Quickly complete work, says PM at Nehru stadium

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday visited the remodelled and reconstructed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and asked officials to “redouble their efforts to quickly complete” the work as people “expect a spectacular” Commonwealth Games, which are just 35 days away.“The prime minister, this morning, visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.Accompanied by Sports Minister M.S. Gill and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairperson Suresh Kalmadi, the prime minister was shown the various facilities at the complex, including the playing fields, media facilities, the VIP box, stands for spectators, security and other arrangements.“The prime minister said that it was a beautiful stadium and he urged all concerned authorities to redouble their efforts to quickly complete whatever works remained as the people were expecting a spectacular and flawless opening to the Commonwealth Games,” the statement said here.Manmohan Singh reached the refurbished stadium around noon to take stock of the venue.The prime minister intervened in the Games preparations following delays and corruption allegations in the biggest sporting event being organised in India since the 1982 Asiad.During a meeting two weeks ago, he issued clear instructions that the facilities for the Commonwealth Games should be made ready in time and meet international standards as the “eyes of the world” were on India.After the meeting, an empowered committee, headed by the cabinet secretary, has been overseeing Games preparedness, along with a group of ministers headed by Jaipal Reddy.Thereafter, 10 senior officials of joint secretary and additional secretary rank were deputed to oversee operations at specific venues. The officials were given the authority to take decisions on the spot.The Nehru stadium has been refurbished at a whopping Rs.9.6 billion (approximately $200 million) with international consultants from six countries – Germany, Switzerland, Britain, the US, Mexico and Australia – putting their heads together to construct the state-of-art facility.The deadline for completion of the venue has been changed several times since the Central Public Works Department began the construction work 32 months ago.
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Three Maoists surrender in Warangal

Warangal, Aug.29 : A Maoist couple and another rebel surrendered here on Saturday.

They were wanted in connection with the assassination of the Andhra Pradesh Home Minister A. Madhava Reddy and police officer Umesh Chandra. They are key witnesses in the attack on then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.They surrendered before Superintendent of Police (Rural), Shahnawaz Qasim.The rebel couple, Pasham Parvathalu alias Ganesh and his wife Pasham Swaroopa alias Kavitha, carried a reward of 200,000 rupees on their head. They were associated with the Maoists since 1994."Well, today, Pasham Parvathalu alias Ganesha and Pasham Suparna alias Kavita who were part of the Central Action Committee and remained underground since 1994 from Chintala area have surrendered. They were cadre activists," said Qasim.The duo was associated with a top Maoist leader Takkallapally Vasudeva Rao alias Ashanna, who carried out the assassination of former Home Minister A Madhava Reddy and Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Umesh Chandra in Hyderabad.The couple had also given shelter to Ashanna when he attempted an attack on the then Andhra Pradesh State Chief Chandrababu Naidu at the famed Tirupati in 2003."They (Pasham couple) were involved in the killing of Home Minister A Madhava Reddy and IPS officer Umesh Chandra at Hyderabad, having given shelter to the actual persons who executed the attack and killing. Initially, they were unaware as to whom they are sheltering. They were also witness to the attempt on the then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. They were one of the most important key links having given shelter to the people of central action committee," Qasim added.Munigala Raji alias Prathap of Dharmasagar Mandal village was the third Maoist to surrender before the police officials. He had been arrested on several occasions but managed to escape the clutches of law every time."Another surrendered cadre is Prabhakar also known as Pratap of Bhadrakali Dharmasagar Mandal. He left the Maoists twice and again returned to their fold in January. He would do the recce (reconnaissance) for the outfit. He was active in Jalgam mandal," Qasim informed.Prathap was associated with Ashanna since 2000.The Maoists have spread into the rural pockets of 20 of India's 28 states.
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Andhra Pradesh CM lays foundation stone for temple Rajagopuram

Srikalahasti, Aug 29 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today laid the foundation for the new Rajagopuram of Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy Temple here today.The Chief Minister, accompanied by State Endowments Minister G VenkataReddy, Forest Minister P Ramachandra Reddy and District in-charge Minister Dharmana Prasadarao, arrived here after offering prayers at Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala and laid the foundation stone by performing special 'poojas'.The 15th century Rajagopuram built by Vijayanagara King Sri Krishnadevaraya inside the temple complex had collapsed on May 27, this year.Later, speaking to mediapersons, the Chief Minister said the tower would be constructed with the financial help of CVR Group of Companies and the company would meet the entire expenditure for the Rajagopuram.The construction works would be done under the supervision of the experts and was expected to be completed in two years time, the Chief Minister added.
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TDP slams Andhra Pradesh Governor for acting as Congress partyman

Visakhapatnam, Aug 29 : The Telugu Desem Party (TDP) Polit buro member and former speaker Y Ramakrishnudu has slammed Andhra Pradesh (AP) Governor's C Narasimhan for acting as a Congress partyman in the state and Centre.Speaking to mediapersons at the city TDP office here yesterday, the TDP leader said Mr Narasimhan was acting like a Governor of the Congress and not of the state.Mr Ramakrishnudu alleged that Narasimhan's role was against the spirit of the democratic norms and constitutional duties. He even questioned the basis on which the Governor was ordering the secretaries of the other government departments. While the Governors of non-Congress states were giving reports about the corruption to the Centre, why wasn't the AP Governor doing so with regards to the mining and other malpractices, he asked. Ramakrishnudu questioned Mr Narasimhan's role as a mediator between former chief minister late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's son Jaganmohan Reddy and Congress president Sonia Gandhi's differences. He also asked why was the Governor not giving report on the 'Jalayagnayam' corruption.Reacting to Prajarajayam Party chief Chiranjeevi's comments at the plenary that his party was not merging with the Congress, Mr Ramakrishnudu firmly said PRP will definitely merge with the Congress. ''Chiru is assuring openly that if the Congress government faces problems, the PRP will support it, which means that he is shouldering the corruption of the Congress, Yanamala alleged.
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