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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
India, US to hold final agenda talks for Obama visit
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Rosaiah defends university land for TIFR campus
Rosaiah told reporters that TIFR was not a private company and that it was allotted 209 acres of surplus land of the university in accordance with the rules.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation stone for the Hyderabad campus of TIFR Tuesday even as a section of students and faculty are opposing the land allotment.Rosaiah claimed that the state got the second campus of the prestigious institution after tough competition from other states. He pointed out that TIFR planned to invest Rs.2,500 crore in the campus and this would help in the state’s development.The chief minister promised to compensate the central university for the land by extending other assistance.Meanwhile, University of Hyderabad’s Vice Chancellor Seyed E. Hasnain also justified land allotment to TIFR. He pointed out that it is an institute of excellence wholly-funded by the Department of Atomic Energy and there was nothing wrong in giving it land.He said the opposition to the move from some sections was politically motivated. The VC hoped that the institute would help in making the campus a world-class research hub.TIFR director Mustansir Barma said the Hyderabad campus would start functioning from the next year. It will have world-class labs and facilities to put India in the forefront of research in the emerging areas of science.It plans to accommodate 200 permanent faculty, 1,000 students and 300 post-doctoral researchers.TIFR, which was founded by Homi J. Bhabha on June 1, 1945 with the support of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, has already entered into memorandum of understanding with University of Hyderabad to facilitate collaborative research.Barma said this collaboration between the university and the institute would continue in future.
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Expand human resource pool in science, technology: PM
“We need to expand human resource pool in the area of science and technology to maintain our competitive advantage in the knowledge economy that is now on the horizon in the world,” Singh said.“Secondly, we need to create a stimulating institutional environment that can engender a full flowering of our vast, latent capacities through innovation and pursuit of excellence.”“The scientific and technological prowess of a nation is a major determinant of its state of development. Innovation and knowledge will be the key factors in our nation’s progress in the 21st century. We must, therefore, foster an environment that promotes and nurtures scientific achievement and makes us a world leader in creating intellectual property,” he said.He stressed the need to strengthen scientific infrastructure, draw the brightest minds to scientific research, and create institutions of the highest standards of excellence.“Scientific development is an integral part of the journey of our country towards inclusive, balanced and sustainable growth,” he said.The ceremony passed off without any untoward incident as tight security arrangements were made in view of protests by a section of students and faculty of the university over allotment of university land to TIFR.The institute is coming up on 209 acres allotted by the state government. TIFR plans to set up various research and academic facilities at the Hyderabad campus with an investment of about Rs.2,500 crore over a decade.Recalling that India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had laid the foundation stone for TFIR at Mumbai 56 years ago, Singh noted that from modest beginnings TIFR has emerged as a great centre of research and learning of international repute.He said the institute was closely associated with many of the advances the country has made in the frontier fields of scientific research.“From its origin in nuclear science and mathematics, TIFR’s activities now encompass all branches of natural sciences, mathematics, computer cience and science education,” he said.Paying rich tributes to TIFR’s founder and a greatest scientist Homi Bhabha, Singh said the nation owes Bhabha a deep debt of gratitude for his pioneering efforts in putting India on the scientific map of the world.Atomic Energy Commission chairman Srikumar Banerjee described TIFR as a cradle of atomic energy activities in the country.He said the need for the new campus was felt as the Mumbai campus had come to a state of saturation and it couldn’t grow any farther.“TIFR has chosen a path in which it will try to converge various traditional disciplines into some common theme. They have named it as research in light, matter and life,” he said.TIFR plans to have 1,000 to 1,400 students in Phd programmes and about 400 post doctoral associates in new campus. It will also have 250 faculty members.Mustansir Barma, director of TIFR, said TIFR was an autonomous institute supported by the department of atomic energy with a mission to conduct world class research in various sciences and train young researchers.He said the new campus would have TIFR centre for interdisciplinary science, which is expected to be functional by 2013.Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L Narasimhan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah were also present on the occasion.
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Kasab spits on video camera, wants to go to US
Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, caught alive during the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem, Tuesday spat on the video-conferencing camera in the Arthur Road Central Jail from where he ‘attends’ the proceedings in the Mumbai High Court where arguments on confirming his death sentence are going on.Though the jail officials discreetly switched off the camera at the right moment, they later informed the court of the spitting incident.Kasab, who was seen misbehaving during the first day of the hearing Monday – laughing, stretching himself, playing with his jail uniform buttons, yawning and exhibiting boredom – continued his antics Tuesday, the jail officials said. At one time, he attempted to get up and walk away from the camera.He also came on the live video-screen and demanded that he should be sent to the US since he was not sure on what charges he was being kept in captivity here. At this, the bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice R. V. More suggested that he should ask his lawyers under what charges he was being kept in jail.Kasab also told the court in Hindi that he wanted to attend the proceedings in person, instead of through video-conferencing, which the judges declined on security grounds.Kasab’s lawyers too agreed that he could not be brought to the Bombay High Court in view of security considerations.Government counsel Ujjwal Nikam Monday opened his arguments in the case for confirming the death sentence awarded to Kasab by Special JUdge M.L. Tahaliyani May 6 this year.Kasab was the only Pakistani gunman nabbed alive from the group of 10 terrorists who sneaked into Mumbai and created mayhem between Nov 26-29, killing 166 people, including 26 foreigners, and injuring around 300 others.
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Monday, October 18, 2010
A.R. Rahman, brand ambassador for Toyota Etios
Rahman will endorse the Etios through various marketing campaigns, the company said Friday.“There is a very strong connect between the product and its brand ambassador, with both being global, innovative, reliable, and a class-above quality,” said Hiroshi Nakagawa, managing director, TKM.The new Toyota hatchback is said to have been designed for the mass volume segment of the Indian market and will compete in the Rs.3-5 lakh price band.“I believe real quality is created when skill meets dedication, when insight meets inspiration, when passion meets perfection. This is why I am happy to be associated with Toyota. The same values drive Toyota in whatever they do,” said Rahman on his association with Toyota.Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director, marketing, said the Toyota brand in India would get stronger and far-reaching “with Rahman in our multi-media campaigns”.
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Bal Thackeray anoints grandson Aditya into politics
First, the three generations of the Thackeray family garlanded a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji before Thackeray was escorted to his ‘throne’.After the usual round of garlands, Aditya stood before him, clad in a simple blue kurta with sleeves rolled up to the elbows and dark trousers.Thackeray handed his grandson a gleaming sword and touched his forehead, while Aditya bent and touched his feet. Thackeray also presented a bouquet of flowers to the 20-year-old.Aditya then sought his father Udhav’s blessings by touching his feet.He then came forward on the stage, raised the sword and waved it to the cheering crowds, then bowed before the gathering and syumbolically sought their blessings.Belying expectations, Aditya did not make a speech and the stage was left for his father and grandfather.Flanked on his right by former leader of opposition in the state assembly Ramdas Kadam and on the left by ex-chief minister and former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi, Aditya sat throughout the two-hour function and listened attentively to the speeches of the two senior Thackerays.In his 45-minute speech, Bal Thackeray said that Aditya had progressed in the party by his deeds and urged partymen to encourage and support him.
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Ayodhya verdict: Nirmohi Akhara to also move Supreme Court
The decision of theAll India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to take the Ayodhya battle to the Supreme Court has prompted one of the key Hindu parties, Nirmohi Akhara, to follow suit, almost ruling out any chance of an out-of-court settlement.“We have no choice but to move the Supreme Court now, since the Sunni Central Waqf Board’s resolve to file an appeal agaist the (Sep 30) Allahabad High Court verdict has been formally endorsed by the Muslim Personal Law Board,” Akhara spokesman Mahant Ram Das said over telephone from Ayodhya.Speaking on behalf of 89-year-old Akhara head Mahant Bhaskar Das, who avoids talking over the phone on account of his hearing impairment, Ram Das said: “We were somehow apprehensive that a particular lobby among Muslims was not interested in closing the Ayodhya chapter and that is exactly what has happened. Under the circumstances, we are compelled to take the same course and file an appeal before the Supreme Court.”Asked what would happen to the initiatives taken by 90-year-old Hashim Ansari, the first Muslim plaintiff in the case, to put an end to the court battle and settle the dispute through dialogue, Ram Das said: “Well, we all appreciate Ansari’s efforts to which Mahant Bhaskar Das had also responded very positively, but what to do now?”Signalling a hardened position, he said: “We have reason to believe that we must not only have full right over the entire disputed land, but also be given complete right to perform puja and have full control over the proposed temple.”A three-judge special bench of the Allahabad High Court had ordered division of the disputed 90 ft x 120 ft plot of land where the Babri masjid once stood into three parts – one to Ram Lalla, one to the Nirmohi Akhara and one to the Sunni Waqf Board.After a meeting of its executive here Saturday, the AIMPLB said it had decided to appeal in the Supreme Court against the Ayodhya verdict, but clarified it was not opposed to an out-of-court compromise, though with certain conditions.Asked to comment on the change in Nirmohi Akhara’s stand, All India Akhara Parishad chief Mahant Gyan Das blamed it on Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president Vinay Katiyar.“It is all because of Vinay Katiyar that the Nirmohi Akhara has altered its stand. It appears that Katiyar has poisoned the mind of Mahant Bhaskar Das,” he said.Gyan Das, who strongly championed keeping politicians out of the amicable settlement process, alleged Katiyar had vested interests.“Having been a MP from the area in the past, Katiyar knows that he could continue to get political mileage out of the issue only as long as it was allowed to simmer,” he said, referring to Katiyar’s stint as Faizabad MP.Earlier this week, Katiyar told mediapersons in Ayodhya that no out-of-court settlement on the issue was possible until Muslims abdicated their claim even to the one-third portion of the disputed site.
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Kasab death penalty: Case in high court Monday
Kasab will not be present in person but participate in the proceedings through video-conferencing in view of the threat perceptions against him.The day-to-day hearing will be taken up before a division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice R.V. More.Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani, who is now the principal sessions judge, awarded the capital punishment to the 22-year-old Pakistani gunman for his role in the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai attack that claimed the lives of 166 people, including 26 foreigners.Unprecedented security measures have been ordered in the court premises with strict regulations on the entry of lawyers, litigants, mediapersons, court employees and others in Court No. 49.Government counsel Ujjwal Nikam, who fought the case in the trial court, will open his arguments seeking confirmation of the death sentence.Later, defence lawyers Farhana Shah and Amin Solkar will make their submissions on the confirmation of the sentence and their appeal against it.Two other co-accused in the case, Faheem Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed, who were acquitted by the Special Court owing to “doubtful evidence” against them, were re-arrested following an appeal filed by the state government.Both are currently lodged in different jails in Mumbai.Nine out of 10 gunmen, barring Kasab, who staged the attack were killed by security forces.
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Students plan protest during Prime Minister's Hyderabad University visit
Hyderabad, Oct 18 : Tight security arrangements are in place for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the University of Hyderabad here Tuesday as a section of the students and faculty is planning a protest against laying of the foundation stone for the Hyderabad campus of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).The students' unions and some faculty members are opposing the allocation of university land for TIFR while the Left parties have also appealed to the prime minister not to lay the foundation stone for the institute.Anticipating protests by the students and faculty, police have made elaborate security arrangements on the campus.Manmohan Singh will arrive in Hyderabad Tuesday at 11.30 a.m. He will inaugurate the 21st general meeting of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) at 12 noon.He will lay the foundation stone for the Hyderabad campus of TIFR at 2.30 p.m. and return to New Delhi at 3.40 p.m. Students Monday staged protests at the university campus against plans to allot the land to various private institutions.The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of faculty, non-teaching staff and students fears that the land allotment to TIFR would set a "bad precedent" as the versity authorities could allot land to more private institutes.The strong protest by the JAC early this year had forced Vice-Chancellor Seyed E. Hasnain to put on hold a project to lease out 200 acres of campus land for Knowledge and Innovation Park (KIP).Leaders of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), in a joint letter to the prime minister, appealed to him to cancel his proposed programme as it could be used by an "unscrupulous" administration to sanctify its "selfish" and "unreasonable land deals".CPI leader K. Narayana said there were proposals to allot 1,000 acres more to institutions and Singh's foundation stone laying for TIFR would enable the university to clear them.The central university authorities, however, clarified that land had been allotted to TIFR, a central government's institute of excellence wholly-funded by Department of Atomic Energy, and not to any private institute.The Hyderabad campus of TIFR is coming up on 209 acres of land allotted by the state government on the university campus at Gachibowli. TIFR plans to set up various research and academic facilities in the Hyderabad campus with an investment of about Rs.2,500 crore over a decade.According to TIFR officials, the Hyderabad campus will have world-class labs and facilities to put India in the forefront of research in the emerging areas of science. It plans to accommodate 200 permanent faculty, 1,000 students and 300 post-doctoral researchers.TIFR, which was founded by Homi J. Bhabha June 1, 1945, with the support of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, has already entered into memorandum of understanding with the University of Hyderabad to facilitate collaborative research.The prime minister will also inaugurate the 21st general meeting of Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). More than 350 scientists from 35 countries are expected to attend the four-day event.The union ministry of science and technology is sponsoring the meet. The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the TWAS Regional Office for Central and South Asia (TWAS-ROCASA) are the joint hosts.Based in Trieste, Italy, TWAS is an autonomous international organization which is working to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the south.
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Hyd to host national seminar on changing trends in news papers
Oct 18 : Andhra Pradesh Small and Medium News Papers of India Association (APSMNPIA) President A Ramachandra Reddy today said a one-day national seminar on 'News papers Service in Changing Trends of the Public and Government' will be held at in Hyderabad on October 20.He told newspersons that here more that 90 delegates representing small and medium newspapers across the country, including New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Naidu, Orissa, Haryana, Karnataka and Gujarat will participate in the seminar and focus on various issues, including role of small newspapers in development of Telugu language, small newspapers public responses and the role of small newspapers in rural development. National President for Association of Small and Medium Newspapers of India (Kanpur) K D Chandola, Narsapur member of Parliament K Bapu Raju, Amalapuram Member of Parliament G V Harsha Kumar, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University Vice Chancellor Prof A Bhumaiah, National co-ordinator for Small and Medium Newspapers Association P Vishumurthi, Telugu University Journalism department Head Satti Reddy will participate in the seminar. Right to Information Act Commissioner R Dilip Reddy, AP Press Academy Chairman T Surendra and senior journalists Pothuri Venkateswara Rao and Satish Chandar, will participate in the seminar, he said.
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Friday, October 15, 2010
Ordinance issued to regulate micro finance firms in Andhra
Rural Development Minister Vatti Vasantha Kumar told reporters that the ordinance would prove effective to check the MFIs from resorting to illegal methods to force borrowers to repay loans.The ordinance makes it compulsory for MFIs to register themselves with rural development authorities, The institutions will have to register within 30 days. The registration will be valid for one year and the same will be renewed only if the MFIs adhere to the rules and regulations.It has also been made compulsory for all MFIs to display the rate of interest on their boards. This has been done in view of the complaints by borrowers that MFIs were collecting higher rates of interest than those at which they agree to provide loans.
The minister, however, said the state government had no jurisdiction over fixing the rate of interest.He said with the issuing of the ordinance, the MFIs can’t send their agents to the houses of borrowers.“We will deal firmly with anybody who violates this order. He may be jailed up to three years and the registration of the MFI will be cancelled,” the minister added.Even as the minister made the announcement, unable to bear the harassment by an MFI, a borrower committed suicide in Warangal district.K.Ramesh, a daily wage earner, ended his life at Venkatadripet in Station Ghanpur mandal.More than 25 people have committed suicide due to alleged harassment by MFIs in the state during the last two months.
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Food security bill to be brought soon: Sonia Gandhi
Addressing a Congress workers’ ‘Sadbhavna Rally’ at Sewagram in Wardha district, about 85 km from here, Gandhi pointed out that the government has already legislated the Right to Education to ensure education for all children, and the food security bill will be the next major public welfare policy measure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.She also promised to address the issue of farmers in Vidarbha, the state’s eastern region that has seen thousands of farmer suicides in the past few years.Earlier, Gandhi felicitated thousands of Congress activists who marched from various villages in the state to Sewagram in a march called ‘Gram to Sewagram,’ and converged at the historic Sewagram Ashram.“I congratulate (you) for this achievement. With the presence of such people in this country, nobody can stop us from becoming the world’s strongest power,” the Congress president said, urging people to follow Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of peace, non-violence and universal brotherhood to achieve progress.She warned people against forces that sought to divide the country on grounds of caste and religion and urged Congressmen to be prepared to fight them.At the beginning of her brief address, Gandhi apologised for reaching the venue nearly four hours behind schedule on account of some technical reasons.Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that despite speculation in some quarters, Sonia Gandhi said that she would attend the rally.His comments came in the backdrop of an alleged ‘money-for-rally’ controversy that erupted Thursday with a taped conversation indicating that money was collected from Congress ministers to cover the rally’s expenses. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Manikrao Thakre, Mumbai Congress chief Kripa Shankar Singh, Union Minister for Heavy Industries Vilasrao Deshmukh and other prominent personalities were present on the occasion.
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Opposition tried to topple my government: Yeddyurappa
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Presernve habit of letter writing: veteran journalist exhorts
Oct 15 : Veteran journalist T Kutumba Rao who released the inhouse magazine 'Likitha' of postal staff of Eastern Region of Andhra Pradesh today pointed out that the written word stays forever.Speaking after releasing the magazine, he exhorted all to cultivate the habit of writing letters instead of sending message over mobile phones.Lauding the efforts of the postal department for delivering letters for the last half a century, he said he had received more than 100 letters, written to him by former Prime Ministers Jawarahlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He had also received a number of letters written to him by AICC President Sonia Gandhi.''A Japanese TV channel came to my house for these precious letters for their documentary film on letters of prominent personalities,'' he said.Mr Kutumbera Rao, who is also an entrant into Guinness Book of World Records for delivering the maximum number of public speeches, also recalled that people used to wait for the postman for letters as it was the only mode of exchanging information in earlier days.Post Master General M Sampanth lauded the postal staff for their efforts in carrying forward one of the country's biggest public sector organisations.
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TV channel employees stage dharna
Hyderabad, Oct 15 : Demanding justice, employees of a news channel staged a dharna in front of former Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's residence at Jubilee Hills here.The management of Studio-N, owned by Nara Lokesh, son of Mr Naidu, was said to has taken a decision recently about sacking of about 90 employees from the channel on the pretext of excess of employees in the channel.The employees yesterday demanded the TDP President to intervene in the matter. Some employees also alleged that the management of the channel was indifferent towards a section of employees and majority sacked employees were from the Telangana region.
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3 Govt employees in ACB net
Hyderabad, Oct 14 : The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) offcials today arrested three government employees on bribe charges.Mr Vanga Vilaya Raja, Village Revenue Officer, Rangapuram of Reddygudem Mandal, Krishna District was caught red-handed by ACB when he demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 7,000 from the complainant for processing complainant`s application for issue of Pattadar Pass Books.The accused officer Raja will be remanded to judicial custody, an ACB release here said.In another case K Gandailah, Sanitary Jawan, office of the Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Rajendranagar GHMC, was caught red-handed by the A C B Officials when he demanded and accepted Rs 5,000 as bribe for processing the sanitary contract bill pertaining to Jai Santoshi Matha Dwakra Group, Budvel Village of Rajendranagar Mandal in R R District.Gandaiah will be produced before the Additional Special Judge for SPE and A C B Cases, Hyderabad, the release added. Pereddygari Narsimha Reddy (43) Senior Assistant, Board of Intermediate Education, Nampally, Hyderabad was caught red handed by the A C B Officials when he demanded and accepted Rs 5,000 as bribe from the complainant for processing the file and to change name and address of the college located at Ramanthapur. Narsimha Reddy will be produced before the Additioal Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases, Hyderabad, the ACB release added.
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Lok Satta moots united fight to save farmers
Hyderabad, Oct 14 : The Lok Satta Party has called for an all-party conference on October 16 to organise a united fight against ''anti-farmer policies of State and Union Governments''.Announcing this at a media conference here today, Lok Satta Party President Jayaprakash Narayan pointed out that the Union government was harming farmers' interests by not permitting export of rice and allowing duty-free import of palm oil, while the State government looked on helplessly. Dr JP reeled off facts and figures to depict the grim situation the farmers were facing in the context of the kharif paddy harvest. India as of today has a buffer stock of 46 million tons of rice and paddy. Since FCI's storage capacity, including the leased ones, is only 27.3 million tons, it is forced to keep the remainder under open storage with the attendant risk of damage by rains and rodents. The stipulated buffer storage for the country in July is 27 million tons and in October 16 million tons.
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Police inspector jailed for raping minor
Hyderabad, Oct 14 : A police inspector, accused of raping his colleague's 16-year-old daughter, surrendered Thursday before a city court after evading arrest for over a month.N.C.H. Rangaswamy, circle inspector of Madannapet police station in the city, surrendered before Ranga Reddy district court, which remanded him to judicial custody till Oct 28. He was taken to Cherlapally Jail on the city's outskirts. The accused claimed that he was innocent and the parents of the girl were trying to implicate him in a false case.Rangaswamy was on the run since Sep 1 when the Central Crime Station (CCS) registered a case against him for allegedly raping the daughter of a woman constable posted at the police commissioner's office. Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan had suspended him soon after.Rangaswamy was a frequent visitor to the woman constable's house in Saroornagar. The inspector allegedly committed the act Aug 30, when he found her daughter alone. The girl's father returned home to catch the inspector red-handed.The Saroornagar police station refused to register the case, after which the girl's parents approached the police commissioner and lodged a complaint with the Central Crime Station.
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MFI offices attacked in AP
Hyderabad, Oct 13 : Offices of various Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) were attacked in different parts of Andhra Pradesh today for allegedly harrasing rural people in the name of lending money.The attacks were reported in Srikakulam, Chitoor and Anantapur districts where some offices of private MFIs were ransacked by a section of people.Meanwhile, Opposition party leaders and APCC president D Srinivas appealed to the state government to initiate immediate action to prevent the alleged harassment of the rural people by agents of MFIs in the state.Mr Srinivas said it was unfortunate that the rural people, particularly women, were committing suicides unable to withstand harrassment of MFIs and appealed Chief Minister K Rosaiah to take steps to curb such incidents Meanwhile,Chief Minister Rosaiah appealed to the Banks to come to the rescue of the rural poor and SHG members in a big way. He said it is the joint responsibility of the government and the banks to help the poor people in distress who were being harassed by the MFIs.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Lok Satta credible alternative to collapsing parties: Dr Jayaprakash
Hyderabad, Oct 11 : Claiming that all traditional parties have collapsed in fulfilling the common man dreams and aspirations, Loksatta party president Dr Jayaprakash Narayan said today that his party has to emerge as an alternative to these parties.''Most politicians are concerned about their future and their children's future and not of the country and the people,'' he said adding that the people and the economy have ceased to be their concern except on the eve of elections. ''In contrast, the Lok Satta is committed to providing a platform for all those interested in building the future of the country,'' Dr Jayaprakash said.Addressing a 'Leadership summit' organised on the party's fourth anniversary, Dr JP expressed different political parties have been derailing growth and prosperity with their hypocritical policies. ''All parties claim to be pro-agriculture and pro-farmer but their actions belie them. Warehouses in the country are overflowing with 50 million tons of food grains, some of it rotting, while a buffer stock of 16 million tons will do. Yet the Government of India dithers on permitting exports and ensuring a remunerative price to the farmer,'' he said. Marking the 2009 floods in River Krishna, he said people devastated by the flood still continue to live in make-shift camps even as the dam on the Krishna and its tributaries remain vulnerable. ''With agriculture becoming a losing proportion, there is an exodus of the rural youth into urban areas. Yet the Government is not building small towns to serve as hubs of economic activity and promote livelihood opportunities, he said.
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South Central Railway, to run special trains between Secunderabad-Visakapatnam
Hyderabad, Oct 11 : South Central Railway (SCR) will run four Special Trains Secunderabad-Visakapatnam to clear extra rush of traffic.According to an SCR press release here Train No. 0866A Secunderabad-Visakapatnam Special Train will depart Secunderabad on October 14 and 21 at 2330 hrs and arrive in Visakapatnam at 1215 hrs on the next day. In the return direction, Train No. 0865A Visakapatnam- Secunderabad Special Train will leave Visakapatnam on October 13 and 20 at 1905 hrs and arrive Secunderabad at 0815 hrs on the next day. Enroute, these trains will stop at Secunderabad, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam, Madhira,Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Annavaram, Tuni, Duvvada and Visakhapatnam, in both the directions.
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Congress MLC Condemns TDP's attack on micro finance
Hyderabad, Oct 11 : Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary and Member of Legislative Council(MLC) Gidugu Rudra Raju today strongly condemned the unwarranted remarks of Dr Mysoora Reddy, Rajya Sabha Member, Telugu Desam Party againest Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and CWC Member and AICC General Secretary Mr Rahul Gandhi with regards to microfinance.In a statement, Mr Rudra Raju said when issuing statement, Dr Reddy must think twice about the reforms made by Dr Manmohan Singh where almost all the countries across the world appreciated the efforts of the Prime Minister that his financial administration is stood for weaker sections and lower rungs of the society.He said, Dr Reddy don't know about the sacrifices and services made by Mr Rahul Gandhi towards the down-trodden and tribes of the society. Mr Rahul always thinks about the welfare of the weaker sections. Allmost all the leaders of different parties appreciated his selfless services partaining to his vision with regards to welfare activities.He said under the stewardship of Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the UPA Government broght many welfare programmes for the development of the SC/ST/BC and Minorities.The MLC said first time in India, in our State government has provided loan for the poor at the rate of 0.25 paise more funds for DWACRA.
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Protests against finance firms as two more commit suicide
Hyderabad, Oct 11: Two people committed suicide Monday in Andhra Pradesh after microfinance companies allegedly harassed them for non-repayment of loans. Opposition parties have urged the government to take action against the firms while a rights panel has asked police to submit the reports on suicides.While an auto driver committed suicide in Warangal district, a woman ended her life in East Godavari district. Another woman attempted suicide by consuming pesticides in Karimnagar district and was battling for her life at a local hospital.Their relatives alleged that microfinance firms were harassing them for nonpayment of loans.Meanwhile, the opposition parties have alleged that dozens of people had committed suicide in the state in the past few weeks. Expressing concern, Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary K. Narayana has urged the state government to take immediate steps in this issue.The microfinance firms are accused of luring people with low interest rates. However, they later charge high interest rates, allege the parties.Meanwhile, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), taking suo motu cognizance of media reports on suicides, issued notices last week to the district collectors to submit their reports by Oct 29. Commission chairman Kakumanu Peda Peri Reddy also directed the superintendents of police to take action in this regard.
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TDP Leader demands referendum on Telangana
Vijayawada, Oct 10 : Former Minister and senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Kodela Siva Prasad today demanded a referendum in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad over the creation of a separate Telangana state. Addressing a press conference here. he said most of the people in Telangana in general and the twin cities in particular, favoured a ''United Andhra Pradesh'', but some vested interests were inciting innocent people.Commenting on the newly floated Telanaga Praja Front by popular revolutionary poet and singer Gadar, he ridiculed that a number of organisations launched by various people were demanding a separate Telangana state. But most of them were defunct now.Meanwhile, expressing anger over the state government's indifferent attitude to buy paddy from farmers, the former Minister demanded that the Rosaiah government must open godowns to store paddy bought from farmers.''Due to non-availability of godowns, paddy procurement had come to a stand still, pushing the farmers into debts. The farmers were incurring losses, unable to sell their produce,'' he alleged.Telugu Desam MLA Devineni Umamaheshwara Rao alleged today Congress MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was forcing him to launch a ''malicious propaganda'' against the TDP President.
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CM asks TRANSCO to take extensive cultivation into consideration
Hyderabad, Oct 10 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today asked TRANSCO to take into account extensive cultivation taken up by the farmers in all the districts again due to the availability of ground water.Dr Rosaiah cleared the proposal of power utilities to provide 1.5 lakh new power connections for agriculture motor pump sets which will provide benefit of free power supply during 2010-11. With today's decision of the Chief Minister, the long pending desire of farming community has been fulfilled. The Chief Minister said a Comprehensive Action Plan to ensure quality power supply to all sectors including agriculture and industries was almost ready. Earlier, the Chief Minister wanted the Power Utility in the State to prepare a concrete action plan for reliable and quality power supply to various sectors since the generation had vastly improved due to extremely good inflows into all the reservoirs in the state.The Chief Minister had a brief meeting over the issues of power supply with Chief Secretary S V Prasad, Principal Secretary to CM C V S K Sarma, Principal Secretary, Energy, Suthirtha Bhattacharya, CMD, AP Transco, Ajay Jain and other officials viz Sri Umesh Sharaaf, JMD, Sri K Ranganatham, Addl JMD, APTRANSCO. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the APTRANSCO/ DISCOMs to provide all these new power connections to farmers on war footing before March, 2011.
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Homeopathy, the effective treatment for allergies: Dr Bakshi
Hyderabad, Oct 10 : The Andhra Pradesh chapter of 'Appreciating Homeopathy' initiative today organized a seminar in the city to discuss the latest advancements in the field of Homeopathy.Venerated expert, world-renowned Homoeopath Dr S P S Bakshi, President of Homoeopathic Medical Association of India, former President of Central Council of Homoeopathy and CMD, Bakson's Group Ltd, enlightened the fraternity about the distinct new approach for the manifestations and management of allergy on the muscoskeletal system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system and skin.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bakshi said ''This initiative is a step towards increasing the acceptance of Homeopathy and allows an exchange of ideas on recent developments in the field. Allergy is a 100 headed monster that affects one in every three Indians at least once in their lifetime but not many are aware that Homeopathy offers an excellent line of treatment as it addresses the problem by naturally strengthening the immunity of an individual.''
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Gaddar's Telangana outfit to chalk out plans Oct 14
Hyderabad, Oct 10 : The steering committee of Telangana Praja Front (TPF), floated by Maoist sympathiser Gaddar to fight for separate statehood to Telangana, will meet Oct 14 to chalk out its future course of action.Gaddar told reporters Sunday that the meeting would take key decisions to take forward the Telangana movement.The steering committee, headed by Gaddar, comprises 85 members - three representatives from each district and activists of different organisations.The revolutionary balladeer called upon people to join TFP, saying the front would bring all pro-Telangana forces on a common platform.Gaddar, elected president of TFP at its first meeting here Saturday, said he would bow before no power except people's power. He confirmed that Vimala, wife of Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (Janashakti) secretary Amar, was a member of TPF.The only agenda of TPF was to force the government to table a bill in parliament for formation of a separate Telangana state, he said.The meeting Saturday had passed a resolution to build a movement for introduction of a bill in the winter session of parliament. The TPF will mount pressure on MPs from the region for tabling the bill.The meeting also decided to hold protests in villages to keep the Telangana demand alive and build the movement on the basis of social justice.Though Gaddar stressed that the goal of Telangana can be achieved only through mass movement and not through elections, the steering committee is expected to take a decision on whether the front should contest polls.The leaders who addressed the meeting Saturday expressed divergent views on the issue. Some student groups wants TPF to stay away from elections, pointing out that the parties formed on the slogan of a separate Telangana gave up the movement after their leaders were elected to parliament and the assembly.
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Saturday, October 9, 2010
Maoist sympathiser Gaddar takes up Telangana cause
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Shiv Sena attacks Rahul Gandhi, Omar Abdullah
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Chandrababu Naidu raises hand on tribal woman
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Andhra government reconstitutes infrastructure corporation board
Hyderabad, Oct 8: Andhra Pradesh government Friday reconstituted the board of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), removing B.P. Acharya as the director following allegations against him in a deal with Emaar Properties.
The government issued orders bringing Ajay Mishra, principal secretary, investment, as the director in place of Acharya, who is the principal secretary of industries department.
The government also named five other bureaucrats as directors - B.R. Meena, Anantaramu, K. Madhusudhana Rao, T. Satyanarana Rao and Vikas Raj.The government continued Shivarama Subramanyan as APIIC chairman.The board has been constituted at a time when the opposition has stepped up the campaign demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the APIIC-Emaar deal.The APIIC has already admitted that Emaar Properties had sold its stake in 535-acre Boulder Hills to Emaar MGF, an offshoot of the Emaar Group without informing it.The APIIC had leased the prime land in Gacchibowli area here, estimated to be worth Rs.2,500 crore, to Dubai-based Emaar Properties for the joint venture, a township-cum-golf course, in 2003.Under the joint venture, APIIC had 49 percent stake but it was reduced to 26 percent and that of Emaar raised to 74 percent after Congress came to power in 2004. Emaar in 2006, without the knowledge of APIIC, signed a development agreement with Emaar MGF for the development of a township. The government realized after nearly four years that it had been taken for a ride and recently issued a legal notice to Emaar.The APIIC chairman Thursday exuded confidence that the issue would be resolved with Emaar as the latter has agreed to take action after verifying the records.The opposition, however, has alleged that APIIC's stake was diluted with the connivance of APIIC officials and is demanding a CBI probe to bring out the facts. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has even alleged that former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and government advisor K.V.P. Ramchandra Rao were also involved in the irregularities.
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The government issued orders bringing Ajay Mishra, principal secretary, investment, as the director in place of Acharya, who is the principal secretary of industries department.
The government also named five other bureaucrats as directors - B.R. Meena, Anantaramu, K. Madhusudhana Rao, T. Satyanarana Rao and Vikas Raj.The government continued Shivarama Subramanyan as APIIC chairman.The board has been constituted at a time when the opposition has stepped up the campaign demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the APIIC-Emaar deal.The APIIC has already admitted that Emaar Properties had sold its stake in 535-acre Boulder Hills to Emaar MGF, an offshoot of the Emaar Group without informing it.The APIIC had leased the prime land in Gacchibowli area here, estimated to be worth Rs.2,500 crore, to Dubai-based Emaar Properties for the joint venture, a township-cum-golf course, in 2003.Under the joint venture, APIIC had 49 percent stake but it was reduced to 26 percent and that of Emaar raised to 74 percent after Congress came to power in 2004. Emaar in 2006, without the knowledge of APIIC, signed a development agreement with Emaar MGF for the development of a township. The government realized after nearly four years that it had been taken for a ride and recently issued a legal notice to Emaar.The APIIC chairman Thursday exuded confidence that the issue would be resolved with Emaar as the latter has agreed to take action after verifying the records.The opposition, however, has alleged that APIIC's stake was diluted with the connivance of APIIC officials and is demanding a CBI probe to bring out the facts. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has even alleged that former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and government advisor K.V.P. Ramchandra Rao were also involved in the irregularities.
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Thursday, October 7, 2010
Need better technology to prevent biological attack: Kalam
Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Wednesday said there is a need to assimilate better technology and cutting edge systems in all agencies involved with security of the nation to prevent a biological attack.“If this trend of terrorism is allowed to continue, it is possible to even see terrorists attempting biological attacks on consumables like water and milk, which are sourced from multiple points, stored and processed in a central location and distributed to multiple regions simultaneously,” said Kalam, while delivering the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Memorial Lecture here.“To match and counter such threats, there is a need of assimilation of better technology and cutting edge systems in all agencies involved with security of the nation. As defence experts, all of you may like to study, research and deploy the counter terrorism technologies of the future in all its training,” the former president said.He said the role of Armed Forces is beyond being confined to merely war scenarios.“With its skilled human resources, technological expertise and the spirit of national service, the Armed Forces has contributed (to the nation) even in time of peace,” Kalam said.
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Hyderabad's rising air pollution causing concern
Hyderabad, Oct 7 : The level of pollutants in the air in Hyderabad are on the rise, posing threat to the health of people in the hi-tech southern city, said a report released Thursday.The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) analysed air quality and transportation data in Hyderabad and found increased levels of particulate matter (PM) pollution.The CSE analysis also pointed out that the recent regulation of the air quality standards by the environment ministry has changed the air quality profile of Hyderabad. "Locations in the city which were categorised moderately polluted under the earlier norms, have spiralled into the critically polluted category now, while other sites have moved from low pollution to the moderate level," it said.The report -- "Hyderabad City Dialogue on Air Quality and Transportation Challenge: An Agenda for Action" -- was released here Thursday at a public meeting and round table conference.Anumita Roychowdhury, associate director of CSE and head of its air pollution control and transportation programme, said: "The conference has been organised to enhance the action plan for reducing the pollution and congestion levels in the city, by sharing lessons from other cities like Delhi, which have similar experiences."According to the CSE analysis, there has been a subsequent increase in average annual PM 10 levels -- from 66 mg/cum in 2003 to 80 mg/cum in 2009. "This is about 1.3 times higher than the standard for a high pollution zone, according to the air quality classification followed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)," she said.The report shows that average journey speed is consistently dipping. In 1981 it was 17 kmph, and by 2006 it had come down to 12 kmph. The central business district gets bogged down with 50,000 to 60,000 passenger car units per day - a figure which is comparable to that of Delhi.Maximum air pollution in Hyderabad is caused by its rapidly growing number of vehicles. The city has 2.6 million vehicles and every year 0.2 million new vehicles are registered - which means 500-600 new vehicles roll out on to Hyderabad's roads every day.
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Picture of actor as Gandhi in government office kicks up row
Hyderabad, Oct 7 : A picture of film actor Dilip Prabhavalkar as Mahatma Gandhi at a local government office in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh has kicked up a row with the opposition seeking an apology for the alleged insult to father of the nation.
A huge picture showing "Mahatma Gandhi" behind a spinning wheel has been put up in the hall of the Warangal Zilla Parishad. The blunder was pointed out during a meeting on Wednesday by Nagarlu Venkateshwaru, floor leader of the opposition Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).The TRS leader said the man in the picture was not Mahatma Gandhi but Dilip Prabhavalkar, who played the father of nation in the Hindi blockbuster "Lage Raho Munnabhai". The Marathi actor also acted in "Shankardada Zindabad", a Telugu remake of "Lage Raho Munnabhai"."This is an insult to father of the nation. Action should be taken against those responsible for this," demanded the TRS leader.Interestingly, the huge image is flanked by the pictures of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and Zilla Parishad chairperson Lakawath Dhanawanti.Dhanawanti, however, insisted that it was Mahatma Gandhi and the picture looks different as it was framed after zooming the image. Her clarification failed to satisfy the opposition, which sought action for the faux pas.The meeting proved stormy for another reason too. The chairperson, from the Congress, questioned District Collector N. Sridhar for issuing her a notice on an anonymous complaint against her. She claimed that the corruption charges levelled against her were baseless.The opposition members demanded action against her. The collector also defended his action in sending a notice saying he has done so following directions from state Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan.
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A huge picture showing "Mahatma Gandhi" behind a spinning wheel has been put up in the hall of the Warangal Zilla Parishad. The blunder was pointed out during a meeting on Wednesday by Nagarlu Venkateshwaru, floor leader of the opposition Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).The TRS leader said the man in the picture was not Mahatma Gandhi but Dilip Prabhavalkar, who played the father of nation in the Hindi blockbuster "Lage Raho Munnabhai". The Marathi actor also acted in "Shankardada Zindabad", a Telugu remake of "Lage Raho Munnabhai"."This is an insult to father of the nation. Action should be taken against those responsible for this," demanded the TRS leader.Interestingly, the huge image is flanked by the pictures of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and Zilla Parishad chairperson Lakawath Dhanawanti.Dhanawanti, however, insisted that it was Mahatma Gandhi and the picture looks different as it was framed after zooming the image. Her clarification failed to satisfy the opposition, which sought action for the faux pas.The meeting proved stormy for another reason too. The chairperson, from the Congress, questioned District Collector N. Sridhar for issuing her a notice on an anonymous complaint against her. She claimed that the corruption charges levelled against her were baseless.The opposition members demanded action against her. The collector also defended his action in sending a notice saying he has done so following directions from state Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan.
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Andhra Pradesh Cabinet gives Rs 327.4-cr loan waiver to weavers
Hyderabad, Oct 6 : In a major relief to the weavers in the Andhra Pradesh, the state Cabinet today decided to give a Rs 327.4 crores loan waiver to unable the suffering weavers in the state regain their health and start their work afresh.The state Cabinet in a meeting here headed by the Chief Minister K Rosaiah, named the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative pederation (APCOP), as the nodal agency to work out the new credit limit to the weavers in the state.Loan waiver with the interest had been worked out as suggested by the Cabinet sub-committee to enable them qualify for fresh loans, said state Information Minister J Geeta Reddy in her post Cabinet media briefing here.Meanwhile, the Cabinet also decided to issue an ordinance to postpone elections to the Cooperative Credit Societies for another six months to enable completion of the reform process in the light of the Vaidyanathan report.The Cabinet sub committee which reviewed the financial health of the Cooperative credit structure after implementation of the Vidyanathan package and various debt waiver schemes, had submitted a report suggesting road map for making necessary structural changes in the Cooperative credit system ''to make it efficent, self sustaining and farmer friendly''.''It was considered desirable to hold election to the Cooperative only after detailed review of their finacial health and structural changes and reform if any to be made based on the recommendation of the Cabinet sub Committee'' and the Council of Ministers resolved the recommend postponement of the elections.
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Andhra Pradesh Cabinet commends all sections for cooperation on Ayodhya issue
Hyderabad, Oct 6 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah, along with his Council of Ministers, today expressed gratitude to all sections of the people for their cooperation and maintaining peace and harmony in the state in Ayodhya judgement issue.At the meeting of the Council of the Ministers the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction on the effort of the government to maintain peace at the aftermath of Ayodhya verdict.Mr Rosaiah recalled the effort of the government in calling a meeting of all the political parties, social and religious organisations ahead of the Allahabad High Courgt Judgement.The Chief Minister also commended the effort of the police in working to maintain peace with the cooperatiion of the people.The Chief Minister said the Allahabad High Court Judgement should not be viewed as victory nor loss to any section and it was only a part of the judicial sources.The aggreived party could move the Supreme Court for relief, if any, the Chief Minister told the Cabinet meeting, according to State Information Minister J Geeta Reddy who briefed the media here.
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Journalists Arogyasree cards process starts tomorrow: Minister
Hyderabad, Oct 6 : Andhra Pradesh Minister for Aarogyasri, Pithani Satyanarayana, will inaugurate tomorrow the first DPL centre (Aadhar Enrolment Station) exclusively for working journalists of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts at Press Club, Somajiguda.In a review meeting held in his chambers today, the Minister said that the enrollment programme starts with all accredited journalists and journalists working in big newspapers and electronic media (TV Channels) in first phase. Remaining journalists will be covered in second phase after proper scrutiny. The Minister said they have to submit a letter from respective managements together with identity cards. The journalists, who intend to enroll, have to go to DPL Centre with their family members. Journalists possessing white ration cards need not enroll for health cards.The Minister informed that 22 journalists who have already taken Aarogyasri health cards availed medical facilities worth Rs 6 lakh, an official statement here said.
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PM likely to inaugurate science meet in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Oct 6 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may inaugurate Third World Academy of Sciences' (TWAS) general meeting and lay the foundation stone for the Hyderabad campus of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research here Oct 19, an official said Wednesday.State Information and Public Relations Minister J. Geeta Reddy told reporters, after a meeting of the state cabinet, Wednesday that the Prime Minister was likely to visit the city to attend the two programmes."The state cabinet meet discussed the proposed visit of Manmohan Singh. We are still waiting for the confirmation of the visit," the minister said.The 21st general meeting of TWAS will be held at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute Oct 19-22. More than 350 scientists from 35 countries are expected to attend the event.The union science and technology ministry is sponsoring the meet. The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the TWAS Regional Office for Central and South Asia (TWAS-ROCASA) are the joint hosts.Based in Trieste in Italy, TWAS is an autonomous international organisation working to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the south.The academy of sciences for the developing world was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the south under the leadership of the late Nobel laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan. It was officially launched by the United Nations secretary-general in 1985.The prime minister is also expected to lay the foundation stone for the Hyderabad chapter of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).The institute is coming up on 209 acres of land allotted by the state government. TIFR plans to set up various research and academic facilities at the Hyderabad campus with an investment of about Rs.2,500 crore over a decade.TIFR, which was founded by Homi J. Bhabha June 1, 1945, with the support of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the centrally-funded University of Hyderabad to facilitate collaborative research.
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Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Nirmohi Akhara ready for out-of-court settlement
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Self-restraint needed on sensitive issues reporting: Rosaiah
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NRI's problem would be sorted out: Chakrapani
Hyderabad, Oct 4 : Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Chairman A Chakrapani today said the state government was well aware of the problems faced by NRIs.In a press communique received from Dr Chakrapani, who was on official tour in Australia where the United India Association, Telugu Association and Australian Telugu Samithi feliciated Dr Chakrapani, he said the government would be sort out problems facing by the NRIs and insure on hehalf of the state to extend maximum support. ''The government also would provide and exchange cultural, literal and language relations and social sphere,'' the Chairman added. On the occation a large number of Telugu community were present.Earlier Counsel General of India has also arranged a get-together with Dr Chakrapani and many other community representatives.Dr Chakrapani also paid his obeisance at Shirdi Sai Mandir in Strathfield.
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Gaddar set to dislodge TRS chief from Telangana leadership
Hyderabad, Oct 4: Over a year after announcing plans to float a party for mass struggle to achieve separate statehood to Telangana, revolutionary balladeer Gaddar appears all set to wrest the leadership of the movement from K. Chandrasekhara Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).The Telangana movement is poised to take a new turn when the Maoist sympathiser will formally launch the Telangana Praja Front (TPF) here Oct 9.The new outfit is expected to intensify the movement ahead of the Srikrishna Committee's report to the central government on the Telangana issue and wrest the leadership from TRS, which has been spearheading the movement for almost a decade.At the first meeting here Oct 9, Gaddar along with poets, writers and other Telangana activists will decide the TPF's organisational structure.The Srikrishna Committee, formed by the central government in February to look into the demands for and against a separate Telangana state, is scheduled to submit its report by Dec 31.However, Gaddar said that without waiting for the report, his organisation would go to the people to strengthen the movement and exert pressure on the central government to move a bill in parliament for carving out a separate state.That Gaddar's plans have already created a flutter in TRS circles is evident from the statement by one of its leaders N. Narasimha Reddy that TPF would create confusion among Telangana people and dilute the movement.KCR, as TRS chief Chandrasekhara Rao is popularly known, has refused to comment on Gaddar's outfit but the TRS cadre is worried over the impact it could have on their political fortunes at a time when the goal of separate state is "nearer"."It is KCR who has been fighting relentlessly for Telangana for about 10 years and he has almost achieved the goal. The new outfit is aimed at depriving him of the credit," said a TRS leader, who did not want to be named.Gaddar, whose real name is Gummadi Vithal Rao, has been a bitter critic of KCR and his style of functioning. He decided to launch the front after holding series of consultations with poets, writers, cultural artists, human rights activists, backward class leaders, trade and employee unions and student leaders.The Front is expected to bring all those who are not happy with KCR. Even the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has welcomed Gaddar's move to float the new outfit.Taking a dig at KCR, Gaddar said the politics revolving only around votes and fasting can't achieve Telangana state. "Telangana can be achieved only through a mass movement," the balladeer said.It was after a nine-day fast by KCR in December last year that the central government decided to initiate the process for the formation of Telangana state but constituted the Srikrishna Committee to look into the issue after angry reactions in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh.Gaddar, who had actively participated in Telangana movement of 1969, said TPF would not be a mere vote-based party like TRS but would try to achieve its goal through a people's struggle, including a cultural campaign.After the TRS suffered reverses in last year's elections, the folk artist had apologised to the people of the region for sharing a dais with KCR, BJP leader L.K. Advani and former state home minister T. Devender Goud.On the debacle of TRS, he said people rejected it because it was only running after votes without a struggle.
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Media should evelove self-regulation: Rosaiah
Hyderabad, Oct 3 : Andhra pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today asked media to evolve a self-regulation to check the sensationalism in the news business.In a message on the 30th anniversary of the Prajasakti, a Telugu daily, the Chief Minister suggested that the media should present a holistic view of a problem.Mr Rosaiah said the his government believes in freedom of the press and it was media's fundamental right but it should exercise the right with full responsibility keeping in view the kind of impact a news item can have on the society.He said while media had the right to analyse the implementation of the governmental programmes, on which it spends huge amount to benefit the large section of the society but it should not try to sensationalise minor flaws and trivialise major issues in to headline and breaking news.Recallng the services of Mahathma Gandhi and former chief minister Tanguturi Prakasm Panthulu who had worked as editors themselves, Mr Rosaiah regretted the present media scenario in the country.
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Saturday, October 2, 2010
Delhi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
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Notice to Satyam ex-chief on CBI’s plea to scrap bail
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Follow path of non-violence: Patil
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Bulk SMS, MMS ban extended till Oct 4
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Process begins for withdrawing Telangana agitation cases
Hyderabad, Oct 2 : The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated the process to withdraw cases against students and others who participated in the agitations for and against separate Telangana state last year, Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy said Saturday.She told reporters here that the process for withdrawal of cases has begun at the district level.The cases would be reviewed over the next 15 to 20 days and the number of cases to be withdrawn would be known only after the process is completed. "The government will issue an order withdrawing the cases," she said.According to Reddy, police filed 1,171 cases against 5,374 people from November last year to Aug 15 this year. She said while withdrawing petty cases would not be a problem, cases relating to serious offences like attack on police, damaging buses and other public and private property would be reviewed before a decision is taken on them.The state government started the process of withdrawing cases against Telangana and Samaikyandhra (united Andhra) agitators a day after Chief Minister K.Rosaiah held high-level meeting with Sabita Reddy, Director General of Police K. Aravinda Rao and former home minister K.Jana Reddy.The decision to drop the cases was taken on the recommendation of a committee comprising Sabita Reddy and Jana Reddy.This would meet a major demand of all the political parties and groups fighting for separate Telangana state. Congress leaders from the region had even petitioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram on this last month.It was Chidambaram who had announced Dec 9 last year that cases against students and others during Telangana movement would be withdrawn. However, the cases could not be withdrawn due to various legal issues involved.More cases were later booked in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions when students and other groups took to streets and resorted to violence, opposing the demand for a separate Telangana state.
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Ramalinga Raju discharged from hospital
Hyderabad, Oct 2 : B. Ramalinga Raju, disgraced founder and former chairman of Satyam Computer Services Ltd, was Saturday discharged from a government-run hospital here.Raju, the prime accused in the multi-crore Satyam fraud case who was granted bail by Andhra Pradesh High Court Aug 18, was discharged from Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).NIMS doctors confirmed that Raju was discharged on his request but said his condition had improved. They advised him to visit the hospital once in 15 days for regular check-ups and treatment.It is after 20 months that the former IT czar, who fell from grace after admitting India's biggest ever accounting fraud in January last year, returned home.Raju, who underwent treatment at the hospital for Hepatitis C for 10 months, cleared the hospital bill of about Rs.8 lakh.Raju was shifted from Chanchalguda Central Jail to NIMS late last year and remained in the hospital under judicial custody till Aug 18, when the court granted him bail.Even after getting bail Raju had remained in the hospital for treatment and has been attending the trial as per the bail condition. Ever since he was admitted to NIMS, Raju has been avoiding the court, delaying the commencement of the trial.The 56-year-old Raju has been in jail since January last year when he admitted to a Rs.7,800-crore accounting fraud in Satyam Computer Services Ltd, which he had founded.While resigning as chairman of the firm, he confessed on Jan 7 that the company cooked up its books, resulting in an "inflated (non-existent) cash and bank balances" over several years.Two days later he surrendered before the police and was lodged in Chanchalguda central jail here.The CBI, however, told the court in November last year that the scam is of over Rs.14,000 crore and during the hearing on his bail petition in the High Court, the prosecution said the investors suffered a loss of Rs.24,000 crore.
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