Myanmar’s ruler visits IT hub in Hyderabad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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