Congress and TDP trade charges over rising liquor sales

Hyderabad,June 11: Is rising rural income to be blamed for the increasing liquor consumption in Andhra Pradesh? The government believes so, but the opposition disagrees.The Congress government is under attack from different quarters for encouraging liquor consumption as it earned a record Rs.7,000 crore (Rs.70 billion) from auction of liquor shops for two years earlier this week. Liquor shops in rural areas were sold at a much higher price than in towns and cities. Some shops were sold for as high as Rs.5 crore each. The rise in income of rural households under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is said to have pushed the liquor sales in rural areas. Under the NREGS, which guarantees 100 days of rural employment in a year, a beneficiary is earning a minimum of Rs.100 daily. The state, which is a leader in implementing the NREGS in the country, got Rs.6,500 crore from the centre in 2009-10 and is expected to get Rs.10,000 crore in the current fiscal. The number of beneficiaries under the scheme is over 27.5 million. The revenue from the auction has come as a boon for the government facing a financial crunch. But the opposition is targeting it for encouraging liquor consumption in the state. "The government can't be blamed. The people are getting addicted to vices like liquor due to an increase in their income," said Revenue Minister D. Prasada Rao. Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao too blamed people, saying the government could not be faulted if people were addicted. However, the opposition blames the government for encouraging liquor business. Leader of opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu Thursday demanded the government to come out with a white paper on liquor business. "It is very painful that the government is encouraging liquor consumption and backing liquor traders instead of supplying drinking water and providing other basic amenities to people," said Naidu. The former chief minister pointed out that it was the same Congress party which had promised prohibition in a phased manner in the 2004 elections. Naidu alleged that the government relaxed maximum retail price printed on liquor bottle to help liquor traders earn more money in violation of rules and also facilitate kickbacks from them. Congress leaders, however, hit back at Naidu saying he had no right to speak on liquor as it was he who lifted total prohibition in the state. Naidu had lifted prohibition after he unseated his father-in-law and TDP founder N. T. Rama Rao from power in 1995. NTR had imposed prohibition in 1994 following a massive anti-liquor movement by women groups.
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Rosaiah invites President to inaugurate 500 year celebrations

Hyderabad, Jun 11 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah has invited President Prathibha Devi Singh Patil to inaugurate the 500th year of coronation of the Vijayanagaram King Srikrishna Devaraya which Andhra Pradesh Government plans to celebrate later this year.In a letter to the President, released to the media here yesterday, Mr Rosaiah said, ''During his rule, Srikrishna Devaraya encouraged and patronised the development of- Telugu language, art, sculpture and culture. Some of the major irrigation tanks constructed by Srikrishna Devaraya are available even today and he is remembered by the people even after 500 years. Srikrishna Devaraya's ''Amukthamalyada'' is a grand original Telugu epic depicting the rich culture, literary traditions and life of the Telugus in those days. The government of Andhra Pradesh have, therefore, decided to celebrate this occasion in a very grand manner.'' The inaugural function will be held on July 5 in Hyderabad and the concluding function will be on August 8, 2010 at Penukonda in Anantapur district (nearer to Bengaluru) which was considered to be the second capital of Srikrishna Devaraya. ''I learnt that Her Excellency takes a lot of interest in preserving the composite culture of the country, and that Her Excellency has planned to inaugurate the Tamil Classical Conference on June 23 at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu'', he added. Mr Rosaiah also said he would be extremely grateful, if Her Excellency conveyed her willingness to grace the celebrations as soon as possible so that necessary arrangements could be made at earliest.
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Verdict on Nityananda’s bail plea Friday

The Karnataka High Court Thursday reserved for Friday its verdict on the bail plea of sex-scam hit self-styled godman Swami Nityananda who has been behind bars for the last 50 days.B.V. Acharya, Nityananda’s lawyer, told the court that his client never claimed he was a ’sanyasi’ (one who has renounced all worldly pleasures) and couples were welcome to attend his teachings. Nityananda, facing several criminal charges, including rape, is a spiritual teacher, he said.Pleading for early bail to his client, Acharya said married couples too attended his discourses and he never opposed marriage or married life.The bail plea was opposed by the prosecution which said he was facing serious charges and investigation was still on The court then reserved its verdict for Friday. Nityananda, who has a sprawling ashram at Bidadi, about 30 km from Bangalore, was arrested from Himachal Pradesh April 21, more than a month-and-a-half after a TV channel telecast video footage showing him in a sexual act with a woman, believed to a Tamil film actress.Nityananda claimed the footage was morphed.
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Andhra BJP chief receives threatening letter

Hyderabad, June 10 : The president of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Andhra Pradesh unit Thursday received a threatening letter allegedly from Lashkar-e-Taiba, asking him to leave Hyderabad.G.Kishan Reddy, the lone BJP legislator in the state assembly, received the letter written in Urdu through post. He handed over the same to the police. The letter asked Kishan Reddy to leave Hyderabad. The sender, who claims to be from "suicide bomber cell of Islamic Republic of Hyderabad, Lashkar-e-Taiba" threatens to kill "Hindus" if Kishan Reddy fails to leave Hyderabad. The letter also threatens to destroy the RSS office in Begum Bazar area. The sender accused Kishan Reddy of creating trouble during the recent communal clashes in the old city of Hyderabad. Kishan Reddy handed over the letter to Abids police station. Police said they would investigate if the letter was sent by some terror group or not. A row over the land of a 'Gowshala' (cow shed) is suspected to be the reason behind the threat. The 'Gowshala' was set afire by some unidentified persons during the riots in April. The BJP leader later met Director General of Police R.R. Girish Kumar to brief him about the threatening letter.
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New industrial policy soon

Hyderabad, Jun 10 : Andhra Pradesh major industries minister Kanna Laxminarayana today said the state government would soon announce the industrial policy for 2010-2015.Talking to newspersons, here he said the department would submit the recommendations to Chief Minister K Rosaiah tomorrow and the new policy would be "better" than the earlier one of 2005-2010.The minister denied reports in a section of the press that some incentives for industries which were announced in 2005-2010 would be discontinued in the new policy.He said more incentives would be given for industries with a view to attract investments. He said the state had attracted investments worth Rs 3.49 lakh crore for 2007-2010. Out of this, Rs 1.10 lakh crore projects are in various stages and a project worth Rs 37000 crore would be going on stream soon.While admitting that there were some obstructions in investments during the disturbances over Telangana and other issues, he said industry captains were eager to investment in the state in view of the incentives provided by the state government for industrial growth.He denied reports of slowdown in industrial growth due to lack of new investments, stating that Andhra Pradesh was in the forefront in attracting the industrial bigwigs in the state.In the recent report of World Bank, Andhra Pradesh stood second in attracting investments and a private firm in their survey stated that Andhra Pradesh was number one in attracting the investments.Stating that the investments in Andhra Pradesh were increasing by 20pc every year for the last four years, Mr Laxminarayana said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would soon lay the foundation stone for an electrical equipment company to be set up by BHEL and NTPC at Mannavaram in Chittoor District.He said two major industries will come up with an investment of Rs 9000 crore in Kadapa and some other major projects in various districts of the state.Out of 110 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the state, the highest number in the country, at present 73 SEZs were working and there was no problem for land acquisition as the government was acquiring lands at 15pc from the private parties. The remaining land was provided by the state from waste lands, assigned and government land, he added.
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APCC President meets Rosaiah discusses various matters

Hyderabad, Jun 10 : Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President D Srinivas met Chief Minister K.Rosaiah and discussed party matters including fee reimbursement of backward classes students in the state. According to party sources, Mr Srinivas held discussions with the Chief Minister at camp office yesterday and urged him to continue with the scheme of fee reimbursement of students for the backward classes. He also reportedly discussed the ensuing by-elections in the state as the party has decided to contest the elections.There was a rush for the Congress ticket as the aspirants made a beeline to the party headquarters 'Gandhi Bhavan' and the party Chief reportedly directed them to concentrate on their constituencies instead of making the rounds of the leaders' houses.By-elections are due in August in Sirpur, Mnncherial, Chennur, Warangal West, Yellareddy, Nizamabad urban, Siddipet, Huzurabad, Dharmpapuri, Korutla, Siricilla and Vemulawada constituencies. Mr Srinivas has already convened a meeting of aspirants and elected representatives of Adilabad and Karimnagar district giving enough indications that the ruling party was ready to enter the fray and the leadership is now grappling with the problem of shortlisting the candidates.Mr Srinvias himself was quite serious about his plans to contest from Nizamabad urban seat and had held consultations with his supporters in the last two weeks, sources said.The Congress is confident of winning majority seats in Telangana area, sources said.
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President, welcomes the President of Sri Lanka,

(PIB NEWS) June,09,The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil welcomes the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and his wife Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa, at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh is also seen. (Photo by PIB No.CNR-31974)
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Jaipal Reddy Workshop Inauguration,

(PIB NEWS)June,09, The Union Minister of Urban Development, Shri S. Jaipal Reddy addressing at the launch Workshop for inauguration of Sustainable Environmentally friendly transport mode in the country, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010. The Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Dr. M. Ramachandran is also seen. (Photo by PIB No.CNR-31986)
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Booklet releasing"Performance of Ministry of textiles"

(PIB NEWS) June,09, The Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Dayanidhi Maran releasing a Booklet ‘One year’s Performance of Ministry of Textiles’, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010. The Minister of State for Textiles, Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi and the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Rita Menon are also seen.
(Photo by PIB No.CNR- 31990)
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US presses Pakistan to stop India infiltration, try 26/11 suspects

Underlining its hands off policy on the Kashmir issue, the US has asked Pakistan to first show progress in stopping cross-border infiltration into India and the trial of the Mumbai terror attack suspects.“No, there’s no change right now” in US policy on Kashmir, US assistant secretary of state for South Asia, Robert Blake said in an online conversation Tuesday with Teresita Schaffer, director of the South Asia Programme at Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington think tank.“I think at this point the top priority for India and Pakistan is, first, to kind of get their own bilateral dialogue going in a more systematic way,” he said noting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “is personally and deeply committed to achieving peace with Pakistan”.“But he needs to see progress on these two important issues… that is, progress to stop some of the cross-border infiltration that’s taking place into India, but also progress on the trial of the Mumbai suspects.“And if we can see that, I think that there will be a flourishing of the dialogue that could take place. But those are very important things that need to take place.”He agreed with Schaffer that the main interest of the United States is that they be able to agree on something that makes the risk of a war that could go nuclear disappear.Nothing that “from 2004 to 2007, in fact, the two countries did make quite a lot of progress on Kashmir”, Blake said: “And that, again, could be picked up, I think, relatively quickly if they can sort out some of these other issues.” “This is going to have to be a kind of incremental process to build up to that stage where they can tackle this very hot button issue (Kashmir) for both of those countries.”At the State Department, spokesperson Phillip J. Crowley too made a similar point. Asked to comment on Manmohan Singh’s offer to open peace talks with the separatist and extremist elements in Kasshmir, he said: “All I would say is that we recognise that this is a very, very important issue between India and Pakistan.”“And as the dialogue between India and Pakistan continues to expand, including at the leader level, that we would hope that India and Pakistan can make progress in understanding this issue and moving forward, just as they did a few years ago.”
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10 TRS, BJP, TJAC activists held

Mahbubabad, Jun 9 : Police have arrested ten activists of Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS), BJP and Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) for their involvement in the violence that rocked the town on May 28 during former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's son and Congress MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's 'Odarpu yatra'.Circle Inspector of Police R Prabhakara Rao told UNI today that the accused were arrested on specific charges and booked under Sections 307(Attempt to Murder) and 147(destruction of public property) of IPC.He said seven accused were arrested for their involvement in the violence and three for damaging a private car and burning a government vehicle on that day.The accused were picked up last evening and later produced before the Sub Divisional Magistrate. Search was on to arrest some more accused involved in the incident, he added.
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Conditions favourable for advance of southwest Monsoon in AP

Hyderabad, Jun 9 : Conditions were favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon over some more parts of Andhra Pradesh as a low pressure area formed over Westcentral Bay and neighbourhood today, leading to rains at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and isolated rain over Telangana and Rayalaseema.The chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm were Avanigadda (Krishna district) and Salur (Vizianagaram district) four each, Bobbili (Vizianagaram district) and Vikarabad (Rangareddy district) three each, Tirupati, Chevella (Rangareddy district), Gajapathinagaram and Parvathipuram (both Vizianagaram districts), Mandasa and Patapatnam (both Srikakulam districts) and Mulugu (Warangal district) two each and Hanamakonda, Nellore, Cumbum (Prakasam district), Gudur (Nellore district), Jangaon and Mahabubabad (both Warangal districts), Komarada, Srungavarapukota, Terlam and Vizianagaram (all Vizianagaram districts), Nuzvid and Tiruvuru (both Krishna districts), Sangareddy (Medak district) and Satyavedu (Chittoor district) one each, Met Department said today.However, heat wave conditions prevailed over the districts of West Godavari of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad, Mahabubnagar, Medak and Warangal of Telangana. The maximum temperatures significantly fell at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but rose at a few places over Rayalaseema. They were significantly above normal at one or two places over Rayalaseema and over the remaining districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The highest maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius was recorded at Ramagundam and Rentachintala. Moderate to rather heavy rain/ thundershowers may occur at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh while Light to moderate rain/thundershowers would occur at a few places over Telangana and Rayalaseema. Isolated heavy rain could occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 48 hours. A few spells of rain/thundershowers may occur in the city.Maximum and Minimum temperatures may be around 38 and 25 degrees respectively.
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Study Circle to select candidates for coaching for UPSC exam

Hyderabad, Jun 9 : The Andhra Pradesh Study Circle, established by the Social Welfare Department for the purpose of giving residential coaching to candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) to prepare for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Civil Services Examinations, will select the new batch for 2010-11.Addressing a press conference here today, Social Welfare Commissioner K Praveen Kumar said the study circle would select 184 meritorious students from SC and ST and Backward Classes students from rural areas.He said in view of some allegations on the entrance tests for the selection of candidates, the department had decided to select the candidates based on the marks attained by the student from tenth class to degree-level and those who got the highest marks would be selected for coaching.The selection committee with nine officers would select the candidates.He said so far in the past 31 years, Andhra Pradesh Study Circle had given residential coaching to 5,757 students of whom 43 got into IAS, 42 into IPS and 372 got into other services. He said 75 per cent of the seats would be given to SC and ten per cent to ST and 15 per cent to BCs.Stating that 50 per cent of seats were reserved for women belonging to SC, ST and BC in each category, he said three per cent were reserved for physically handicapped across all categories.He said the last date for submission of application was June 25.
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Asthma patients queue up to take fish medicine?

Hyderabad, June 8: Hundreds of asthma patients from different parts of India queued up here Tuesday to gulp down a live 'murrel' fish with a yellow herbal paste in its mouth in the hope it can cure them.The distribution of the famous 'fish medicine' began this evening at the sprawling Exhibition Grounds in the heart of the city. The members of Bathini Goud family, which has administered the medicine free of cost for over 160 years, started distributing the medicine after a traditional 'puja' at 5 p.m., the time set by their astrologers, which also heralds the onset of monsoon. Men, women and children stood in long queues hours before the Goud family members and volunteers started administering the 'wonder drug'. The Hyderabad district administration made elaborate arrangements for the annual event. Over 300 policemen were deployed as part of the security measures. The fisheries department has made arrangements for the sale of 'murrel' fingerlings. Those who don't take fish are being provided medicine with jaggery. Like in the past, people from different regions gathered in the hope of finding some relief to their nagging respiratory problems, despite the controversies surrounding its efficacy. The fish medicine lost its popularity in recent years after some groups, working to inculcate scientific temper among people, termed it a fraud. They also approached the court, claiming that the contents of the herbal paste, which remained a closely guarded family secret, do more harm than good to the patients. The turnout has clearly dwindled over the last five years. The Goud family claims that over 400,000 asthma patients turn up every year but the turnout has hardly exceeds 100,000, going by the arrangements made by fisheries department for sale of fingerlings. The Goud family, which named the medicine 'fish prasadam' recently to avoid legal problems, claims that it was still popular despite the 'false propaganda' by some groups. According to the family, the tests in laboratories conducted as per court orders revealed that the herbal paste is safe. The herbal paste is put into the mouth of the live fingerling before slipping it into the mouth of the patient. It is believed that if taken for three successive years, the medicine cures asthma. The Goud family has distributed the 'fish prasadam' free of cost for 164 years. It 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.
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Andhra earns nearly Rs.7,000 cr from liquor shops sale

Hyderabad, June 8 : At a time when a severe financial crunch has forced it to go slow on many welfare schemes, the Andhra Pradesh government has earned a whopping Rs.6,904 crore from the auction of liquor shops.The earnings are said to be the highest by any state through sale of liquor shops. The excise department earned Rs.6,904 crore from the auction of 6,505 out of 6,595 liquor shops. The revenues may cross Rs.7,000 crore as remaining 91 shops are yet to be auctioned. Tenders for majority of the shops for next two years were opened Monday. The remaining shops will be sold in couple of days. Excise Commissioner Hiralal Samaria told reporters the revenues were 114 percent more than waht was earned in 2008. The department was expecting Rs.4,500 crore this year. The average bid amount for each shop auctioned so far was over Rs.1 crore. Shops in some districts were sold for whopping Rs.5 crore. A shop at Nadikudi village of Dachepalli mandal in Guntur district was bid for Rs.5.21 crore while another shop in the same mandal was sold for Rs.4.92 crore. Creating a record of sorts, the government earned Rs.48.6 crore from the sale of tenders forms alone. About 48,600 bids were received for 6,596 shops which was 125 per cent in excess of the demand in 2008. Unlike in the past when shops in and around Hyderabad were auctioned for over Rs.5 crore, there were few takers this time. Slowdown in real estate market and the Information Technology sector is cited as the main reason for the relatively poor response in and around the state capital. Though slowdown in real estate has hit hard the state's revenues, the excise department has come to the rescue. Officials, however, said the revenues from liquor constitute only eight percent of the total revenues.  The fall in revenues over the last two years has already raised question mark on continuation of various welfare schemes launched by former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. In a state which witnessed total prohibition in mid-1990s following a massive movement by women, the sale of liquor shops was not without protests. The Lok Satta Party alleged that the government was encouraging the consumption of alcohol through auction of liquor shops. Party president Jayaprakash Narayan said liquor dealers promote unauthorised outlets or "belt shops" to make the sales required to realise the license fee. Women's groups also criticized the government for promoting consumption of liquor and demanded re-imposition of prohibition. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh High Court Tuesday issued notices to the central and state governments on a public interest litigation over sale of liquor shops. Narayana, a resident of Nizamabad district, filed a petition in the court, demanding prohibition. The petitioner alleged that the government was promoting sale of liquor, badly affecting public health.
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ISNA Joins Religious Leaders to Condemn Illegal Medical Experimentation on Detainees

(Deccan Samachar Service) June 08, A report was issued today by the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which details evidence of illegal experimentation on detainees captured after 9-11, in the form of torturous medical experiments, performed by healthcare professionals working for the U.S.Military and intelligence agencies during the Bush administration. The comprehensive PHR report described the methods of "enhanced interrogation techniques" used by medical professionals to determine the "breaking points" for detainees. This information was delivered to the Department of Justice to amend the current laws in a way that legalizes these gross acts of torture and medical negligence from prosecution. ISNA condemns the acts of torture inflicted by these medical professionals. These acts directly violate their sworn oath as physicians to protect human life and alleviate human suffering. ISNA condemns the actions our government to effectively legalize this torture and turn their backs on upholding both the spirit and letter of the constitution.ISNA praises the Physicians for Human Rights and their dedication to protect all people from illegal and damaging misuse of medical skills and experiments to inflict pain instead of alleviating suffering. ISNA joins Physicians for Human Rights and other religious leaders to demand a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the misuse of medical skills and the acts of the Department of Justice in relation to this case. ISNA President, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, will join other leaders in a press conference about this issue tomorrow morning.ISNA is a founding member of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, an organization that also supports the courageous report issued by the Physicians for Human Rights. For more information on the press conference,the PHR Report and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, ================================================

Press Statement by Media Adviser on the Visit of the Prime Minister to Jammu and Kashmir on 7th and 8th June 2010

(PIB NEWS) June,08, The Prime Minister made a two day visit to Jammu & Kashmir from 7th June to 8th June 2010.The Prime Minister presided over the 5th convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at SKICC, Srinagar. In his convocation address, the Prime Minister lauded Dr Shah Faisal on his achievement in topping the Civil Services Examination of the UPSC. He assured that in cooperation with the state government, we will make all possible efforts to create employment opportunities in J&K. The Prime Minister mentioned that three Round Table Conferences had been convened, with participation from many civil society participants, and other political groups. He noted that the recommendations of these deliberations are being implemented in a step-wise manner. The Prime Minister mentioned that the process of talks could be extended. The Government of India is willing to talk to all those who are willing to shun violence. The Prime Minister noted complaints related to human rights. He made it clear that the "Government policy is to protect human rights of the people even when dealing with terrorism. The security forces in J&K have been strictly instructed to respect the rights of civilians. We will act to remove any deficiency in the implementation of these instructions." Later in the evening, the Prime Minister had interaction with representatives of various political parties. Among these were delegations from National Conference, Indian National Congress, PDP, BJP, Panther's Party, Awami National Conference, J&K Democratic Party (Nationalist), the CPI(M), and the CPI. On Tuesday morning he met the Sikh community, house boat owners, artisans, saffron growers, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and hoteliers, and many other groups. The Prime Minister also took a review meeting of the developmental activities in the state, with the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues, and senior officials. Shri Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, and Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare also participated in the deliberations. The Prime Minister noted that the state is doing well on flagship programmes. He drew the state government's attention to unutilized funds and also impressed upon them the need to move forward and hold elections for the local bodies and panchayats. The Chief Minister gave a detailed presentation on the economic situation, plan performance, financial delivery, and on the progress in certain specific sectors like energy, transport, and health. He underlined his government's commitment to third party / independent scrutiny in project implementation as part of a larger principle of accountability and transparency. He assured the Prime Minister that local body elections would be held in October/ November 2010.
In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister complimented the Chief Minister for providing dynamic leadership to the state administration. In particular, he observed "it is heartening to note that the state government has gone in for tariff-based bids even for hydro projects." While the Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister of financial support for the state government, including on account of difficulties of implementation of the 6th Pay Commission award, Dr Manmohan Singh expressed his disappointment that a section of the state government employees often respond to bandh calls by separatist groups, and fail to discharge their duties in the service of the people of the state. Among many assurances, the Prime Minister ordered for restoration of cuts amounting to about Rs 400 crores in the state plan outlay for 2009-10. He also announced that Central Government had decided to dispense with the cutback of Rs 691 crores in this year's outlay in the reconstruction Plan. The Prime Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Rural Development will assist in setting up of Self Help Groups of women belonging to Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities. The Ministry of Tribal welfare will provide additional allocation to take forward the schemes that use local community based volunteers for delivery of health and education to nomadic groups like gujjars and bakkerwals. Three Cultural Centres including folk museums, auditoria etc, will be set up by the Ministry of Culture for the pahadi, gujjar and bakkeral communities, along with computer laboratories in selected schools for these groups. The Prime Minister concluded that the Central Government will do all that it can to support the state government. He added that "things have improved considerably, fund utilization is better, but much more remains to be done.” Just before leaving for New Delhi, the Prime Minister had a meeting with the Chief Minister. No aides were present.
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Vice President’s Address at the Ceremony Hosted by Lord Mayor of Prague, Czech Republic

(PIB NEWS) June,08, Following is the text of the address of the Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari at the Ceremony hosted by Lord Mayor of Prague Mr. Pavel Bem at Old Town Hall, Prague in Czech Republic today : “My wife and I and my entire delegation are delighted to be in your beautiful and renowned city, so richin culture and tradition. Prague is one of the great cities of the world, and I am happy to be back here, having visited it several years ago. We in India have great admiration for the Czech Republic and its capital city in particular. We admire its history, cultural heritage and its accomplishments in all the fields of human knowledge. Prague lies at the intersection of Europe. It was here that tradesmen, politicians, scholars and artists from all over the world have met. Prague has witnessed the unfolding of events that have impacted the course of history. Czech Republic and India have historically been close partners in our quest for equality, human rights, freedom and democracy. The leaders of India’s freedom struggle, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, visited your beautiful city in the 1930s. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore visited Prague in the 1920s. Both Pandit Nehru, as well as Tagore, raised their voices against Czechoslovakia’s occupation. I thank you very much for this honour that you have extended to me and my delegation and through us to the people of India.”
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Jaganmohan Reddy postpones 'Odarpu Yatra' to July 8

Hyderabad,June 8: Congress MP and the son of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy, Jaganmohan Reddy has postponed his controversial 'Odarpu Yatra' to July 8."I got a message from the high command to postpone the yatra indefinitely. I have full faith in our leader. Hence, as per the message from the high command, I am postponing the yatra for some days," Jaganmohan said in a statement."I will resume the yatra on July 8. I believe that I will be able to get the approval and blessings of our party President by then," he added.Jaganmohan was scheduled to undertake his yatra in Srikakulam District from today.Earlier, the Congress had asked Jaganmohan not to go ahead with his yatra.After a meeting with Law Minister Veerappa Moily, Jaganmohan had claimed that he has been given permission to go ahead with his yatra. Reddy said: "My yatra was widely appreciated, and I have been given a clear indication to go ahead and do what I was doing."However, the claim was dismissed by Moily who said Jaganmohan Reddy should stop his yatra.
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'Fish Prasadam' distribution starts today

Hyderabad,Jun 8:Thousands of Asthma patients are gathering here from across the country for a two-day distribution of 'fish prasadam,' which started here today.Patients from across the country, who are here for the 'fish prasadam,' believe that fish distributed by 'Bathani brothers' will cure them of their disease. The Hyderabad district administration has made appropriate arrangements for the distribution of the 'prasadam.' There are 32 counters for distribution of 'fish prasadam' at the exhibition grounds at Namapalli in the city. The department of fisheries has procured 1.50 lakh murrel fingerlings, stocked in 24 nurseries of fish seed farm in the city.The department has set up 27 stalls for the supply of live murrel seed near the queue complex for the 'prasadam' point, official sources said.The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation would plying 40 speical buses from Rajiv Gandhi Intenrnational Airport at Shamshabad, Railway stations and various bus stations for the convenient of the patients.The city police has made elaborate security arrangements by deploying police personnel at the 'fish prasadam' points. For giving due consideration to cleanliness during the gathering, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation authorities has deployed scores of sweepers and labourers to work round the clock.Hyderabad City Police Commissioner AK Khan, in a notification, said the police have taken all steps to regulate traffic without causing inconvenience to the general public in connection with the distribution of 'fish medicine' on Mrugashirakarti falling on 8th and 9th od this month.
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YSR's son defers 'yatra' on Sonia Gandhi's directive

Hyderabad, June 7 Finally bowing to the Congress leadership, Lok Sabha member Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy Monday postponed his 'odarpu yatra' by a month.The late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's son said he will now launch his yatra in Srikakulam July 8. The young MP announced this in a statement a day before he was scheduled to set out on the controversial tour. The yatra is aimed at consoling the family members of those who either committed suicide or died of shock following the death of his father in a helicopter crash last year. After blowing hot and cold on the yatra, Reddy decided not to go ahead with his yatra June 8. The decision came after he was reprimanded by the party leadership for repeatedly defying its directive and Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked him to defer his yatra. Reddy said in the statement: "I have full faith in Sonia Gandhi and I will launch yatra on July 9 with her consent." Jagan's attempt to defy the high command and take out yatra in Warangal district of Telangana region May 28 had triggered violence. The MP was arrested on his way to Mahabubabad town in the district but firing by gunmen of his two loyal legislators in the town injured nine pro-Telangana activists, who were opposing his tour. While stating that he saw no reason for postponing the yatra in a non-Telangana area, Reddy said he would abide by the party president's directive. The MP said his mother Vijayalakshmi June 2 wrote a letter to Gandhi, urging her to give permission for the yatra. "We were waiting for an appointment with her to explain our stand in person. However, last night I received a call from high command asking me to indefinitely postpone the yatra. I asked if there are any strong reasons for this?" said Reddy without mentioning the high command's response.
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Massive health plan to be implemented

Hyderabad, Jun 7 : Andhra Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Danam Nagender today said the state government would implement a massive health plan with an outlay of Rs 1,140 crore.As part of this plan, the state government had already created 180 new Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 23 Community Health Centres (CHCs) while 354 community health and nutrition clusters were being carved out, he announced at a news conference here.He said the department had initiated a number of measures to strengthen the health delivery systems in the state, focussing on prevention of water, food and vector-borne diseases and effective management of other infectious diseases.He said instructions had been issued to all District Medical and Health Officers to activate the health machinery to monitor water and food quality in the state and take immediate corrective measures, wherever required. He said every gram panchayat had been given Rs 10,000 as part of NRHM grant for village health and sanitation committees and these committees had been instructed to chlorinate drinking water regularly and keep the drains clear and working.The Institute of Preventive Medicine was conducting regular testing of water in all rural and urban areas and was advising gram panchayats and municipalities on corrective measures, he said.The Minister said a major campaign would be launched in all malaria-endemic districts, especially in the ITDA areas of the state from July 20, to take up for intensive spraying, active surveillance and medical treatment of people suffering from fever.He said the government was in the process of filling 759 posts of staff nurses and 2,434 posts of doctors and all the doctors would be in place by end of July this year.He said the government would take stern action to terminate the services of doctors, who had been absent without leave for more than six months.(photo by RSJ Thomas)
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Centre releases second instalment of scholarship

Hyderabad,Jun 7: Andhra Pradesh Minority Welfare Minister Ahmadulla Syed Mohammed today said the Centre had released the second instalment of scholarship amount of Rupees 43.41 crore for pre-matric and post-matric students of minority communities for 2009-10.Addressing a press conference here, he said the Centre had already released the first instalment of Rs 42 crore for the benefit of 1.13 lakh students in the State.Mr Syed Mohammed Ahmedullah said the government had sanctioned Rs 19.53 crore for scholarships for 86,011 pre-matric students and Rs 19 crore for the post-matric students and Rs three crores for the 1309 merit-based scholarships.A.P State Minorities Financial Corporation,(VC & MD) Alhaj Dr.Mohammad ilyas Rizvi (IFS),Principal Secretary,Minorities welfare Lingaraju Panigrahi also seen in picture, ( photo by RSJ Thomas)
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7 killed, 3 hurt in 2 road accidents

Guntur,Jun 7: Seven people were killed and three others injured in two road accidents in this district today.According to police, four people, including a woman and a six-year-old girl, were killed when they were crushed under iron pipes of the lorry, which they boarded on National Highway-5 at Atmakuru in Mangalagiri Mandal late last night.The labourers hailed from Singarayyakonda in Prakasam District and were proceeding to this district in search of work. The lorry' coming from Kanigiri in Prakasam District, was heading towards Vijayawada.The accident occurred when the victims were sitting between the lorry cabin and the iron pipes, placed on the top of the lorry. The lorry driver had to apply sudden brakes, which led the iron pipes to fall on the four, resulting into their death. The police had a tough time in retreiving the bodies which were later sent to Mangalagiri Government Hospital for post-mortem, police added.
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Heat wave conditions despite isolated rains in some areas

Hyderabad, Jun 7 : Heat wave conditions prevailed over the districts of Krishna of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Khammam, Medak and Nizamabad of Telangana even as isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.The maximum temperatures significantly rose at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and at one or two places over Rayalaseema and changed little over Telangana. They were significantly above normal at a few places over remaining districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and at one or two places over Rayalaseema. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Khammam and Rentachintala, Met department said today,The chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm are Pulivendula 3, Chittoor, Proddatur and Tiruvuru one each.Light to moderate rain/thundershowers would occur at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. Isolated rain or thundershowers may occur over Telangana. Heat wave conditions may continue to prevail over the districts of Krishna of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and over Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Medak and Nizamabad of Telangana during next two days.A spell of rain or thundershowers could occur in parts of city.Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 39 and 28 degrees Celsius respectively.
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Congress playing votebank politics for Telangana: Gadkari

Hyderabad, June 7 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari has accused the Congress of indulging in votebank politics for establishing its influence in the Telangana region. Addressing media persons here on Sunday, Gadkari said: "The Congress party has declared the decision. They are creating the problems. If they don''t want to execute it, why did they declare the decision? Actually, whatever things have happened in Andhra Pradesh, It is only because of the votebank politics of the Congress."He further said the BJP would support the bill for a separate state of Telangana if it was placed in Parliament.The Srikrishna Committee formed by the Central Government to look into the Telangana issue was a waste of time, he alleged."The Central Government first declared and later deferred its promise in December 2009 to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh," he said.Talking on other issues, Gadkari said he was glad that Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had admitted that the Afzal Guru file wass being pushed under political pressure."I think she (Sheila Dikshit) is speaking the truth. The BJP party has accused the Congress party again and again that the word ''secular'' means an appeasement of terrorist. The work of pulling Afzal Guru''s file under political pressure is an appeasement for terrorist. The blame that we are putting on the Congress party and Sheila Dikshit has agreed to it and I respect her for that," said Gadkari.The issue was further aggravated with the controversial statement made by Dikshit a few days ago, where she denied that the Home Ministry had sent her a letter on the case.He also blamed the policies of the UPA government for the miseries of farmers in the country.
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World Bank approves $515 mn projects for Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi, Jun 6: The World Bank has approved two projects worth 515 million dollars to India for water and pollution management in Andhra Pradesh.While 450.60 million dollars have been sanctioned for the state water sector improvement, 64.15 million dollars earmarked for a pilot to supporting development of a national programme for rehabilitation of polluted sites, a World Bank statement said. The 450.60 million dollar loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a 30-year maturity, including a 5-year grace period.Of the 64.15 million dollar credit for rehabilitation of polluted sites, 38.94 million dollar comes from the International Development Association(IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm. It carries a 0.75 per cent service fee, a 10-year grace period, and a maturity of 35 years, while the remaining component of 25.21 million dollar has a 30-year maturity, including a 5-year grace period, the statement added. The water project leader and World Bank senior engineer R S Pathak said it is aimed at strengthening Andhra Pradesh's institutional capacity for multi-sectoral planning, development and management of its water resources.The project, he added, will contribute to the rehabilitation and modernisation of Nagarjuna Sagar Scheme (NSS), a large multipurpose project which generates hydro power, supplies water for industries, rural and urban drinking water and irrigation water to about 9 lakh hectare area.The World Bank said the industrial pollution management project is, however, designed as a pilot in view of large scale contamination of areas across India. Quoting an Indian government official, it said there are about 36,000 industries in the country which generate about 6.2 million tonnes of hazardous waste annually. Large quantities of industrial sludge and effluents laden with heavy metals are dumped in open areas, in rivers, around residential compounds, and on farm land. Such toxic dumps have contaminated soil and groundwater, affecting the health of local communities.Project leader Charles Cormier said it is aimed at supporting development of a national programme for rehabilitation of polluted sites and also to build human and technical capacity in selected state agencies for undertaking environmentally-sound remedial measures at polluted sites.
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Thousand to throng Pearl City for 'Fish Medicine'

Hyderabad,Jun 6: Thousand of people are expected to throng the Pearl City on the auspicious day of 'Mrigsira Karthi' on June 8 to partake fish medicine touted as a cure for asthma.The Bathina Brothers -- who have become a household name for administering 'fish medicine'-- were busy making the arrangements.Brothers Vishwanath Goud, Harinath Goud and Uma Maheshwar Goud belong to the current generation of the clan which had been administering the medicine for 156 years based on the 'the wisdom of the sages of ancient India.' Bathina Harinath Goud recalled in 1845, a holy man happened to meet his great-grand father Veeranna Goud and gave him the secret formula, blessed the well and the place of administration of medicine. He also instructed him to distribute this medicine free-of-cost to the patients.The 'secret formula' had been passed on through the generations of the Goud family.The brothers administer the medicine on ''Mrigasira Karti'' which normally falls on June 8. Referring to the controversies and apprehensions raised by the 'Jana Vijnana Vedika', Mr Goud emphatically claimed there were no side effects. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Government had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event.
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Jagan defies Congress, to go ahead with 'yatra'

Hyderabad,June 6: Continuing to defy the Congress party leaders, former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Sunday said he would go ahead with his "Odarpur yatra"."Who told you that yatra would not continue?" he shot back when reporters in Anantapur sought to know if he has called off his yatra. The Kadapa MP was asked to comment on reports that he decided to call off his controversial tour in different parts of Andhra Pradesh following a directive from the central leadership. By repeatedly asking the same question to reporters, Jagan has virtually made it clear that he would go ahead with his yatra in Srikakulam district from June 8. The yatra is aimed at consoling the family members of those who either committed suicide or died of shock following the death of his father, popularly known as YSR, in a helicopter crash last year. Jagan's attempt to defy the high command and take out the yatra in Warangal district of Telangana region on May 28 had triggered violence. The young MP was arrested on his way to Mahabubabad town in the district but firing by gunmen of his two loyal legislators in the town injured nine pro-Telangana activists, who were opposing his tour. After the incidents, Jagan visited New Delhi and met some Congress leaders to convince them that there is no politics in his yatra. After a meeting with general secretary incharge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, M. Veerappa Moily, he had claimed that the leadership permitted him to continue the tour. However, Moily later denied this and advised Jagan not to defy the high command. Jagan's loyalists among the state ministers have also advised him not to go against the party's directive. Last week, several legislators loyal to his father called on him and urged him not to take any hasty step. Unhappy with Jagan's attitude, the Congress leadership is not willing to allow him to undertake the yatra even in non-Telangana areas. Srikakulam is a part of north coastal Andhra and his yatra is not facing any opposition there.
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'BJP will support bill for separate Telangana state'

Hyderabad, June 6 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari Sunday said his party was ready to support a bill for the formation of a separate Telangana state if the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government brings it in parliament. Asserting that BJP was "100 percent" for separate statehood to the Telangana region, he told reporters here that the Congress party was playing with the sentiments of Telangana people. "If Congress party is sincere on Telangana issue, let them bring a bill in Parliament. BJP will support it," he said. Gadkari, who arrived here on a three-day visit -- the first since he took over as party chief, blamed the Congress for complicating the Telangana issue. "The Congress party declared that it will carve out a separate Telangana state but later backtracked. It is playing vote-bank politics on the issue," he alleged. "This is not the way to solve a problem. The Congress party is, in fact, creating more problems. The present confusion is because of its policies," Gadkari said. He also said that the Srikrishna committee formed by the central government to look into the Telangana issue was a waste of time. "This is just a time-pass," he remarked. The BJP president blamed the policies of the UPA government for the miseries of farmers in the country. He alleged that farmers' suicides were continuing due to the "anti-farmer" policies of the government. He said that the BJP, for the last four months, has been demanding a halt to future and forward trading in essential commodities. "The government is exploiting farmers. Neither the farmers are getting remunerative prices nor the consumers are being benefited," he said.
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Against Health Minister Danam for assault case

Hyderabad,Jun 5: The City police today registered case against Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Danam Nagender for allegedly assaulting the builder in the upfront Banjara Hills area on some property dispute.The Minister had reportedly objected to the builder taking some digging and drainage works in a banjarahills area plot alleging it was encroachment.Builder Rami Reddy in his complaint to the Banjara Hills police sation alleged that the Minister and his henchmen had assaulted him even though the construction works being done by him ''legal were in his plot''.Builder Reddy alleged that the local corporater Bharathi and her husband along with four or five people had tresspassed in his property along with the Minister.The minister however, had totally denied the incident claiming before the electronic media.
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Andhra Pradesh welcomes much awaited SW Monsoon

Hyderabad, Jun 5: The SouthWest Monsoon entered Andhra Pradesh today, bringing much awaited relief from the torrid summer, slated to be the hottest over the last four decades.With weathermen keeping an eye on the cyclonic storm Phet developing mid coast in Arabian Sea, residents got a relief as the South West Monsoon which had stalled, resumed its movement and entered Andhra Pradesh, bringing rains to Rayalaseema region and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. It was likely to reach Hyderabad and Telangana region over the next 3 to 4 days, the Met Department said.The Weather bulletin issued tonight said the South West monsoon has further advanced into some parts of Rayalaseema from Kannur, Bangalore, Kadapa and some parts of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh up to Bapatla.''Conditions are favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Andhra Pradesh during the next 48 hours'', the bulletin said.The Bulletin further said the chief amounts of rainfall for the last 24 hours ending at 0830 hours, were recorded at Udayagiri (6cm), Sitarampuram (6cm), Paderu (5 cm), Yerrgondapalem (4 cm), Piduguralla, Tuni and S Kota, Amalapuram 3 cm each.
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Andhra Pradesh first to launch mobile adalat

Hyderabad,The Jun 5: The Andhra Pradesh cabinet today okayed launching of mobile lok adalat at three places in the state on a pilot scheme.It happens to be the country's first mobile lok adalat to reach specifically rural poor to settle litigations at their doorstep without any cost to them.The mobile lok adalat, one in each of the region, will be initially in Ranga Reddy district (Telangana), Kadapa (Rayalaseema) and Visakahapatnam (Coastal Andhra Pradesh), state information Minister J Geetha Reddy said in a post cabinet brief here.The state cabinet also approved Rs 26 lakhs to the each of the centre to purchase vehicle and recruitment of supporting staff on a contract basis. The initiative in this regard was taken in 2007 by the then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Justice of State High Court and the Judge-cum-Chairman Andhra Pradesh Legal Services Committee.For the establish of mobile lok adalts, the member secretary, AP state legal services authority has requested to issue necessary orders for purchase of three maruthi vans and supprting staff.Six typist cum assistant posts, three driver posts and six attender posts.
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Andhra to seek Rs.1,357 crore for cyclone relief

Hyderabad,June 5: Andhra Pradesh Saturday decided to seek assistance of Rs.1,357.42 crore from the central government for reconstruction work in areas hit by last month's cyclone Laila.The state cabinet, which met here Saturday, decided to seek the financial assistance under the National Calamity Contingency Fund and the Calamity Relief Fund. After the meeting chaired by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Minister for Information and Public Relations J. Geeta Reddy told reporters that the state government would soon submit a memorandum in this regard. The cyclone in Bay of Bengal last month caused widespread destruction in the four coastal districts of Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna and Nellore. The natural calamity claimed 28 lives, damaged civic infrastructure and the crops. Geeta Reddy said the losses due to the cyclone were estimated at Rs.1,603.22 crore. The agriculture and horticulture crops suffered a damage of Rs.171.44 crore, while damage to public infrastructure was estimated at Rs.1,302.39 crore. She said the state would be seeking Rs.51.74 crore towards rescue and relief operations, Rs.399.52 crore for temporary restoration and Rs.906.16 crore for permanent restoration works.
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National Muslim and Arab American Organizations Urge President Obama to Uphold Goals of Cairo Speech on One-Year Anniversary, in response to Gaza Flotilla Incident

(Deccan Samachar Service)June 3, 2010, The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Arab American Institute (AAI) sent a letter to White House yesterday requesting that President Barack Obama meet with Muslim and Arab American leaders to discuss the recent incident of violence against the humanitarian convoy traveling to Gaza. The incident occurred only days before the one-year anniversary of President Obama's address to the Muslim and Arab worlds in Cairo on June 6, 2009 and could compromise progress-at home and abroad-on goals laid out in the speech. "One year after Obama's Cairo speech, this tragic incident threatens to undermine both the president's efforts to broker peace between the Israelis and Palestinians and the confidence he sought to inspire in his address to the Muslim world," said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America. The letter asked that President Obama: "...demand an independent investigation into this violent attack and to ensure protections and rights for U.S. citizens who were a part of this humanitarian effort ... [and] to address this crisis in a manner consistent with the vision you advanced in Cairo and to exercise American leadership by calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza." ===================================================

Road map set for global development of telecom and ICT

Hyderabad,Jun 4: The Hyderabad Action Plan adopted today by the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference outlined a road map to foster the global development of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services over the next four-year cycle.The roll out of next-generation networks (NGN) and increased access to broadband services, wireless technologies and the Internet were recognized as catalysts to achieve the broader development goals.The Hyderabad Declaration states: ''Broad access to telecommunications and ICTs is essential for the world's collective economic, social and cultural development, and the building of a global Information Society. This access brings new opportunities for interaction amongst people, for sharing of the world's knowledge resources and expertise, for transforming people's lives, and for contributing to the global development agenda.'' The fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10), which concluded today, attracted 924 participants ''The increasing role of ICT in the life of the common man cannot be overemphasised. Keeping in view the latest technological developments in ICT, the Hyderabad declaration adopted by WTDC-10 will play a decisive role in the development of the ICT sector across the world, especially in developing countries,'' Mr P J Thomas, Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications of the Government of India, who was elected Chairman of the Conference, said. (photo by RSJ Thomas)
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World telecom meet lays roadmap for growth

Hyderabad, June 4 : The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Friday adopted the Hyderabad Action Plan, outlining a road map to foster the global development of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services over the next four years.The roll-out of next-generation networks and increased access to broadband services, wireless technologies and the Internet were recognised by the UN agency's fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference as catalysts to achieve the broader development goals. "Broad access to telecommunications and ICTs is essential for the world's collective economic, social and cultural development, and the building of a global information society," the Hyderabad declaration said. The fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10), May 24-June 4, was attended by 924 participants, including 758 government delegates from 138 countries. Policy-makers and regulators pledged to promote affordable access to telecommunications and ICTs aimed at fostering sustainable development worldwide, with attention given to least developed countries (LDCs) and countries with special needs. New opportunities arising from the widespread use of ICTs were also cited in improving e-government services such as healthcare and education and to step up the drive to alleviate poverty and create jobs, especially among poor and marginalised populations, including women, children, indigenous peoples and people with disabilities. "Mobile telephony has grown phenomenally, and as we approach the five billion-mark for mobile subscriptions later this year, it is considered to be the most rapidly adopted technology in history," ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure while addressing the closing session of WTDC-10. "Yet, the digital divide remains, particularly where accessibility to broadband services and the Internet is concerned. This broadband divide must be addressed by governments and industry as a priority if we are to fully utilise the capacity of ICTs to meet the Millennium Development Goals," he said. The conference noted that digital divide is compounded by disparities in broadband access and infrastructure between and within countries, in particular between urban and rural areas. Public and private partnerships need to be strengthened, in order to explore and further develop new and innovative ways of financing development projects, in close collaboration with international, regional and national financing and investment institutions, the declaration said. (Photo by RSJ Thomas)
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Seven held for hacking online passport software

Hyderabad, June 4 : Seven people were arrested here for hacking the online passport application software of the Hyderabad regional passport office, police said Friday.Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters that seven people, who included passport agents, were arrested and search was on for two others involved in the racket.The accused, who hacked the online software a week ago, were using it to book slots for registration of passport applications. The passport officials, who grew suspicious at some agents managing to get many slots, informed the police. The police commissioner's Task Force took up the inquiry. Police arrested main accused Latadhar Rao in Guntur. Several computers and hard disks have been seized from the accused. The police chief said they were on the lookout for two other accused. The gang was busted a day after the police commissioner announced setting up of a special police station to deal with cyber crimes. Over 100,000 applications are pending in the passport office here. There have been allegations of corruption with alleged collusion between employees and agents leading to inordinate delays in getting the passports. Last month, the passport office authorised 96 agents to receive applications for police clearance certificate and other miscellaneous services offered by it. Each agent was allowed to receive four applications for police clearance certificate and miscellaneous services and five applications for fresh passports and renewals every day.(photo by RSJ Thomas) 

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Connecting Rural Roads in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) June,03,The Ministry of Rural Development has released grant in aid worth Rs. 80,00,00,000/- (Rs. Eighty crore only) as part payment of 2nd installment of Phase VI for construction of rural roads in Andhra Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The sum is from the special window created in NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development) under RIDF as grants in aid to the Andhra Pradesh State Rural Roads Development Agency (APSRRDA). APSRRDA is the agency executing the works taken up under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in the rural areas of the country. PMGSY envisages connectivity to all habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in the rural areas and about 250 persons and above in respect of the hilly states, tribal areas and desert areas through good and all weather roads.
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Government Appoints Court of Inquiry into Mangalore Air Crash

(PIB NEWS) June,03,The Government today has appointed a Court of Inquiry into air crash of the Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-AXV which occurred near the Bajpe Airport, Mangalore on 22 May, 2010 while operating a scheduled flight IX-812 from Dubai to Mangalore resulting in the death of 158 passengers.Finding it expedient to hold an inquiry into the circumstances of the accident, the Government has appointed Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale to hold the investigation. Capt. Ron Nagar, Shri S.S. Nat, Shri Babu Peter, Shri Gurcharan Bhatura will be the assessors to the investigation. The Government has also appointed Shri S.N. Dwivedi, Director Airworthiness as Secretary to the Court. The Headquarters of the Court will be at New Delhi. The Court will complete its investigation and submit the report to the Government by 31 August 2010.
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Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Arrives in Busan to Attend G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meeting

(PIB NEWS)June,03, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrived today in Busan, South Korea on a three days visit to attend G-20 Finance Ministers Meeting scheduled to be held on 4th and 5th June,2010. Official delegation led by Shri Mukherjee includes Shri Ashok Chawla, Finance Secretary among others. G- 20 Central Bank Governors’ Meeting will also be held during this period in Busan.During his stay in Busan, Shri Mukherjee will also hold bilateral talks with UK Chancellor of Exchequer and Ex-Finance Minister of South Korea who will be Chairing the G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meet. Before participating in the deliberations of G-20 Finance Ministers Meet starting on 4th June,2010 evening, Shri Mukherjee will also attend four nation Finance Ministers Meet of BRIC countries which will be held on the sidelines of the G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meet. Major issues which are likely to dominate the G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meet include current Global Economic situation, problem of rising fiscal deficits going upto 9 percent of GDP and high debt/GDP ratios in advanced economies and an action plan to tackle them. Beside, a review will be done of actions taken so far for building a framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth to correct various global imbalances as decided in Pittsburgh Summit. This mainly includes need for fiscal contraction, promoting sound fiscal and monetary policy frameworks, building sound financial sector and adoption of collective policy options as a common strand across all group of countries for moving towards a more balanced economy. Beside above, Busan Ministerial Meet will be a stock taking exercise on the progress of regulatory reforms in financial sector which mainly include international rules on capital, leverage and liquidity, compensation reforms, OTC Derivatives and High Standard Accounting Standards and Non Cooperative Jurisdictions. There will be stress for completing the regulatory reforms as per the committed timelines. Other issues to be deliberated during G-20 Finance Ministers Meet include reform of International Financial Institutions(IFIs) which has always been part of G-20 AGENDA over the past Summits. While operational level reforms in IFIs have been achieved including increased lending capacity, creation of flexible lending facilities and liquidity provision to emerging economies. However the Strategic Reforms like governance reforms to enhance legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness of the IFIs are still under consideration of IMF. Other issues to come up before the G-20 Finance Ministers Meet include strengthening of Financial Safety Nets(FSNs) to cope with financial volatility, reducing the economic disruption from sudden swings in capital flows and perceived need for excessive reserve accumulation. Issues of energy and fossil fuel subsidies, financial inclusion and global food security are also likely to dominate the Meet.
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Shri Kapil Sibal Meets Secretary Clinton - Discusses Formation of India - US Education Council

(PIB NEWS)June,03, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal met the U.S. Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton today and discussed wide ranging issues relating to bilateral cooperation in the field of education. Shri Sibal recalled that 50 years ago India and USA had come together to establish world class institutions like IIT Kanpur. The nature of cooperation has now changed with development of India but there is great opportunity for the two countries to work together to create centres of excellence.Shri Kapil Sibal mentioned some of the major reform measures undertaken by him and said that his aim is to increase GER in Higher Education to 30% by the year 2020 which means almost tripling the enrolment from the present 14 million to about 40 million. This effort would require setting up of at least 600-700 new universities and another 35,000 colleges. Welcoming the Singh-Obama knowledge Initiative, Shri Kapil Sibal said that we need to establish a bi-national India-US Education Council having academics, entrepreneurs and government representatives as members. This Council will give further impetus to the sustained efforts being made by both sides to increase education cooperation. Shri Sibal also mentioned the 14 Innovation Universities being set up in India and said that the two sides could partner in setting some of these Innovation universities, one of which could be announced during the proposed visit of President Obama to India later this year. The two leaders also discussed the use of ICT in enhancing the Teaching- learning capabilities, research collaboration Biosciences, nano-sciences and other spheres. they also discussed the interest shown by US universities in establishing institutions in India. Secretary Clinton, who was well informed about the education developments in India, expressed keen interest in India's vision of building an educated and skilled society and suggested collaboration in areas of skill development as well, particularly through community colleges. Secretary Clinton also welcomed the proposal of India-US Education Council. Earlier during the day, Shri Sibal met Arne Duncan, Secretary Education. Shri Sibal shared his vision of education particularly reforms in education sector. The photograph of Shri Sibal with Secretary Clinton and Education Secretary Arne Duncan is available on Indian Embassy website (www.indianembassy.org.) and can be downloaded from there.
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Chidambaram inaugurates housing complex for the poor in Andhra Pradesh

Kalkiri/ Tirumala, June 3 : Union Home Minister P Chidambaram inaugurated 'Indiramma', a housing complex constructed specially for the impoverished families under a programme of the State government here on Wednesday.The complex, which has 1,600 houses, has been built in the State''s Chittoor district with support of the Central Government.Chidambaram said that the Central Government would continue to support such public welfare programmes liberally."As long as we have the wise leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, we will continue to grow at a very fast rate and if we continue to grow at a very fast rate, money will not be a problem for implementing programmes," said Chidambaram. The housing colony constructed for the poor was inaugurated along with the other welfare programmes."We are spending nearly six crore of rupees on the ''Indiramma'' houses that have been completed today," said Chidambaram.The Home Minister later visited the famous Tirumala temple to offer prayers to Lord Venkateswara.
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HMWSSB is bursted the pressure of water flows fr 2 to 4 meter height

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service) June,1, As Summer is on peak. people are in trouble to get safe drinking water , here the picture shows of main line of HMWSSB is bursted the pressure of water flows fr 2 to 4 meter height  (PHOTO BY RSJ THOMAS)==============================================

Right to education historic, will work to make it reality: PM

Describing the Right to Education Act a “historic step”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said his government will work in tandem with the states to make it a reality.“The Right to Education Act is a historic step that will give every Indian child the means to become productive, responsible and active citizen of the country. We will work in cooperation and partnership with state governments and other stakeholders to make the fundamental right to education a reality,” the prime minister said after releasing the UPA-II’s report card to mark one year in office.The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory education (RTE) Act, which came into force from April 1 this year, provides for free education to all children till Class 8. The act has been highlighted as the most prominent achievement of the human resource development (HRD) ministry.“Nothing can be more precious to us than the future of our children. It is they who will fulfil our dreams, hopes and aspirations for a better tomorrow,” the prime minister said.Stating that a number of steps have been taken in the field of higher education, Manmohan Singh said that reforms will soon be introduced in medical education as well.“We have already taken several initiatives in the field of higher education. In the coming year, we will work on reforming the system of medical studies,” he said.A tussle is on between the HRD and health ministries for keeping Medical education under their ambit. While the HRD ministry wants to include medical education under the proposed National Commission for Higher Education and Research, health ministry proposes the formation of a separate National Council for Human Resource in Health.In the field of higher education, the report card mentions the establishment of 16 central universities and six new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country.Establishing over 19,000 primary and upper primary schools, mid-day meal scheme, introduction of grading system in schools and interest subsidy on education loans to poor students with parental income less than Rs.4.5 lakh per annum are the other prominent steps mentioned in the report card.The report also includes a scheme for the establishment and management of girls’ hostels launched last year.
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CID enquiry over EAMCET leakage: Minister

Tirupati, Jun 2: State Minister for Technical Education and Law Mopidevi Venkata Raman today clarified that there is no EAMCET -2010 question paper leakage as the authorities acted timely to prevent the leakage.Briefing the press persons, Mr Raman, who arrived here to pay obeissance to Lord Venkateswara Swamy, said, ''we would conduct CID enquiry over the cheating with the aid of bluetooth-enabled microphones at Kadapa and Kurnool district during the EAMCET examinations. The guilty would be punished severely, he added.The Minister also said the fee reimbursement would be streamlined shortly as a committee had already been formed for it.
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Bomb threat stops Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Garibrath

Hyderabad, Jun 2 : The Visakhapatnam-bound Garibrath from Secunderabad was stopped at Bibinagar tonight following a bomb threat.The train, which had left Secunderabad at 2100 hrs, had hardly run for less than 30 minutes when it was stopped at Bibinagar railway station on the South Central Railways, police sources said.Soon after the Garibrath had left Secunderabad, an anonymous call was received by the railway officials that said a bomb was planted in the train. The information was immediately passed on to police who stopped the train at Bibinagar in Nalgonda district.A dog squad has been rushed to the spot even as search was on compartment by compartment for the 'bomb'. The train has already been detained at Bibinagar for nearly 30 minutes and the search was on, sources said.
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NRI IT Businessmen to invest over Rs 1500 cr in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jun 2 : The NRI-owned Small and Medium Enterprise businesses have come forward to invest over Rs 1,500 crore in Hyderabad in three phases, Small and Medium Enterprise Consortium Chairman Mahender Musuku announced today.At a breakfast meeting held in USA with the CEOs of SME companies, State Information Technology and Communications Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy appealed to the NRI businesses to consolidate their voerseas operations in Hyderabad, India, and make it as their destination city for IT and ITES needs.In response, the businesses have expressed interest in making Hyderabad as their first choice for operations, provided the companies get equal playing field, good incentives in taxation and infrastructure support.Several proposals were discussed during the meeting, including setting up an incubation center with immediate effect followed by developing a self-sustaining campus. The Minister assured full support from the state government to enable these companies to start the operations immediately.Responding to the request of some of the companies to have immediate space available, the Minister offered to lease the currently available built-up space in the Madhapur area that is owned by the department at a reasonable price pending the approval from the Government.SMEs have proposed to setup an incupation center in the heart of the city of Hyderabad for administrative and front offices with an estimaed employment for over 2,000 people in the next two years.This would be followed by the campus in the vicinity of Hyderabad where in there would be a direct employment for around 10,000 people and indirect employment for around 40,000 people with an investment of over 1500 crore. The campus would be built in three phases with the 1st phase to be completed within two years of the approvals, if any.Mr Musuku mentioned that a similar proposal was pending with the government for more than two years and requested the Minister to look into the matter favaouably. The SMEs in USA had sustained operations in India and irrespective of the recession, had been' investing in future growth plans in India. The minister assured to take up the matter immediately with the Chief Minister and respond within 30 days.
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