No 'fish medicine' for kids, says Andhra rights panel

Hyderabad,May-31: A fresh controversy hit the famous 'fish medicine' therapy for asthma patients as Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission Tuesday ordered that children below the age of 14 should not be administered it.

Acting on a petition by Balula Hakkula Sangham, an NGO working for children's rights, the commission asked the Hyderabad district administration to ensure that no child below 14 years is given the 'fish medicine'.The annual event of distribution of fish medicine is to take place at Exhibition Grounds here June 8-9.The Bathini Goud family of Doodhbowli in the old city of Hyderabad has been administering the medicine free of cost for 165 years.Asthma patients from different parts of India every year gulp down a live 'murrel' fish with a yellow herbal paste in its mouth. The herbal paste, the contents of which remain a family secret, is believed to cure asthma and other respiratory diseases.The NGO president Achyut Rao said since the 'medicine' is given by the family members under unhygienic conditions, it may also spread infection.fish medicine lost its popularity in recent years after NGOs, working to inculcate scientific temper among people, termed it as a fraud and approached court.They argued that the herbal paste contains heavy metals and caused more harm than good to the patients.After the controversy, the Goud family began calling it 'fish prasadam' or holy offering.The Goud family claims that the secret formula for the herbal medicine was given to their ancestor in 1845 by a saint after taking an oath from him that it should be administered free of cost.
================================================

Minister from Telangana quits

Hyderabad, May 31 : An Andhra Pradesh cabinet minister Tuesday submitted his resignation to the governor over the delay in carving out a separate Telangana state.Endowments Minister J. Krishna Rao, who had sent his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi March 3, met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation.He later told reporters that he had fulfilled his promise made to the students of Osmania University by submitting his resignation."I have resigned as the Congress leadership has failed to make a clear-cut announcement for formation of separate Telangana state," he said.The minister later met Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy to explain the reasons for his decision.He demanded that all the ministers and legislators from Telangana resign to exert pressure on the leadership to accord separate statehood to the region.He also announced that he would resume his 'padyatra' for the separate state on Wednesday and cautioned the government against making any attempt to stop it.The minister's 'padyatra' in Mahabubnagar district May 21 had sparked a row with the police arresting him and his cabinet colleague D.K. Aruna to avert a clash between them.Aruna opposed the 'padyatra' saying the minister had not taken her permission to undertake the visit in her constituency.Krishna Rao has resigned at a time when Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising various pro-Telangana groups, plans to intensify the agitation in the first week of June.
==================================================

NDA ready to support bill for Telangana state: Sushma Swaraj

Hyderabad, May 31: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj Tuesday urged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to bring a bill for formation of separate Telangana state in the next parliament session, assuring support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).Addressing a public meeting at Karimnagar Tuesday night, she said if the government brings a bill in the parliament session beginning in July, she would ensure that it is passed with two-third majority.Stating that she had come to the region to draw the battle-lines, Sushma Swaraj reminded Telangana MPs of Congress party of June 1 deadline set by them for their party leadership to make a clear-cut announcement on the Telangana bill.The BJP leader said her party would not rest till a separate state is achieved. "If the government brings a bill in parliament, we are ready to support it but if it fails to do so we will bring the bill and pass it after we come to power," she said.She said ever since the forcible merger with the Andhra region in 1956, the people of Telangana got only commissions, committees, formulas, documents, promises and assurances.On the Srikrishna committee, the BJP leader said it crossed all the limits by suggesting to the government the Telangana movement be suppressed through political and media management."I am ashamed at reading the contents of the secret eighth chapter of the report, in which the committee expressed the apprehension that separate Telangana state will become a Maoist state or a BJP-ruled state," she said.She however said by supporting the demand for separate Telangana state, she was not opposing the people of Andhra and pointed out that three new states were carved out during BJP-led NDA rule.Sushma Swaraj said the demand for Telangana state arose from the imbalanced growth, injustices and discrimination. She termed the movement for separate state a struggle to keep alive the region's culture and its own identity.If it is not a fight for self-esteem, 600 people would not have laid down their lives and citizens from all walks of life would not have come on to the streets," she said.
==================================================

Shutdown in Andhra town against power plant

Hyderabad, May 30 : Protests broke out again in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district against an upcoming thermal electricity project, police said.

People in Sompeta town of the district in north coastal Andhra Monday observed a shutdown demanding that the government stop work on the project which, they claimed, threatens the ecology and endangers the livelihood of local communities.Shops and business establishments remained closed in response to the shutdown call given by the Environment Protection Committee, a group of environmentalists and NGOs.Protestors, including fishermen and farmers, likely to be affected by the project, staged road and rail blockades.Police arrested dozens of protestors when they tried to stop the convoy of Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao as the latter was visiting Ichapuram.The arrested include opposition Telugu Desam Party's legislator Sai Raju's father Raja Rao.Some activists alleged that the minister was instrumental in approving the plant wo Raising slogans against the project, the protestors also squatted on the railway tracks, bringing rail traffic to a halt.The Environment Protection Committee is also demanding compensation to the families of those killed in police firing during the protests in July last year.Two people were killed and several others were injured July 14 when police opened fire at people protesting against the project by Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) at Sompeta.The National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) later overruled the environmental clearance given for the 2,640-MW project coming up at a cost of Rs.12,000 crore. Locals claim that the work had resumed on the project.Meanwhile, a group of ruling Congress leaders Monday began a visit to north coastal Andhra region to inspect thermal power project sites, special economic zones, mines and ports amid allegations that irregularities were committed in approving the projects.Member of Parliament V. Hanumantha Rao, who is leading the group, said they would urge the government to cancel the Sompeta project as it would harm the interests of farmers and fishermen.
=================================================

Auto strike from May 30 midnight

Hyderabad, May 29 : Telangana Auto Drivers' Joint Action Committee (TADJAC) today appealed to the auto drivers to participate in the 'auto bandh' from May 30 midnight to press for their demand of hike in fare in tune with the increased fuel prices.TADJAC convenor Mohd Amanullah Khan said the income of auto drivers has come down and affected their livelihood due to non-revision of auto fare in tune with the hiked diesel and petrol prices.He demanded that the minimum auto charge should be hiked to Rs 20 from Rs 14 and from Rs 10 to 20 per kilometer afterwards.Mr Khan said sealing of auto meters should also be stopped immediately until further increase of auto fares.He also demanded cancellation of e-Challan system, which was launched to target the auto drivers. The government also has responsibility to find a permanent solution to the problem of auto parking in the city, he added.
=================================================

TTDP promises to bring Telangana statehood within year

Hyderabad, May 30 : The Telangana Telugu Desam Party (TTDP) senior leader Mr Yerrabelli Dayakara Rao has said that they would bring ' Telangana statehood' within a year if everybody support the movement.Speaking on the last day of three-day annual conclave of the party after supporting the political resolution introduced by party Polit Bureau member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu yesterday here, he said all the 35 TDP Telangana MLAs were ready to work unitedly if the side cornered TRS President K Chandrasekhara Rao, who was provoking the people of Telangana and keeping silent on the issue in Parliament by siding with the Congress.The party's stand was clear and the party leader also favour the Telangana agitation, he said and lambasted the TRS supremo for failing to accost the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for its dilatory tactics on the separate Telangana issue.He also questioned why the TDP was being asked to set its flag aside when the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) , BJP and every other political party hoist their flags at the events they conduct." We will fight in favour of Telangana by holding party flags and there is no compromise," he said.Appealing to JAC Chairman Prof Kodandaram and Osmania JAC students to understand the issues, he said its party President was clear on the Telangana issue and also ready to join agitation without holding party flag if other political parties, including TRS, also followed the same suit.He also found fault with the TRS President statements that no political party except the TRS would survive in the Telangana region.Interestingly, Mr Dayakar Rao also appealed to its co-members belonging to Seemandhra at the Mahanadu stage to support Telangana issue and said the Telangana leaders would not humiliate the Seemandhra region people.Accusing the estranged party senior leader, Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy, of confusing the party and Telangana TDP leaders, he said the former himself remained confused and forced the party to take drastic action against him. said the TDP leaders of the region were always ready to fight for Telangana collectively, but they could not tolerate if any one dared to belittle the party and its leadership.
==================================================

Moderate to rather heavy rain in Coastal AP in 48 hours

Hyderabad, May 28: Moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers would occur at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh over next 48 hours.Light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at a few places over Telangana and over Rayalaseema during the same period.The outlook for subsequent two days is there would be no large change, the Met office said here today.Skies would be generally cloudy over Hyderabad and neighbourhood and rain or thundershowers would occur in parts of city over next two days.The maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 36 and 23 degrees Celsius respectively.Observations recorded till 0830 hrs today said rain occurred at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Isolated rain occurred over Rayalaseema.The heavy rainfall recorded in cm are Nuzvid (Krishna dist) 11, Tanuku (West Godavari dist) 10, Narsapur, Bhimavaram (West Godavari dist), eight each and Gudivada (Krishna dist) seven.
==================================================

ACB unearths assests worth Rs one crore

Hyderabad, May 28 :Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials today unearthed disproportionate assests worth Rs 1 crore from the house and office of Gowrishetty Amruth Kumar, Assistant City Planner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad.The ACB officials conducted searches at various places, including his office, residence at Srinagar Colony and unearthed assets including a house at P and T Colony, Hyderabad, 3 flats at Kutbiguda, Kundanbagh and Srinagar Colony and 4 plots at Rangapur Village, car, a scooter, gold weighing 897 grams and 800 grams of silver.Household articles worth about Rs ten lakh, fixed deposits of Rs four lakh and bank balances of about Rs 2.30 lakh and cash of Rs 46,000 were found, a release from ACB here said.
=================================================

CM approves 1,341 new posts in Andhra Pradesh Genco

Hyderabad, May 28: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today approved the appointment at 1,341 new posts in A P Genco to strengthen the power generation in the state.The posts included 350 Assistant Engineers, 881 Junior Plant Attendants and 110 LDC posts, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said here today.In these, Assistant Engineers and Junior Plant Attendants will be appointed through direct recruitment and LDC posts will be taken through outsourcing basis.Within the projects budget, the expenditure will be borne by A P Genco, the release added.As a special case, the Chief Minister has approved the compassionate appointments to the dependents of the employees who died in harness in Andhra Pradesh State Roard Transport Corporation (APSRTC) against the sanctioned vacancies, the release said.
=================================================

Andhra Pradesh Government,Israel to sign MoU on IT

Hyderabad, May 28: Andhra Pradesh government and Israeli government are poised to enter into a partnership to promote Information Technology and as part of it, an Israel-based IT company will spread its technical know-how in Hyderabad shortly.Both the State Government and the Hitech Industries Association (HIA) of Israel will sign a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) shortly.Prior to it, an international meet will be held in Tel Aviv, capital of Israel, from May 29 to June 3 where Andhra Pradesh State Minister for Information Technology Ponnala Laxmiah, who has been invited by the Israeli Government, will deliver his keynote address on the first day of the meet.
==================================================

BJP to hold public meeting on May 31 on 'T'issue

Hyderabad, May 28: To bring pressure on the Union Government to introduce the separate Telangana Bill in the ensuing Parliament Session, the BJP is organising a public meeting at Karimnagar on May 31.Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj would address the meeting, BJP State General Secretary Ramachander Rao said at a press conference here today.The party considers the Telangana meeting as very crucial, he said adding the party was expecting a larger turnout at the meeting, he said.In addition to anticipating huge turnout, the meeting would be marked with a lot of sensitivity with the display of Telangan a ethnic tradition and cultural programmes, he added.It may be mentioned here that the BJP has been supporting the cause of the smaller states.The proposed meeting at Karimnagar is going to be a show of strength by the party in Telangana Region as the BJP has two members in the Legislative Assembly and both from the Telangana region
=================================================

Govt having strength in Assembly:CLP

Hyderabad, May 28 : Reacting sharply to the TDP's Purported statement announced at its Mahanadu meeting yesterday that they would move no-confidence motion against Congress Government in the coming Assembly Session, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today made it clear that the Congress Government had the strength to face the no-confidence motion if the TDP or any other party moves it in the Assembly.Speaking to the mediapersons at CLP office here, Government Chief Whip M Bhatti Vikramarka said that the no-confidence motion would be against the democratic system as the Congress Government was elected by people's confidence.Alleging Mr Naidu always concentrated on Chief Minister's post instead of serving the people, he said this was proved his speeches at the ongoing Mahanadu.Expressing happiness over the statement issued by TDP on free power to the farmers for nine-hours if it comes to power, he said that TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu was following the footsteps of the Congress Party, he added.
==================================================

Police Commissioner appreciates auto driver

Hyderabad, May 27:Hyderabad City Police Commissioner A K Khan today appreciated Hyder Ali, an autorickshaw driver who had honestly handedover NRI's bag to the police and in turn the police called Mr Jilani (UK) who had forgotten the same in his auto on May 23 night and handedover the same to him.

The Commissioner announced a rewarde of Rs 2000 for his sincerity.He also appealed to all the auto drivers to follow Hyder Ali's example to gain good-will by the people in the city, a police release said here.
==================================================

Haj Committee requests to submit passports

Hyderabad, May 27 : Haj Committee chairman Janab Syed Khaleeluddin Ahmed requested all the selected Haj pilgrims and the pilgrims confirmed under reserved categories to submit their original passports in the office of the AP State Haj Committee along with a photograph before June 15.

The Chairman, in a press release, stated that the selection letters to all the selected Haj pilgrims have been dispatched to their given addresses along with their bank reference number, which they will have to enter invariably on every bank transaction.The prescribed pay-in-slip of the State Bank of India has also been sent along with the selection letters.He also requested those pilgrims who do not possess the passports to contact immediately the office of the Haj Committee in Nampally Hyderabad or the Haj society concerned in the district so that the process of obtaining passports for them could be started before June 15, the last date for submission of the passports and payment of first instalment of Rs 31,000.Chairman said the delay in this matter will forfeit the seats and after the due date is over, the seats will be allotted to the waiting list applicants automatically as per their priority numbers.

=================================================

Telugu Desham Party challenges YSR Cong party to move no-confidence motion

Hyderabad, May 27 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu today challenged YSR Congress party chief Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, to move no-confidence motion against Congress government in the state.Delivering the inaugural address at the TDP's annual conclave Mahandu at Gandipet near here, Mr Naidu said its party was strongly committed for farmers' issues and ready to move no-confidence motion against Congress party if need be.Mr Naidu asked the YSR Congress party chief, who always threatens to pull down the Congress in the state, to approach the Governor and move a no-confidence motion with his loyalists, against Congress if the latter was confident that he could topple the government. He said the TDP would support such a move.The TDP had moved a no-confidence motion on then YSR government four-years back on Obulapuram mining issue, he said and predicted that the YSR Congress party would also merge with Congress on the lines of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) soon.Alleging that the YSR Congress party was a branch of "poisonous tree" of YSR, who completely spoiled the state with rampant corruption during his tenure, Mr Naidu said Jagan Mohan has formed new party for not giving up Chief Minister's post after his father Dr YSR's death.He charged that the regime of the ruling party was full of corruption and spoiled Telugu glory achieved during the TDP regime.Meanwhile, reacting on the TDP President remarks, the YSR Congress party official spokesperson Gattu Ramachandra Rao in a press conference said his party was ready to support if the TDP moved no-confidence motion against the Congress government.
===================================================

Tributes paid to NTR on birth anniversary

Hyderabad, May 28: Rich tributes were paid to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T. Rama Rao Saturday on his 88th birth anniversary.NTR's family members, TDP leaders and prominent personalities from different walks of life paid tributes at NTR Ghat on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake here.His services to the people were also remembered during Mahanadu or the state-level conclave of TDP which began here Friday. Led by TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, the party paid glowing tributes to the founder.NTR's sons Harikrishna, Balakrishna, Ramakrishna, grandson Junior NTR, son-in-law N. Chandrababu Naidu, daughter Bhuwaneswari and other family members paid floral tributes at NTR Ghat.NTR's second wife Lakshmi Parvathi paid separate tributes at NTR Ghat. Addressing Mahanadu, Naidu demanded that the centre confer the Bharat Ratna on NTR in recognition of his services to the people.NTR, a popular Telugu actor, had launched TDP in 1982 and created a record of sorts by coming to power within nine months, ending the single party rule of the Congress.NTR died in January 1996, a few months after he was unseated from power by his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu.
================================================

Disabled persons call on Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy

Hyderabad, May 26: Physically challenged people and their representatives today called on Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and voiced their long pending demands.The Chief Minister patiently heard them and directed the officials to look into the issues and resolve them, a release from Chief Minister's Office here said.The Chief Minister announced hike in marriage incentive to those marrying a physically-challenged person from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.The Chief Minister also announced that the economic support scheme or subsidy for them had been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000 on par with SCs and STs.The Chief Minister said that Aarogyasri Scheme will be extended to all the physically-challenged and he also agreed to positively consider Indiramma houses and agricultural lands for them.The Chief Minister also agreed to consider bus travel concessions for them within the districts and promised stringent action against harassment of physically-challenged women.
===============================================

TRS, YSR Congress woo suspended TDP leader

Hyderabad, May 26 : After being suspended Tuesday from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the party's politburo member and senior leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy is mulling his future action as opposition parties are wooing him.

Nagam began consultations with his colleagues and followers Thursday as Telanga Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and YSR Congress party initiated efforts to woo him to their ranks. But the former minister is keeping his cards close to his chest.With the TDP also planning to urge assembly Deputy Speaker N. Manohar to disqualify Nagam as legislator, the senior leader from Mahabubnagar district is contemplating to quit the assembly.Two TDP legislators from the Telangana region, Harishwar Reddy and Jogi Ramna, have already thrown their weight behind Nagam. Harishwar has even claimed that 25-30 legislators would join hands with them.Nagam, who served as minister for 12 years in the Andhra Pradesh cabinets led by the late N.T. Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu, told reporters that he would decide on his future action after consultations with other like-minded leaders and followers.At its emergency meeting Tuesday night, the TDP politburo suspended Nagam for what it called anti-party activities.For the last few days, the senior leader had been targeting party president Chandrababu Naidu for his "u-turn" on the demand for separate Telangana state. He even organised two public meetings without party flag."I only want Mr. Naidu to abide by the stand taken by the party before last elections," said Nagam.Continuing his tirade against Naidu, he said by suspending him Naidu had proved himself a leader of seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions).He said if Naidu goes on suspending leaders for raising the demand for Telangana, the party would have no future in Telangana.Meanwhile, TRS leader Jitender Reddy called on Nagam and reportedly requested him to join the party. YSR Congress party leader Gone Prakash Rao also called on the suspended TDP leader to join the newly-floated outfit.
===================================================

Chief Minister directs steps cut down to IMR, MMR

Hyderabad, May 26: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy directed the officials to take steps in a focussed manner to reduce the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternity Mortality Rate (MMR) in the State.The Chief Minister said the IMR and MMR, which is comparatively high in the State, has to be brought down and all steps towards this taken immediately, a release from Chief Minister's Office said here.Mr Reddy said steps like motivating institutional delivery and providing nutritional food to pregnant woman should be taken up on a mission mode throughout the State and in a fast expanding progressive State like Andhra Pradesh, "there is no reason why we cannot cut down the IMR and MMR drastically." The Chief Minister held a detailed review of the Women, Child Welfare and Disabled Welfare Departments, functioning of the Juvenile Welfare and Women Cooperative Finance Corporation and AP Foods with the head of the departments and said that large scale Skill Development and Job Training programmes should be taken up with the Women Coop Corporation as the nodal agency.The Chief Minister said huge funds could be leveraged from the Centre as the Finance Commission is very much focussed on Skill Development and job training to various sections of the people
=====================================================

Railway booking clerk attacks woman passenger

Vijayawada, May 26: A petty altercation over issuing of a railway ticket led a railway booking clerk to attack a woman passenger in which she sustained head injury at the railway station here.police said the victim, Varalakshmi, tried to take ticket to Palasa in Srikakulam district in general queue which led to the altercation with booking clerk Mohan Babu.The booking clerk, in a fit of rage, hit on her head with a wooden plank 'She received injury and was shifted to the railway hospital'.The Divisional Commercial Manager suspended the accused and the railway police took the clerk into custody.
==================================================

Adilabad TDP MLA says will sail with Nagam

Hyderabad, May 26: TDP MLA of Adilabad District Jogu Ramanna said he would sail along with TDP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy who was suspended from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).talking to the newspersons after meeting Dr Nagam here, Mr Ramanna said that suspending the senior leader was an arbitrary action of the TDP and criticised the party leadership saying that they had suspended Dr Nagam, a senior man in the party, without even serving him a showcause notice.alleging that the TDP leadership had chosen to suspend Dr Nagam simply because he raised the Telangana issue boldly, Mr Ramanna said that Ranga Reddy District Parigi MLA Hareeshwar Reddy also would be with Dr Nagam.
====================================================

'T'TDP Ranabheri a big success

Hyderabad, May 26:The Telangana Telugu Desam party (TTDP) Convener and TDP senior leader Yerrabilli Dayakara Rao today said that his party would fight for Telangana till the end.Addressing at a press conference here, he thanked the party cadres who made the Telangana Rranabheri at Karimnagar held yesterday a big success.He called upon all those who were cheated by the TRS to join on a single platform to achieve Telangana.He said that he was ready to participate in any debate on any issue with Nagam stating that attacking each other could not help achieve Telangana.
===================================================

Sibal lauds Gujarat's senior cop for speaking out

Ahmedabad, May 25: Union Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal Wednesday praised Gujarat's senior police officer Sanjeev Bhatt without directly naming him.The courage shown by a police officer in revealing details about what transpired during the 2002 communal riots in the state showed that the soul of India is not dead, Sibal told reporters here.Bhatt has been appearing before the Nanavati Commission, which is probing the riots. His statements against Chief Minister Narendra Modi and some of his colleagues in the police had created a major controversy.Sibal said that the process of justice for the 2002 riot victims has been painfully slow.He said he was pained at the lack of urgency and sensitivity in which the cases are being dealt."While constituting the Nanavati Commission to probe the riots, the Bharatiya Janata Party had said that its report would be available in four months. Nine years later, it is yet to submit the report," Sibal added. =========================================================

Tension prevails at Telangana Ranabheri

Hyderabad, May 25 : Tension prevailed at Karimnagar district, where just a few hours before the commencement of 'Ranabheri', being organised by Telangana Telugu Desam Party (TTDP) forum in the evening as TRS and Pro-Telangana activists, including students prevented and detained TTDP leaders proceeding to the meeting.large number of Pro-Telangana activists, including students and JAC leaders prevented the TTDP leaders, who had arrived at the venue to participate in the meeting.
police took nearly 50 agitators who termed the forum a ''Telangana betrayal'' meeting, into custody.Following the arrest, some of the agitators pelted stones on the vehicles of TDP MLAs and in which two policemen were injured.Police restored to lathicharge to disperse the agitators.A similar incident was reported in Chinakoduru mandal of Medak district when TDP leaders, including MLA Reventha Reddy and TTD forum convener Eerraballi Dayakar Rao who were proceeding in a vehicle to Karimnagar from Hyderabad to participate in forum, were attacked and detained by Pro-Telangana agitators near Imbrahimnagar.Meanwhile, Political JAC Chairman Prof.Kodandaram ,BJP state Unit President Kishen Reddy and TRS MLAs, including Harish Rao, participating in different meetings, alleged that TD Telangana leaders were tyring to dilute the ongoing movement for separate state.Kakatiya University (KU) JAC , Osmania University (OU) JAC and TTDP leader Nagam Janardhana Reddy, against whom resolution were passed by TTDP forum to expel him from the party, were among those who vehemently opposed the forum.
=======================================================

Police arrest 500 TRS activists following dharna

Hyderabad, May 25:Police today arrested several Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leaders and pro-Telangana activists at various Telangana districts in the state when they were observing protests in front of Districts Collectorate offices as part of call given by TRS demanding immediate carving of separate Telangana state by the Centre.Police also made preventive arrests at Medak district before laying siege of Collectorate Office by TRS leaders. TRS leaders led by party MLA T Harish Rao staged a rasta roko on the National Highway road near Patancheruvu and later he was arrested by Patancheruvu police.Earlier talking to reporters, Mr Rao alleged that the Medak Superintendent of police has issued preventive custody of TRS leaders despite their requesting permission to protest in front of Collectorates in various districts. A large number of pro-Tenangana activists also observed dharna in front of Collectorate office in the city located at Lakdikapul, where heavy police force was already deployed to prevent the agitators.At Nizamabad district, as many as 100 activists and TRS leader Pocharam Srinvias Reddy were arrested by police when they tried to siege the collectorate office and the police also used water canons to disperse the agitators.According to reports reaching here, overall 500 TRS activists including leaders were arrested at various Telangana districts including Mahaboobnagar, Warangal and Karimnagar when they were observing dharna.Condemning the police arrests of legislators and leaders, who were observing dharnas in a democratic manner at various districts in Telangana region, TRS President .K.Chandrasekhara Rao demanded immediate release of their leaders.
======================================================

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister appeals to Ministers to set aside difference

Hyderabad, May 24 : In view of the recent cold war between ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and D Aruna over padayatra in favour of Telangana separate statehood at Mahaboobnagar, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy appealed to Cabinet Ministers not to degrade the Congress image and instead work unitedly.According to sources, this figured during the Cabinet Meeting where the Chief Minister also requested his Cabinet colleagues to set aside their differences and not to give scope to the press to speculate.The difference would affect the party's image, he added.During the Cabinet Meeting, the ministers also discussed procurement of paddy lying at various market yards in the state and enhancement of MSP besides permission for rice exports.During the meeting, the official informed the Chief Minister that 43.66 lakh MTs of paddy was procured at various market purchasing centres in the state and necessary steps taken to procure 45 lakh MTs more. ======================================================

Cabinet gives nod to fill above 4726 posts in various govt sectors

Hyderabad, May 24 : The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet gave the nod for filling up of more than 4726 posts at various government departments including municipalities in the state, while resolved to remove 80 Deputy Surveyor posts appointed against the government norms.Briefing the reporters after the Cabinet meeting held at Secretariat here, Information and Public Relations Minister D K Aruna said the cabinet had decided to fill up 563 posts at various polytechnic colleges across the state besides giving nod for filling up one each post of Chief Engineer and Chief Technical Examiner in Roads and Building Department.It also decided to recruit 4,048 posts at Municipalities except Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada corporations, in the state.The Cabinet also decided to fill up posts of three Chief General Managers in Electricity department, she said adding the Cabinet also decided to fill 69 posts under Deputy Surveyor category in Srikakulam district while the Cabinet decided to remove 80 deputy Surveyor posts filled in 1994 against the government norms.The meeting also resolved to fill nine Joint Director and 14 Deputy Director posts besides suspending of the existing 23 Assistant Director posts in the Women and child Welfare Department while four more posts sanctioned in Tribal Welfare department, she informed.
========================================================

HMR calls bids for Rs 4,132 cr mega metrol rail project

Hyderabad, May 24 : The Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMR), which is overseeing implementation of the mega Rs 14,132 crore Hyderabad Metro Rail project in public private partnership (PPP) mode, has today invited competitive bids from reputed chartered accountancy firms for appointment as Statutory Auditors for the Hyderabad metrorail project.In a release, HMR Managing Director Mr NVS.Reddy has stated that HMR will announce a panel of five top chartered accountancy firms from among the applicants scoring the highest points on the basis of their experience in the past five years and forward the panel to the Concessionaire L and T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd.
L and T MRHL will then appoint one of the firms from the panel as Statutory Auditors for certifying the books of accounts and all other financial statements which will have to be maintained by the Concessionaire L and TMRHL as per the Concession Agreement.L and TMRHL will have to maintain proper records and books of accounts for all income, expenditure, payments, assets and liabilities as per good industry practice and applicable laws, and periodically submit financial statements certified by the Statutory Auditors to HMR for verification.L and TMRHL will bear the fee payable to Statutory Auditors.In order to maintain strict vigil over the cash flows of the project, it is made mandatory that the cash flows of the project are routed through a special Escrow Account, he said.All the funds received by the Concessionaire including bank loans, passenger fares, real estate rentals and VGF grant amounts will have to be deposited in this Escrow Account, the release added.
=======================================================

Tell me about my mistakes: Nagam

Hyderabad, May 24 : In the wake of the resolution passed by Telangana Telugu Desam (TTD) forum to expel Nagam Janardhan Reddy from the Telugu Desam party (TDP), the latter today said if the party wanted to take action against him they should tell him what mistake he had committed .Addressing a press conference at TDLP office here, Mr Nagam said he has been rendering unstinted service to the TDP for the past 30-years and given strong fight against the Congress.He said that he was only striving to save the party in Telangana and the party should announce its stand on separate Telangana statehood.Recalling that the party had passed a resolution calling for Telangana state in 2008, he said he only asked party president N Chandrababu Naidu that a copy of that resolution be sent to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.Alleging that it was the Seemandhra leaders who had violated the party policy decision, he asked how the party could take action against him without first taking action against them.Dual play would not survive in the Telangana issue, he said and warned that the party had already lost people's confidence and the party president should at least now take action to restore it.Referring to the remarks that he was alone, he said even the TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao was also alone when he left the party.
=====================================================

Several welfare measures for Minorities: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister

Hyderabad, May 24 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said his government had initiated several welfare measures for Muslim Minorities in the State in recent times.He informed this when a delegation of Muslim Elders from United Muslim Forum, Andhra Pradesh under Former Minister Mohd Shabbir Ali called on Mr Reddy at the Camp Office here today and thanked him for extending reservation in jobs for Muslims for a further period of ten years and implementing several other welfare measures, according to an official release here.Addressing the delegation, the Chief Minister reiterated his government's commitment to development and welfare of poor in general and Muslims in particular.He recalled several welfare measures initiated by his government, including extending reservation in government jobs for a further period of ten years for Muslims and free reimbursement for 1.5 lakh minority students costing about Rs 20 crore.
========================================================

Kasab's security costs govt over Rs 10 crore

Mumbai, May 24: The Indo-Tibetan Border police (ITBP) commandos have been guarding the lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, at the Arthur road jail since his capture and conviction for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks but it now appears this arrangement has come at a great price for the Maharashtra government.ITBP, with their sophisticated arms and communication devices are on guard 24/7 at the prison, helping the country's judiciary conduct a smooth and fair trial on their most high profile inmate. The ITBP has presented a bill of Rs 10 crore to the Maharashtra government, for the services rendered.The turn of events has left the officials from the government in a tizzy, owing to the astronomical figure quoted by the ITBP.In a move, which follows standard procedure, the ITBP forwarded a bill of Rs 10,87,12,041 as reimbursement for its services from March 28, 2009 to September 30, 2010.Usually whenever the Para-military is called into action, it is the State government, which has to pay the bills as Law and order is a state subject, an official source said.According to another source in Ministry, the state government has asked the ITBP for a waiver stating that the attack was on the country and not limited to the state.The state government, which has spent as much as Rs 6 crore on the construction of the special cell setup for Kasab, along with the expenses incurred for additional security and construction of the Special court.
======================================================

Maharashtra not pay Kasab bill?

Mumbai, May 24 : A stunned Maharashtra government has refused to foot the Rs 11 crore-bill sent to it by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for guarding Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist in the 26/11 Mumbai attack facing a death penalty, reports said on Tuesday.The state government was apparently shocked after the special paramilitary force that provides 200 commandos to guard Kasab sent the astronomical bill -- a fraction of what it actually costs to keep the Pakistani-trained terrorist alive at the Arthur Road jail of Mumbai.State officials are now in the process of writing to the ITBP arguing that that 26/11 terror attack was “not only an issue limited to Maharashtra but a national issue”, hinting that it wants the Centre’s help to fill the buck.While the Rs 10.87 crore bill sent by the ITBP sent eyeballs rolling, the actual cost of keeping Kasab alive is estimated to be much more owing the bulletproof arrangements, food and other essentials in a high security environment.Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said he would take a decision on the bill soon, but he did not seem too happy with it.On Feb 21 on expected lines, the Bombay High Court upheld the death sentence of Ajmal Kasab earlier passed by a lower court.Kasab, who the court said killed 56 people along with another terrorist Abu Ismail and alone killed seven, has the option to move the Supreme Court.He was responsible for the killing of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare and Kamte Ashok Kamte, the Additional Commissioner of Mumbai Police.The 24-year-old Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was one of the ten terrorists from Pakistan who arrived by seawaters and attacked several locations in Mumbai in Nov 2008 that left 166 people dead and 238 injured.The court said the attack of 26/11 was an attack on the government and upheld that the attack was waging war on India. The court said Kasab's crime was "diabolical and brutal" and he has a "scheming mind".
=======================================================

Telangana issue diff from UPA Cong resolution on small states:BJP

Hyderabad, May 23 : Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Ch Vidyasagar Rao said the latest demand for division of UP through second States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) had nothing to do with creation of a separate Telangana state.

Addressing at a press conference here, he took serious exception to some ministers advocating setting up of second SRC for bifurcation of the state after the UP Congress committee passed a resolution to constitute a second SRC for division of the country's largest state.AICC General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi's support to UP Congress resolution for the constitution of second SRC revealed that the Congress-led UPA government was committed for creating of smaller states, he said.In this backdrop, formation of separate Telangana state was inevitable and could not be linked to Second SRC, he added.Stating that the agitation for Telangana had reached its peak and the sentiment was very strong among the people of the region, the former Union Minister appealed to all political parties to set aside party and agendas, and move forward with the sole agenda of bifurcation of the state.The BJP will hold a mammoth public meeting in Karimnagar on May 31 on Telangana issue, he said and appealed to leaders of all political parties to attend the rally and declare their resolve for a separate Telangana state.
=====================================================

High alert in Andhra Orissa Border for Maoist bandh in AP

Visakhapatnam, May 22 : Security was beefed up across the Andhra Orissa Border (AOB) in three North coastal districts of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam to control any untoward incidents in the 48 hour country-wide bandh.

According to Information reaching here, the bandh was largely effective in AOB areas, including Pedhabayalu and G K Veedhi and Sileru in the district, called by the Communist Party of India(Maoist).Second day of the bandh began amid high security and alert in five Naxal-infested states.The Iron ore transportation by National Mineral Development Corporation Limited (NMDC Ltd), India's largest iron ore producer and exporter in the public sector, was affected in Chhattisgarh on the second day of a Maoist shutdown, an official said.'The transportation of iron ore has been hit by upto 20 per cent of daily dispatches of some 48,000 tonnes because the railways have refused to provide rakes during night, fearing attacks by Maoists, a senior NMDC official told UNI here.The guerrillas had damaged tracks at two locations in Dantewada district yesterday which disrupted traffic for several hours between Visakhapatnam and KK Line Kothavala- Kirandul.The NMDC has several mines at Bacheli and Kirandul hilly areas of Dantewada, which produce 75-80 per cent of its total annual iron ore output.A part of the iron ore is also exported to Japan and other Asian countries through Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam Port Trust(VPT).The outlawed CPI-M had called for a 48-hour shutdown in several central and eastern parts of the country yesterday to protest against the arrest of its three central committee members in Bihar last month.The rebels had killed a policeman and a civilian and also set three vehicles on fire yesterday in Bastar, a sprawling 40,000 sq km mineral-rich heavily forested area which has been a Maoist stronghold since the 1980s.Normal life was partially disturbed in the agency areas. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation(APSRTC) night halt services in the region and Malkangiri in Orissa were cancelled here this evening. The RTC authorities planned to divert the bus services to key destinations including temple town of Bhadrachalam here tonight, he added.
========================================================

Telangana forum warns Nagam for defaming party

Hyderabad, May 22: The Telangana forum of Telugu Desam Party (TTDP) today said its party would take stern action against its co-leader Mr Nagam Janardhan Reddy, who was defaming the party.Addressing a press conference, TTDP leader Raventha Reddy said, "We are not against Telangana agitation but against Nagam's ideology, who was taking his own decisions and commenting like an opposition party on TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu." Alleging that Nagam was taking Telangana agitation for his own image and maintaining anti-party activities, he said that the party would take stern action against him if needed.To intensify the Telangana agitation its forum would conduct a "Telangana Ranabari" on June 25, he added.In another press conference, Nagam Janardhan Reddy said he had acted against the party ideology and demanded the party chief to discuss the Telangana issue in the upcoming Mahanadu, and take an unambiguous stand supporting a separate Telangana.He also demanded that the Telugu Desam Party should write a letter thereafter to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram demanding the introduction of a bill for the formation of Telangana in the upcoming Parliament session.
=======================================================

Former Govt Whip joins YSR Congress

Vijayawada, May 22 : In a big blow to the Congress in it its stronghold Krishna district, former Government Whip and senior Congress leader Saminani Udayabhanu resigned the Congress and joined YSR Congress along with Sarpanchas, MPTCs and ZPTCs at Jaggaiahpet in Krishna district, today.Samineni Udayabhanu is considered to be a popular leader in Krishna district. He was MLA and Government Chief Whip in the regime of late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.He along with 38 Sarpanchas, 22 MPTCs and two ZPTCs joined YSR Congress, launched by former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s son and Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.Talking to reporters at Jaggaiahpet after joining the YSR Congress, Mr Udayabanu said he had joined YSR Congress party as per the wishes of the people of his constituency.He said he had met the leaders of the YSR Congress party in Hyderabad and informed about his decision.The YSR Congress party was gaining strength hour by hour, he said and claimed that it would become a major political party in the state soon.
=======================================================

Chief Minister suggests dedicated team on Indiramma Housing scheme

Hyderabad, May 22 :Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has instructed the officials to take the State Government's flagship programme of Indiramma Housing scheme as challenge and complete all the houses grounded."We have to put the scheme on a fast track and grounding lakhs of houses for benefit poor people on time, handed over to the beneficiaries and ensure their occupation," Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said in reviewing programme meeting recently held on the the progress of the Indiramma housing scheme with the officials concerned here.He agreed with the officials that the very face of Andhra Pradesh will change when all the 46.97 lakhs are completed and all these houses are provided with basic amenities like drinking water, electricity and infrastructural facilities like roads and drainage, according to an official release here.Reddy pointed out the Indiramma Housing Colony layouts in his constituency and said these could be replicated elsewhere in the State.The Chief Minister suggested that the scheme should be taken up in a focussed manner.A team of officials should be constituted in each Mandal or constituency and this team should constantly monitor the progress of construction and resolve impediments if any, he said and asked the officials that a week should be dedicated as "Indiramma Housing Week" and the ministers, MPs, MLAs and other public representatives along with the officials concerned should concentrate on the Indiramma Housing Programmes grounded in their respective constituencies, the release said.
======================================================

Majils not to pursue politics of murder, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad, May 22 : Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) will not pursue the politics of murder to avenge the assassination attempt on its leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, but wants a probe into the attack, says party president and older brother Asaduddin Owaisi.The MP was addressing a massive public meeting organised by the party at the First Lancer neighbourhood here Saturday night to condemn the April 30 attack."MIM never believed in the politics of murder. We don't want to turn Hyderabad into another Rayalaseema," he said referring to the bloody faction war in Rayalaseema region.He, however, said the party would give a fitting reply if the rivals resorted to another physical attack on the leadership. "If they do it again, no graveyard in the city will accept their bodies for burial," he warned.Thanking people for their prayers, which, he said, gave new life to his younger brother, Asaduddin called upon people to socially boycott elements which are committing murders and repression.Alleging a deeprooted conspiracy behind the attack to eliminate the strong Muslim leadership in Hyderabad, he said Akbaruddin, the MIM legislature party leader, has been at the forefront of raising his voice against injustice and repression.The MP targeted editors of two Urdu dailies saying they were morally responsible for the attack. He said MIM exercised restraint even when the two newspapers published insulting cartoons of the leaders.He claimed he has all the details of who hatched the conspiracy of the attack, how many meetings were held and who attended them.Akbaruddin was stabbed and shot at in the attack by a group of 10 to 15 assailants April 30 when he was visiting his Chandrayangutta assembly constituency. The young leader was discharged from hospital Friday. Asaduddin said he would undergo another surgery after six weeks.MIM, which has been dominating Hyderabad politics for four decades, has seven legislators in the Andhra Pradesh assembly.
======================================================

President Obama Pledges Comprehensive U.S. Support for Transitioning Arab World

USA-May-21,(Deccan Samachar) This afternoon, ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid and Muslim Youth of North America President Amin Gharad joined leaders from across the nation at the State Department for President Obama’s address on the Middle East and North Africa. ISNA welcomes President Obama’s strong support for the people of the Arab world as they struggle to develop their new democracies and become free of oppressive dictators. The President’s message has remained consistent on this issue: the United States will not support any nation that chooses oppression for its people, and we thank him for his persistence in support of the Arab people.While the President reaffirmed the commitments he made in his 2009 Cairo speech, ISNA also welcomed the comprehensive plan he delivered to support the newly emerging Arab democracies, along with his promises to provide economic, political, and humanitarian support to these nations as they strengthen their education, economic, and political institutions. Most importantly, we supported the President’s position in support of a universal code of human rights.“The United States opposes the use of violence and repression against the people of the region. We support a set of universal rights. Those rights include free speech; the freedom of peaceful assembly; freedom of religion; equality for men and women under the rule of law; and the right to choose your own leaders – whether you live in Baghdad or Damascus; Sanaa or Tehran,” said President Obama.These peaceful revolutions have united people of all faiths, gender, and race, around universal human rights, and we support any policy on the part of these nations and the United States to ensure that people of all faiths are free to pray, speak, and live in the new Arab world. Here in the United States, ISNA has forged partnerships with national interfaith leaders, most recently through the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Campaign, to support religious equality here in the U.S. and has repeatedly condemned all acts of violence motivated towards religious minorities abroad.In his speech today, the President made a strong distinction between the people of the Arab world and the leaders of the Arab world, an important clarification that ISNA and Muslims across the world have been making for years as we provide outreach and education to the public on Muslims and Islam.“The story of this Revolution, and the ones that followed, should not have come as a surprise. The nations of the Middle East and North Africa won their independence long ago, but in too many places their people did not. In too many countries, power has been concentrated in the hands of the few,” said President Obama. We were reassured to hear the President reiterate that it has been the mis-guided actions of Arab dictators, not Arab people in general, that have for too long, oppressed the people of the Arab world and tainted the image of peaceful Arabs to other nations along the way. “We were pleased to hear the President’s promise that the U.S. would not put the interests of those in power above the desires of those oppressed and his comprehensive plan to support reform in the Arab world as the people free themselves of oppression. However, we do continue to worry about the rising levels of violence used against peaceful protesters in countries like Libya, Syria, and Yemen, along with the continued plight of the people of Palestine,” said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid.ISNA is an active partner in a large interreligious coalition, the National Interreligious leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East; which is committed to providing active leadership to help achieve Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace by way of supporting the President's plan for a two-state solution.Imam Magid added, “We sincerely hope that President Obama will translate his promises today into action, and press for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, put an end to settlements, occupations, and oppression across the Arab world, and implement foreign policies that are fair and just.”
========================================================

Ahamadullah Minister for Minorities Welfare,"The Launch of Seaplane Bases and its corelated technologies"

Hyderabad,21th.May(Deccan Samachar)"The Launch of Seaplane Bases and its corelated technologies of 'Air Excel Tech' took place on the 21.05.11 at 7 PM by the Hon'ble  Minister for Minorities Welfare,Wakf, Haj &Urdu Academy Government of Andhrapradesh Ahamadullah.The CMD of the company Sri.Manish Kapoor and the other Director Dr.Smt.Indu Kapoor are seen
along with the Hon'ble Minister in the photographs attached.These corelated Technologies of Seaplane Bases are legally copyrighted tech's owned by the company M/s Air Excellence Aviation Pte Ltd,India.The brouchure of the Tech is updated on the official website which can be downloaded or printed by companies / government arms willing to sign an order / contract with the company.The Seaplane Bases Technology document being the fourth technology launched along with its corelated Techs launched in series will now be marketed technology by the company officials (PHOTO BY RSJ THOMAS)
=========================================================

Notification of WB recommendations on May 27: APWJF

Hyderabad, May 21 : The Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation (APWJF) today said the notification for the recommendations of Justice Majithia Wage Board for Journalists and Non-Journalists and other newspaper employees will be issued on May 27.In a statement here, APWJF President M S Hashmi and General Secretary G Anjaneyulu said Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge had signed on the final report and sent it to the Union Cabinet Committee for approval and notification.In a open letter sent to the Union Cabinet Committee through the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry by APWJF, it appealed for immediate announcement of the notification and consider the issues proposed in the submissions presented by the APWJF.The APWJF is only one organisation in the list of representatives of stake-holders of Justice Majithia Wage Board from Andhra Pradesh which expressed its views and proposals by focusing the problems of working journalists before wage board, the statement claimed.
=====================================================

South Central Railway(SCR) to conduct intensive ticket checking drives

Hyderabad, May 21 : South Central Railway(SCR) will conduct massive ticket checking drives in trains, in an effort to curb ticketless travel, in its jurisdiction.

Special ticket checking squads with the assistance of Railway Protection Force personnel, will check the passengers on various trains and at platforms on May 23, 24 and 25, a press release from SCR said here today.Intensive ticket checking drives will also be conducted throughout the year, it said.SCR requested the passengers to travel with valid tickets-season tickets to have a safe and comfortable journey.Those passengers found travelling without valid ticket-authority will be fined-prosecuted or both, the release said.
=====================================================

TWO State ministers arrested, 1 released on personal surety

Mahbubnagar,Andhra Pradesh, May 21 : High drama was witnessed as Information and Public Relations Minister D K Aruna and Endowments Minister Jupally Krishna Rao from the district were arrested by police at different places in order to avoid a clash between their groups over the latter's padayatra.Police said Mr Krishna Rao was arrested at Aiza town when he was about to embark on his yatra and shifted him to Pebberu Police station.At the same time, when Ms Aruna was on her way with her supporters in Gattu Mandal, she was also arrested at Dharur and taken to police station.Enraged over the arrest of Mr Rao, his supporters enforced a bandh in Aiza town besides reportedly damaging windscreens of three APSRTC buses while the Congress workers in support of Ms Aruna staged a Rasta Roko on the Aiza-Raichur Highway and called for Gadwal Bandh.Mahbubnagar Superintendent of Police S Sudheer Babu said the arrests were made to avert law and order problems and the situation was well under control.Mr Krishna Rao, who had submitted his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi in March demanding creation of Telangana state, had undertaken the Pada Yatra in this district from April 24 for the cause of Telangana and also to win back the party cadres who were deserting the organisation.
=======================================================

AP-CM agrees to extend reservation for physically CHALLANGED

Hyderabad, May 21: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Kiran Kumar Reddy today said his government would extend reservation for Physically Handicapped (PH) people, including the percentage of quota for posts, age concession of ten years for recrutiment and exemption from payment of the prescribed application fee in respect of applications submitted to Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) for selection to various posts till May 31, 2021.An official release here tonight said the decision would go a long way in helping the physically handicapped people in the state.Another release from Chief Minister's office said Mr Reddy also announced that the pay scales of employees of Girijan Cooperative Corporation Limited, Visakhapatnam would be brought on par with the government employees, as per their demand.
=======================================================

Kiran Kumar Reddy- administers Anti-Terrorism day oath

Hyderabad, May 21: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy administered 'Anti-Terrorism' day oath on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary at AP Bhawan in New Delhi today.An official press release here said after taking oath, the Chief Minister said late 'Rajiv Gandhi was a great administrator and a good visionary of modern India'. During his five-year term as Prime Minister, he brought many reforms in administration and took up several programmes for the welfare of the people.He led the country towards 'modernization and strengthened the country economically and scientifically', the Chief Minister said.
======================================================

Chief Minister meets Prime Minister in New Delhi

Hyderabad, May 21:Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram during his visit to New Delhi.Later talking to media at AP Bhavan, Mr Reddy said there is a quantum of jump in the production of rice during Rabi in 2010-11 reaching 65.62 lakh MT against last year’s production of 48.82 lakh MTs. An official release here said during the entire Kharif Marketing Season (both Kharif and Rabi), the production of rice during the current year is 140.65 lakh MT against 108.35 MT last year. The paddy arrivals from Rabi crop had already started, the release said, adding, in spite of opening paddy purchase centres by the Government agencies for undertaking MSP operations, traditionally in Andhra Pradesh, maximum quantity of paddy is mopped up by the rice millers at MSP and above for delivery of rice under levy and utilisation of levy free rice.The Chief Minister further said he has explained the Prime Minister about the godown space constraint and the FCI is not in a position to accept the levy rice as offered by the rice millers in some major rice procuring districts. Due to this, the millers were holding the rice stocks in their godowns and were not in a position to make paddy purchases briskly.This was having an adverse effect on the paddy prices and the farmers were not able to dispose of their paddy at MSP, Mr Reddy added.He also said he had brought to the notice of the Prime Minister, the export of boiled rice which is not consumed within the State was permitted to be exported so that the space occupied with this rice in the rice mills is cleared and the millers would be able to purchase paddy briskly for further milling and discharging the levy obligation. The release said some surplus raw rice is also available with the rice millers which is not finding market in other states due to adequacy.Therefore he requested the Prime Minister to consider export of 15 lakh MTs of boiled rice and 10 lakh MTs of non-basmati raw rice from Andhra Pradesh to other countries through normal trade channels so that the rice millers could liquidate the stocks in their godowns and start brisk purchases of paddy from the farmers at MSP and above.also requested the Prime Minister to enhance the MSP by Rs 200 for paddy.The Chief Minister once again requested the Prime Minister to declare Indirasagar Polavaram Project and Pranahitha-Chevella Project Irrigation Projects as National Projects. He also said the Polavaram Project aims to provide fresh irrigation to 7.2 lakh acres besides stabilising 23 lakh acres of ayacut existing in Krishna & Godavari Deltas and producing power of 960 MWs. It envisages diversion of 80 TMC of water from Godavari to Krishna river in conformity with the Godavari Tribunal Award. Out of this, 35 TMC of water will be made available to the Karnataka and Maharashtra States, while the remaining 45 TMC will be used for benefiting drought-affected areas in Rayalaseema and Telangana regions.Besides this, Orissa and Chattisgarh can also draw 5 TMC and 1.5 TMC of water from the Polavaram reservoir for irrigation purpose ,The Chief Minister brought to the notice of Mr Chidamabaram about the four natural calamities that occurred in 2010 and requested to treat the four calamities as national calamity and to sanction Rs 1744 Crores from NDRF.He also requested to expedite the proposed amendments to the 14(f) clause.The Home Minister assured to convene a joint meeting of the ministries concerned, the release said.
======================================================

Former CWC member Venkataswamy hospitalised

Hyderabad, May 20 : Veteran Congress leader and former CWC member G Venkataswamy was today hospitalised following respiratory problems.

According to sources, the 82-year-old Swamy also known as "Kaka" was hospitalised after he complained of breathlessness.His condition was stated to be normal and undergoing treatment at the hospital, the sources added.The former Deputy leader of the party in the Lok Sabha was not included in the re-constituted CWC after he raised the Telangana issue at the Committee's meeting where he demanded the resignation of Sonia Gandhi as the party Chief.
======================================================

CBI books case against AP police officials

Hyderabad, May 20: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of Hyderabad registered a case against Andhra Pradesh police officials on the allegations of a "fake encounter" that led to the death of Cherukuri Rajkumar, alias Azad and Hemchandra Pandey.The case was registered on the basis of the allegations made in the Writ Petitions filed by Swami Agnivesh and Bineeta Pandey in the Supreme Court pertaining to death of Central Committee Member and Spokesperson of Communist Party of India (Maoist) Azad and a freelance journalist Pandey by the Andhra Pradesh Police on the intervening night of July 1 and 2 last year, CBI Joint Director and Head of Zone ( Hyderabad) V V Lakshmi Narayana said in release here.On the directions of the Supreme Court, CBI (Hyderabad) registered a case against Circle Inspector (Asifabad), Sub-Inspector (Thandur Police Station, RSI (AR Head Quarters, Bellampally), Civil and AR Special Party Police Officers and others.Investigation was being taken up, the release added.
======================================================

Two Andhra ministers arrested to avert clash

Hyderabad, May 21 : Andhra Pradesh police Saturday arrested two cabinet ministers to avert a clash between them in Mahabubnagar district.Minister D.K. Aruna was arrested from her assembly constituency Gadwal early morning as she had threatened to stop her cabinet colleague Jupalli Krishna Rao from entering there. Police later arrested Rao also at Aiza to avert a clash between the two groups of the ruling Congress party. There was high drama as Rao locked himself inside his vehicle and threatened to commit suicide if the police tried to arrest him. Rao's supporters had a heated argument with police officials, who later convinced the minister to come out. Endowments minister Rao, who had submitted his resignation to the Congress leadership in March, was on a padyatra to demand statehood for Telangana region.Tension prevailed in the district as supporters of the two ministers indulged in stone pelting. Protesting his arrest, Rao's sympathizers damaged three buses of the state-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC). The two groups have called for shutdown in Gadwal and Aiza towns, respectively.Aruna, minister for information and public relations, had threatened to prevent Rao from stepping into her constituency saying he had not informed her about the padyatra. She demanded that the party leadership take action against him. Aruna was later released on personal bond.Rao criticized his arrest and vowed to take up the padyatra in the same constituency again. He had sent his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanding that she make a clear-cut announcement in Parliament on the formation of a separate Telangana state.Both the ministers come from Mahabubnagar district. While Aruna represents Gadwal assembly constituency, Rao was elected from Kollapur.
======================================================

Shiv Sena Panchayat Samiti member shot dead

Aurangabad,Maharashtra(Correspondent)May-19: Shiv Sena panchayat Samiti member, Sunil Lashkare was shot dead by unidentified assailants here last night.Forty-year-old Lashkare was in a car on way to the city, along with his wife and three sons, when another vehicle brushed aside his car and blocked it near the Nagar Naka at around 2100 hours.According to police, when Lashkare came out of his car and questioned them, two of the four assailants opened fire, hitting him on his head and throat. Lashkare's wife and three sons shouted for help but the assailants sped away from the scene Lashkare was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where he was declared dead on admission. The police have got some clues about the attackers and are in the process of tracking down the culprits, sources said Meanwhile, hundreds of his supporters reached the GMCH after learning about the incident. ===================================================

Govt to launch 'Indira Jana Prabha' welfare scheme

Hyderabad, May 18 : The Andhra Pradesh government will launch 'Indira Jana Prabha' welfare scheme shortly.The new scheme would be implemented by State Rural Development Department, Minister Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao told reporters here today.The 'Indira Jana Prabha' scheme will be implemented with 50 per cent frunds from Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) and another 50 per cent from NABARD funds.The Minister said under the Rs 1,600 crore scheme, irrigation facilities would be developed for ten lakh acres belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes people.
=====================================================

ACB net in three cases in government official's

Hyderabad, May 18 : The sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Officials (ACB) have trapped three government officials including district social welfare officer and blood safety department of AIDS Control Society Consultant and arrested six officials in three different cases in the state today.Mr. P.Ravi Kumar(Consultant), Rajesh(Quality Manager) and Sreekanth( Quality Manager), who are working in Blood Safety Department, A.P.State Aids Control Society, Hyderabad, were arrested when they demanded bribe of Rs 4 lakhs from a Non-governmental Organisation CEO Mrs.L.Laxmi Reddy for doing official favour of supplying ''Elisa kits and other items'' regularly and also for giving camp permission and renewal of licenses without causing any problem to the complainant.On the request of the complainant, they agreed to receive the bribe amount to Rs.1 Lakh as an advance and the bribe amount was taken by Guna Sekhar, who also one of the Quality Managers, on the instructions of Consultant and he was caught red handed by the A.C.B officials at their office situated in the state capital, ACB said in a release here .The bribe amount was recovered after conducted chemical test yielded positive result.The Accused Officers were arrested and produced before the Principle Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Hyderabad.
=======================================================

Kiran kumar's appeals to Prime Minister to enhance MSP for paddy

Hyderabad, May 18 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today once again appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take a decision to enhance the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy by atleast Rs 200 per quintal -- from Rs 1,030 to Rs 1,230 -- for fine variety and Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 for common variety.The Chief Minister has written letters to Prime Minister and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard.The Chief Minister has also directed the Chief Secretary S V Prasad to review the 'Rabi Procurement' for Paddy purchase activities daily.Accordingly, the Chief Secretary reviewed the activities of 'Rabi procurement' programme at Secretariat with the officials concerned today.The Chief Secretary directed all the special officers appointed to oversee the paddy purchase activities by the Government Agencies and millers, District Collectors over phone to ensure MSP for the paddy, supply of suficient gunnies, movement of purchased paddy from the market yards and godown space, an official release said here.
=======================================================

Mecca Masjid blast anniversary passes off peacefully

Hyderabad, May 18 : The fourth anniversary of the bomb blast at the historic Mecca Masjid here passed off peacefully amid tight security.The afternoon prayers at the 17th century mosque passed off peacefully as police made elaborate security arrangements in the old city and other communally sensitive areas.Rapid Action Force and other central paramilitary forces along with the city police and Andhra Pradesh Special Police were deployed to maintain law and order.Police have also banned meetings and rallies across the city for six days.Nine persons were killed and 58 others injured in the blast at the historic mosque May 18, 2007. Five persons were killed in the subsequent police firing on protestors near the mosque.Police had initially blamed Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami and other terror groups operating from Pakistan and Bangladesh and arrested scores of local youth for their suspected involvement.probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed the involvement of Hindu terror outfits.The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which recently took up the investigations, Monday filed supplementary chargesheet against Swami Aseemanand for his alleged role in the conspiracy behind the blast.Nabakumar Sarkar, also known as Swami Aseemanand, who is also an accused in the Samhjauta Express bomb blast case, was arrested from Haridwar Nov 19, 2010.The NIA has also named Indresh Kumar, an associate of Aseemanand, in the charge-sheet. He is absconding. Earlier, the CBI had filed charge sheet against accused Devender Gupta and Lokesh Sharma. Both are in judicial custody.The Hyderabad police in July last year arrested terror suspect Viquaruddin and five others, who allegedly floated a terror outfit Tehreek Galba-e-Islam (TGI) in 2007 to avenge the police firing following the bomb blast at Mecca Masjid.The accused allegedly shot dead a police constable in the old city of Hyderabad May 13, 2010, five days before the third anniversary.In a similar attack on the second anniversary of the blast, they had shot dead a home guard and injured a policeman.United Muslim Forum (UMF), an apex body of Muslim organisations, has urged the government to speed up the investigations into the blast.It also demanded that the report of the Bhaskar Rao commission, which probed the police firing following the bomb blast, be made public.The commission submitted its report to the government last year.
=======================================================

Village Revenue Officer in Anti-Corruption Bureau trap

Hyderabad, May 18: A Village Revenue Officer (VRO) K.M.Chenna Kesava Pillai working at Ramachandrapuram Mandal in Chittoor district was caught red handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau(ACB) Officials at the Tahsildar office when he demanded and accepted an amount of Rs. 2,500 as bribe from the complainant for showing an official.The tainted bribe amount was recovered from the officer at his instance and chemical test conducted on his right hand fingers and yielded positive result, according to an ACB release here.
=========================================================

Police register cases against Shrikrishna Committee members

Hyderabad, May 18:The Punjagutta police here has registered cases under various sections of the IPC against Srikrishna Committee Chairman Justice Srikrishna and its members--V Duggal, Abul Shareef, Prof Ravindar Kaur and Prof Ranbir Singh on a direction from a local court on April 15 last.The court had also asked to submit a report within one month after conducting a thorough investigation on the eighth chapter issue mentioned in the report of the committee.Advocates Telangana JAC Co-convenor T Sriranga Rao told here today that the 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Nampally Court A Sudhakar passed the orders after one Vallivur Rehaman, a practising advocate and General Secretary of Telangana People's Forum filed a private complaint against Justice Srikrishna and four others under section 153 (A) for promoting enimity between Religious groups or regions, 418 (Cheating), 504 (Insult intended to provoke breach of peace) and 505 (false statement and rumour) circulated with intent to casue mutiny or offence against the public peace, false statement, rumour with intend to create enimity, hatred or ill-will between different classes. =======================================================

No Govt will survive if farmers are disregarded, Jagan

Guntur,May18, YSR Congress president and Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today warned that no government would survive if they did not pay attention to the problems of farmers and described the regime of his father late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy as 'golden era'.Ending his two-day "Rythu Deeksha" here, he asked the government why it did not buy paddy from the farmers and sell it later to Food Corporation of India.He also asked the government why it did not export rice to other countries on its own by taking permission from the Centre.He said in Punjab, the State Government bought 130 lakh ton of paddy from farmers, constituting 94.2 per cent of total produce and later sold it to FCI every year.He asked the State Government to take cue from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab."Any government which disregards the interests of farmers will submerge in the sea," he warned and alleged that Kiran Kumar Reddy-led State Government is concentrating on how to supress him politically while Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu 'was shedding crocodile tears' on the plight of farmers.He pointed out the government, after his two-day hunger strike in Vijayawada in January, announced Rs 2,400 input subsidy and waiver of interest on loans to farmers but it had not materialized so far
========================================================

Security up in Old City Area

Hyderabad, May 18 : Though the police had arrested Viquaruddin and some of his associates who carried out attacks on policemen in the last two years in the city, the Hyderabad Police have sounded a high alert and stepped up security in the Old city Area in view of the fourth anniversary of the bomb blast at the historic Mecca Masjid, today.Security has been tightened at the mosque, Charminar, monuments, places of worship and other public places in the Old City Area and patrolling intensified in and around Old City.There is no major threat this year as extremist Viquaruddin Ahmed alias Viqar and his associates who killed policemen are already behind bars, a senior police officer said adding the city police were on high alert for the past two days at Old city.Viqar and his associates had targeted policemen on duty on two consecutive anniversaries of the Mecca Masjid Blast by allegedly killing two policemen and injuring two others since December 2008. ''All precautionary steps had been taken to prevent any untoward incident besides checking all vehicles passing through Old City and monitoring the entire activities at the Old city by Task Forces, the senior officer added.
====================================================

QADIYANI'S condemns Owaisi statement

Hyderabad, May 18: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat (AMJ) today condemned the statement made by the Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi at a public meeting at Khilwat recently that the Qadianis (Ahmadie) and two editors of Urdu dailies were involved in the conspiracy behind the murder attempt on his younger brother and MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi.Mr Owaisi was shot and stabbed by his rivals in Barkas on April 30.a release here, the Jamaat, while condemning the attack on the life of the MLA, refuted the allegations made by the MP and stated that it had no role to play either in paying a sum of Rs 1.5 crore for planning the assault on the MLA.In the entire history of the Jamaat, it had never indulged in any activity that was illegal or contrary to the law of the land, or any activity that went against the teachings of Islam."We would like to point out that the Jamaat is under continuous attack by a section of the Ulemas for the last four years by making false and malicious allegations against our teachings," the release said.
======================================================

After assassination attempt, MIM got strengthened: Asaduddin

Hyderabad, May 18: The failed assassination attempt on Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi has led to outpouring of public sympathy and thus strengthened the party, says the outfit's chief Asaduddin Owaisi.As the young leader recovers in a hospital from bullet and stab injuries, the hoardings, banners and posters displayed outside and elsewhere in the city are a proof of the mass following the MIM has, said Asaduddin, a party MP and the victim's elder brother.Akbaruddin was injured when assailants stabbed and opened fire at him April 30. One attacker was killed and two others critically injured when security guards returned the fire. The incident sparked tensions in parts of the old area of the city that have been MIM strongholds for nearly four decades.The MP feels the prayers of the people gave a new life to his brother, who is leader of the seven-member MIM legislature party in the Andhra Pradesh assembly."People not only condemned the attack but also prayed for his recovery. Allah has answered their prayers and given him a new life. I don't think medical treatment alone could have helped him," Asaduddin told He sees the attack as a deep-rooted conspiracy against MIM."The attack was not because of a land dispute. It is the first step in this big unholy conspiracy by forces that could not defeat us in a democratic manner. They will be exposed."We want the government and police to conduct a comprehensive probe, especially into the conspiracy angle, so that the real culprits behind this are exposed and arrested," he said.After camping at hospital for a week when Akbaruddin was battling for life, the Hyderabad MP is back at Darussalam, the party headquarters.Asaduddin is facing the first major crisis after he took over the reins of the party following the death of his father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi three years ago."Such cowardly acts will neither affect MIM's popularity nor hit the morale of its cadre. On the contrary, our belief in the almighty has gone up and it boosts our morale. It has given a new purpose to our life," said the London-educated barrister.Unlike leaders of other parties, the leaders of MIM always moved without security. Even the attack on Akbaruddin by a group of 12 armed assailants has not shaken Asaduddin."I will continue to be amidst people without security. As far as Akbaruddin is concerned, since he faced a serious incident, we can't take a chance. He will take security from the government and we will also take whatever precautionary measures required for him."The rest is in the hands of Allah. As long as we are here in this world we will live with courage and confidence, raise the issues of the community and try to find a solution to them," said Asaduddin.Established in 1928 with the aim of keeping the then Hyderabad State independent, MIM was banned after the state's merger with the Indian union in 1948. However, in 1958 it was revived with a new constitution by Moulana Abdul Wahid Owaisi, grandfather of Asaduddin Owaisi, to champion the cause of Muslims, who constitute 40 percent of the city's population.
=======================================================

Minister of Welfare of Monorities -Ahemedullah addressing the International Youth Fellowship

Hyderabad,18th,May-(Deccansamachar) Ahmendulla Syed Mohammad - Honourable minister of Welfare of Minorities addressing the IYF hyderabad workshop attendees along with Mr Sudhir from Andhra Pradesh christian minorities finance, Mr Dongyeop Kim Director IYF Hyderabad and Hyderabad Coordinator - Dr Sarita. Minister with the IYF volunteers national as well as international members. Attendess participating in cultural dance. Cultural dance by the Iyf team. Workshop delegates, (photo by RSJ THOMAS)
=======================================================