AP,Assembly adjourned, but TDP’s Telangana MLAs continue protest

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Tuesday continued to protest in the Andhra Pradesh assembly even two hours after the house was adjourned, asking for a debate on police excesses on students of Osmania University.The legislators from the Telangana region led by the party’s deputy leader in the house N. Janardhan Reddy continued sit-in at the speaker’s podium though speaker N. Kirankumar Reddy had adjourned the house for the day amid pandemonium.Janardhan Reddy told reporters that they would not leave the house unless the government made a statement on the incidents at Osmania University and withdrew all cases against students who have been protesting for a separate Telangana state. He said they would continue their protest in the house till Wednesday morning.Earlier, the speaker adjourned the house without any business on the second day of the budget session.region raised the issue of police firing and baton charge on students and journalists at Osmania University. Amid the uproar, the speaker adjourned the house for 15 minutes but the TDP members did not leave the house.Later, the government assured the house that Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy would make a statement in the afternoon.Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) then raised the issue of four percent reservation for Muslims which was last week struck down by high court. Not satisfied with the assurance by Chief Minister K.Rosaiah that the government would challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court, the MIM legislators continued to protest, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house a second time.When the house re-assembled, TDP legislators insisted on a debate on the incidents at Osmania University. Amid pandemonium, the speaker adjourned the house for the day.TDP has 38 MLAs from Telangana in the 294-member assembly. One party MLA from the region has quit over the statehood issue.Over 40 students and journalists were injured in police firing and baton charge in Osmania University on Sunday night and Monday morning.(thanks,way2online)
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TDP legislators send resignations to Telangana JAC

In a tactical move, 35 legislators belonging to the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Telangana region Tuesday sent their resignations to the convenor of the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is heading the movement for statehood to Telangana.However, the JAC itself is on the verge of a split with Congress MPs and legislators refusing to quit to protest the terms of reference of the Srikrishna committee set up by New Delhi to study the statehood demands TDP legislator M. Narasimhulu told reporters that 35 party legislators from the region had sent their resignations to JAC convenor M. Kodandaram. He said three others who were unavailable could not send their resignations.One legislator has already submitted his resignation and it has been accepted by the assembly speaker.Instead of submitting their resignations to the speaker, the TDP MLAs sent their papers to Kodandaram – to put the onus on him to get the resignations of Congress legislators.Congress leaders from Telangana, who met here Monday night, alleged that the JAC was acting at the behest of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao. They have decided to chalk out their own course of action on the issue.Congress MP Ponnam Prabhakar advised Kodandaram, a former professor, not to work like a “postman” of the TRS and take into consideration the views of all parties before taking a decision.The JAC had asked all elected representatives of Telangana to quit by Monday evening, failing which a series of protests would be launched against them culminating in their social boycott from Feb 19.Prabhakar reacted sharply to the protests being held outside the homes of Congress party legislators and MPs. “If they continue to lay siege to our houses, it will have serious consequences,” he warned.Only two of 50 Congress legislators from Telangana have submitted their resignations to the assembly speaker, who has not yet accepted them.

The speaker, however, accepted the resignations of all 10 TRS legislators as well as one each of TDP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). One legislator of the Praja Rajyam Party has also submitted his resignation.Both TRS MPs, including Chandrasekhara Rao, have also decided to resign.There are 119 legislators from Telangana in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh assembly while the region accounts for 17 out of 42 MPs from the state.Ignoring the JAC deadline, the Congress leaders said they would not resign and instead decided to write to party president Sonia Gandhi to revise the terms of reference of the Srikrishna committee and reduce its term to six months.“We will inform her that it has become difficult for us to go to our own constituencies and request her to respect the sentiments of the Telangana people,” said Congress legislator Bhikshmaiah Goud.Central leaders of the Congress, Ahmed Patel and M. Veerappa Moily, have summoned the two party legislators who have submitted their resignations to New Delhi, sources said. The central leaders may ask them to withdraw their resignations.The JAC has rejected the terms of reference of the Srikrishna panel as it includes considering the demand for maintaining Andhra Pradesh in its present form. It argues that the guidelines violate the Dec 9 statement of the centre to initiate the process for formation of Telangana state.(thanks,way2online)=======================================================

President of Nepal his arrival at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhawan

The President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav being welcomed by the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on his arrival at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on February 16, 2010.             (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30428)

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MOU signed between HRD and Railway Ministries

(PIB NEWS) An MOU was signed between the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Railways here today in the presence of Smt. Mamata Banerjee, Union Minister of Railways and Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development. The MoU for the HRD Ministry was signed by Smt. Anshu Vaish, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy for matters related to school education and by Smt. Vibha Puri Das, Secretary, Department of Higher Education for matters relating to higher education. On behalf of the Ministry of Railways, Shri A.K. Goel, Member (Staff), Railway Board signed the MOU. As per the MoU, on the railway land identified by the Ministry of Railways, the two ministries will strive to develop educational infrastructure in the form of around 50 Kendriya Vidyalayas in civil sector (about 20 during the 11th Plan and the balance during the 12th Plan), 10 Residential Schools on the pattern of Navodaya Vidayalayas ( to be set up by Ministry of Railways in collaboration with Ministry of HRD on mutually agreed terms), an appropriate number of Model Degree Colleges and Technical and Management institutions of National Importance to meet the demand for education including wards of Railway employees, either as per the norms specified under the existing schemes/programmes and projects being executed by Ministry of Human Resource Development or through special programmes and projects mutually agreed by the parties or through innovative financing under Public Private Partnership Models or any combinational thereof. The development of educational infrastructure would include new facilities. This will also include upgradation of existing educational and technical institutions being managed by Railways for which Ministry of Human Resource Development would provide necessary assistance and know how in the interest of improving over all quality of education. For the achievement of objectives outlined above, the two ministries will constitute a high powered working group, consisting of Senior Officials and Experts to work out a road map for viability and feasibility of upgradation of existing and development of new educational and technical institutions on Railway land within the framework of existing norms and policies ,
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Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court appointed

(PIB NEWS) In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru, Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, to be the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

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P.Chidambaram condemns Maoist Attack on West Bengal police personnel

(PIB NEWS)Union Home Minister Shri P.Chidambaram has condemned attack by Maoists on the West Bengal security personnel last evening. Following is the text of his statement: “The attack by the CPI (Maoist) on a camp of the Eastern Frontier Rifles of West Bengal is another outrageous attempt by the banned organisation to overawe the established authority in the State. I condemn the attack. There has been a massive loss of lives. Besides, more than 40 weapons are reported to have been looted. The leader of the CPI (Maoist) has claimed responsibility for the attack and has threatened to repeat such attacks in the future. I spoke to the Chief Minister, West Bengal this morning and conveyed my deep sense of shock. I also conveyed my profound sympathies on the loss of lives. While there are indications of failure in some aspects, only a thorough review will reveal how the police camp with adequate strength was overrun, when there was day light, by the CPI (Maoist). Every attack of this kind exposes the true nature and character of the CPI (Maoist). Their goal is to seize power. Their weapon is violence. No organisation or group in a democratic republic has the right to take to violence to overpower the established legal authority. Unfortunately, this simple truth has escaped a number of well-meaning organisations that find “legitimacy” in the armed liberation struggle carried on by the CPI (Maoist). During the 3-day bandh called by the CPI (Maoist) between February 7 and February 9, 2010, their main targets of attack were railway property. There were a total of 11 incidents in Bihar (3), Jharkhand (6) and Orissa (2). Tracks were blown up; railway stations were attacked; bombs were placed on railway property; and railway officials were assaulted. I know that the overwhelming majority in this country will condemn the mindless violence unleashed by the CPI (Maoist) and will support the careful, controlled and calibrated efforts being taken by the Central and State Governments to put an end to the violence. However, I would like to hear the voices of condemnation of those who have, erroneously, extended intellectual and material support to the CPI (Maoist). It is only if the whole country rejects the preposterous theses of the CPI (Maoist) and condemns the so-called “armed liberation struggle” that we can put an end to the menace of naxalism and bring development and progress to the people in the conflict zones.
I conclude by offering my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and injured among the men of the Eastern Frontier Rifles.”

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DON’T POLITICISE PUNE BLAST,SAYS SAMAJWADI PARTY MLA ABU ASIM AZMI

AURANGABAD: SYED KHAJA SOHEL (CORRESPONDENT AURANGABAD REGION)   Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi today appealed to all the political parties to rise and fight against increasing terrorist activities in the country.He was speaking to newsmen at a press conference organized in the city this evening “I would urge all the political parties not to politicize the Pune bomb blast . It has been observed that the police target Muslim youths holding them responsible for the blast. The police should not suspect one particular community. They should be fair in investigation and catch real culprits involved in the Pune bomb blast.Innocent Muslims should not be harassed. Take severe action against accused and award capital punishment to them “Abu Azmi said.The SP leader also informed the newsmen that he was learning Marathi language as it was needed while participating in the Assembly proceeding .”I was attacked in the Assembly by Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS)MLSs.So nobody should think that I am learning Marathi because of them. The government had suspended four MLAs of the MNS ,but failed to take action against mastermind behind the issue .I came to know that steps were being initiated to withdraw the suspension of these four MLAs as MNS had helped Congress in the Assembly election. I will appeal in the Supreme Court for justice if this happens , said Abu Azmi.Referring to film ‘My Name is khan the MLA said that the issue was being politicized.”Sanjay Raut is playing petty politics.The youth are being provoked .This is being done internationally to divert the attention of people from the basic issues. Superstar Amitabh Bachan and home minister were also of the opinion that Pakistani cricket players should be allowed to play in the IPL. So why so much noise if Shahrukh Khan aired the same opinion ?”Azmi asked.The state Government has failed in maintaining law and order. It also fell short in protecting and uplifting minorities in Maharashtra ,Said the SP leader.
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