Sainik School in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) The Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested for opening of a new Sainik School in the State. A proposal for establishment of the new Sainik School in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh has received from the State Government in November 2007. The sites identified by the State Government for the purpose were inspected and not found suitable. The State Government was requested in July 2008 to identify fresh sites which meet the requirements but has not yet offered any fresh sites for the purpose. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri M.V. Mysura Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
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Park and Ride Bus Service for Central Secretariat Complex

(PIB NEWS) Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy today flagged off a free “Park and Ride” bus service for Central Government office complex to ease out parking problem and reduce inconvenience to visiting public and officials. On the occasion, Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit and MoS Urban Development, Shri Saugata Roy were also present.Inaugurating the service Shri Reddy said it would help visitors to Government offices who find it difficult to get parking+ slot in the compounds of Government buildings besides providing comfortable transport to the Government officials to visit other offices for meeting and other official work. The service has been started by the Ministry of Urban Development in collaboration with Govt. of NCT and CPWD. Now the visitor to the Government offices can park their cars in the parking lot of C-Haxagon and take a bus ride to any of the Government building located on either side of Rajpath. Similarly employees commuting through metro can take the ride from metro station to their offices. Government officers can visit other ministries without taking their official or personal car through the low floor AC bus under the service. The service will start from C-Haxagon (India Gate) and will run to and fro various Central Government offices located on either side of Rajpath. It will have two routes P-1 and P-2 in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction respectively. Route 1 will start from Haxagon and will pass through Jamnagar House, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, Red Cross, Transport Bhawan, North Block to Haxagon. Route 2 from Haxagon to Andhra Bhawan, IGNCA, Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, ‘G’ Block, Sena Bhawan, South Block to Haxagon.
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Andhra Pradesh seeks sister state ties with Washington

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh is keen to have a sister state relationship with the state of Washington in the US in view of several perceptible similarities between the two states. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Wednesday said his government wished to seek a sister state relationship with the state of Washington. He was speaking to a business delegation from Andhra Pradesh which is leaving for the US Wednesday night. Rosaiah hoped that it will be a win-win situation for Andhra Pradesh and Washington when the sister-state relations become a reality. The delegation led by the deputy speaker of the state assembly will showcase Andhra Pradesh in all its diversities along with its industrial incentives. There is a conducive atmosphere in the state for investment in various spheres. The investors could take advantage of the new industrial policy which offers the best incentives in the country, the chief minister said. The delegation will explore common areas of interest between the two states in various fields like trade, commerce, industry, education and culture. In a message to people of Washington, Rosaiah invited them to experience the investor and tourist friendly ambience of Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that multinational giants like Microsoft, Dell, IBM, Deloitte, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Amazon and Google already have state-of-art facilities in Hyderabad and Facebook recently announced plans to set up its first Asian operations here.
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Gayatri Projects Limited bags Rupees 2,200 crore road project

Hyderabad, May 05 : Gayatri Projects Limited (GPL), the Hyderabad-based leading Infrastructure Company has secured a road project worth Rupees 2,200 crore that involves four laning of Hyderabad-Karimnagar-Ramagundam road under public-private partnership on BOT basis.The project has been awarded by Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation (APSRTC) and the construction would be completed in 30 months.The project would be executed on a design, construct, finance, operate and maintenance (toll) basis with a concession period of 25 years, including the construction period.The concessioning authority would provide an equity support of Rs 454 crore.Managing Director, Gayatri Projects Limited Mr. Sandeep Reddy, in a statement said, The order from APSRTC validates the company's core competency in the road construction sector. Gayatri Projects Limited would share its responsibility in developing the state's infrastructure.
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World telecom conference to adopt action plan

Hyderabad, May 5 : A world telecommunication development conference here later this month will assess the growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) and adopt an action plan for the next four years to bring in benefits to all communities of the world.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to inaugurate the event being organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency. "A key objective is to promote international cooperation, regional initiatives and partnerships that can sustain and strengthen telecommunication infrastructure and institutions in developing countries," said a statement by the Geneva-based ITU. Beginning May 24, the event will continue till June 4. It will be attended by heads of state and government, ministers, heads of international organisations, development banks, regulatory agencies and private companies. The event would focus on issues like broadband connectivity, digital broadcasting, open source software, cyber security, E-accessibility for people with disabilities, e-applications in health care, human capacity building and emergency communications.
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Govt taking measures for women empowerment : CM

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the state government has initiated several measures for women empowerment and child protection.Launching the AP State Society for Protection and Empowerment of Women and Children and Integrated Child Protection scheme of the Women Development and Child Welfere department here, he said the Centre and the State government had taken effective measures for the empowerment of women and child protection. Voicing concern over incidents of women harassment and child abuse, he said the departments concerned should strictly enforce the law to punish the guilty.Expressing displeasure over the prevalence of gender discrimination, he urged the parents to treat both male and female child in an equal manner.Stating that trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation was a heinous crime, he said the state government was committed to prevent it and take steps for the welfare and rehabilitation of the victims.
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Max temperatures soar, despite rains in AP

Hyderabad, May 5 : The maximum temperatures rose at a few places over Telangana and at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) and Rayalaseema, despite isolated rains in several parts of CAP and Telanganna.According to Weather office here today, the maximum temperatures were above normal at a few places over CAP and normal over Telangana and Rayalaseema.Rain occurred at a few places over Rayalaseema, while isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.Rajampet recorded five cm rainfall, followed by Kollapur four cm, Pakala, Palamaner, Puttur, Venkatagiri Kota two each and Tirupathi, Alur, Yemmiganur, Chintalapudi, Kuppam, Peddapuram, Prathipadu and Udayagiri one each.The highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala.The weather office predicted that isolated rain or thundershowers might occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana.
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ISNA Commends Efforts of Law Enforcement, Condemns Attempted Bombing at Times Square, and Lauds Alert Citizens

(Deccan Samachar Service)May,5. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) joins the Muslim American community and the rest of our fellow citizens in expressing its appreciation of the outstanding work done by the various law enforcement agencies in investigating and apprehending the alleged perpetrator(s) of the botched attack on New York and its residents.At the same time, ISNA condemns in the strongest terms the planned attack on innocent city-dwellers of every race and creed. The attack, described by the alleged sponsors as a sort of "pay-back" or "revenge", is "inexcusable and without any justification in Islam or authentic Muslim tradition", said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of ISNA. "Even the murder of a single innocent person is abhorrent and in direct contradiction to the clear and unequivocal teachings of our faith (Quran Chapter 5,Verse 32), let alone the mass murder of unsuspecting innocent bystanders in a crowded square", she added. ISNA is thankful to the vigilance of alert and loyal residents of New York city including Senegalese Muslim Aliou Niasse, who first noticed and pointed out the suspicious smoke coming from the vehicle, Lance Orton, who called the police, and Officers Wayne Rhatigan and Pam Duffy for acting swiftly and courageously to contain the damage and prevent the loss of life and limb of fellow Americans.ISNA asks Muslim Americans to stay true to their faith in rejecting any ideas or actions that tolerate or attempt to justify the use of terrorism for any purpose or by any group. ISNA also calls on them to stand with their fellow Americans in securing the homeland against any terrorist acts. =========================================================

India likely to give Kasab judgment copy to Pakistan

India is likely to provide Pakistan a copy of the judgment of the Mumbai special court that held Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. According to home ministry sources, the judgment will help the Pakistan government take action against Jamaat-ud-dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and Laskhar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the masterminds of the Mumbai attack that left 166 people dead and 244 injured.While Lakhvi is in Pakistani custody, Saeed is still free.A special court in Mumbai Monday pronounced Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive during the Nov 26-29 carnage, guilty while acquitting two Indian co-accused — Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed. The quantum of punishment is likely to be announced Thursday.The court also found the involvement of 20 other Pakistanis, including Lakhvi, Saeed and Abu Hamza, in the 26/11 terror attack.India has given several dossiers to Pakistan, urging strong action against Hafiz Saeed. Pakistan has, however, claimed that the evidence provided was not strong enough to stand scrutiny in court.
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Andhra Pradesh Govt rejects CPI request on Bhargava Report

Hyderabad, May 4 : The Deputy Secretary and Public-Information Officer, Government of Andhra Pradesh, rejected the petition filed by the State Unit of Communist Party of India (CPI) Secretary K Narayana urging for the copy of 41-year-old report of Bhargava Commission, constituted by the State Government pertaining to the income and expenditure on Telangana Region.The Deputy Secretary, in a reply dated April 30 addressed to Mr Narayana,said report of the Bhargava Commission, which was constituted in 1969 by the State Government, had been examined and they were unable to provide the information in terms of orders issued by the Centre as the information sought was to 41-years old and no records had been traced out at government level.When the government rejected his plea, Mr Narayana today addressed a letter to the Chairman of the Srikrishna Commission, Mr Justice Sri Krishna, urging him to direct the Andhra Pradesh Government to submit the Bhargava Commission Report before the Commission and also give a copy to him in the interest of the justice.In the letter, Mr Narayana said Bhargava Commission report was an important document to strenghthen the reports and arguments of the party on the Telangana issue.''Since the State Government had rejected the party's plea, ''We request you to procure the report,'' CPI Secretary added in the letter.
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ACB raids residence of Ranga Reddy Joint Collector

Hyderabad, May 4 : Sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today raided the residence of Joint Collector of Ranga Reddy District of Andhra Pradesh. According to ACB Joint Director Sampath Kumar, properties worth Rs four crore, including bank balance and cash of Rs 15 lakh were recovered during the raid from the residence Jewells recovered at Joint Collector M. Jagan Mohan's house in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Photo: Special Arrangement of Joint Collector Dr M.Jagan Mohan(IAS) here.The Joint Collector owned six residential flats, an equal number of house plots, one-and-half kg gold jewellery and LIC premiums worth Rs 15 lakh.Raids were still continuing in his residences and the relatives of the Joint Collector.Further details were awaited.        (photo by "the hindu")

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Police nab Lashkar militant in Hyderabad,

Hyderabad, May 4 : Andhra Pradesh Police arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative here on Tuesday.The militant has been identified as Mohammad Zia Ul Haq alias Abu Abdullah.Addressing the media persons A K Khan, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, said that the militant was planning to commit a major incident in the twin cities (Hyderabad and Secunderabad). "He was trying to commit a big action in Hyderabad. After an alert, and also after working out the information today he has been picked up along with the explosives and the fire arm that he had," said Khan.He further said that this militant was involved in the blast that took place at Odeon Theatre in the city during 2006.Reportedly, Zia Ul Haq was studying in Saudi Arabia where he was roped in by the LeT operatives.Two Chinese grenades, one Chinese 7.4 pistol with 6 rounds and one LG cell phone was recovered from his possession.
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Lahkar-e-Taiba operative jailed for 14 days,

Hyderabad, May 4: A city court Tuesday sent an alleged operative of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to judicial custody for two weeks a day after he was arrested.Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq, who was arrested by the Hyderabad police Monday, was presented before the VIIIth additional metropolitan magistrate Tuesday evening. The accused, who allegedly underwent arms training in Pakistan, was shifted to Cherlapally Jail on the city outskirts after the magistrate remanded him in judicial custody. Police claimed that 34-year-old Zia was planning attacks "to inflict maximum damage". Police Commissioner A.K. Khan, however, said he had no specific targets. Zia, a native of Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh and residing here for the last several years, was arrested on the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border. His arrest came amid reported warnings by central intelligence agencies about possible terror attacks in the city. Two grenades of Chinese make, one 7.4 mm pistol with six rounds and a cell phone were recovered from him. According to the police commissioner, Zia was also involved in the grenade attack in Odeon Cinema theatre in Hyderabad in 2006. Two people were injured in the attack. Police claimed that he was trying to revive his contacts with LeT handlers. He was tasked to cause explosions in Hyderabad by using the remaining material - two grenades and a pistol.
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Top Andhra official held for corruption

Hyderabad, May 4: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Andhra Pradesh Tuesday arrested a top official in Hyderabad for possessing assets disproportionate to his income.Sleuths of the ACB searched the office and residences of Ranga Reddy district Joint Collector M. Jaganmohan and recovered assets worth over a staggering Rs.20 crore. Jaganmohan, promoted from the state service to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), was arrested after series of raids on his office and residences in Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. ACB officials said he would be presented before a magistrate. During the raids, which began early Tuesday morning at his residence in the posh Banjara Hills, ACB officials recovered 1.5 kg gold, Rs.15 lakh in cash, documents relating to payment of Rs.10 lakh as premium of insurance policies. ACB Joint Director Sampat Kumar told reporters that Jaganmohan owns two independent houses, four flats and land at six places in and around Hyderabad. ACB officials said they were yet to open three bank lockers of the joint collector and verify his bank accounts. They said the ACB registered a case against the joint collector for having assets disproportionate to his known source of income. The raids were conducted by the ACB on a complaint that the joint collector is involved in corruption. Jaganmohan, a state cadre official who was promoted to IAS rank, is one of the top officials to be arrested for graft in recent months. In February this year, Andhra Pradesh assembly special secretary K. Gopalakrishna was arrested by the ACB for corruption and assets worth Rs.15 crore were seized from him. In 2008, the ACB arrested fisheries department executive engineer V. Suryanarayana and recovered assets worth Rs.30 crore from him.
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