achieved financial closure for Rs.12,000 crore project and so far invested Rs.600 crore, said a company statement. Forum for Sustainable Development, in its petition, claimed that the project site is wetland and part of Naupada swamp besides being ecologically sensitive. Some environment groups are opposing ECEPL project and a similar one proposed by Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) at Sompeta in the same district on the ground that they were coming up on wetlands. The groups fear that the thermal power projects would destroy the ecology and endanger traditional livelihood of local communities. The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) had last month quashed the environmental clearance given by the ministry of environment for NCC project on the ground that information on existence of three irrigation projects and wetlands was suppressed. The NEEA judgement came a day after two persons were killed and several others were injured at Sompeta on July 14 when police opened fire on people protesting against the NCC project. Both the projects are to generate 2640 MW and involves an investment of Rs.12,000 crore each.
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All set for vote counting in Telangana by-polls

Hyderabad, July 29 : Counting of votes in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region will be taken up Friday.The state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I.V. Subba Rao said all arrangements were made for counting of votes, which will start 8 a.m. The first result is expected by 11 am. Since polling in five of the 12 constituencies were held through ballot papers, the last result is expected by 6 p.m. The results from seven constituencies, where electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used, are likely to be announced in the initial two to three hours. According to the CEO, 66.67 percent of 23.60 lakh voters cast their votes in the elections held on Tuesday. Since the Election Commission received no complaint of rigging or other electoral malpractices from any of the constituencies, no re-polling was required in any polling station. The by-elections were necessitated by the resignations of all 10 legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of separate Telangana state early this year. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, seen as a referendum on the issue of separate Telangana state. The election authorities have made elaborate arrangements for counting of votes at seven counting centres spread over five districts. No mobile phones would be allowed inside the centres. Arrangements have been made for recording the entire counting process. The CEO said tight security arrangements were made at strong rooms where EVMs and ballot boxes were kept after the polling. Officials have installed CCTVs in the strong rooms with monitors kept outside for the polling agents to keep a watch.
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Low pressure persists, brings rains in AP

Hyderabad, Jul 29 : Yesterday's low pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Westcentral Bay, South Orissa and North Andhra coast persisted today and was likely to move in a Westnorth-westerly direction.

Southwest monsoon was vigorous over Rayalaseema while it was active over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with rain occurring at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema and at many places over Telangana, Met department said.Bhadrachalam received very heavy rainfall of16 cm, Koyyalagudem (West Godavari district) and Kunavaram (Khammam district) 14 each and heavy rainfall in Dowlaiswaram (East Godavari district) 12 cm, Rajahmundry (East Godavari district) 10 cm, Koida (Khammam district) eight and Parvathipuram (Vizianagaram district) seven cm.Chief amounts of rainfall were also recorded in Dummagudem (Khammam district) six, Anantapur, Jammalamadugu (Cuddapah district), Mahabubabad (Warangal district) and Yellandu (Khammam districts) five each, Achampet, Kodangal and Kollapur (all Mahabubnagar districts), Allagadda (Kurnool districts), Badvel, Kamalapuram and Proddatur (all Cuddapah districts). Eturnagaram (Warangal district), Ichapuram (Srikakulam district), Paleru Bridge (Krishna district) and Tandur (Rangareddy district) received four cm of rainfall each, while Mahabubnagar, Nandyal, Tuni, Chintalapudi and Tadepalligudem (both West Godavari district), Golkonda (Hyderabad district), Kalwakurthy (Mahabubnagar district), Koilkuntla and Srisailam (both Kurnool district), Lakkireddipalli, Muddanur, Porumamilla and Rayachoty (all Cuddapah district), Macherla (Guntur district), Madhira and Venkatapuram (both Khammam district), Pargi (Rangareddy district), Patapatnam, Ranasthalam and Sompeta (all Srikakulam district), Tiruvuru (Krishna district) and Udayagiri (Nellore district) received three each.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and may occur over Rayalaseema.Sky condition would be cloudy with intermittent rain or thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 26 and 22 degrees respectively.
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Huawei enters India open market with new mobile devices

New Delhi,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)    July 29,2010: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd., a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, today announced its entry into the Indian open market with the launch of its new series of handset devices - “Hangout” and “Android”. These devices were launched utilizing Qualcomm’s advanced chipset solutions. Qualcomm is a world leader and innovator of 3G and other advanced mobile technologies. Huawei’s new high-quality, innovatively designed, easy-to-use, and affordable devices embody the company’s “Smart Device, Simple World” philosophy. These devices will be made directly available to consumers in India, starting on August 1,2010. The Hangout series includes a full range of stylish & feature rich devices on GSM/CDMA/UMTS technologies that cater to Entry Mid & Mid High type of consumers, whether they seek an entry level phone or a more high-end device. The Android series is based on the open source smart phone platform developed by Google. This range includes series of smart phone right from affordable to high-end devices on Android Platform with loads of applications catering to mid & high end consumers. Huawei is currently working with India’s leading operators, including TATA Indicom, Reliance Bharti Airtel & all the major operators, in the areas of Handsets, Mobile Broadband and Home Convergence, to bring its innovative, user-friendly devices to consumers. Mr. Victor Xu, Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei Device said, “Huawei believes that intelligent technology should come from a human perspective. Smart Device, Simple World is a concept designed to achieve this. Huawei’s offerings are based on partnership, customization and value. Through the launch of these products, we hope to enrich lives of Indian consumers.”Mr. Xu further added, “With the Indian telecom industry growing at the rate of 20M subs each month, and poised to reach 1 billion by 2015, Huawei sees traction in the Indian telecom device segment. With our entry into the open market, we will continue to look at all the possible growth opportunities.”Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kanwalinder Singh, president of Qualcomm India and South Asia and Senior Vice President of Qualcomm said, “Qualcomm welcomes Huawei’s entry into the open market in India with the launch of a compelling range of handsets and smartphones based on 3G and CDMA/EVDO technologies. We believe millions of Indians will soon have their first mobile Internet experience on such devices. Huawei’s expertise to deliver innovative 3G devices based on our chipset solutions will expand the mobile Internet experience to a large base of Indian consumers.” Huawei unveiled its four devices at the conference: Hangout Series U9130 Aimed at Young Adults and professionals, it incorporates email solution and popular social networking sites like Facebook, twitter etc. and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort with cool QWERTY keypad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks.C5600 Aimed at youth; this CDMA phone is on the OMH platform which allows consumers to change the CDMA networks seamlessly unlike other CDMA phones. Music is the great experience in this ultra slim phone along with, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter.Android Series:U8300 Aimed at the young adults and professionals, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Supports multiple emailing solutions including office emails and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort. With awesome Android OS you can feel better experience in the touch screen of this phone along with the cool QWERTY keypad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks. Google market is a great download machine in this phone using which you can download multiple applications.U8500 Aimed at the youth, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Supports multiple emailing solutions and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort. With Android OS in this feel awesome dual touch experience with large 3.2” touch screen and optical track pad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks. Google market is a great download machine in this phone using which you can download multiple applications.Today, Huawei is perceived as a strategic partner to all leading telecom carriers given the paradigm shift in the handsets and telecom space where end users are now treating handsets as lifestyle products depicting one’s personality. Huawei stands ahead in flexible customization and offering quality, affordable and range of productsHuawei saw a remarkable growth and products acceptance with over 5 millions devices shipped to India in the year 2009. In terms of sales, Huawei Terminals recorded around 160 million for 2009. Huawei has delivered over 25 million devices till date with handsets contributing 60% of the same.About Huawei:Huawei is a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, and now serves 45 of the world’s top 50 operators, along with over one billion users worldwide. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers ================================================

ISNA and All Dulles Area Muslim Society Co-Sponsor Islamic Scouting and Inter-faith Events at Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree

USA,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) July 28,2010, The Islamic Society of North America, in partnership with the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) and the National Council on Islamic Scouting (NCIS) will join fellow Scouts and leaders at the 18th National Scout Jamboree which will be held from July 26 through August 4, 2010, at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, located near Fredericksburg and Washington D.C. in celebration of the first century of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)."Every Scout should have religion. Religion seems a very simple thing: First: Love and serve God. Second: Love and serve your neighbor," said BSA founder Robert Baden-Powell.ISNA and ADAMS will be co-sponsoring interfaith events which will be held during the jamboree. Imam Izak-EL Mu'eed Pasha, Resident Imam of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, NICS member, will deliver the sermon and lead prayers at the Islamic congregational services on Friday, July 30th at 1pm. Interfaith prayer services will be led by Rizwan Jaka, ADAMS/ISNA/IFCMW Board Member and ADAMS Scouts Chartered Organization Representative, on Sunday, August 1st, at 10:30am. Participants include Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and various other faith leaders and Scouts. Reverend Clark Lobenstine, Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW) will be the special guest during the service. The IFCMW, which was created in 1978, brings together the Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Latter-day Saints, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Sikh and Zoroastrian faith communities to promote dialogue, understanding and a sense of community among persons of different faiths in metropolitan Washington. ADAMS Scouting leaders assisted NCIS in setting up an Islamic Scouting exhibit, which was also co-sponsored by ISNA, and constructing the 40 x 40 foot Gillwell Park Mosque complete with green rugs, a dome, and a minaret. Visitors to the mosque will be able to meet over 250 Muslim Scouts and leaders and share in the camaraderie of duty to God, honor to country, and service to others, thereby deepening mutual interfaith understanding. This is also the first time in Jamboree history that halal meals are being provided to Muslim Jamboree attendees.For more information about the events, contact NCIS Membership Chair Abdul Rashid Abdullah (ADAMS Troop 786 Scoutmaster) at 808-689-6092, rashid@ADAMSScouting.org or Rizwan Jaka, ADAMS/ISNA/IFCMW Board Member at 703-624-6352, rojpm@yahoo.com.For directions to the Jamboree visit http://www.bsajamboree.org/Visitor.aspx.
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Myanmar’s ruler visits IT hub in Hyderabad

Hyderabad,July,29, The head of Myanmar’s military regime Senior General Than Shwe Wednesday visited Hitec City, the Information Technology hub, here.Accompanied by his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, along with an 80-member delegation, Than Shwe went around L&T Infocity and some other IT parks to witness the rapid progress made by the city in IT and ITES sector.The officials of the state government made a presentation before the Senior General, explaining how the city developed its IT/ITES industry during the last 15 years.Than Shwe was impressed by the rapid growth made by the city and evinced interest in the possibility of cooperation in the IT sector.Earlier, he also visited Bharat Biotech, a leading biotechnology company at Shameerpet on the city outskirts. He spent about half-an-hour in the plant.The Myanmar delegation also visited the famous Salar Jung Museum, world’s largest one-man collection of artefacts.Than Shwe and other officials met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan in the evening. Governor Narasimhan hosted dinner in the honour of the visiting dignitary.The Senior General, who is on a five-day visit to India, will leave for Kolkata Thursday morning. ==============================================

Andhra Pradesh Govt has identified areas to set up solar projects: CM

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the state government has identified specific areas, which have high solar insolation for setting up power projects.Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the three-day SOLARCON India 2010, he said the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) would allot land in the potential areas for development of solar power projects.Some of the potential areas identified were Kadiri in Ananthapur (2,200 acres), Gurajala in Guntur district (4,575 acres), Nennal in Adilabad district (1,008 acres), Pulivendula and Kopparty in Kadapa district (625 acres). Mr Rosaiah said the state government had been encouraging solar power projects by approving the recommended tariff of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and recommended for 0.25 per cent solar energy power purchase obligation. The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has also issued tariff order to this extent. A number of entrepreneurs were evincing interest to set up solar power projects in the state, he claimed, assuring that the Andhra Pradesh government would extend full support to the entrepreneurs who come forward to set up solar power projects in the state, he said.
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'State separation gives rise to water disputes': public view

Kakinada, July 28 : Political parties, voluntary organisations and civic associations told the Srikrishna panel during its public hearing here that people's interests would be safe only if Andhra Pradesh was united.Separation would give rise to river water disputes and also deprive the people of their legitimate employment avenues. The political parties' JAC representative and Jaggampet MLA Thota Narasimham said all round development was possible ony in a united state. Division would only bring misery to the people of both regions. Zilla Parishad Chairman CH S Venugopalakrishna, representing Congress party said East Godavari district had the agency, uplands and delta regions. A United State would help accelerate development of all the areas.` The district had five lakh acres of Delta and another 6.5 lakh hectares would come under irrigation under the "Jalayagnam" projects. The gas and other hydro-carbon resources in the KG basin would be of great help for rapid industrialization generating lot of employment, he added. Water resources consumers association President Trinath Reddy said if water from upstream did not reach Godavari, the entire delta area was bound to become a desert soon. Hence unity of the state should be protected at any cost. Dantu Suryarao chairman Cocanada chamber of commerce, Bulusu Sambamurty trust secretary Srinivasarao, Lok Satta leader Dr Aluri Vijayalakshmi, Vysya’s association president Pydah Venkatanarayana, Christian rights committee secretary Jayarathna Kumary also favoured a united Andhra Pradesh for all round progress.
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Rains in city: Andhra Pradesh CM alerts GHMC, other officials

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : In the wake of heavy rains lashing the city and outskirts, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today held discussion with government officials to immediately initiate relief works.The Chief Minister held the discussion with Chief Secretary S V Prasad, Commissioner, GHMC, Collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district, MD, Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Commissioner of police, a press release here tonight said.In the meeting the Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to constantly monitor the situation and direct the Hyderabad District Collector and Commissioner, GHMC, to evacuate people from the low-lying areas to safer places and other temporary shelters. The Chief Minister asked the city police Commissioner to instruct the traffic police to be on high alert to avoid traffic jams following heavy rains and water logging on the roads. He directed the traffic police to clear the traffic on all roads and if need be to deploy more forces. He also asked the GHMC to immediately pump out water from the water logged roads, lanes and in lanes. Dr Rosaiah cautioned the officials that since more rain was predicted in the next 24 hours, they should all be on high alert and constantly monitor the situation. He also wanted cranes to be deployed to clear the roads of fallen trees etc.Dr Rosaiah also asked the Commissioner, GHMC, to alert the medical and health department to be ready with medicines to prevent outbreak of any communicable diseases. He directed them to store adequate medicines well in advance and sanitise the areas once the rains were over. The Chief Minister said the main problem in Hyderabad city and outskirts following heavy rains was the traffic bottleneck due to water logging and inundation of roads. He asked the officials to be on the alter and work round-the-clock to see that the roads were cleared of water logging.The Chief Minister also alerted the fire service and other departments to meet any eventuality following expected heavy rains.He asked the departments concerned to act on time. The Chief Minister asked the MD, water works, to ensure supply of pure drinking water in all parts of the city. He asked the commissioner, GHMC, to open a special control room if needed, the release added.
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Environment writ against Srikakulam power plant dismissed by Andhra Pradesh HC

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : The division bench of Andhra Pradesh High Court today released the order dismissing the writ petition against the environment clearance granted to East Coast Energy Pvt Ltd for setting up 2640 MW thermal power plant at Kakarapalli village in Srikakulam district.The division bench comprising Chief Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru and Justice Vilas V Afzalpurkar dismissed the writ petteion, directing the petitioner to avail the statutory remedy if he still feels aggrieved, available under law, within 30 days beginning next week.The petitioner, forum for sustainable development represented by Advisor and Convener of the Committee on Water Bodies and Wetlands retired Capt J Rama Rao, had approached the High Court citing interest of public and filed a writ claiming that the project site is a wetland and part of Naupada Swampt besides being ecologically sensitive which was negated by this order. The Court noted the contents of the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary, government of Andhra Pradesh and held that ''it is clear that the (environment) clearance was granted by the state after due deliberations and application of mind, reversal whereof or otherwise depends on the findings of fact in respect of issues, spelt out hereinabove on the strength of elaborate oral and documentary evidence which is not possible in the writ petition because of technicalties and complexites of the issues''.
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Jagan only hope for Congress in Andhra, says MP

Hyderabad, July 28 : Describing Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy as the most popular leader in the state, the Congress MP's loyalists Wednesday mounted an attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and state Congress chief D. Srinivas.Coming out in open support of Jagan, as the Kadapa MP and son of the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is popularly known as, Nellore MP M. Rajamohan said he was the only hope for the party. He said the central leadership should reward Jagan without heeding certain leaders working against him. Rajamohan told reporters in Delhi that the Congress could win 2014 elections only under the leadership of Jagan. Ambati Rambabu, who was suspended from the party by the leadership recently for making certain remarks against Rosaiah, also said Jagan was the most popular leader in the state. Talking to reporters in Guntur, the former state general secretary of the party said Jagan's popularity was proved by the huge public response during his ongoing 'odarpu yatra' in East Godavari district. Claiming that people want to see Jagan as the chief minister, he recalled that a majority of party legislators had signed a letter supporting the Kadapa MP. "Certain leaders are targeting Jagan and spreading misinformation about him but this will only strengthen him," said Rambabu, without naming Rosaiah or Srinivas. Rambabu, who claims he has still not received any communication from the party regarding his suspension, ruled out the possibility of Jagan launching a new party. Stating that the party was not likely to win even a single seat in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Telangana held Tuesday, Rambabu said it was unfortunate that even senior leaders could not campaign. Rambabu said the state would never see a great leader like Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. "I am not saying Rosaiah and Srinivas are small leaders but they are not great leaders like YSR," he said.
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SW monsoon active over coastal AP

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : Southwest monsoon has been active over Coastal Andhra Pradesh with rain occurring at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and at a few places over Telangana while isolated rain occurred over Rayalaseema.

A low pressure area has formed over North-West Bay of Bengal and adjoining West-Central Bay, South Orissa and North Andhra coast today, Met department said.Sirpur (Adilabad district) recorded a very heavy rainfall of 13 cm and Bobbili (Vizianagaram district) recorded a heavy rainfall of eight cm.The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm are Asifabad (Adilabad district) six, Addanki (Prakasam district) five, Luxettipet, Mancherial and Utnoor (all Adilabad district) four each, Adilabad, Medak, Ongole, Darsi (Prakasam district), Gajapathinagaram (Vizianagaram district), Gudivada (Krishna district), Macherla (Guntur district) and Patapatnam (Srikakulam district) three each, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Avanigadda (Krishna district), Chinnoor (Adilabad district), Komarada and Parvathipuram (both Vizianagaram district), Perur (Khammam district), Repalle (Guntur district) and Veeraghattam (Srikakulam district) two each and Bapatla, Chittoor, Kalingapatnam, Kavali, Kurnool, Ramagundam, Rentachintala, Tuni, Boath and Nirmal (both Adilabad district), Cheepurupalli, Terlam and Vizianagaram (all Vizianagaram district), Kaleswaram (Karimnagar district), Kandukur and Podili (both Prakasam district), Mandasa and Palakonda (both Srikakulam district), Mangalagiri, Piduguralla, Sattenapalli and Tenali (all Guntur district), Narayanakhed (Medak district), Narsipatnam and Paderu (both Visakhapatnam district), Pakala, Punganur, Puttur and Srikalahasti (all Chittoor district) one each.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and at many places over Telangana. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers may occur at a few places over Rayalaseema. Sky condition would be generally cloudy with intermittent rain or thundershowers in parts of city. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 31 and 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
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TDP to launch stir if Centre has no solution on Babhli: Naidu ",

New Delhi, Jul 27 : Telugu Desam chief and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.Chandrababu Naidu today threatened to launch an anti-Babhli barrage agitation if the Government failed to resolve the issue by August 10.

Mr Naidu, who is in the national capital for the past few days after he was arrested by the Mahrashtra Government for launching an agitation against the Babhli construction in the upper reaches of Godavari river, told newspersons here that the Centre should find a solution to the Babhli barrange which was "illegal".''If the Government fails to find a solution, the TDP would formalise its nature of agitation as the by-elections in the Telangana region are over,'' he said. He said during his interactions with the Prime Minister yesterday, he had not got any definite or positive response on resolving the Babhli issue and had not even called for a meeting of political parties. The Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh Government too had not acted with alacrity and if they had approached the Supreme Court in time, the situation would have been different, he said.''Even now the Centre can ask Maharashtra to dismantle its gate and Maharashtra should realise that India was a federal union and a citizen did not need any passport or visa to traverse across the country. If Babli is legal as claimed by Mahrasthra, why should it hide and why is the state afraid to let me visit the construction site,'' Mr Naidu questioned. He condemned the Maharashtra Police's lathi charge on the TDP workers near the Maharashtra border while on their way to Babhli project. Citing the rationale behind the TDP launching the agitation, Mr Naidu said it went against the sprit of agreement signed by the Chief Ministers of AP and Maharashtra in 1975 based on the Godavari water Dispute Tribunal which allowed all water above Paithan dam and up to Siddeshwar dam on the Godavari to be used by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh could draw more than 60 TMC of water below Paithan dam and Siddeshwar dam site. He said Babhli was a project on the foreshore or submerged areas of Sri Ram Sagar Project and the project was coming up without necessary clearances and consent from Andhra Pradesh. The barrage has a capacity of 2.74 TMC but could intercept 20 feet depth of live storage of Sri Rama Sagar depriving the lower riparian state of up to 65 TMC of water.Maharashtra was also constructing 13 other projects with the capacity of storing 14 TMC water but in actuality these were capable of denying AP up to 100-120 TMC of water, he claimed.
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'Separation of Andhra Pradesh disastrous'

Kakinada, Jul 27 : Representatives of various organisations, favouring unified Andhra Pradesh, told the Srikrishna panel at Rangampet in East Godavari district today that the separation of Andhra Pradesh will be disastrous and if the separation was favoured, by any, it would open the Pandora's Box dividing the nation as a whole.They told the committee that the division of the state will give rise to river water dispute and people would also lose employment avenues.''Already projects were constructed across the Godavari and Krishna rivers by Maharashtra and Karnataka. If the state was divided, some districts in the Andhra region would turn into deserts as Telangana also would construct projects leaving little water downstream,'' they said. Anaparty MLA Nallamilli Seshareddy said if the state was divided, the Godavari river water would not be available and the area would become desert. East Godavari people, particularly, the Anaparty constituency people, were favouring unified Andhra Pradesh. Earlier the committee members, including V K Duggal, Ravidingra, Amita Mityani and nodal officer Rajiv Sarma accompanied by incharge Collector Kona Sasidhar and SP Ghattamaneni Srinivas visited Cotton Barrage at Dowlesweram and made inquiries with the irrigation engineers on the inflows for the past five decades and the possible affect in case of constructing more dams across Godavari in the Telangana region. The committee would conduct public hearing at the Collectorate here tomorrow before returning to Hyderabad.
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55 percent polling in Telangana by-elections

Hyderabad, July 27 : An estimated 55 percent of 23.60 lakh voters cast their votes in by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region Tuesday.Barring minor incidents, the polling remained peaceful. Voting ended at 5 p.m. but the election authorities allowed all those standing in the queues to cast their votes. The polling, which began on a dull note in the morning, picked up as the day progressed. The highest polling percentage of 75 was recorded in Siddipet while it was only 51 percent in Nizamabad Urban, where state Congress chief D. Srinivas is contesting. Director General of Police R.R. Girish Kumar said polling was peaceful though rumours caused some tension in Nizamabad Urban constituency. Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao told reporters that no major incident was reported from any of 2,783 polling stations in the 12 constituencies spread over five districts. Police used mild force to disperse two clashing groups of ruling Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) supporters outside a polling centre in Vemulawada assembly constituency in Karimnagar district. Ballot papers were used in five constituencies where the number of candidates exceeded 64 while in the remaining seven segments voters cast their votes by pressing a button on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). About 23.60 lakh voters, nearly half of them women, were eligible to cast their votes in the by-elections caused by the resignation of all 10 legislators of the TRS and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of a separate Telangana state early this year. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, which are being seen as a referendum on the issue of a separate Telangana. About 68,000 security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Around 15,000 polling personnel were also on duty. Polling was delayed in some centres due to non-functioning of EVMs. The slush in and around some centres due to incessant rains over last three days caused some inconvenience to voters, especially in Adilabad district. State Congress chief D. Srinivas and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir are among key candidates from the ruling Congress. TRS has again fielded all its former legislators and left one seat for the BJP. TRS candidates include party chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao's son K. Tarakarama Rao, nephew T. Harish Rao and party's former leader in assembly E. Rajender. Votes will be counted July 30 and the results are expected to be announced the same day.
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Polling begins on dull note in Telangana by-elections

Hyderabad, July 27 : Polling began on a dull note and amid tight security in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region Tuesday.About 10 percent polling was recorded in the first half-an-hour, officials at the Chief Electoral Office here said. The polling began at 7 a.m. at 2,783 polling stations in the constituencies spread over five districts. Ballot papers were being used in five constituencies where the number of candidates exceeded 64 while in the remaining seven segments Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been deployed. About 23.60 lakh voters, nearly half of them women, are eligible to cast their votes in the by-elections caused by the resignations of all 10 legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of separate Telangana state early this year. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, which are being seen as a referendum on the issue of separate Telangana state. According to state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I.V. Subba Rao, about 68,000 security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Around 15,000 polling personnel were also on duty. Polling was delayed in some polling centres due to non-functioning of EVMs. The slush in and around some centres due to incessant rains of over last three days caused inconvenience to voters, especially in Adilabad district. State Congress chief D. Srinivas and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir are among key candidates from the ruling Congress party. TRS has again fielded all its former legislators and left one seat for the BJP. TRS candidates include party chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao's son K. Tarakarama Rao, nephew T. Harish Rao and party's former leader in assembly E. Rajender.
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Assembly by-polls in Telangana region Tuesday

Hyderabad, July 26: By-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region will be held Tuesday that will see ballot papers being used in five constituencies after many years.About 23.60 lakh voters, nearly half of them women, are eligible to cast their votes at 2,783 polling stations in the constituencies spread over five districts. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, which are being fought on the issue of separate statehood to Telangana region. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I.V. Subba Rao told reporters Monday that all efforts were being made to ensure free and fair polls. Election authorities have deployed 68,000 security personnel to maintain law and order while 15,000 employees have been drafted for poll duty. The mass resignations of all 10 legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of separate Telangana necessitated the by-elections. For the first time in many years, the poll authorities will be using ballot papers in five constituencies since more than 64 candidates are in the fray. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be deployed in the remaining segments. TRS, whose demand for use of ballot papers in all constituencies was rejected by the Election Commission, made many independents file nominations to force the panel to use ballot paper. The EVMs cannot contain so many names. However, the nominations of many independents were either rejected or they withdrew from the contest in seven constituencies. Poll authorities have printed 20 lakh ballot papers and 1,500 ballot boxes. Due to incessant rains in the region, the authorities have supplied poll material to remote villages by helicopters. TRS appears to be ahead in the three-cornered contest in at least 10 constituencies. All the 10 legislators of the party, who quit for Telangana, are contesting again. The party is supporting the BJP in Nizamabad Urban where the ruling Congress has fielded its state unit chief D. Srinivas.
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Rajani to participate in moharrum procession

Hyderabad, Jul 26 : Elephant ''Rajani'' will participate in the Bonalu and Moharrum processions in the twin cites of Hyderabad and Secunderabad this year.The Andhra Pradesh Government has ordered that the elephant Rajani will participate in Bonalu procession of Ujjani Mahankali Temple, Secunderabad, and Sri Akkanna Madanna Temple of Old City on August 2.APCC General Secretary G Niranjan and President Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Mandiram, in a statement to the press today, thanked the State Government and Forest Minister Dr P Ramachandra Reddy for issuing orders to provide elephant from Nehru Zoological Park for Bonalu and Moharrum Processions this year.
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Second edition of SOLARCON at Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jul 26 : The second edition of SOLARCON India 2010, India's largest and most successful solar event, will begin from July 28 at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) here.According to a press release today, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah will preside over the inaugural function of the three-day international conference. Eminent global experts from the industry, academia and the government will discuss opportunities and challenges to make India a global leader in solar energy sector. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah will be the Chief Guest and Union Minister for Urban Development Jaipal Reddy will be the Guest of Honour.SOLARCON India 2010 will focus on the recently launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) which has set an ambitious target of 20,000 Megawatts (MW) of solar generated power by 2022 and aims at establishing India as a global leader in solar energy. The event includes a best-in-class exhibition bringing together leading global and India Solar-PV players from the entire ecosystem to help build a robust PV supply chain to meet the ambitious goals of the JNNSM.In its inaugural year, SOLARCON India 2009 was held at the same venue in Hyderabad, attracting over 3,500 professional visitors, 600 conference delegates and participation from 68 companies worldwide, the release  added ===============================================

Hearing on charges against Satyam accused deferred till Jul 29

Hyderabad, Jul 26 : The examination and hearing of charges against the ten accused in the multi-crore Satyam Accounting Fraud Case was today deferred till July 29.XXI Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate adjourned the case regarding the fudging books of account of the company against the ten accused, including Former Satyam Chairman B Ramalinga Raju. Of the ten accused, nine, who were out on bail, were present in the court while the main accused Raju, who was in judicial remand, was undergoing treatment for Hepatitis-C at the Nizam Institute of Medical Science (NIMS). The Magistrate described as 'unwarranted and not maintainable' the discharge petitions filed by two of the accused, Srisailam and Suryanarayana Raju, the brother of Ramalinga Raju.
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Opposing illegal dam construction is our right: Naidu

New Delhi, July 26 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu Monday said it was his right to oppose the 'illegal dam construction' over Godavari river, dismissing allegations that he was using the Babhali dam issue for political gains. He added that he would be meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."We oppose the illegal dam construction over river Godavari. It is our right as the illegal construction affects the lives of people in our state. Then how will it become a political issue?" Naidu told IANS when asked about Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan's allegations. "I will meet the PM at 5 p.m.," Naidu told reporters outside parliament. Chavan had termed as "political" and "unnecessary" Naidu's march to Nanded in Maharashtra for which he was taken into police custody. "Naidu's actions are political as assembly by-elections have been declared in the neighbouring state (Andhra Pradesh)," Chavan had earlier told reporters after meeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi here. Meanwhile, Janata Dal-Secular leader and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda and AIADMK leader M. Thampi Durai met Naidu at the TDP office in parliament house and discussed the strategy for a joint move in parliament against alleged illegal mining the Reddy brothers in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, "illegal construction" of Babhali dam in Maharashtra and the 2G spectrum allocation scam allegedly involving IT and Communication Minister A. Raja. "We (TDP) have the support of the JD-S and AIADMK and the Left parties in our fight against the illegal construction of Babhali dam across the Godavari river in Maharashtra by the Congress government," said Naidu. Andhra Pradesh has been protesting the construction of the Babhali dam, which it says is being built in violation of the river water sharing agreements and would prove detrimental to its interests. The row over the Babhali dam had created tension last week when Maharashtra Police arrested Naidu and 74 other TDP leaders while they were proceeding towards the dam. They remained in judicial custody for four days before being forcibly sent back to Hyderabad by a chartered flight. TDP leader Nama Nageshwara Rao told , JD-S and the AIADMK, with the support of the Left parties, have decided to put up a joint front in parliament. "We had met CPI (Communist Party of India) leader A.B. Bardhan and discussed the issues. We will also meet CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat," Rao said.
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I&PR Commissioner Sri Partha Sarthi lighting lamp on the training programme

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) July,25, Sri P.Partha Sarathi(IAS) Special Commissioner for I&PR Dept is seen lighting lamp of One Day Training Programme on “GURUVULU SAMARDHA VANTHAMGA VIDYA ANDHICHATAM ELA” held at Ravindra Bharathi and also parcipated by Prof.B.V.Pattabhi Ram, RJD of Education Surender Reddy. B.V.Pattabhi Ram’s C.D’S are also released by Commissioner for I&PR Dept  (Photo No:CNR-145)
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Shinde-Abdullah jointly released GUIDELINES of solar power projects

New Delhi (PIB NEWS) July,25, The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr.Farooq Abdullah and the Union Power Minister, Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde jointly released the Guidelines for Selection of New Grid Connected Solar Power Projects, in New Delhi on July 25, 2010.The Minister of State for Power, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki and other dignitaries are also seen. (Photo by No:CNR-32626)
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President attend the "Roshni Programme" at Rashtapati Bhawan,

New Delhi (PIB NEWS) July,25, The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil congratulating a winner of the painting competition on environment, organized by Rashtrapati Bhavan under the Roshni programme, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Auditorium in New Delhi on July 25,2010.The Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy and the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Women and Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath are also seen.(Photo by No:CNR-32632)
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MiG 27 crash toll rises to three

July,25, The number of casualties in the MiG 27 fighter plane crash in West Bengal rose to three Sunday after two children hit by splinters of the aircraft died at a hospital here, police said. Latika Roy and Purnima Roy died at the North Bengal Medical College Saturday midnight. Three people, two of them admitted to the North Bengal Medical College and another at the Jalpaiguri district hospital, continued to be critical.One civilian died when the aircraft crashed in Jalpaiguri district Saturday morning. Splinters of the aircraft were scattered over an area of 500 metres radius.Seven of the 16 injured were minors.Squadron Leader Saket Verma, the pilot, ejected safely, said an Indian Air Force (IAF) spokesman at the Eastern Air Command headquarters in Shillong.The pilot had flown from the Hashimara airbase on a routine sortie. Hashimara is under administrative control of the Eastern Air Command.The pilot landed at the Saptibari High School playground, about 10 km from the crash spot. He was given first aid at the Saptibari primary health centre.The aircraft had lost contact with the air traffic control at Hashimara before it crashed.This is the fourth crash involving a MiG fighter plane this year.
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Amit Shah taken into custody, says allegations fabricated

JULY,25, Former Gujarat minister Amit Shah, charged with involvement in the 2005 killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in a staged shootout, was taken into custody by the CBI in Gandhinagar Sunday.Shah, who was missing since Thursday, earlier surfaced dramatically at a press conference of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ahmedabad in the morning and said the allegations against him were fabricated.Shah had walked in while BJP state unit chief R.C. Fardu was addressing the press.Shah, who has been charge-sheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), said he was being framed by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in New Delhi in a desperate bid to ‘counter’ the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat.He said he would go to the CBI court to surrender.“The accusations against me are fabricated, politically motivated and framed on the behest of the Congress government,” Shah told reporters.He pointed out that the CBI had submitted a charge sheet of 30,000 pages within a day, even though he had not appeared before the agency. “That means my summons were not linked to the charge sheet,” he added.The minister also said that the summons showed that he was alleged to have issued threats, but the chargesheet seems to have accused him of murder.Shah said that he was ready to “face all action and not scared of being arrested”. “I have full faith in judiciary and just want to say that it’s a conspiracy by Congress and misuse of power by the Congress to come in power in Gujarat,” Shah asserted.He claimed that Sohrabuddin was a terrorist, who was involved in conspiracy against the nation. “Congress calls Sohrabuddin as a petty criminal but Gujarat Police has recovered 46 AK-47s, 100 hand grenades and 100,000 ammunition from the well in his house.”Gujarat’s former minister of state for home asked why staged shootouts only in Gujarat were being investigated. “There have been 1,700 encounters all over the country… and targeting only the encounters in Gujarat is a Congress conspiracy,” he claimed.He demanded that his submission before the CBI should be “videographed”. “When this matter comes before court, I am sure that none of the claims against me will stand,” Shah said.Shah submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Narendra Modi Saturday.
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TRS ahead as campaigning ends for by-polls in Telangana

Hyderabad, July 25 : Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) appears to be ahead of its rivals as campaigning came to an end Sunday for by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region scheduled for Tuesday.Leaders and candidates of the three major parties conducted road shows and door to door campaign in a last minute bid to woo the voters. Stakes are high for TRS, the mass resignations of whose legislators on the demand for separate statehood to Telangana February this year, necessitated the by-elections. All 10 legislators of TRS and a candidate each of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had resigned. With Telangana as the core issue, the by-elections are a major test for TRS and Telangana sentiment, especially when Srikrishna Committee - formed by the central government to look into the demands for and against Telangana state - is in the final phase of consultations. TRS chief K.Chandrasekhara Rao and party MP Vijayashanti addressed a series of election meetings on the last day of the poll campaign. Some ministers campaigned for ruling Congress while local leaders of TDP canvassed for the party candidates. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, both of whom come from outside Telangana, choose not to campaign making it a low-profile electoral battle for their respective parties. Taking advantage of this, the TRS chief mounted spirited attacks on Congress and TDP, labelling them anti-Telangana. A new alliance also emerged in the by-polls with TRS supporting BJP candidate in one constituency while BJP is backing TRS in 11 constituencies. For the ruling party this is the first election after the death of its popular leader Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The party is clearly feeling the absence of the strong leader to counter TRS and TDP. After suffering the defeat last year, state Congress chief D. Srinivas is again trying his luck from Nizamabad Urban. The party has again fielded former ministers Mohammed Ali Shabbir and G. Vinod from Yellareddy and Chennur constituencies respectively. TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao's son K. Tarakarama Rao is again contesting from Sircilla and is confident of improving his margin. He had scraped through by a slender margin of 171 votes in the last elections. The other key TRS candidates include T. Harish Rao (Siddpet) and E. Rajender (Huzurabad).
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Poll panel notices to TRS chief, Andhra minister

New Delhi, July 25 : The Election Commission Sunday issued notices to Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Andhra Pradesh IT minister Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy for violating the model code of conduct.According to the poll panel, the model code of conduct came into existence after it announced by-elections to 10 state assembly seats June 21 and two more seats July 1, after which government officials and candidates cannot make poll promises to the people. The by-election will be held July 27 and counting of votes will take place Aug 3. The Commission said it had received a video of Reddy, who is also sports and youth services minister, promising that he will tackle all problems related to roads and irrigation at an election campaign July 21 in Kunchavalli village of Sirpur constituency. He also promised that all these projects will be completed within a year. "The commission is of the opinion that by making these promises you have violated the model code of conduct," a statement issued here said. The panel asked the minister to explain by July 26 why action should not be taken against him. "If no reply is received within the prescribed time limit, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say and the commission will proceed to take appropriate action without making any further reference to you," it added. Notice was also issued to TRS president for making derogatory remarks against state Home Minister Sabitha Indira Reddy and also telling voters to take money and liquor from Congress and other parties, but not to vote for them. The panel said this not only violated the model code of conduct but also meant abetting corrupt practices and amounts to an electoral offence. The TRS chief has been asked to explain his stand by July 26.
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Take action on illegal mines: Chiranjeevi

Tirupati, Jul 24 : Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) President K Chiranjeevi today demanded the Andhra Pradesh government to take action on illegal mining in the state.Talking to mediapersons, Mr Chiranjeevi, who arrived here on a two-day visit to the temple town to participate in various programmes, welcomed Chief Minister K Rosaiah's initiative for taking action against multi-crore Bayyaram mining in Khammam district.The government should also take action on such illegal mines in the state to protect national resources, the Tirupati legislator said.Referring to the Babli project, Mr Chiranjeevi said all political parties in the state should fight unitedly against the construction of Babli project and 13 other projects across river Godavari by Maharashtra Government. The problem could be solved only through political resolution, he opined.He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should intervene and halt the construction of Babli project by Maharashtra immediately and find a lasting solution to inter-state water disputes.Later, the PRP chief laid the foundation stone for Rs 1.81 crore women's hostel at the premises of Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalayam (SPMVV).
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Walkout exposes TDP's Publicity stunt: Govt Whip

Hyderabad, Jul 24 : Andhra Pradesh Government Whip Dr Shailajanath alleged that walkout from the all-party meet called by Chief Minister K Rosaiah yesterday by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) citing the number of persons permitted was proof that the party was not sincere towards the Babli issue, and that it was only interested in publicity.Claiming that TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was interested in generating publicity at the cost of the interests of the state, Shailajanath said the TDP chief had a moral responsibility to attend the all-party meeting since it was he who had forced the meeting in the first place.Demanding TDP president to explain his absence from the all-party meeting, Shailajanath alleged that Naidu was under pressure from his own party members to abstain from the meeting despite creating an image of spearheading the protests against the illegal constructions as part of the Babli project.Talking to mediapersons here, Shailajanath accused Naidu of 'habitually' skipping important meetings. He advised the TDP cadre not to follow this 'bad habit.' The Government Whip said the TDP president sent four of his party leaders but did not attend himself. ''Only one person from each political party was permitted to attend the meeting,'' he added.
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Andhra Pradesh student alleges sexual assault by school principal

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Two TDP leaders hacked to death

Hyderabad, July 24 : Two leaders of the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), who were brothers, were hacked to death by unidentified assailants in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district in a case of fational killings, police said Saturday.Vishwanath Reddy and Maheshwar Reddy, both brothers and local leaders of the TDP, were murdered late Friday in Nakkaladinne in Kadapa. A woman was also injured in the attack. Some unidentified people, who came in a car, barged into the house of the two brothers after midnight and attacked them with sickles and other sharp-edged weapons, an official said. Police suspect it to be case of factional killings. Eight people of a rival faction have been booked and searches are on to find them, the official said. Kadapa is a part of Rayalaseema region, notorious for factional killings. The factions fighting for domination in villages kill their rivals mercilessly. The factions are supported either by the Congress or by TDP.
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State govt used force to crush democratic rights:Naidu

Hyderabad, Jul 23 : Telugu Desam Party(TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu today alleged that the ruling Congress government was using force to crush people's democratic rights and suppress the opposition's voice. Addressing newspersons at the Osmania General Hospital where some of his party workers were undergoing treatment for injuries suffered during the lathicharge at the Andhra-Maharashtra border on Babli issue on July 20, he lambasted the Rosaiah government for trying to suppress the people of the state while adopting a 'soft' approach towards the Maharashtra government. Describing the lathicharge as 'illegal and inhuman', he alleged that police had deliberately used force on TDP workers on the instructions of the Congress government.He said his party had been fighting for the welfare of the people for the last 18 years. He enquired about the health of Karimnagar corporator O Ramesh, corporator and town president Ashok, ST Cell President G Sudhakar, BC cell President Raj Kumar and Vice President K Krishna, who were admitted to hospital after being injured in the lathicharge. The TDP leaders were protesting against the treatment meted out to Mr Naidu and his team members by Maharashtra police while shifting them from Dharmabad ITI to Aurangabad.Mr Naidu also visited the Apollo Hospital at Jubilee Hills where he inquired about the health of former MP Ramakrishna Reddy. He was accompanied by TDP leaders Nagam Janardhan Reddy, Muzzafar Ali Khan and others.
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EC expresses displeasure on KCR's remarks

Hyderabad, Jul 23 : The Election Commission today expressed displeasure to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President K Chandrasekhara Rao on his provocative statements during his election campaign for the July 27 bypoll in 12 constituencies in the Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh.''It was not satisfied with his explanation regarding these statements and is of the considered view that he as a responsible political leader, should not have made such statements in public, which can aggravate the existing differences between different sections of the society, during the period when by-elections to 12 Assembly Constituencies in Andhra pradesh Legislative Assembly are under way,'' it said.The Election Commission advised him to be more cautious in future so that no provision of Model Code of conduct was violated in letter and spirit, according to a Election Commission statement.
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Rape accused school director sent to jail

Hyderabad, July 23 : A city court Friday sent the director an international school to judicial custody for 14 days on charges of raping a Class 11 student as another girl student filed a police complaint accusing him of sexually exploiting her.Salahuddin Ayub, director of Parkwood International School, was produced before a magistrate at Nampally Criminal Court complex, who remanded him in judicial custody till Aug 5. Earlier, police sent the accused to Osmania General Hospital, where his blood samples were collected for scientific tests. Ayub told reporters at the hospital that he is innocent. "I will speak out at appropriate time," he said. Even as Ayub denied the allegations, another student has lodged a complaint with the police that the principal had tried to sexually exploit her. Sleuths of the Central Crime Station (CCS) continued investigations into the complaint by a student from Mumbai that Ayub raped her repeatedly during the past few months. The family lodged a complaint after she became pregnant. The girl complained that the director lured her to his penthouse on the premises of the residential school on March 10 and raped her after offering her a soft drink laced with some drug. She alleged that he again raped her a few days later by threatening her with a revolver and also blackmailed her by taking her nude pictures on his mobile phone. For the second day, student bodies and parents staged protests outside the school at Manneguda in Vikarabad, about 50 km from here. They demanded that that the Central Board of Secondary Education derecognize the school. Students gathered in large numbers and staged road blockade on Vikarabad-Pargi road. Tension prevailed at the school as parents of many students demanded transfer certificates of their wards. They also wanted their fees to be paid back. Meanwhile, school principal and director Ayesha Tanveer told reporters that the school would re-open July 27. She urged the government to ensure that the school functions in a smooth manner. She defended Ayub saying he is innocent. "The court will decide whether he is guilty or not," she added.
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