Opposition shutdown hits transport in Andhra Pradesh

 The day-long shutdown called by opposition parties against price rise evoked partial response in Andhra Pradesh affecting transport services.State-owned Road Transport Corp (RTC) stopped plying buses in several places in Andhra Pradesh as opposition workers held demonstrations outside bus depots and staged road blockades, police said.Shops and business establishments in some towns were partially closed. Normal life largely remained unaffected in Hyderabad as buses plied normally while shops and business establishments were open.The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Forward Block and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) called for the shutdown to protest price rise.Leaders and activists of the five parties were arrested in Hyderabad and 22 other districts of the state as they tried to forcibly close shops, staged road and rail blockades, and took out rallies Mild tension prevailed at RTC cross roads here when TDP, CPI and CPI-M workers blocked vehicular traffic and police used force to disperse them. CPI state secretary K. Narayana and CPI-M state secretary B.V. Raghavulu were among the leaders who were arrested.In Uppal on the city’s outskirts, TDP leaders led by former minister T. Devender Goud took out a motorcycle rally to enforce the shutdown.Police arrested opposition activists in Ongole town in Prakasam district when they stopped RTC buses from plying. Dozens of protesters were also taken into custody in Nalgonda.Vehicular traffic came to a standstill on National Highway 9 near Vijayawada as leaders and workers of the opposition parties squatted on the road.Blaming the policies of the central and state governments for the price rise, CPI leader Narayana demanded that the government immediately reduce VAT on food items in Andhra Pradesh. ======================================================

CTAC submits report to CM on organ transplantation

Hyderabad, Apr 27 : The Cadaver Transplantation Advisory Committee (CTAC) today suggested implementation of a new scheme 'Jeevandaan' with the objective of promoting the transplantation of organs harvested from cadavers or brain dead persons.In its report, submitted to Chief Minister K Rosaiah at Secretariat here, the Committee recommended constitution of the Appropriate Authority for Cadaver Transplantation (AACT) and housing it in the premises of NIMS, establishment of a network of Non-Transplanting Organ Harvesting Centres (NTOHC) to be registered in the hospitals with specified infrastructure and manpower, a real-time information will be provided on availability of organs and allocate them to needy patients with matching requirements. A copy of the report submitted by the CTAC will be posted on the website of the AP Government, inviting comments of experts and citizens for two weeks from April 28, 2010. The Government intends to issue the required policy orders on the cadaver transplantation, taking into consideration the report of the Committee as also the suggestions to be received from experts and citizens. The Chief Minister hailed the Cadaver Transplantation Advisory Committee (CTAC) for their comprehensive report, a press release here said. Medical Education Minister P Sudarshan Reddy, Principal Secretary (Health) J Satyanarayana, Principal Secretary (Finance) L V Subramanyam and others were also present.
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Andhra Pradesh achieves 4th position in IT related exports

Visakhapatnam, Apr 27 : The Andhra Pradesh Information Technology and Communication Principal Secreatry K Ratna Prabha said the state has risen to fourth position in IT related exports in the current fiscal.Talking to the media here today she said, the state of affairs of IT industry and the basic infrastructure facilities needed to be extended with the IT company representatives and officials from Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority(VUDA), Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (EPDCL), and road transport Corporation. She further said Andhra Pradesh is aiming to achieve Rs 5000 crore from IT related exports in the next five years time. Visakhapatnam has currently two IT hubs in Madhuravada and Rushikonda. The third hub will be Gambhiram. So far more than 25 companies were provided land ranging from 2 to 15 acres for setting up their offices. However, nearly 12 companies did not make any beginning so far. The companies which have started functioning have pointed out lack of amenities such as transport services, scarcity in water supply, and power shortage and the recently clamped power holiday by the EPDCL. She also instructed the companies to make all positive initiatives to start their business activity within six months time in the respective lands allotted to them for the purpose, failing which the government would consider other companies which are evincing interest. The state government would bring forth a new IT policy. It will be implemented from next year which is under proposal stage now, she revealed.
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Train Fare Concession Increased to 100% for Cancer Patients

(PIB NEWS)As announced by the Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee in her Budget Speech 2010-11, the Ministry of Railways has decided to enhance the element of concession to caner patients in 3-AC and Sleeper class from existing 75 per cent to 100 per cent. The element of concession for escort in 3-AC and Sleeper remains unchanged i.e. 75 per cent. It has become effective from 20th April, 2010.Cancer patients and their escorts are given concession in railway fares for going to (and returning from) recognized hospitals for treatment and periodic checkup. The 100 per cent concession to the cancer patient is admissible only in the basic fares of Mail/Express trains and all other charges will be realized in full. The element of concession for cancer patients and their escorts in other classes i.e. 2nd, 1st Class AC, Chair-Car and 2 AC/1AC shall remain unchanged at 75 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. This concession will be admissible on tickets purchased on and after April 20, 2010. In cases of tickets already issued for travel on & after April 20, 2010, refund of difference of fares will not be admissible. There are no changes in other terms and conditions. ======================================================

Health and Wellness Clubs to be Set up in Schools: Shri Kapil Sibal National School Sanitation Iniative Launched: Aamir Khan Declared Brand Ambassador

(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal has said that Health and Wellness Clubs will be set up in schools. These clubs will instill among children values of good health and sanitation. He was speaking at the launch of the National School Sanitation Initiative, being undertaken by the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development, Union Ministry of Urban Development, CBSE and GTZ, here today. Shri Sibal underlined that partnership with children is required as they are the future. He exhorted the children to take the lead and inspire all towards high standards of sanitation. He pointed out that what we have got from mother nature must be preserved.Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy stated that it was required to sensitise people about the issues of sanitation, energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources. He talked about the National Urban Sanitation Policy and how this new initiative could play a large role in improving sanitation levels in the country. A School Sanitation Manual was released by Shri Sibal which will be part of the CBSE curriculum. A Bio-dynamic waste Segregation Programme was launched by Shri Reddy which seeks to educate children about use of waste as a resource. Smt. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development released the School Sanitation Report on the occasion. Shri Saugata Roy, Minister of State for Urban Development, released a number of colourful posters focusing on the theme of sanitation. Noted film actor, Aamir Khan was declared the Brand Ambassador for the initiative. He congratulated the two ministers on this important initiative and stated that it was now up to the citizens and children to take this forward. He, along with Shri Sibal and Shri Reddy, interacted and took questions from a large number of school students present on the occasion.
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