Manmohan Singh offers prayers at Tirupati temple

Hyderabad, Sep 1: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday offered prayers at the famous Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.On a visit to the temple town to lay the foundation stone for two projects, he visited the temple atop Tirumala Hills. Priests and officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the affairs of the country's richest temple, accorded traditional reception to Singh at Ranganayaka Mandapam. The priests blessed him amid chanting of vedic hymns. Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister G. Venkat Reddy offered "prasadam", a sacred silk cloth and holy water to the prime minister. Accompanied by priests, Singh later went into the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers to the Lord's idol. This was Singh's second visit to the ancient temple as prime minister. He had earlier offered prayers in September 2005.
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PM lays foundation stone for Tirupati international airport

Hyderabad, Sep 1 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Tirupati international airport to provide direct connectivity from various international destinations to the temple town in Andhra Pradesh."After international operations commence at Tirupati airport, pilgrims from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka would find it easier to come to Tirupati in large numbers, contributing to its development into a major religious-cum-tourist hub," he said. The prime minister noted that the entire investment for the new integrated terminal is being met through the budgetary resources of the government. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost Rs.174 crore. The state government has already handed over 293 acres of land out of the 718 acres committed for modernization and development of the airport. Singh said once the new integrated terminal becomes operational, the Tirupati airport will have the capacity to handle 500 domestic and 200 international passengers during peak hours. The new terminal building will be equipped to provide modern state of the art amenities to passengers. He said the civil aviation sector is a key contributor to the Indian economy. "With our fast economic development, air traffic in India has witnessed unprecedented growth in the recent past. During the last seven years, domestic air traffic has tripled and international traffic more than doubled. Our government has continuously been making efforts to meet the growing demand for air services in the country." Singh said the new integrated terminal complex was a part of the efforts to continuously modernize and develop infrastructure facilities at airports all over the country, keeping in view the existing and potential traffic in a particular region. The government has taken the route of public private partnerships to restructure and modernize the airports at Delhi and Mumbai. The recently inaugurated terminal at the Delhi Airport is truly a world class facility which the nation can be proud of, he said.
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PM visits Lord Balaji temple

Tirupati, Sept 1 : Priests at the Lord Balaji temple in Tirumala accorded the traditional welcome to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he visited the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara to offer prayers.The temple priests, chanting vedic hymns, escorted the Prime Minister to the sanctum sanctorum where he had darshan of the Lord. Dr Manmohan Singh prayed before the idol for about 10 minutes before leaving the temple. The Prime Minister also made an offering at the temple hundi. Dr Manmohan Singh was presented with the traditional silk cloth, the famed Tirupati laddu Prasad and holy water by state Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy. Earlier, the Prime Minister's visit was marred by an attempt by Activists of Madiga ReservationPorata Samithi (MRPS) to block his convoy.The MRPS activists raised slogans demanding that the Centre categorise the Scheduled Castes in the state. The protest was dispersed by the police. The incident took place just as the Prime Minister was due to leave for the temple from the Padmavathi Guest House after his arrival in the temple town by a special IAF aircraft.
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Jagan an 'ant' before High Command: Shankar Rao

Hyderabad, Sept 1 : Secunderabad Cantonment MLA P Shankara Rao on Wednesday described the Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy as an 'ant' before the High Command.Talking to media persons at the Media Point on the Assembly premises, Mr Shankar Rao alleged that Kadapa MP, in the name of consoling families and providing them financial support through is Odarpu Yatra, is attempting to showcase his popularity by mobilizing people in the Yatra.The MLA wondered, "What he has achieved in the name of Odarpu yatra? Instead of consoling the families of those who died of shock following the death of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, he is simply greeting them and seeking their blessings," he said.Mr Shankar Rao said that YSR established his presence in the Congress party by obeying the High Command orders. He regretted that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy is not following the High Command orders. "What is Jagan's age? What political experience has he got that he can defy the High Command? The MLA questioned.The MLA reminded Mr Jaganmohan Reddy that the government has renamed Kadapa district as YSR district as recognition of the former chief minister's services to the people. Mr Shankar Rao opined that now it the time for Mr Jaganmohan Reddy to call of the Odarpu Yatra since the AICC has promised to sanction Rs 1 lakh as ex-gratia for the kin of those who died following YSR's death. The Cantonment MLA also praised Chief Minister K Rosaiah for providing efficient administration without giving room for any corruption.He also lauded Mr Rosaiah for taking stringent action against corrupt officials—Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce B P Acharya and special officer TTD Dharma Reddy.Mr Shankar Rao also urged Mr Rosaiah to appoint a Telangana candidate as chairman for TTD Board as no one from Telangana region had been appointed to the post yet.
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Peri Reddy named interim SHRC chairman

Hyderabad, Sept 1: The state government on Wednesday appointed K Peda Peri Reddy as the interim chairman of Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission.The appointment of Justice Peri Reddy follows the retirement of former chairman Justice Subhashan Reddy. The post is lying vacant since Justice Subhashan Reddy retired on August 12.Justice Peri Reddy, presently member of the Human Rights Commission, will officiate as its chairman till the decision is made on the next chairman by the government.
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CM health stable: Danam

Hyderabad, Sept 1 : Health Minister Danam Nagender on Wednesday described the health condition of Chief Minister K Rosaiah as 'stable'.Talking to media persons after enquiring about the health of Chief Minister K Rosaiah at his residence from the doctors concerned, Mr Nagender said there is no cause of worry.According to sources, the Chief Minister is suffering from fever and was forced to cancel his visit to Tirupati at the last minute. As per the schedule, the Chief Minister was to participate in the foundation laying ceremony of BHEL-NTPC power equipment manufacturing joint venture project at Mannavaram in Srikalahasthi.Mr Nagendar said that heart specialist Dr Shubhakar was personally attending on the CM and there was no cause to worry. He said the CM will unveil the statue of the former chief minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy at Pavuralagutta on Thursday and there is no change in the programme.Dr Shubhakar said the CM is suffering from fever and body pains. "We have conducted all tests on him by bringing equipment from NIMS. We will give complete details of his health after getting medical reports at 5 pm," he said.Minister for Arogyasri and Health Insurance Pithani Satyanarayana, Chief Secretaries C V K Sharma and Dinesh Kumar visited Mr Rosaiah's residence and enquired about his health from the doctors.
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PM lays foundation stone for Mannavaram project

Tirupati, Sept 1 : Laying the foundation stone for much awaited Rs 6,000 crore power equipment manufacturing plant project, a joint venture between the BHEL-NTPC at Mannavaram near Tirupati in Chittoor district on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lauded the services of former chief minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to the state.Talking to reporters, he said "I am happy to lay foundation stone for the project a day before the first death anniversary of YSR who played key role bringing the project to the State." The Prime Minister said the project would provide direct employment to 6,000 and indirect employment to 30,000 people by the time of its completion in 2014-15. The project would also help in the development of this backward region of the state, he stated.He said the BHEL-NTPC joint venture would produce equipment required for power generation of 5000 MW annually. Stressing the importance of power, Dr Manmohan Singh said the government had drawn up ambitious plans to ramp up power generation in the country during the 11th and 12th plan.Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that, "the project would focus on 'balance of power plant' equipment in the first phase which would be completed in 2012, before graduating to the production of turbines and boilers by 2014-15."Mr Shinde said that the project would not only reduce the demand and supply gap for power generation equipment and enable us to export the much-needed equipment to other countries.Stating that new power generation capacity in the country had already surpassed the 10th plan target of 21,000 MW and would reach three times of the targeted capacity by end of the plan period, the Power Minister said that the Government had also put in place an ambitious target of 60,000 MW for the next plan.However, Chief Minister K Rosaiah could not participate in the ceremony due to ill health. Instead, Major Industries Minister Kanna Laxminarayana read out his speech at the meeting.NBPPL Chairman and Managing Director CP Singh, Governor E S L Narasimhan, Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Ministers of State Arun Yadav, Bharat Singh Solanki attended the function. The Prime Minister also offered prayers at Tirupati, the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala.

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Prime Minister lays foundation of NTPC-BHEL power equipment plant

Hyderabad, Sep 1 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the NTPC-BHEL joint venture power equipment manufacturing plant at Mannavaram village near Srikalahasthi in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the prime minister said the project with an investment of Rs.6,000 crore would provide direct employment to about 6,000 men and women and indirect employment to 25,000 persons. NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Private Limited (NBPPL) is a joint venture between National Themal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to manufacture power plant equipment. Singh said the availability of electricity was critical to the nation's development and hoped that the project would go a long way in improving the economic conditions of people of the backward region. The prime minister said bridging the gap between the demand and supply of power was necessary to meet the aspirations of the people. "It is for this that we have drawn up a very ambitious programme for addition of power generation capacity in the 11th and 12th five year plans," he said. "This large addition in power generation capacity will mean a much larger demand for power equipment. I am very happy that our public sector has come forward to take a lead in manufacturing power equipment in our country to help us achieve our targets in the power sector," Singh said. He noted that the two Navaratna companies, NTPC and BHEL, have joined hands to form a new company, thus bringing together their experience and expertise. The plant will be able to produce power equipment required for additional capacity of 5000 MW per annum by 2014-15. "It is a moment of pride but it is also an occasion to pay homage to a tall leader, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. Tomorrow (Thursday) is his first death anniversary. It was his untiring efforts that brought this project to this backward area of Chittoor district," Singh said. Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the project would be completed in five years. Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Major Industries Kanna Lakshmi Narayana said the state government has allotted 783 acres for the project.
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Year after YSR, political vacuum continues in Andhra

It has been a year of unprecedented crises in Andhra Pradesh that remembers one of its tallest leaders Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on his first death anniversary Sep 2.During the last one year, political instability, violent protests over a separate Telangana state, natural calamities and a financial crunch have battered the state like never before.The political vacuum, which the state plunged into after YSR’s tragic death, still remains with the ruling Congress finding no real alternative to the mass leader, say political observers.YSR, his secretary, chief security officer and the two pilots were killed when the helicopter carrying them from Hyderabad to Chittoor district crashed in bad weather over Nallamalla forests in Kurnool district.The death of YSR plunged the state into gloom and a political crisis. He was the first chief minister of the state to die in office and it came barely four months after he led Congress party to second successive win in the elections.“The state is still unable to come to terms with the passing away of a tall leader. A good section of masses still regard him as a leader who provided them whatever is needed,” said Rama Brahmam, head of the department of political sciences at the University of Hyderabad.“When a strong leader suddenly disappears from a political theatre, people perceive it as a major vacuum politically. They will be worried as to what will happen now. Such responses were only natural,” he said, referring to the shock deaths and suicides by people in the immediate aftermath.The vacuum remains as K. Rosaiah, who took over as the chief minister Sep 3, is still unacceptable to YSR’s son and MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who kept defying the central leadership by taking out ‘yatras’ to console families of those who died for his late father.The threat for Rosaiah still exists as Jagan continues his efforts to mobilise support and wean away a section of party legislators to pose a real challenge.For the first time since YSR brought the Congress party to power in 2004, it appears to be in total disarray with serious accusations between loyalists of Jagan and his opponents being order of the day.YSR’s adversaries, who never dared to openly criticise him when he was alive, are now targeting the late leader and his family members accusing them of corruption.If Rosaiah has survived as chief minister it is because of his cabinet colleagues who were staunch loyalists of YSR but dumped Jagan when the high command preferred the 78-year-old leader to the 39-year-old MP.“The Congress high command is in a political fix. The alternative leader (Jagan) is too young and the stakes are too high for it,” said Brahmam It is not just the political crisis but a series of governance problems faced by Rosaiah.With YSR, a strong votary of united Andhra Pradesh no longer around, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) took it as the right opportunity to revive Telangana movement.The central government’s Dec 9 announcement to initiate the process for formation of a separate Telangana state following an 11-day hunger strike by TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao triggered a crisis with mass resignations, street protests and violent demonstrations in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.The state economy, already reeling under the impact of global slowdown, was hit hard by Rs.100 crore loss every day due to the Telangana agitation. The issue is likely to return to Rosaiah in December when the Srikrishna committee is scheduled to submit its report to the central government.The financial crunch began to show its impact on numerous welfare schemes launched and implemented by YSR since 2004. They include fee reimbursement and scholarships for students, free electricity to farmers, Rs.2-a-kg rice and health insurance for poor.“Despite repeated assertions that none of YSR’s schemes will be scrapped, people want frequent reiterations,” said a political observer.While Rosaiah completed one year in office despite all the problems, the veteran leader knows his path is still full of thorns.
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India monitoring China’s intentions in Indian Ocean: Krishna

Amid growing concerns about Beijing’s attempts to entrench its influence in India’s neighbourhood, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Tuesday said China has been showing “more than the normal interest” in Indian Ocean affairs and its “intentions” are being closely monitored.“The government of India has come to realise that China has been showing more than the normal interest in the Indian Ocean. So we are closely monitoring the Chinese intentions,” Krishna said in the Lok Sabha.“We are closely monitoring the developments in the Indian Ocean,” he said, adding that “appropriate action and measures” would be taken to safeguard India’s territorial integrity and the welfare of its fishermen.Krishna’s statement about Chinese intentions comes amid reports of Beijing’s plan to build additional infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and the deployment of its troops in Gilgit-Baltistan region of PoK, an area India regards as an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir.There have also been concerns here over what is seen as an attempt by China to enhance influence in India’s neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and the Maldives.Krishna was responding to a Calling Attention Motion on recent attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, moved by T.R. Baalu of DMK.Airing concerns over the plight of Indian fishermen, Baalu said that when an Indo-Sri Lanka agreement was inked in 1974 on the Katchatheevu Islands, which falls in the Palk Strait and falls in Sri Lankan territory, the then external affairs minister Swaran Singh had said the rights of fishing and navigation have been safeguarded.Under the agreement, Indian fishermen can rest and dry their nets during fishing in international waters.Baalu claimed that in 1976 the Indian fishermen’s rights were affected when secretaries of India and Sri Lanka exchanged two sets of letters. “The letters became part and parcel of the agreement without taking parliament and the state government into confidence… it is a blow to the fishermen,” he said.The Katchatheevu island, which originally belonged to India, fell within Sri Lankan territorial waters when the maritime boundary was redrawn in 1974 following an agreement between the then prime ministers of the two countries.The DMK leader asked the government to revisit the agreement on Katchatheevu and step up patrolling in the waters to protect Indian fishermen from attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy.Krishna ruled out revisiting of the pact, saying “we cannot go back on the solemn agreement between two governments”. Krishna said Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is currently in Colombo and the issues relating to fishermen will be discussed.“Sri Lanka is a friendly country, an aspect that is needed to be kept in mind,” he said, adding he was planning to travel to the island nation in October when issues related to fishermen would be discussed.
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