Prez conveys sympathies to cyclone-hit people

Hyderabad, May 27 : President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has conveyed her sympathies to the people affected in the recent ''cyclone Laila'' in the State.In a letter to the Chief Minister dated May 21, 2010, a copy of which was released to the press here today, the President said, ''I have learnt about Cyclone Laila, which hit certain districts of Andhra Pradesh, causing loss of lives and damage to property and road networks and destroying crops.'' ''I am sure that the State Government and other authorities are making all efforts to bring relief to those affected and also in providing all support to the people who have incurred losses.Kindly convey my sympathies to the affected people,'' she added.
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ISNA Joins President Obama's Call for Courage, Respect and Unity to Confront Extremism

(Deccan Samachar Service) May 27, - The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) joins President Obama's call, during his commencement speech at West Point this past weekend, to not give in to fear, and to respect freedoms and not allow a "small band of men on the wrong side of history" to "discard our freedoms" or "to drive us apart." In his clearest statement on how we should react as Americans to the ongoing attempts by violent extremists to commit terrorist acts on our soil, the President described the terrorists as "small men on the wrong side of history. They lead no nation. They lead no religion." He added, "We need not give in to fear every time a terrorist tries to scare us. We should not discard our freedoms because extremists try to exploit them. We cannot succumb to division because others try to drive us apart. We are the United States of America, and we have repaired our union, and faced down fascism, and outlasted communism. We've gone through turmoil, we've gone through civil war, and we have come out stronger -- and we will do so once more." Muslim Americans are particularly pleased with the President's acknowledgement of the positive contribution the growing Muslim American community has made, and continues to make, to America's well-being and prosperity in every field. The President stated, "Extremists want a war between America and Islam, but Muslims are part of our national life, including those who serve in our United States Army. Adversaries want to divide us, but we are united by our support for you -- soldiers who send a clear message that this country is both the land of the free and the home of the brave."ISNA appreciates President Obama's commitment to diplomacy and dialogue and his rejection of unilateralism. It is refreshing to see the President shift the focus from differences among religious traditions to common values based on justice and shared aspirations. ISNA calls on all people to join the President's hopeful tone and ability to reach out and connect with all people.ISNA is the largest Muslim umbrella organization in the United States and Canada. Its mission is to provide a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs, and fostering good relations with other religious communities, civic and serviceorganizations ===========================================

Heat wave conditions prevail in coastal AP, Telangana

Hyderabad, May 27 : Heat wave conditions prevailed over the districts of East and West Godavari and Guntur of Coastal Andhra Pradesh; Adilabad, Khammam, Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad and Warangal of Telangana, with the highest maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius being recorded at Ramagundam.The maximum temperatures significantly rose at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh but fell at a few places over Telangana and at one or two places over Rayalaseema. They were significantly above normal over remaining districts of Telangana and above normal at many places over remaining districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, Met Department said today.Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail over Telangana and the districts of Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur of Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next two days. Strong surface winds, at time gusty, will prevail in the city, with maximum and minimum temperatures hovering around 42 and 27 degrees Celsius respectively
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Police asked to take precautionary measures on Jagan's tour: CM

Hyderabad, May 27 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said he had asked the police department to take precautionery measures on the proposed tour of Congress MP and former Chief Minister Y S R Reddy's son Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in Warangal district commencing tommorow in view of the apprehansions on the tour.Addressing a press conference here, Mr Rosaiah said Mr Jagan was Member of Parliament and member of AICC and the Congress High Command had taken note of the matter.Asked whether the government had given permission for the tour, he said Mr Jagan had not applied for the permission from the government stating that there was no need for any individual or organisation to obtain permission from the government. Normally for rallies and public meetings, people had to take permission from the Police. ''I do not know whether Jagan has sought permission from the police department or not,'' he said.When asked why the government had given permission to Mr Jagan when it rejected the permission to the Osmania University Students' rally and the tour of BJP leadar Sushma Swaraj, he said the Osmania University students had submitted an application with the police for permission which was rejected by the police.''I have not talked with Mr Jagan on the tour. However, I asked the police department to take all measures to maintain law and order in view of the opposition from some sections of the people and leaders,'' he said
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Showdown inevitable as YSR's son set to visit Warangal

Hyderabad, May 27 : A showdown between supporters and opponents of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy appears inevitable as the Congress MP is determined to go ahead with his planned 'odarpu' yatra in Telangana region.The industrialist-turned-politician is set to arrive in Warangal district Friday amid threats by Telangana activists to stop his yatra "at any cost". The Kadapa MP is visiting the district as part of his state-wide yatra to console family members of those who died of shock or committed suicide following the death of his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash last year. Alleging that the yatra is aimed at campaigning against the movement for separate statehood to Telangana, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), Telangana Rashtra Samiti and other pro-Telangana groups have decided to stop his tour. Leaders of opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and BJP have also announced their plans to stall the yatra. A section of pro-Telangana leaders within the ruling Congress party are also opposed to the yatra and they have appealed to party president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi to stop Jagan. Jagan has termed as unfair objections to his yatra on political grounds. "There were no political statements nor any issue was politicised by me," he said in a statement. As a face-off appeared certain, police have made elaborate security arrangements at Mahabubabad in Warangal district where Jagan is set to begin his tour. Director General of Police Girish Kumar said the police would provide necessary security. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Thursday refused to comment on Jagan's yatra and said he had not approached the government for permission for the same. "Police will take all necessary measures to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident," the chief minister told reporters here, hinting that Jagan's yatra would not be stopped. As the yatra threatens to create law and order problems, Rosaiah met state Congress president D. Srinivas and also held a meeting with state ministers to discuss the situation and the options available to the government. Like his father, Jagan is also opposed to the demand for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He along with other MPs from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions had voiced their opposition to the demand for Telangana state in Lok Sabha.
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TDP President resorting to gimmicks for political mileage:CM

Hyderabad, May 27 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today alleged that opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu was resorting to gimmicks to gain political mileage and cheap popularity as he could not survive without media coverage.Reacting to the remarks made by Mr Naidu on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Chief Minister at a press conference here said Mr Naidu appeared to be 'intemperate and desperate' on his comments on Prime Minister's performance.''Mr Naidu should know where he stands before making such uncalled-for comments on national leaders like AICC President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Mr Manmohan Singh,'' he said, adding there was nothing wrong in taking the advise from Sonia Gandhi in her capacity as the Chairperson of UPA.Unlike Mr Naidu, both the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson had set indelible milestones and footprints in the political and economic history of the country with their stellar contributions as Mr Singh was the architect of humane economic reforms and Ms Gandhi even denounced the post of Prime Minister.He said the sole agenda of Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson was the welfare of common man whereas Mr Naidu's focus was only hi-tech, forgetting the very basic roots.Mr Rosaiah said the people had renewed their mandate for the UPA and personalities behind it, in view of the high standards of trustworthiness and transparency in public domain the Prime Minister and Ms Gandhi) had established.Stating that at least now Mr Naidu must understand how and why the people had rejected him, Mr Rosaiah said the TDP was rejected by the people for Mr Naidu's ''anti-people stand and anti-welfare policies and programmes which lacked human face''.
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Mulayam renominates Jaya Bachchan to Rajya Sabha

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has pushed actress-politician Jaya Bachchan for another term in the Rajya Sabha, a controversial move that is likely to further alienate his one-time close aide Amar Singh.The announcement of Bachchan’s nomination was made Wednesday by Mulayam Singh’s son and Uttar Pradesh’s SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. The SP has also nominated Rasheed Masood for the upper house of parliament.“The Samajwadi Party parliamentary board had finalised the names of Jaya Bachchan and Rasheed Masood for nomination to the Rajya Sabha,” Akhilesh Yadav stated in a statement issued here.Bachchan is the wife of mega star Amitabh Bachchan, whose proximity with the former SP leader Amar Singh is well known. Amar Singh has often stated that the Bachchans are like family to him; Jaya Bachchan too had supported him in the days before he finally exited the SP before distancing herself later.Amar Singh had said: “Jaya Bachchan is free to choose the way she likes even though she remains like family to me.”
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Speed up defence research, deliver on time: PM to scientists

India has not matched pace with competitors in defence technology, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday asking scientists to speed up their research and deliver critical technologies on time for the nation to achieve self-reliance.“In many areas, we have moved fast, but our competitors have often moved faster. It is a fact our current level of self-reliance in defence R and D (research and development) is less than our capabilities and it needs to be stepped up significantly,” Manmohan Singh said, addressing defence scientists here on the occasion of National Technology Day.Asking scientists to make sure they have the capacity and the will to compete, innovate and deliver on time in the wake of rapidly changing technology, Manmohan Singh noted: “It is a fact that some defence projects have been delayed and others have faced difficulties during the stage of operational induction.”He stressed that only the most competitive and resilient companies could expect to survive in the fiercely global market. “If our systems are strong and robust, the world will respect us and be willing to work with us. This was the lesson we learnt in the process of negotiating the civil nuclear deal with the international community”.He said the scientists should learn from mistakes and setbacks and be open to new ideas to stay ahead in the competitive world.“We should be able to acknowledge and learn from our setbacks,” he said and urged the premier Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to work closely with the armed forces and industry.“It is essential that DRDO work more closely with the armed forces, as well as the industry,” Manmohan Singh said.The prime minister also acknowledged the findings of the government-appointed defence review panel headed by former secretary for science and technology P. Rama Rao.Some of the recommendations of the panel were implemented earlier this month following which the size of the DRDO was reduced and a watchdog set up to speed up the execution of defence projects and increase private participation in the sector.“I am very glad to note that the ministry of defence is examining the recommendations of the (Rama Rao) committee on the functioning of the DRDO. I firmly believe that if we put our mind to it, there is no reason why our successes in the software sector cannot be replicated in the defence sector.”“We must strive for leadership in research and development in defence technologies. I would urge all of you to think big and to act with a strong sense of self-belief, nationalistic spirit and the desire to excel,” he said.
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Heat wave conditions prevail in Telangana, coastal AP

Hyderabad, May 26 : Heat wave conditions prevailed over Telangana and Guntur districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh today, with the highest maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius recorded at Adilabad, Nizamabad and Ramagundam.Severe heat wave conditions may continue to prevail over Telangana during the next two days.The maximum temperatures rose at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and changed little over Rayalaseema.They were significantly above normal at one or two places over the remaining districts of the state and above normal at many places over Rayalaseema, the Met department said today. Isolated rain or thundershowers could occur over Rayalaseema. Though strong surface winds, at times gusty were likely in the city, the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 44 and 29 degrees, respectively
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India gets first FDI in power sector after 54 months: Shinde

Hyderabad, May 26 : India gets its first foreign direct investment (FDI) in the power sector after 54 months when a Singapore-based company committed to invest in 1,320 megawatt ultra-critical thermal power plant coming up in Andhra Pradesh.Up to 100 per cent FDI is allowed in the power sector in the country.Singapore's Sembcorp will be investing Rs 1,100 crore to pick up 49 per cent stake in the Rs 6,869 crore phase-I of the thermal power plant of the Gayatri Group, the city-based infrastructure company, to come up at Krishnapatnam in Prakasam district.Speaking at the signing of a joint venture agreement here yesterday, Union Power Minister Shushil Kumar Shinde said: ''During my four and a half years tenure, the investment by Sembcorp Group is the first FDI in power sector,'' Mr Shinde said. The project is expected to come up in 40 months. The Minister, who conceded that India could meet only half of the 42,000 mw target in the 10th Plan, said the country is looking at the 78,000 mw target in the 11th Plan which ends in March 2012.Power equipment major BHEL has been tasked with doubling its capacity to manufacture 10,000 mw of power-generating equipment, Mr Shinde said, adding that the State-owned firm would further extend its capacity to 15,000 mw to achieve the 11th Plan target.He said four ultra mega power projects with Rs 16,000 crore investment are also planned in Andhra Pradesh. India needs bigger capacity utilisation even as the UPA Government has assured to electrify every village by 2012. With gas find in Krishna Godavari basin, more gas-based power plant are in the offing, the Minister added.Chief Minister K Rosaiah said his State welcomed investment not only in power but in all sectors. The first private sector power plant in the country had come up in Andhra Pradesh even before liberalisation.Andhra Pradesh had the both coal and natural gas and was the largest hydel generating State in India, the Chief Minister said, indicating that the State could be a favourable destination for investors.
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Student murdered in AP village

Guntur May 26 : A student who successfully completed SSLC (Xth class) Public Examination, the results of which was declared a couple of days ago, was murdered by unidientified persons at Dammalapadu village in Muppala Mandal midnight last night.Police said U Amkama Rao was sleeping outside his house when the miscreants slit his throat with a knife.The profusely bleeding Rao died on the way to a private hospital at Satenapalli.Police, quoting the family members said, had no animosity with anybody.A case was registered and investigation was underway, police added.
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U.S.Government Announces New Fee Structure,

Hyderabad(DECCAN SAMACHAR SERVICE)  As of June 4,2010, all U.S. Consular Sections worldwide will introduce a two-tiered fee structure for non-immigrant visas. This structured system coincides with a small, global application fee increase designed to balance the costs of recent enhancements to the visa application process. All applications for business or tourism (B-1/B-2), crew member (C-1/D), student (F or M), or exchange (J) categories will now cost $140 and a white receipt will be issued. Applications for petition-based work visa categories (H, L, O, P, Q, and R) will now cost $150 and a green receipt will be issued. These two receipts will still be purchased at approved HDFC Bank branches. Applications for treaty trader (E) visas will now cost $390 that will continue to be paid at the Consulate General.Applicants who purchased their receipts before June 4 will pay the balance between the old and new fees at the time of the interview. The previous application fee was $131 for all visas. The Department of State adopted the tiered system because petition-based applications require significantly more processing than other visa applications. The rate increase is for improvements in the manner and speed with which visa applications are processed, and in particular for fraud-detection efforts. The total fee covers the cost of accepting, adjudicating, and issuing nonimmigrant visa applications. In India alone, the U.S. government has increased consulate staffing by 40% over the last four years, and has invested over $100 million updating and expanding consular facilities. This includes a new Consulate General opened in Hyderabad, renovations to New Delhi consular facilities and a new Consulate General building in Mumbai. Applicants can read more about these and other changes at                                                                               http:// hyderabad. usconsulate. gov /visa _services.html.                            Send inquiries to HydNIV@state.gov.  
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Shri Kapil Sibal addresses the India-UAE Forum: calls for Collaboration to conquer new frontiers of knowledge

(PIB NEWS) Developing countries would emerge as the providers of solutions for the global community, which would be cost effective, and thus, effective for the entire world, in contrast to high cost solutions emerging from the developed world. This was stated by Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development while speaking at the India-UAE Forum, in Abu Dhabi last evening, on the subject, ‘Leveraging The Knowledge Economy Paradigm’. The forum was also addressed by Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, the Minister of Scientific Research and Higher Development for the UAE. Shri Sibal underlined that expansion in Higher Education is required in the developing world, in order to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio(GER) to a robust level to generate the creativity and wealth that comes through intangible assets. He opined that the nature of wealth is shifting from acquisition of labour and capital to acquisition of intangible assets. Stating that expansion must be accompanied by quality, he said that in India initiatives are being taken to ensure this. The globalization of higher education has added newer challenges in terms of quality assurance system, issues of mutual recognition and equivalence of degrees and transparency in the regulatory structures of national systems of higher education. These challenges can be largely addressed by increased regional and international collaboration, the minister pointed out. Shri Sibal stated that the time has come to start a dialogue across countries as new frontiers of knowledge cannot be conquered without collaboration. All of us, in this globalised world, have a stake in each other’s future. (photo by PIB No:CNR.31755)
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Prime suspect behind German Bakery blast apprehended ,

The Union Home Minister, Shri P.Chidambaram has complimented ATS Maharashta, Pune Police and Central agencies for apprehending Abdul Samad, prime suspect behind the German Bakery blast. Following is the text of his statement issued here today.“The bomb blast in the German bakery, Pune occurred on February 13, 2010. The ATS Maharashtra, with the assistance of the Pune police, were able to identify the prime suspect behind the bomb blast. The Central Agencies were able to trace the suspect. He was apprehended yesterday (24.5.2010). He has been identified as Abdul Samad S/o Mohammed Zarar Siddibapa. He hails from Bhatkal, district Uttar Kannada, Karnataka. ATS Maharashtra has taken Abdul Samad into custody and will produce him before the Magistrate today. I compliment ATS Maharashtra, the Pune police and the Central Agencies for apprehending the prime suspect within 100 days of the incident.”
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Black Box Recovered ,

(PIB NEWS) The investigation team of DGCA has recovered Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) commonly known as Black Box, the most vital source of information, from the crash site of Air India Express aircraft at Mangalore today. The DFDR has been handed over to the air safety team of DGCA and is being brought back to the DGCA Headquarters. The DFDR though apparently impacted by the crash will be subjected to further tests for decoding and made available to the investigators. The DGCA investigation team, continuing with its investigations for search for vital components required for investigation, did an intense combing of the wider area at Mangalore crash site with the assistance of State Government officials and other specialized technical services today. As a result of the investigations today, the team recovered the Black Box. It has already recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit (DFDAU) on Sunday.
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Prime suspect of German Bakery blast held: Chidambaram

Abdul Samad, the prime suspect in the Feb 13 German Bakery blast in Pune, has been apprehended by the investigative agencies, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Tuesday.“The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS)Maharashtra,with the assistance of the Pune police, were able to identify the prime suspect behind the bomb blast. He has been identified as Abdul Samad, a resident of Bhatkal district of Karnataka. He was apprehended yesterday (Monday),”an official statement quoted Chidambaram as saying.“ATS Maharashtra has taken Abdul Samad into custody and will produce him before the magistrate today (Tuesday),” it added.Chidambaram complimented the investigative agencies for apprehending the prime suspect within 100 days of the incident.The bomb blast in the German Bakery killed 17 people.Following a tip-off, Samad (23) was nabbed by the Maharashtra ATS shortly after he arrived at the Mangalore airport on a flight from Dubai.He is said to be a close associate of Indian Mujahideen founders Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal, police sources here said.
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India, US discuss agenda for first strategic dialogue

Ahead of the first India-US strategic dialogue in Washington next week, US Under Ssecretary for Political Affairs William Burns Monday held discussions with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to firm up the agenda for the talks.Rao and Burns discussed issues related to expanding cooperation in the five focus areas of strategic cooperation, including energy and climate change, education and development, economic trade and agriculture, which have been identified for the strategic dialogue.“The substantive issues relating to the forthcoming visit of the external affairs minister to the US June 2-3, 2010, for the inaugural meeting of the India-US Strategic Dialogue in Washington were at the core of their discussions,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement Monday night.Besides bilateral issues, they also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared interest and common concern, the ministry said.Issues relating to the stability of Afghanistan-Pakistan region also figured in the discussions, official sources said.Burns also called on Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will leave for Washington June 1 for the three-day visit which will be co-chaired by his counterpart, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and Ahluwalia will be accompanying Krishna. Rao will join the Indian delegation in Washington from Beijing.This will be the first ministerial-level strategic dialogue between the two countries which are expanding their global partnership across a wide swathe of areas. Clinton had announced the dialogue during her visit to India in July last year.The talks between Krishna and Clinton are also expected to lay the groundwork for US President Barack Obama’s visit to India later this year.
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US hikes non-immigrant visa fees from June 4

The US has hiked the fees and introduced a two-tiered fee structure for all non-immigrant visas which will come into effect from June 4, a US consulate statement said here Tuesday.

Accordingly, all applicants for business or tourist (B-1/B-2), crew member (C-1/D), student (F or M), or exchange (J) categories will now have to pay $140 and receive a white coloured receipt.Petition-based work visas (H,L,O,P,Q and R categories) will now pay $150 and receive a green coloured receipt.These two coloured receipts will continue to be available at branches of HDFC Bank approved by the US Consulate here.Fiance (K category) visas will now pay $350 and continue to pay their fees at the consular section.For those who have purchased their receipts before June 4,will have to pay the balance between the old and new fees at the time of interview.Earlier, the application fees were a standard $131 for all visas. The new structured system coincides with a small global hike in application fees designed to offset the costs of recent ehnacements to the visa application process, the consulate statement added.It said that the US Department of State adopted the tiered system since petition-based applications required significantly more processing than other visa applications.“The rate increase is for improvements in the manner and speed with which visa applications are processed and in particular, for fraud-detection efforts,” the statement pointed out.The total fee would cover the cost of accepting, adjudicating and issuing non-immigrant visa applications.In India alone, the US government has increased consulate staff by 40 percent in the past four years with an investment of more than US $100 million towards updating and expanding consular facilities.This includes a new consulate opened in Hyderabad, renovations to the New Delhi consular facilities and a new consulate building in suburban Mumbai.Further details on the new charges are available at: http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html.Applicants can send inquiries about the revised fee structures to: MumbaiNIV@state.gov.
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Leonia launches Flowrider

Hyderabad, May 25 : Leading luxury resort Leonia Holistic Destination launched India's first surfing ridge 'Flowrider', claimed a company release on Tuesday.'The FlowRider' at Leonia provides a complete Entertainment transforming location for a Water Sport destination offering the fusion between Surf, Food, Music, Beverages and luxury resort amenities. It is a perfect place to hang out, a place to ride and a multifaceted lifestyle venue for families, group parties and corporate parties, said a company spokesperson.Raghu G, Director, Business Development, Leonia Holistic Destination, said, "Leonia enjoys a successful history of pioneering first of its kind facilities and amenities in the hospitality and leisure industry in India. Flowrider is a step towards our ambition to provide world class entertainment options to the people in India."Research has proved that 'FlowRider' is not only a calorie burner but also a great stress buster and acts as a anti-depressant.
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Isolated rain in AP, maximum temperature rises

Hyderabad, May 25: Isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions even as the maximum temperature rose significantly at one or two places over the state.The chief amounts of rainfall were reorded at Nandyal, Sompeta and Veeraghattam one each, Met department said today.The maximum temperature was significantly above normal at one or two places over Telangana and normal over Rayalaseema, but significantly below normal at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Nizamabad. Isolated rain/thundershowers may occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema. A spell of rain/thundershowers may occur in parts of the city towards night. Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 41 and 27 degrees respectively.
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Singapore's Sembcorp to invest in Andhra power plant

Hyderabad, May 25: Singapore-based energy and water company Sembcorp Industries Tuesday signed an agreement with an Indian firm for a joint venture to set up a 1,320 MW power plant in Andhra Pradesh.Sembcorp Utilities, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp, will hold 49 percent in the venture, Thermal Powertech Corporation India Limited. The remaining 51 percent will be held by Gayatri Energy Ventures Private Limited, a subsidiary of Gayatri Projects Limited. Sembcorp will invest Rs.1,100 crore in the Rs.6,869 crore supercritical technology-based plant at Krishnapatnam in coastal Nellore district. The two companies signed the agreement in the presence of Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah. Gayatri Projects Managing Director T.V. Sandeep Reddy said the first phase of 1,320 MW would be completed in 40 months while the work for the second phase of another 1,320 MW would begin in one year. He said the financial closure for the project was expected to be completed by mid-June. While Rs.5,151 crore of the project cost would be raised through debts, the remaining Rs.1718 crore will be in the form of equity. Reddy said no decision had been taken to have Sembcorp as the partner for the second phase. The boards of the two companies will take a decision. The entire project of 2,640 MW is expected to be completed in five years.
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Suwaidi urges for trade partnerships between India, UAE

Hyderabad, May 24 : Embassy of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Commercial Attache Mana S Sultan Al Suwaidi today underlined the need for trade partnerships in various fields between India and UAE as both countries had good relations.Addressing members of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) here, Mr Suwaidi said the UAE was the best destination for investments and urged the Indian business organisations to come forward with their investments. He sought trade partnerships in the fields of education, R and D, agriculture, drugs and other areas between the two countries to improve trade and exchange of knowledge.
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Rosaiah discusses RS candidates with Congress leadership

New Delhi,May 24: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Congress leaders to discuss and convey the wishes of a host of aspirants in the coming bienniel elections to the Rajya Sabha and bicameral AP legislature.

''I along with State Congress Chief Srinivas have conveyed the wishes of aspiring nominees from various regions, sitting MPs, new faces including some from outside the state,'' Mr Rosaiah told reporters here.''We have conveyed our views as senior leaders of the state and the final decision is that of party and it will be final binding on the state,'' he said. His understanding was that the party may accommodate a women among five names to Rajya Sabha when it finalises the candidates.There are five vacancies to the Rajya Sabha, 12 vacancies in the Legislative Assembly and one in the Upper House. Asked regarding the differences aired by partymen, he said it is bound to persist even in small parties. However, once the decision is made by the party, it is final and binding on all. ''There is no scope for indiscipline and everybody has to fall in line. As a disciplined Congress member I would air my views at appropriate party fora and not through the media,'' he said.Answering to questions regarding the proposed tour of Telangana region by party MP and former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's son Jagmohan Reddy, Mr Rosiah said as far as he was concerned, the MP was free to go ahead with the tour. The officials of the district administration would accord necessary permissions at their own level, he said. Asked about the junior Reddy critising the state administration, Mr Rosaiah said he had affectionate family ties with every member of YSR family. ''I have worked in YSR Government in various capacities including as Revenue and Finance Minister,'' he said. The chief minister said all the welfare programmes initiated during the previous regime should continue because he (Mr Rosaiah) too was part of the decision. Regarding the criticism of slowdown of the irrigation projects under Jala Yagnam intended to bring one crore acres of land under irrigation, Mr Rosaiah said delay was bound to happen because of hugeness of the projects. There were many which were taken up during the chief ministership of Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and some got delayed due to want of necessary permissions, he added.
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APCC thanks RS member for efforts to retain elephant in zoo

Hyderabad,May 24: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary G Niranjan today thanked Rajya Sabha Member M A Khan for his efforts to convince Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to retain an elephant in Nehru Zoological Park which was being used for ''Muharram'' and ''Bonalu'' processions.The Union Minister has directed the State Government not to return the elephant to Nizam Trust.As far as the use of elephants for religious processions are concerned, the Ministry will not have any objections in continuing with the past practice with the State's permission, a press release here said.
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Heatwave back to 'blazewada' after cyclonic storm

Vijayawada, May 24 : The residents of this city who had some respite from the sweltering heat following cyclonic storm 'Laila' last week, again experienced hot day today with the maximum temperature climbing to to 40.8 degrees Celsius.A Met Department official told UNI here the minimum temperature recorded was 27.4 degrees.Yesterday, the maximum temperature recorded was 37.7 degrees.The official said the mercury was likely to increase tomorrow due to ''Rohini Karthi''.The arterial roads wore a deserted look following the heat wave conditions as people preferred to remain indoors.
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Andhra Pradesh demands Rs 6000 cr to fight damage caused by 'Laila'

New Delhi, May 24 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek additional funds of Rs 6000 crore from the National Calamity Contingency Fund to fight the damage caused by cyclone 'Laila'.''I have been apprising of the latest on the calamity caused by cyclone Laila in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, VishaHe also discussed problems faced by the extremist-affected districts to augment infrastructure in the affected areas. The Chief Minister also called on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Law Minister M Veerappa Moily and Defence Minister A K Antony. During his meeting with the Prime Minister, he requested to declare Indra Sagar Polavaram project as a National Project and give in principle approval for the Pranahita Chevella Project. Asked about Dr Singh's reaction to the demand, the Chief Minister said the CCEA was considering the matter and he would convey AP's request to them. Mr Rosaiah requested Mr Chidambaram to approve the proposal of Government of Andhra Pradesh to organise single local cadre in respect of newly-created cadre of teachers in Government, Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad schools under the Presidential Order 1975. The Chief Minister sought Central help to effectively counter Left Wing Extremism and ISI-sponsored terrorism in AP. He also requested approval for establishment of CRPF training institution with Field Firing Range in Chittoor district. In his interaction with Mr Antony, Mr Rosaiah urged strengthening of Maritime and Coastal Security to ward off threats from the sea and the Defence Ministry to take over the Hindustan Shipyard. The chief minister urged Mr Moily to amend the Constitutional provisions concerning sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes when Parliament meets next. Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and former state Chief Minister called on Mr Rosaiah at AP Bhavan. ================================================ 

One charger for all mobile phones soon to hit the market

Hyderabad, May 24 : An energy efficient standard charger for all mobile phones will soon be introduced in the global market, said International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a leading United Nations agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) issues.ITU officials announced on the first day of World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10) here Monday that standard mobile phone charger is ready to be introduced in the market. The new Universal Charging Solution (UCS) underlines the role of ICT in providing solutions towards mitigating climate change. Director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau (TSB), Malcolm Johnson, told reporters on the sidelines of the conference that it was a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging. He said UCS would reduce 13.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year and 82,000 tonnes of redundant chargers. Johnson said the telecom industry led the development of UCS and hence it would be universally accepted by the telecom companies. The standardisation of technology enables the same charger to be used for all future handsets, regardless of make and model. It will cut the number of chargers produced, shipped and subsequently discarded as new models become available. The new standard will mean users worldwide will be able to charge their mobiles anywhere from any available charger, while also reducing the energy consumed while charging. The new UCS standard was based on input from the GSMA, which predicts a 50 percent reduction in standby energy consumption.
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Isolated rain lash several parts of AP

Hyderabad, May 24 : Isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema even as maximum temperatures significantly rose at one or two places over the state.Nandyal, Sompeta and Veeraghattam recorded rainfall of one cm each, Met Department said today.The maximum temperatures were significantly above normal at one or two places over Telangana and normal over Rayalaseema but significantly below normal at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Nizamabad. Isolated rain/thundershowers may occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema. A spell of rain/thundershowers may occur in parts of city towards evening/night. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 41 and 27 degrees Celsius respectively.
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BPO to be set up at Hyderabad's Cherlapalli Prison

Hyderabad, May 24 : Authorities at the Cherlapalli Prison in Hyderabad have asked some of the inmates to work in a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) unit within the prison complex.A Bangalore-based technical firm called Radiant Info Systems Ltd. is setting up the BPO centre."We have made plans to set up a rural BPO centre. So, I asked the authorities ''Can we set up a rural BPO centre in the prison?'' They got excited and asked officials to accompany me," said Narayana Charyullu, Director, Radiant Infosystems Ltd."I visited the jail and spent five-six hours there. I was surprised to see a computer lab already set up there, and they are imparting training to many prisoners," he added.The eligibility criteria for working in the BPO are education up till 10th standard and above and computer literacy."We found that large number of convicts are willing to work on computers. So, I thought these prisoners can made use of and they can be put on computer-based jobs," said Gopinath Reddy, Director General For Prisons, Andhra Pradesh."The BPO would be a non-voice unit as of now, and would work with data processing and transmission," he added.
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Air India Announces Interim Compensation for Mangalore Air Tragedy Victims

(PIB NEWS) The CMD of Air India, Shri Arvind Jadhav addressed a press conference at Mangalore today. Expressing grief and regret at the unfortunate accident of Air India Express flight IX-812, he said Air India team is working round the clock without a break and is committed to provide all assistance to the family members of the passengers as well as the crew. Mr. Jadhav announced Interim Compensation from Air India of Rs 10 Lakhs for passengers above the age of 12; Rs 5 Lakhs to passengers below the age of 12 and Rs 2 Lakhs for every injured passenger. This is subject to execution of appropriate documentation. This Interim compensation will be taken into account and adjusted against the final compensation to be assessed. The Insurance Companies have agreed to it. This compensation is over and above the ex-gratia payment announced by the Prime Minister.Mr.Jadhav also announced that the Air India Flight Safety Team along with DGCA has commenced the investigation process. He said, an international reputed Emergency Response company called M/s Kenyon has arrived in India and will be available for providing necessary support. The bodies of the First Officer Capt. Ahluwalia and one of the cabin crew Ms. Tejpal have been flown from Mangalore to Mumbai. He also told the media present that we are in touch with the family of the Commander Capt. Glusica and are making necessary arrangements for flying his body to his home country which is Serbia. Special assistance teams called Angels of Air India are working at Mangalore and other locations supporting all the family members, making their travel arrangements, taking care of their every need. One Angel of Air India has been assigned to each survivor and to the families of the deceased to assist them in any possible way. Mr. Jadhav said “As a national carrier, we definitely Care and will do everything to support the family members.” Counseling sessions have been planned for the family members as well as the crew members. There were 160 passengers and six crew members on board. There are eight survivors and the remaining 158 bodies have been recovered from the site. 128 bodies have been identified and returned to the family members
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UN agency to host global telecom meet in Hyderabad from Monday

Over 700 delegates from across the globe will converge here for the fifth Telecom Development Conference May 24-June 4 to set the agenda for pushing the advancement of information and communications technology sector for the next four years.Organised by the 145-year-old International Telecommunication Union, the event is drawing experts, policy makers and executives from several of the organisation’s 191 member countries and expected to adopt what is being called the Hyderabad Action Plan.This action plan, according to the organisation’s secretariat, speaks of the strategies to bring the benefits of information and communications technology to all communities in all regions of the world.This is the first time the event is being hosted in India — the fastest growing telecom market with over 600 million subscribers with the network that is growing by 20 million new users a month. The event was first held at Buenos Aires in 1994.As part of the massive security arrangements for the conference, the Cyberabad police Sunday took control of the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) located in Hitec City, the IT district.According to Geneva-based ITU, the conference will focus on the strategy for the growth of ICT and will adopt strategies to bring the benefits of ICT to all communities in all regions of the world.Some of the issues that will be discussed at the event include broadband connectivity, digital broadcasting, open source software, cyber security, e-accessibility for people with disabilities, e-applications, emergency communications, policy and regulation.A World Telecommunication Development Report will be released on May 25. Three ITU case studies will be released the next day, the organisers said. Minister of Communications and Information Technology A. Raja will lead the Indian team at the conference.ITU’s membership includes 191 member states and more than 700 sector-members and associates.
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Air India to give Rs.10 lakh interim relief to crash victims

Air India Sunday said it would give Rs.10 lakh each to the families of those aged 12 years and above killed in the Mangalore crash and Rs.5 lakh to those below 12.This is an interim monetary relief pending the finalisation of full compensation, Air India head Arvind Jadhav said.He also said that Rs.200,000 will be given to each injured in Saturday’s plane crash in Mangalore, in which 158 people were killed. Only eight passengers survived the air disaster, the country’s worst in a decade.“This (the compensation) is over and above the ex gratia relief announced by Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh),” Jadhav told reporters.He said the interim relief was decided after Air India held talks with an insurance company. “Finalising the rest of the compensation will take time and that compensation will be adjusted with the interim compensation,” he noted.The Air India chief managing director said that any dispute related to claiming of the compensation will be settled with the local administration.Jadhav appealed to the media to observe restraint and not speculate about the causes that led to the IX 812 Dubai-Mangalore flight to crash.“Speculations will hinder (the compensation process). It will have international ramifications. This is a tragic incident,” he said.Asked about the initial probe report if any, Jadhav said he was here to attend to the families of the victims and ensure they get proper response from the airline.“I have interacted with the injured. We have a response team and they will act as counsellors. My heart goes out to them (families of the victims),” he added.
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Around 130 crash victims identified, 20 may need DNA tests

The bodies of around 130 victims of Saturday’s plane crash in Mangalore have been identified and were being handed over to their relatives after autopsies, while a forensic team arrived from Hyderabad to conduct DNA tests to identify bodies charred beyond recognition, officials said Sunday.

“Around 130 bodies have been identified so far and will be handed over to the family members after post-mortem examination,” R. Rajesh, deputy superintendent of police here, said.“We are hopeful another seven to eight bodies will be identified by the family members while DNA test may become necessary to identify around 20 victims,” he added.Sources at the the Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore said the number of bodies to be identified with DNA tests was still not clear as relatives and friends of the victims continued their efforts to try and recognise their near and dear ones at the hospital’s mortuary.Heart-rending scenes were witnessed at the hospital as grieving relatives and friends had to go through the traumatic experience of looking at scores of badly burnt bodies to identify them, while doctors frantically conducted autopsies on the bodies as and when their identity was established.With the number of identified bodies increasing by the hour, the staff were racing against time to complete the post-mortem examinations before the bodies started decomposing.Most of the relatives of the victims were too numbed to talk and preferred to be left alone to grieve their loss privately and get over the trauma of seeing the charred remains of their loved ones.“We expect to complete the process of handing over the identified bodies to the relatives by late Sunday,” Rajesh said.Among the 158 dead were 19 children and four infants.All eight survivors of the crash, being treated at various hospitals in the city, were out of danger. Most of them had suffered cuts, bruises or minor burn injuries.An Air India spokesman in Mumbai said the process of identifying and handing over bodies was under way. He added that Air India has assigned a member of the Special Assistance Team and Angels of Air India team to each of the survivors and families of victims to assist them in all possible ways.The airline will also operate additional special flights to ferry families of the victims to Mangalore, the spokesman said.The IX 812 Dubai-Mangalore flight overshot the runway while landing at the Bajpe airport, about 20 km from Mangalore, early Saturday and caught fire after plunging about 300 metres off a cliff.All passengers were Indians, many returning home from Dubai where they worked.
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Hunt still on for black box of crashed aircraft: Air India

Over 30 hours after the Mangalore air accident, the black box of the ill-fated Boeing 737-800 aircraft was yet to be recovered from its charred debris, delaying the probe into the possible cause of the mishap that claimed 158 lives.“Efforts are on to retrieve the black box which would throw light into the accident for the investigators, ”said Air India general manager Harpreet A.D. Singh, who is currently the emergency coordinator.According to aviation industry experts, a black box is actually a loose term used for at least two crucial equipment — the digital cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder — which give crucial inputs to investigators on the causes of air mishaps.A sturdy system the size of shoe boxes, they can withstand extreme temperatures. The system records conversations inside the cockpit and those with air traffic controllers, among its other uses, and gives vital clues to the cause of any air disaster.Singh told reporters here that the Air India’s top priority was to coordinate relief measures for the families of the victims, complete the identification process and hand over the bodies.With the help of the central government, three-days’ interim visas will be issued to the relatives coming from abroad to claim the bodies of kin who perished in the air accident, she said.So far, AI has identified and handed over bodies of 87 victims to their relatives and the process to identify the rest with the help of a forensic team is underway, she added.In view of the massive tragedy that struck the airline, top officials have worked round the clock to ensure that the survivors and victims get all possible help and assistance.Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav has been at the site of the crash, visiting the hospitals, co-ordinating the relief and support measures, along with officials from multiple agencies and consoling relatives of victims.Meanwhile, the bodies of Mumbai-based co-pilot Capt. H.S. Ahluwalia and Thane’s airhostess Tejal Kamulkar have been identified.Tejal’s body is expected to reach Mumbai later Sunday and shall be taken to her home in Dombivli town in Thane district for the last rites, a family source said.AI will also operate additional special flights to ferry the families of the victims to Mangalore, complete the relevant formalities and other requirements.Air India Express Boeing 737-800 Dubai-Mangalore flight IX-812 met with an accident shortly after landing at Mangalore Airport Saturday morning.There were 160 passengers and six crew members on board. Of these, 158 lost their lives and eight passengers had a miraculous escape.
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158 bodies recovered from Air India crash site

Air India said late Saturday that 158 people were killed in the Air India Express crash at Mangalore airport and all the bodies have been recovered.

“There were 160 passengers and six crew members on board. There are eight survivors reported so far and they are under proper care in hospitals,” Air India said in a statement. It had earlier in the day released the names of seven survivors.It did not give the name of the eighth survivor.After the recovery of all 158 bodies by late Saturday, more than 80 of them charred beyond recognition, search for the black box and cockpit voice recorder was suspended. It will resume Sunday, police and rescue officials said.All the bodies have been kept at the government-run Wenlock hospital here where weeping relatives and friends were making desperate efforts to identify the bodies.
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Boeing, US aviation officials to assist Air India crash probe

Officials from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will visit India to provide technical assistance to investigators after an Air India Express Boeing 737 crashed in Mangalore killing 159 people, officials said.Officials in the civil aviation ministry here said it was obligatory for NTSB to assist in air crash investigations in foreign countries if the aircraft in question, or a part, is made in the US, has the country’s registry, or was deployed by an American operator.The agency has so far participated in 40 overseas investigations in the past two years, including the one at Tripoli May 12 that killed 103 people, with one child miraculously escaping.That aircraft was a Airbus A330-200 fitted with the US-made General Electric engines.“Boeing is sending a team to provide technical assistance to the investigation at the invitation of the Indian authorities,” the company said in a statement soon after the news of the crash spread.The aircraft flown by Air India Express from Dubai to Mangalore that crashed was a two-and-a-half-year-old Boeing 737-800. It carried 166 people, including 19 children and four infants.This specific make of the aircraft entered into service in 1998 with a capacity for 162 passengers in a two-class layout, or 189 in one class.Saturday’s crash took place at the Bajpe airstrip, about 30 km from Mangalore — a hilly area that is considered one of the most difficult airports to take off and land.“The aircraft touched down on runway 24 slightly beyond the touchdown zone, overshot the runway and went into the valley beyond the runway,” the civil aviation ministry said.
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Accused in Andhra girl's murder held after escape

Hyderabad,May 22: A few hours after he escaped from police custody, the prime accused in the 2007 rape and murder of a teenager in Vijayawada town was Saturday arrested in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.Police said P.Satyam Babu, who gave police the slip while he was being transported back to Vijayawada from a hospital here, was arrested in Jaggaiahpet town of Krishna district. Babu escaped at Suryapet in Nalgonda district after midnight Friday when the policemen escorting him got down at a hotel for food. Police were taking the 22-year-old to Vijayawada after treatment at a hospital. A police officer in Jaggaiahpet took Babu into custody when he was begging for money from locals. Earlier, Vijayawada Police Commissioner P.S.R. Anjaneyulu suspended 11 policemen, including a sub-inspector, two head constables and eight constables, who were escorting the accused - on charges of negligence. However, there were hardly any takers for the police version. Relatives of the accused and rights activists alleged that the police were trying to eliminate him in a staged shootout to shield the real culprits in the case. They pointed out that Babu can't even walk as he suffered from a neurological disorder. The doctors at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) confirmed that he could hardly walk. Police claimed that Babu raped and murdered 19-year-old pharmacy student Ayesha Miran at a hostel in Vijayawada on the night of Dec 27, 2007. Her body with stab injuries was found in the bathroom. A letter dropped by the 'murderer' stated that the girl was raped and murdered for refusing his request for 'love'. Babu was arrested in August 2008. Police earlier arrested two people but released them after the State Human Rights Commission intervened on petitions filed by their relatives. Ayesha's parents also rejected the police claim that Babu murdered her and alleged that police were trying to save some politically influential people. Earlier this month, Babu's mother P.Mariyamma tried to launch a hunger strike in Hyderabad, alleging the police was implicating him in a false case and torturing him. It was on her petition that the high court last month ordered the police to make arrangements for his treatment in Hyderabad.
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Rains lashes coastal AP as 'Laila' weakens further

Hyderabad,May 22: Rain occurred at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and at a few places over Telangana and Rayalaseema even as cyclonic storm 'Laila' further weakened into low pressure area today and lay centred over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbourhood.Tiruvuru recorded extreme rainfall of 25 cm followed by Nuzvid 15 cm. The rainfall recorded in cm are Madhira 12, Palasa 11, Chintalapudi, Ichapuram, Salur, Venkatapuram and Yellandu 10 each, Bhadrachalam and Sompeta nine each, Eturnagaram, Mandasa and Tekkali seven each, Bobbili and Mahabubabad six each, Nandigama, Visakhapatnam, Gajapathinagaram and Parvathipuram and Palakonda five each, Kalingapatnam, Atchampet, Elamanchili, Kanekal and Pamidi and Ranasthalam four each, Guntur, Tuni, Anakapalle, Chintapalli, Narsipatnam,Paderu, Dummagudem,Kunavaram, Komarada, Srungavarapukota, Patapatnam, Sattenapalli and Yemmiganur three each.The maximum temperatures significantly fell at one or two places over Telangana, but significantly rose at one or two places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. They were significantly below normal over the state. The highest maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius was recorded at Adilabad.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at many places in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and West Godavari of Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers might occur at a few places over Telangana. Isolated rain/thundershowers might occur over Rayalaseema and in the remaining districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh. A spell of rain or thundershowers might occur in parts of the city. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 38 and 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
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14 Inspectors transferred with immediate effect

Hyderabad,May 22: Hyderabad Commissioner of Police A K Khan today ordered transfers and postings of 14 Inspectors of Police, Hyderabad City Police, with immediate effect on administrative grounds.According to a press release here, G Venkatesham (1996), who was awaiting posting, has been posted as Narayanaguda DI. K Shankar (1996), who was awaiting posting, has been posted as Saifabad DI while R Bhaskar (1996), who was awaiting posting, has been posted as Chilakalaguda DI. K Ram Mohan Reddy (1995), who has been waiting for posting, has been posted in Kanchanbagh Police Station whereas P Ashok (1991), who has been awaiting posting, has been posted in West Zone PCR. KSR Prasad (1991), who has been awaiting posting, has been sent to Traffic Cell while M Suman Kumar (1999), who has been awaiting posting, has been sent to DD.Ch Y Srinivasa Kumar (1991) has been posted to Task Force C/Z while K Srinivasa Rao (1991), T.Sudhakar (1991) and V Srinivasa Reddy (1992) has been sent to SIT. NV.Satyanarayana (1991), who has been awaiting posting, has been posted at Main PCR whereas Y Venkata Reddy (1996) and P Bhaskar Rao (1995), who have been awaiting posting, has been sent for Secretariat Security.
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DGP orders transfers of 28 DSPs

Hyderabad,May 22: In a major reshuffle, Director General of Police R R Girish Kumar today ordered transfers and postings of 28 Deputy Superintendents of Police (Civil) with immediate effect.According to a press release here, APPA Hyderabad DSP K Chakrapani was posted as Chikkadapally ACP vice J Satyanarayana, who was transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters, Hyderabad.B Janardhan Reddy, who was the ACB DSP, was posted as Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Mancherial in the existing vacancy and his earlier posting orders cancelled. DTC Vizianagaram DSP J Bhaskar Rao has been posted as Sattenpally SDPO vice K M Rajendran, who has been transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters, Hyderabad. Intelligence DSP B Shanti Kumar has been posted as Manuguru SDPO vice Ch Raj Kumar, who has been transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters, Hyderabad. Guntakal DSRP A Srinivasa Reddy was posted as Kavali SDPO on retirement of K A Rawoof. Y Ravishankar Reddy, posted as PCS and S DSP, has been posted as Dhone SDPO on retirement of Syed Vali. CID DSP L V Srinivasa Rao was been posted as Parvathipuram SDPO in the existing vacancy. ACP Traffic Vijayawada V Suresh Babu who was posted as ACP, Traffic, Visakhapatnam vice S Saibaba has been transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters, Hyderabad. Attada Venkata Ramana, who was as APPA, Hyderabad DSP, has been posted as ACP, Traffic, Vijayawada vice V Suresh Babu. PTC Anantapur DSP A Nagaraja Naidu has been posted as Rajahmundry SDPO vice Janaki Dharavath, who has been transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters,Hyderabad. DD Hyderabad ACP B Muralidhar has been posted as Saifabad ACP vice C Narotham Reddy, who has been transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters, Hyderabad. Kagaznagar SDPO A Damodhar Rao has been posted as Adilabad SDPO vice Gulam Samdani, who has been transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters, Hyderabad.DD Hyderabad ACP M Ram Mohan Rao has been posted as Charminar ACP vice K Babu Rao, who has been transferred and posted as DD, Hyderabad ACP vice M Ram Mohan Rao. V and E DSP K Varaprasada Rao has been posted as Kandukuru SDPO vice P George, who has been transferred and asked to report in Police Headquarters, Hyderabad. CTC, Hyderabad, DSP P R Kosal Ram has been posted as Rajampet SDPO in the existing Vacancy. Intelligence DSP K Govardhan Reddy has been posted as Madhapur, Cyberabad, ACP (Newly created post). Bodhan SDPO B Srinivasa Reddy has been posted as Vanasthalipuram, Cyberabad, ACP (Newly created post). CTC, Cyberabad, DSP D Sivaramakrishna has been posted as Petbasheerabad, Cyberabad, ACP (Newly created post). OCTOPUS DSP T Sarath Babu has been posted as Kukatpally, Cyberabad, ACP (Newly created post).
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Admin estimating loss, 'Laila' weakens

Hyderabad, May 22 : The Andhra Pradesh Administration was estimating the loss of property and standing crops due to severe cyclone storm 'Laila' which battered the Coastal districts of Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, East and West Godavari.The state government has sent official teams to the affected districts as there was relief from heavy rains even as the depression over coastal Andhra Pradesh moved further north-northeastwards and weakened into a well marked low pressure area over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana.Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who undertook an aerial survey in the affected areas to ascertain the situation told newsmen at the Begumpet airprot that in view of the relief from the rains, the officials would estimate the loss. So far, the officials were busy in rescue and relief operations.Though people who were housed in relief camps desired to go to their homes, the government asked them to stay for one more day in the relief camps as a precautinary measure. The Government was providing food, water, medicines other essential commodities to the people in the camps, he added.He said since last three days, he was constantly in touch with the District Collectors concerned and reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary S V Prasad and other officials.
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Accused in Andhra girl's rape and murder escapes

Hyderabad, May 22 : In a dramatic escapade, the prime accused in the 2007 rape and murder of a teenager in Vijayawada gave police the slip while he was being transported back from a hospital here, police said Saturday.P. Satyam Babu escaped from police custody at Suryapet in Nalgonda district shortly after midnight Friday when the policemen escorting him got down at a hotel for food. Police were taking the 22-year-old to Vijayawada after treatment at a hospital here. Vijayawada Police Commissioner P.S.R. Anjaneyulu suspended 11 policemen escorting the accused for negligence. "I received the information at 6.30 a.m. that the accused has escaped. I immediately ordered suspension of the policemen for their negligence," he said. A sub-inspector, two head constables and eight constables were escorting Babu back to Vijayawada. However, there were hardly any takers for the police version. Relatives of the accused and human rights activists alleged that the police were trying to eliminate him in a staged shootout to shield the real culprits in the case. They pointed out that Babu can't even walk as he is suffering from a neurological disorder. Police claim that Babu raped and murdered 19-year-old pharmacy student Ayesha Miran at a hostel in Vijayawada on the night of Dec 27, 2007. Ayesha's murder had raised a huge public outcry and the police had failed to crack the case for several months. Her body with stab injuries was found in the bathroom. A letter dropped by the 'murderer' stated that the girl was raped and murdered for refusing his request for 'love'. Babu was arrested in August 2008. Police had earlier arrested two people but released them after the State Human Rights Commission intervened on petitions filed by their relatives. Interestingly, Ayesha's parents had also rejected the police claim that Babu murdered her and alleged that police were trying to save some politically influential people involved in the case. Earlier this month, Babu's mother P. Mariyamma had tried to launch a hunger strike in Hyderabad, alleging that police was implicating him in a false case and torturing him. It was on her petition that the high court had last month ordered the police to make arrangements for his treatment in Hyderabad.
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Relief work on in cyclone-hit coastal Andhra

Hyderabad, May 22 : Relief work was in full swing in the cyclone-hit areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh Saturday as water levels started receding and the rains became less intense.The threat for the coastal region was over Friday when Cyclone Laila weakened into a depression in the Bay of Bengal. However, the official machinery remained on alert as the weather office forecast rains in the region over the next 12 hours. Isolated rains were continuing in some parts of the coast. Officials of various departments Saturday launched relief operations, especially in the worst-hit Praksam district, where some parts of Ongole town and dozens of villages remained marooned. According to officials in disaster management department, 300 army personnel were shifting people from flooded areas and distributing food and water packets. NGOs like the Indian Red Cross and Unicef were also extending assistance in relief operations in Ongole. Over 70,000 people still remained in 300 relief camps. There have been complaints of lack of food, water and other basic amenities in some camps. As many as 111 stationary and 24 mobile medical teams were working in the affected areas to provide relief to victims and prevent epidemics. Heavy rains and gales over the past three days due to cyclonic storm Laila in Bay of Bengal left a trail of destruction in south coastal Andhra, killing 27 people and damaging infrastructure and crops over thousands of acres. According to preliminary reports, 172 houses were fully and 265 houses partly damaged. The cyclone has damaged agricultural crops over 11,351 hectares and horticulture crops over 7,949 hectares. The heavy rains and strong gales damaged roads and railway tracks and disrupted electricity and communication system. Over 100 trains have been cancelled during the last two days but railway authorities were confident of restoring the services by Saturday evening. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah will make an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas later in the day.
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Laila moving towards north-north easterly direction of Orissa

Visakhapatnam, May 21 : The severe cyclone 'Laila,' that crossed the coast near Bapatla, and continued to be close to Machilipatnam coast, was moving towards North-North easterly direction of Orissa coast this morning.

A spokesman of for Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC)the cyclone was likely to remain in Andhra coast for the next 24 hours.Under its influence, rainfall or thundershowers were likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours.Strong winds with speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph was likely along and off north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Güntur district.The sea condition would be very rough and fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea, the spokesman added.
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Rain lashes Vijayawada, low-lying areas inundated

Vijayawada,May 21: Heavy rain accompanied by strong gales lashed the city for more than two hours in the early hours of today under the influence of cyclonic storm.Many low-lying areas were inundated, trees uprooted and arterial roads submerged with knee-deep water.In Krishna District, power supply was disrupted in many coastal mandals following high velocity of winds, reports reaching here said.that horticulture crops suffered losses due to heavy rains caused by 'Laila' in about eight mandals in the district. Other crops worth Rs 3.48 crore was also damaged following rains.The total loss of Horticulture crop was estimated at Rs 4.4 crore.Mostly banana, betel, vine, drumstick and other crops bore the burnt in Mopidevi, Avanigadda, Challapalli, Machilipatnam, Yanamalakuduru, Ghantasala, and Kankipadu mandals, he said.The official, however, said there was not much loss for mango crops even though fruit dropping occurred due to strong gales and heavy rains.The District Administration rehabilitated more than 6,500 people from 23 vulnerable villages of eight coastal mandals along the coast line in relief camps.
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4 of family killed as wall collapses on thatched house

Vijayawada, May 21 : Four members of a family were buried alive and another injured when an underconstruction wall of a building collapsed on a thatched house in which they were residing at Chittinagar here in the wee hours of today.According to police, the victims were residing in a hilly area in the old city. The wall caved in and fell on their dwelling after it was soaked due to incessant rains for the last two days.The deceased were identified as Dasari Durga (40), Dasari Anil Kumar (30), Dasari Mary (25) and Dasari Namrata (2), police said, adding that Dasari Durga Rao, the husband of Durga escaped miraculously with minor injuries.The bodies were sent to the government general hospital for post-mortem, police added.
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Cyclone Laila stationary, toll up at 27 in coastal Andhra

Hyderabad, May 21 : Cyclonic storm Laila remained stationary near south coastal Andhra Pradesh as heavy rains and gales continued to batter the region for the third consecutive day Friday, killing 27 people and inundating towns and villages.The transport system was paralysed and electricity and communication disrupted. Heavy downpour continued in the worst-hit Prakasam and Guntur district while Nellore and Krishna districts were also receiving rains accompanied by strong winds. After hitting the coast near Bapatla town in Guntur district Thursday, the cyclone re-emerged into Bay of Bengal and practically remained stationary near the port town of Machilipatnam in Krishna district. "The system is likely to weaken gradually and move initially in a northerly direction and then recurve into a northeasterly direction towards Orissa," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin said at 7.30 a.m. Friday. It has forecast widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls (25 cm or more) over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during the next 24 hours. Widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely over south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the same period. Gale force wind with speed reaching 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph is likely along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast during the next 12 hours. With the weather office forecasting more rains, the authorities said the threat for Andhra Pradesh was not yet over. The death toll due to the cyclone rose to 27. Four members of a family, including two children, were killed in a wall collapse in Vijayawada early Friday. Over 50,000 people remained in 255 relief camps. "The threat is not over. People in relief camps should not return home unless the cyclone warning is withdrawn," said Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister D.Prasada Rao.The heavy rains and gales have caused widespread destruction in south coastal region, especially in Prakasam district. At least 11 towns and hundreds of villages remained under darkness as electricity system was badly disrupted in the region. The strong winds with speed crossing 100 km per hour uprooted trees, electricity and communication towers and damaged mango, banana and other horticulture crops over thousands of acres. Authorities said the exact damages would be known only after the rains recede. Ongole town and dozens of villages in Prakasam district were marooned as personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) began rescue and relief operations. Authorities have also kept ready 10 helicopters while armed forces have moved three columns and mobilised four helicopters. The Indian Air Force has also kept 11 aircraft on standby to meet any eventuality. Road transport in south coastal district came to a standstill due to rains and uprooted trees. The Chennai-Kolkata national highway in Ongole town is under four feet water. Train services remained paralysed for the second day. Over 100 trains have been cancelled while several other trains were diverted. The movement of trains between Chennai and Vijayawada has come to a complete halt.
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Laila hits Andhra coast, wreaks havoc

Hyderabad/New Delhi, May 20: Cyclonic storm Laila, accompanied by heavy rains, high storm surges and winds with speed of 125 km per hour, hit southern part of Andhra Pradesh coast Thursday afternoon.After changing its course repeatedly in the Bay of Bengal during the last three days, the cyclone Thursday afternoon crossed the Andhra coast, about 50 km from Bapatla, a town in southern coastal district of Guntur. After the landfall, the cyclone re-emerged in northern Bay of Bengal and was heading towards Balasore in Orissa. Weather officials said the course of Laila was not unusual as there were precedents of cyclones re-emerging on sea after landfall. "We are still assessing the damages caused by the cyclone in coastal Andhra," a top official in the disaster management department said in Hyderabad. However, massive destruction is not likely as the cyclone had shown signs of weakening before the landfall. "The intensity of cyclone Laila has reduced in the last 12 hours and it will further weaken in the next couple of hours. But it will continue to cause heavy rainfall over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during next 36 hours," Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) director general A.K. Tyagi told reporters in New Delhi.The weather office has also forecast rains in Rayalaseema and Telangana regions of Andhra Pradesh. Incessant rains since Wednesday have already wrecked havoc in south coastal region, uprooting trees, damaging electricity and communication systems and destroying crops. The downpour, which was as high as 34 cm in Prakasam district during the last 24 hours, paralysed normal life and severely affected road and rail transport. The storm has claimed 14 lives so far. Four deaths were reported Thursday. Three people were killed in Nellore while one person was killed in Krishna district. The rain and accompanying trong gales have wrecked havoc in the six coastal districts where at least 11 towns and 1,500 villages plunged into darkness and communications were disrupted. Electricity poles and transformers have been uprooted, power lines snapped, and communication towers have collapsed. Heavy to very heavy rains have inundated several parts of the port town of Machilipatnam in Krishna district. Large parts of Ongole town in Prakasam district and Bapatla in Guntur district are also under water, officials said. Bus stations, shops and even hospitals in the towns are under up to two feet of water. Road and rail transport was paralysed in several parts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, especially the worst-hit Prakasam and Guntur districts. Mango, banana and other horticulture crops over thousands of acres in the coastal districts were damaged. Authorities have alerted people in 777 villages, likely to be hit by storm surge in sea waves in Guntur, Krishna, and West and East Godavari districts. Over 50,000 people have already been evacuated while thousands of others moved to safe places on their own. Over 500 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed with boats and other rescue equipment. Four helicopters have been kept ready for rescue while the state authorities have also sought help from the Indian Navy. An official statement said army authorities were contacted for deployment of helicopters for rescue and relief operations. The state government has also made a request for deployment of 100 army personnel in Krishna, West Godavari and East Godavari districts. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah told reporters in Hyderabad that nine helicopters were ready for rescue and relief works in the affected districts. "We have taken all preventive measures to minimise the loss of lives and property. The official machinery is prepared to deal with any eventuality," he said.
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Laila creates havoc in coastal areas, leaves 3 dead,2 missing

Hyderabad, May 20 : The severe cyclonic storm 'Laila' claimed three lives in Nellore District, while two persons were reported missing in Krishna district even as the depression had created havoc with gale winds and uninterrupted rains uprooting heavy trees and affecting power supply at various places.

A report from Kakinada said one old man Tolum Peddapuram (65) was killed when an old-tiled shed collapsed owing to cyclonic rain in Thondangi village under Tuni police circle limits in East Godavari district.Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who held a review meeting with top officials on the latest situation, told mediapersons that Army officials had been alerted and nine helicopters were kept ready to take up rescue and relief operations.Claiming heavy damages to public properties and standing crops, he said the loss would be known only after the official estimation is done as the officials were busy in rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister said he was in constant touch with the Collectors of Coastal districts and had authorised them to draw funds required for the rescue and relief works in their areas.Mr Rosaiah had also contacted the leaders of various political parties in the state and sought their cooperation, he said and added political parties had already asked their cadres to participate in the rescue and relief operations.The Chief Minister said power supply was affected in 1,492 villages and 11 towns. Transco officials were making efforts to restore power supply. One 220 KV sub-station, three 132 KV sub-stations and 193 33 KV sub-stations were affected in the coastal areas.Stating that he was in constant touch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P Chidambaram, he said they had assured all cooperation and support to tackle the situation arising out of the calamity.
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Storm snaps coastal Andhra's mobile phone link

Hyderabad, May 20 : Heavy rains and strong gales due to the severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal snapped mobile phone communication in several parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh Thursday.Except state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the networks of all other mobile service providers were not working in the affected districts, adding to the anxiety among the people. People in other parts of the state and outside, who have their relative and friends in the coastal region, were worried after not being able to get through to their near and dear ones. Officials said heavy gales with speed reaching up to 75 km per hour uprooted cell phone towers and damaged other communication equipment, especially in Prakasam, Guntur, Nellore, Krishna, and East and West Godavari districts. As electricity supply to 11 towns and nearly 1,500 villages in the six districts was snapped, those having BSNL mobile phone connections also could not be reached after the batteries of their cell-phones ran out as they could not be recharged. Anticipating damage to landline and mobile communication, district authorities have arranged ham radio network and satellite phones for effective communication during rescue and relief works.
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Cyclone crosses Andhra coast near Bapatla

Hyderabad,May 20: The severe cyclonic storm Laila crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla in Guntur district Thursday afternoon.Officials said huge storm surges were seen in the Bay of Bengal when the cyclone hit the coast about 50 km from Bapatla town. Strong gales with a speed of 125 km per hour wrought havoc along and off the coast as Laila crossed the coast after changing its course repeatedly during the last three days. Storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres inundated the villages along the coast. Details of the damages caused by the cyclone are awaited. According to Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, the cyclone would weaken after crossing the coast. However, it forecast heavy rains across coastal Andhra and parts of Rayalaseema and Telangana regions during the next 36 hours. Heavy rains and strong gales continued in the coastal region for the second consecutive day, paralysing normal life and badly affecting road and rail transport.
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