U.S. Engagement with Muslim Communities Worldwide

Hyderabad, july,08, State Department launches third installment of'Conversations with America'On Friday, July 9,2010, Steven Clemons, Director of the New America Foundation's American Strategy Program will hold a conversation with Farah Pandith, Special Representative to Muslim Communities, on theUnited States' engagement with Muslim communities around the world.The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Public Affairs. The event will be streamed live on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog at 11:15 a.m. (EDT). You will have the opportunity to participate through the submission of questions, some of which will be selected for response during the live broadcast. Submit your questions now here on DipNote. This is the third in the new Conversations with America video series recently launched by the Bureau of Public Affairs in which the State Department's senior leadership holds monthly conversations live online with leaders of prominent non-governmental organizations. Discussion topics include foreign policy and global issues. The forums provide views of how leaders from the foreign affairs community engage the Department on pressing foreign policy issues and how both the U.S.government and civil society are working across the globe on issues that concern Americans most, ============================================

Congress plays down Jagan’s decision to resume yatra

Hyderabad,july,08, The Congress Wednesday sought to play down party MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy’s decision to resume his ‘Odarpu’ yatra’ despite reservations on the part of the central leadership.“I am sure the honourable MP knows what the party line is. It is not an issue we are worried about,” party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said here.Asked if disciplinary action would be taken against Jaganmohan Reddy, Natarajan said she was not aware of any such move.Though the party had given Jagan, as the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s son is popularly known, an implicit warning Tuesday against breaching party discipline, a senior party leader later said that the yatra was an emotional issue for the MP.Jagan Wednesday left for Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh to resume his yatra amid speculation that he plans to float a new political party. In Srikakulam, he is to visit families of those who died of shock or committed suicide following the death of his father in a helicopter crash Sep 2 last year.Party sources said that Union Law Minister M. Veerapa Moily, who is party incharge of Andhra Pradesh, is expected to give his assessment of Jagan’s decision to resume his yatra once he return from a visit abroad.
===============================================

YSR's son resumes yatra, attracts huge crowds

Hyderabad, July 8: Defying the Congress leadership, party MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Thursday launched his 'Odarpu' yatra in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district attracting huge crowds on the birth anniversay of his father and deceased chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.Unfazed by the central leadership's warning not to cross the limit, the young leader set out on a three-day tour to console family members of those who died of shock after the death of his father YSR in a helicopter crash last year. Visiting different villages, Jagan called on the families, consoled them and spent time with them. He also had food with the bereaved families. Though no minister or party legislator was present, the Kadapa MP received tremendous public response in towns and villages. Jagan made no reference to the Congress leadership, which had warned him of disciplinary action over the yatra.Party sources said the leadership may take some action against him after a few days. It did not want to move in haste as Jagan would then get public sympathy. Thousands lined up both sides of the streets and stood on rooftops to welcome Jagan in Itchapuram town. He unveiled a statue of his father at the site where YSR ended his 68-day padyatra in 2003. The 1,400-km-long padyatra had catapulted YSR to power a year later. Addressing people in a style which reminded people of his father, Jagan was impressed by the huge turnout. "My father has not left me orphaned. He has left behind such a huge family," he said to loud cheers. Meanwhile, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah denied that the party leadership has changed its stand on the Jagan issue. He also denied that he took a U-turn. Rosaiah had asked his cabinet colleagues and legislators to stay away from Jagan's tour. On Wednesday evening, Rosaiah said in New Delhi that the leadership was not against the yatra but the manner in which it was conducted. The leadership appears worried over the possibility of Jagan emerging powerful in the party. After YSR's death last year, the followers of Jagan wanted to make him the chief minister but the leadership declined to. Jagan has already visited a couple of districts to console some families. However, his attempt to visit Warangal district in Telangana May 28 despite a warning by the leadership and protests by pro-Telangana groups triggered violence.
===============================================

South West monsoon vigorous over coastal AP, active over Telangana

Hyderabad, Jul 8 : Southwest monsoon has been vigorous over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and active over Telangana, with rain occurring at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and at a few places over Rayalaseema.The rainfall recorded in cm are Nandigama 9, Koyyalagudem 8, Avanigadda, Gudivada and Nuzvid, Kunavaram, Piduguralla and Sattenapalli 7 each.The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm are Armoor, Atchampet and Mangalagiri, Madhira, and Narsipatnam 6 each, Bapatla, Guntur, Bheemgal, Chintalapudi, Mancherial, Metpalli, Narsampet, Paleru Bridge, Repalle and Tenali 5 each, Machilipatnam, Ongole, Vijayawada, Jangaon, Kandukur, Karimnagar, Sultanabad, Miryalguda, Suryapet, Mudhol, Navipet, Paderu, Rajahmundry and Tiruvuru 4 each. Narsapur, Addanki, Yerragondapalem, Atmakur, Bhimadole, Bhimavaram, Eluru, Koderu, Polavaram, Tanuku, Bhongir, Bodhan, Nizamsagar, Chinnoor, Dummagudem, Yellandu, Kaikalur, Peddapuram, Ramayampet and Sangareddy 3 each. Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and may occur over Telangana.Light to moderate rain/thundershowers would occur at a few places over Rayalaseema. Intermittent spells of rain/thundershowers are likely in the city. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would hover around 28 and 22 degrees Celsius respectively, Met office here said.
============================================

Rosaiah offers CM's post to Naidu for a week

Hyderabad, July 8 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Thursday offered his post to opposition leader N.Chandrababu Naidu for a week.The offer was made during a debate in the assembly on the alleged illegal projects constructed by the Maharashtra government across the Godavari river. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief criticised the government for failing to stop the projects and protect the state's interests. "If the chief minister wants, this problem can be solved in 10 minutes," Naidu said. The Congress leader said: "Why 10 minutes? I will give you one week. I will leave the office. You come here and solve the problem." Rosaiah asked the opposition parties to cooperate with the government in dealing with the issue. He advised the TDP president to give his suggestions in writing so that these are incorporated in the letter to be written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "If you want I will show you the letter before sending it to the PM," Rosaiah said. Earlier, Naidu said though the Congress was ruling both the state and the country, the state government had failed to stop Babli project being built by Maharashtra. The TDP alleged that the illegal projects will take away the state's share of waters and badly hit farmers in Telangana region.

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

SCR to run 6 Spl trains between Hyderabad and Ajmer

Hyderabad, Jul 8 : The South Central Railway (SCR) will run six special trains between Hyderabad and Ajmer to clear the extra rush of passengers.The Hyderabad-Ajmer Special train will depart Hyderabad on July 16, 23 and 30 (Fridays) at 2135 hrs and arrive Ajmer at 1430 hrs on the second day (Sundays).In return the train will leave Ajmer on July 18 and 25 and August 1 (Sundays) at 2245 hrs and arrive Hyderabad at 1400 hrs on Tuesday.The trains will stop at Medchal, Kamareddi, Nizamabad, Basar, Dharmabad, Mudkhed, Nanded, Purna, Parbhani, Jalna, Aurangabad, Manmad, Bushawal, Khandwa, Itarsi, Bhopal, Sehore, Shujalpur, Berchha, Ujjain, Nagda, Kota, Bundi, Maldalgarh, Chanderia, Bhilwara, Bijaynagar and Nasirabad in both directions, a press release here said.
=============================================

Kadapa district named after YSR

Hyderabad, July 8 : Andhra Pradesh government Thursday renamed Kadapa district as YSR district on the birth anniversary of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who was popularly known by his initials.The state government issued a notification, renaming the native district of YSR. Ignoring objections from the opposition parties and using the powers under Andhra Pradesh Districts (Formation) Act, 1974, the government issued the order. The records in the state gazette have also been accordingly changed. The state cabinet last month decided to name Kadapa district as YSR district as a mark of tribute to the chief minister who was killed in a helicopter crash Sep 2 last year. The Congress government initially wanted to rename Kadapa as Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Kadapa district. Since the name was too long and also since the former chief minister was popular as YSR, the cabinet decided to rename it as YSR district. Kadapa, in the Rayalaseema region, was part of the area ceded to the British by Nizam, the ruler of erstwhile Hyderabad State.
=============================================

Andhra Pradesh remembers YSR on birth anniversary

Hyderabad,July 8: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah led the state in paying tributes to his predecessor Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy on his birth anniversary Thursday. The popular leader died in a helicopter crash Sep 2 last year. "A heartfelt remembrance of the winner of people's hearts. Our government will work every second to ensure that your immortal smile shows up on every face of the state," said a government advertisement in newspapers. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held a meeting to remember YSR, as the late leader was popularly called. Addressing the legislators, Rosaiah said people could never forget YSR for the welfare schemes he initiated. He denied that his government was trying to belittle YSR by holding an assembly session on his birth anniversary. Instead, he said, the government was celebrating the birth anniversary on a grand scale. He also denied that he was trying to stall the 'Odarpu' yatra of YSR's son and Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. As part of the yatra, Reddy will visit families of those who died of shock following YSR's death. Rosaiah unveiled a portrait of YSR in the state assembly building.
============================================

"GRT BANGLE MELA" at somajiguda

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service,DSS)July,07,GRT is a well-known brand that is now sysnoymous with purity, having taken jewellery retailing to great heights. it began its journey in the shopping maker of Chennai, when G Rajendran promoted G R Thangamaligai (GRT) in 1964. since then, he has steered it to transform t into a well-diversified corporate group which has interests in hospitality, agriculture, education, training and non-conventional power. after laying the foundation and building a multi-crore empire, Mr Rajendran has taken the back seat, leaving the management to his two sons - G R A anathapadamanabhan and G R Radhakrishna. GRT Bangle Mela at Hyderabad, Vizag,Tirupati From june 25 to July 31,2010 Five weeks mela to choose from over 1500 Bangle designs and 40 Bangle Varieties,      (photo by RSJ Thomas )===============================================

Mr. Mohammed Azizullah inaugurated ConsSultaco International consultants office at Hyderabad.

Hydeabad,(Deccan Samachar Service,DSS) July,07,Mr. Mohammed Azizullah inaugurated ConsSultaco International consultants office at Hyderabad. It will be consultancy service provider for the Students seeking to get addmission in Higher studies, Diploma or Degree cources in any of the Institution in CANADA. (Photo - R.S.J. Thomas)==============================================

Poster released by LEARP India International for the Plantation program at Public Garden Hyderabad

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service, DSS)July,07, Poster released by LEARP India International for the Plantation program at Public Garden Hyderabad,ear  Bala Bhavan, on the occasion of Late Dr.Y.S. Raj Shekhar Reddy's Birth Anniversary on 08th July 2010.TGJ Srinivas Rao, Director LEARP, Mrs. Arundhatti and babu are seen in the picture.                      (Photo - R.S.J. Thomas)================================================

Mayor paid homage to Babu Jagjivan Ram

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) July-07, On the occassion of Babu Jagjivan Ram death anniversary Mayor Hyderabad Smt Banda Karthika Reddy garlanded his statue at tankband sec.bad .                   (photo by RSJ Thomas)============================================

Smt Smitha incharge collector hyderabad land inspecting

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service)july,07, HYDERABAD INCHARGE COLLECTOR, SMITHA SABHARWAL INSPECTING LANDS AT TRIMULGIRI MANDAL SEC.BAD ALONG WITH RDO SEC,BAD C.LAXMI,IN/CHARGE THASILDAR RAMADEVI AND DEFENCE ESTATE OFFICER K.K REDDY (Photo by i&pr no.CNR-1)
=============================================

American woman 'raped' in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, July 7 : An American woman was allegedly raped in Hyderabad on Wednesday, media reports said.The 25-year-old, who works with the Clinton Foundation, was allegedly raped at her Banjara Hills apartment in the morning. Rs 5 lakh in cash is also missing from the apartment.The woman has been working as a nutritionist in the city for the past one year.The victim reported the matter to the police.The police commissioner paid her a visit to assure that the police is serious about her case, reports added. ==============================================

SCR partially cancels trains due to Maoist Bandh

Hyderabad, Jul 7 : The South Central Railway (SCR) today announced that it has partially cancelled train services between Bhadrachalam Road and Manuguru due to the two-day Bharat Bandh called by the CPI (Maoist) from today.According to a press release here, Train No 325 Secunderabad-Manuguru passenger will be partially cancelled between Bhadrachalam Road and Manuguru today. Train No 339/340 Dornakal-Manuguru-Dornakal passenger would be partially cancelled between Bhadrachalam Road and Manuguru on July 7 and 8. While Train No 326 Manuguru-Secunderabad passenger, leaving Manuguru on July 7 and 8, would be partially cancelled between Manguru and Bhadrachalam Road, Train No 357/358 Kazipet-Manuguru-Kazipet passenger, leaving Kazipet and Manuguru on July 7 and 8, would be partially cancelled between Manuguru and Bhadrachalam Road, the release added.
==============================================

Maoist shutdown evokes partial response in parts of Andhra

Hyderabad,July 7: The 48-hour shutdown called by the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) to protest the killing of their spokesperson Azad evoked partial response in parts of Andhra Pradesh Wednesday.The shutdown affected normal life in Maoist-infested tribal areas in the districts bordering Orissa and Chhattisgarh as authorities suspended bus services and cancelled few trains as a precautionary measure. The call also evoked partial response in remote areas of Adilabad district, where Chelukuri Rajkumar alias Azad was killed by police in an alleged gun battle last week. The response, however, was poor in other parts of Telangana, which was once a stronghold of Maoists. Police sounded a high alert in areas bordering Orissa and Chhattisgarh borders in view of the warning by intelligence agencies that Maoists could carry out attacks to avenge the killing of their top leader. Additional forces were deployed in Vijayanagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts bordering Orissa and Khammam district adjoining Chhattisgarh. According to Vijayanagaram Superintendent of Police Navin Gulati, patrolling has been intensified to prevent any Maoist activity. Police have also advised the politicians in the region not to move into interior areas without proper security. The railway authorities cancelled some trains in the areas bordering Orissa and Maharashtra in view of the reported threat by Maoists to target trains. East Coast Railways cancelled Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express and either effected changes in the timings of some other trains or diverted them. South Central Railway has also partially cancelled few trains passing through Maharashtra. The trains on Mudkhed-Adilabad section have been affected. SCR partially cancelled Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express between Kinwat (Mahrashtra) and Adilabad. Adilabad-Nanded special train has also been partially cancelled. Nagpur-Mumbai CST Nandigram Express will run only up to Adilabad and has been cancelled between Adilabad and Mumbai.
=============================================

Andhra Pradesh Govt to celebrate YSR's birth anniversay on Jul 8

Hyderabad,Jul 6: The Andhra Pradesh Government will celebrate the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a befitting manner on July 8.Chief Minister K Rosaiah gave the final shape to the celebrations planned for the day at a meeting held today in this regard with Minister for Information and Public Relations, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Geetha Reddy, Adviser to government and Rajya Sabha Member K V P Ramachandra Rao, Commissioner, I and PR Parthsarathi and others.The Chief Minister said he will make a reference in the Legislative Assembly with the permission of the Speaker and recall the services of YSR towards the allround development of the state.Later, there will be a state function at Ravindra Bharathi in which a short film would be screened and book will be released. The function will be attended by ministers, MPs, MLAs and leaders of all political parties, a release from the Chief Minister's office here said. The Chief Minister said the state government will rededicate to implement all the welfare programmes launched by Reddy.The state will be celebrating the birth anniversary of YSR for the first time after his sudden tragic death in a helicopter crash at Pavuralagutta in Kurnool district on September 2 last year. The Chief Minister and other leaders will pay tributes to Reddy at the function in Ravindra Bharathi, the release added.
==============================================

CM Seening off President at Airport,

Hyderabad,july,05,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) DR.K ROSAIAH, HON’BLE CHIEF MINISTER IS SEEN SEENING OFF H.E.PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. PRATHIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT AIRPORT BEGUMPET, HYDERABAD ON 5-7-2010. - SRI E.S.L. NARASIMHAN, H E. GOVERNOR OF A.P, SRI MOHAMMED AHMEDULLAH Hon'ble Minister for Minurity Welfare, AND OTHER DIGNITARIES ARE ALSO SEEN. (Photo by I&PR No.CNR-9847)
=================================================

President-inaugurating the coronation celebration

Hyderabad,july,05, (Deccan Samachar Service DSS)H.E.PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. PRATHIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL IS SEEN INAUGURATING THE SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYA 500 YEARS CORONATION CELEBRATIONS AT RAVINDRA BHARATHI, HYDERABAD ON 5-7-2010. SRI E.S.L. NARASIMHAN, H.E. GOVERNOR OF A.P., DR.K ROSAIAH, HON’BLE CHIEF MINISTER, DR.J GEETA REDDY, HON’BLE MINISTER FOR I&PR, SRI S. JAIPAL REDDY, UNION MINISTER FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HON’BLE MINISTERS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES ARE ALSO SEEN. (Photo by I&PR No.CNR-469)
==============================================

Opposition strike hits hard Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, July 5: The nationwide shutdown called Monday to protest rising fuel prices hit hard Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh where many top leaders and hundreds of activists were arrested.The shutdown was partial in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and other major towns but total in some other places, affecting normal life. The strike was called by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Left parties separately was supported by Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Praja Rajyam Party (PRP). Leaders and hundreds of activists of the parties were arrested for staging road and rail blockades and for forcing shops to down shutters in Hyderabad and 22 other districts. Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in most parts of the state while bus services of the state-owned Road Transport Corp (RTC) came to a grinding halt. An official of RTC said it was operating only 20 percent of the bus services. The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station at Imlibun here, the biggest bus station in the state, wore a near deserted look as RTC suspended long-distance services. Buses going to the Tirupati temple were exempted from the shutdown. In Hyderabad, shops, petrol pumps and other business establishments were closed in some areas. The work in IT companies was not affected. All schools, colleges and universities remained closed while Osmania University postponed all examinations. Police kept Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president G. Kishan Reddy under house arrest here in view of President Pratibha Patil's visit to the city. He termed the police action as "undemocratic". Police had made tight security arrangements to prevent protests near Raj Bhavan and Ravindra Bharati where the president attended a programme. Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu, Kishan Reddy and Bandaru Dattatreya were later arrested at the busy Khairtabad cross roads for staging road blockade. "The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government has declared a war on poor people by increasing the fuel prices and we will fight against this on streets and in parliament by all democratic means," Venkaiah Naidu said. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu and leaders of Left parties were also arrested while holding protests here. Chandrababu Naidu was taken into custody along with several TDP leaders and activists when they staged a road block in the busy Ameerpet area. Tension prevailed as Chandrababu Naidu's supporters tried to resist his arrest for sometime. The protest caused a huge traffic jam in one of the main commercial areas in the city. Chandrababu Naidu later told reporters that the nationwide shutdown called by the opposition was a "grand success" as all sections of people were taking part in it voluntarily. "The government has to realise the seriousness of the price hike and roll back the hike. The opposition protests will continue until then," the former chief minister said. Police also arrested Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary K. Narayana and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader B.V. Raghavulu besides others.
============================================

SCR to run spl trains from Narsapur to Nagarsol

Hyderabad, Jul 5: The South Central Railway will run special trains from Narsapur to Nagarsol from July 7 to 29, 2010, to clear extra rush of passengers.Accordingly, Special Train No 0727 Narsapur-Nagarsol will leave Narsapur at 1045 hrs on July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and arrive in Nagarsol at 0900 hrs the next day. In the return direction, Special Train No 0728 Nagarsol-Narsapur will leave Nagarsol at 1100 hrs on July 8, 15, 22 and 29 and arrive in Narsapur at 1045 hrs the next day, a press release here yesterday said.
=============================================

BHARATH BANDH: Chandrababu,Venkaiah among arrested in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, Jul 5 : Former BJP president M.Venkaiah Naidu, Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu, CPI(M) Politburo member B.V.Raghavulu and CPI National Council member K Narayana were among hundreds of BJP, TDP and Left Party workers were arrested today as they staged protests and 'rasta roko', demanding rollback of the fuel price increase, across Andhra Pradesh, which evoked mixed response.Mr Venkaiah Naidu and former Union Minister B Dattatreya were among the BJP workers arrested during a sit-in at Khairatabad Junction. State BJP president G Kishen Reddy was detained at his residence.TDP President N.Chandrababu Naidu was arrested as he squatted at Ameerpet Cross Roads for disrupting traffic and shifted to Banjara Hills Police Station where he continued to stage dharna, demanding not only rollback of fuel prices -- a part of Bharat Bandh agenda -- and also against the recent liquor policy of the State.
==============================================

Andhra minister promises probe into slain man's identity

Hyderabad,July 5: Andhra Pradesh Home Minister P.Sabita Indra Reddy Monday said a probe would be ordered to find out if Hemchandra Pandey, killed along with Maoist leader Azad in a gunfight with police, was a leftwing rebel or a journalist as claimed by his family.Reddy gave the assurance when Pandey's wife Babita called on her here. Babita claims that Pandey was not a Maoist and that police killed him in a "fake encounter". The woman from Delhi told the home minister that police arrested Pandey in Nagpur and killed him along with Azad after bringing them to Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Claiming that her husband was a freelance journalist, Babita demanded a probe into his killing and punishment to the guilty. The minister pointed out that the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) released a statement identifying Pandey as a Maoist. She claimed that Azad and Pandey were killed in a real gun battle with police. CPI-Maoist politburo member and spokesman Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad and Pandey were killed in the forests of Adilabad district bordering Maharashtra Friday. Police said they were killed during a three-hour shootout but Maoists and civil liberties activists have alleged it was a stage-managed "encounter". Azad was cremated in Hyderabad Sunday while the body of Pandey has been kept at a mortuary in a government hospital in Bellampally in Adilabad district. Maoists had initially suspected him to be its cadre Sahadev. However, they later said he was a freelance journalist, who wanted to interview Azad. Hailing from Uttarakhand, Pandey was based in Delhi and was reportedly wrote for some Hindi dailies. The mystery over his identity deepened Sunday when a statement purportedly sent by CPI-Maoist said Pandey was a Maoist. However, the CPI -Maoist denied the party issued any such statement.
=============================================

Andhra Pradesh CM thanks Prez for her concern towards State

Hyderabad, Jul 5 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today thanked President Pratibha Patil for the concern and consideration she was showing towards the state.Dr Rosaiah also thanked her for bringing a Special Cake on the occasion of his 78th birthday yesterday. ''It was very kind of Her Excellency, President Pratibha Patil, to bring me a cake for my birthday. I have no words to express my gratitude to her for this kind gesture.I regard it as a special honour for me and will remember it forever", he told newspersons.Birthdays will come and go. But such a kind gesture from the President is a special moment in my life", he said.Mr Rosaiah also thanked Ms Patil on behalf of the state government for accepting the invitation and inaugurating the fifth centennial celebrations of Sri Krishnadevaraya's coronation at short notice.He also thanked the President for showing keen interest in agricultural operations and different welfare schemes for farmers in the state. State Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy and Agriculture Technology Mission Deputy Chairman and Adviser to state government D A Somayajulu briefed the President about various measures initiated by the state government for boosting agricultural production and towards farmers' welfare since 2004.Dr Rosaiah said the President had always shown special care for Andhra Pradesh. ============================================

We will intensify agitation: Chandrababu Naidu

Hyderabad,July 5: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said the protest movement against fuel price hike would only intensify if the prices are not rolled back."The government has to roll back the prices, else we will only intensify our agitation," he told reporters here leading his supporters in a protest march in the Congress-ruled state.Chandrababu Naidu also courted arrest in Hyderabad along with other party leaders and supporters. Andhra Pradesh was badly hit by the strike with the plying of about 1200 Road Transport Corporation buses disrupted.There are reports of vandalism too from across the state

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

President brings birthday cake for Rosaiah

Hyderabad, Jul 4 : In a special gesture, President Prathibha Devisingh Patil, who is on a two-day visit to the city, brought a special cake from Mumbai for Chief Minister K Rosaiah on his 78th birthday today.The ''Presidential cake'' was cut at the dinner hosted by the Chief Minister in honour of the President at the Chandeliered Jubilee Hall here tonight.The President also presented a Shawl and a marble encrusted wooden artefact to the Chief Minister. The President will inaugurate the 500-year anniversary celebrations of the coronation of the legendary King Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar empire on July 5.
==============================================

Prez, VP, PM, Sonia greet Rosaiah on B'day

Hyderabad, Jul 4 : President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hameed Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, were among the prominent personalities who greeted Chief Minister K Rosaiah on his 78th birthday today.While greeting the Chief Minister, the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson said his long experience of over six decades in public life and record stint as Finance Minister of Andhra Pradesh, would help the State to march forward on all fronts. Wishing Dr Rosaiah many more years of healthy and fruitful life, they hoped that with his simple living and high thinking he will set an example to others. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony, P Chidambaram, P K Bansal and AICC in-charge of AP Affairs and Law Minister Veerappa Moily greeted the Chief Minister, a press release here said. A P Legislative Council Chairman N Chakrapani, Legislative Assembly Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy, cabinet minister and party colleagues, opposition Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao and CPI General Secretary K Narayana also greeted Dr Rosaiah. Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi, accompanied by his party leaders, greeted the Chief Minister at his residence. People from various walks of life thronged the Chief Minister's residence to greet him on his birthday.Accepting the greetings, Dr Rosaiah thanked the Almighty and everyone for giving him an opportunity to serve the State. He reiterated his commitment and dedication for the development and welfare of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
==============================================

Rosaiah turns 78

Hyderabad, July 4 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Sunday celebrated his 78th birthday with family members, Congress leaders and other well-wishers.The veteran leader performed special prayers at his residence along with his family members. Priests from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam blessed the chief minister and offered prayers for his good health and long life. Congress leaders, ministers and other well-wishers made a beeline to his house to greet him. Youth Congress leaders cut a 78-kg cake on the occasion. Congress workers held various programmes like feeding the poor and blood donation camps in different parts of the state to celebrate Rosaiah's birthday. Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, opposition leader N.Chandrababu Naidu, Praja Rajyam Party chief K.Chiranjeevi and leaders of other parties greeted the chief minister. Rosaiah, who has 60 years of political experience, took over as chief minister in September last year after Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy died in a helicopter crash. In a message on the occasion of his birthday, Rosaiah said he considered chief ministership as an opportunity given by god to serve people. "My life's ambition is to attain salvation by serving the people," he said. Rosaiah said the state has a bright future and hoped that all parties will cooperate with him in making the state prosperous.
=============================================

Congress approves names of 8, candidates for Andhra Pradesh by-elections

New Delhi,Jul 4: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today approved the names of eight candidates for the bye-elections to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.The candidates included A Indrakaran Reedy from Sirpur, G Vinod from Chennur (SC) constituency, Mohammad Ali Shabbir from Yellareddy and Dharmapuri Srinivas from Nizamabad (Urban).Mr A Lakshman Kumar has been given ticket to contest from Dharmapuri(SC) constituency, Adi Srinivas from Vernulawada, K K Mahender Reddy from Sicilla and Kondapally Dayasagar Rao from Warangal (West).Incharge of Congress Election Committee (CEC) Mr Oscar Fernandes, said in a statement here.
==============================================

TDP gives Rs 10,000 to injured Journalist

Kakinada, Jul 4: Telugu Desam Party Polit Buro member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu today handed over Rs 10,000 as party's assistance to the family members of Tangella Nookaraju, city reporter of a Telugu daily, undergoing treatment for the fractures sustained in a road accident recently.Accompanied by district unit secretary Pilli Satyanarayanamurty, and former MLA Kondababu, he visited the government general hospital and enquired about his health. APWJF secretary V Naveenraj and Treasurer A Elia thanked the TDP leaders for the gesture. Ramakrishnudu promised to extend further assistance to the Journalists family to meet the treatment expenditure.
=============================================

APCC President, two former ministers to contest Andhra Pradesh bypolls

Hyderabad, Jul 4 : Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President D Srinivas and two former ministers -- G Vinod and Mohammad Ali Shabbir are among those who announced their candidature today to contest the July 27 byelections in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.Breaking its stand not to nominate defeated candidates, the Congress announced the candidature of Dharmapuri Srinivas from Nizamabad (Urban), G Vinod from Chennur (SC), Mohammed Ali Shabbir from Yellareddy and former MP A Indrakaran Reddy from Sirpur.Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) candidate, who had lost to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President K Chandrasekhara Rao's son T Tharaka Rama Rao from Sircilla by 171 votes and later filed an election petition in Andhra Pradesh High Court, was nominated as the Congress candidate from Sircilla.The other candidates whose names were announced were A Lakshman Kumar (Dharmapuri SC), Adi Srinivas (Vemulawada) and Kondapally Dayasagar Rao (Warangal (West), according to a press release issued by the APCC.The Congress is yet to name its candidates for four other constituencies.The last date for filing nominations is July 9.
=============================================

CPI(Maoists) joins BJP, Left Bharat Bandh call on July 5

Hyderabad, Jul 4: CPI(Maoists), under the onslaught of Operation ''Greenhunt'', has joined the 'Bharat Bandh' called by the BJP and Left parties tomorrow albeit on the violation of civil rights.The CPI Maoists themselves have called for a nationwide strike to protest against the killing of its leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad, who was espousing the cause of landless adivasis and toiling masses and had called for stopping the Operation Greenhunt.The party had also warned the Andhra Pradesh Government that it would avenge the 'murder' of Azad along with journalist Hemachandra Pandey of Sahara Naiduniya from Uttarakhand. The Maoists also charged the state government with not being interested in peace though it was calling them for talks. The 'murder' of Cherukuri Rajkumar had exposed its intention. Rajkumar was the spokesman of the Maoist party for the proposed peace talks with Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram.Leading civil rights activist Swamy Agnivesh had also offered to mediate for peace talks. The BJP, the Left parties, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the AIADMK have called for a countrywide bandh tomorrow to protest against the increase in prices of cooking gas and kerosene by the Union Government.The Centre took the decision to increase the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG Gas based on the Kirit Parikh recommendations to deregulate the fuel prices and allow the market to govern the prices.
==============================================

Maoists vow to avenge Azad's death

Hyderabad, July 4 : The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) on Sunday vowed to take revenge over the death of its leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad in Andhra Pradesh's Adilabad District."Azad was murdered brutally by Intelligence Bureau of the Central Government and Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of Andhra Pradesh with complete knowledge of Union home minister P Chidambaram," a statement issued by the CPI-Maoist said.The Maoists have also called for a 48-hour 'All India shutdown' from July 7 to protest Azad's killing. The Andhra Pradesh police reportedly shot dead Azad in an encounter in the Jogapur forest area early on Friday morning, while he was attempting to cross into the neighbouring Maharashtra.Azad was a member of the central committee of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) and carried a reward of 1.2 million rupees on his head.Azad, who did his MTech in Warangal, was linked to the Maoist movement for more than 35 years and used to write articles for magazines on Maoist ideology.There are reports that Azad was assigned the task of revising the Maoist movement in India.Meanwhile, there are also reports that Azad's death could could lead to reprisal attacks in Maoist strongholds in Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal following which the security agencies have sounded a high alert across these five States.Maoist attacks have increased this year, especially after the Government launched a coordinated security offensive involving tens of thousands of police trying to flush out the rebels from their jungle hideouts in central and eastern India.
=============================================

'Maoist' killed with Azad was journalist: Maoists

Hyderabad,July 3: The Communist Party of India-Maoist Saturday claimed that the man killed along with top Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad in an alleged gun battle with police in Andhra Pradesh was a freelance journalist but police said he was a Maoist.According to the outlawed outfit, Hem Chandra Pandey, a native of Dewaltal village in Uttarakhand, was killed along with Azad. Pandey, 32, was a freelance journalist based in Delhi and was working for Hindi dailies Nai Duniya and Rashtriya Sahara, they said. The CPI-Maoist had initially suspected the man to be its cadre, Sahadev. However, Gudsa Usendi, spokesman of the Dandakaranya special zone committee of the CPI-Maoist, claimed that the other slain person was a journalist. He alleged that the police picked them up in Maharashtra, brought them to Andhra Pradesh and killed them in cold blood. Azad and his accomplice were killed in an alleged exchange of fire with police in Jogapur forests in Adilabad district, about 300 km from here. Police had stated that the other Maoist killed in the shoot-out was not identified. Maoist sympathiser Varavara Rao said Pandey was doing a story on the police atrocities on tribals in the name of Operation Green Hunt. Adilabad police said Pandey was a Maoist. Police have also denied allegations by Maoists and their sympathisers that it was a stage-managed gun battle. The autopsy on the bodies of Azad and other man was conducted at the Government Hospital in Manchiryal town of Adilabad district. Azad's body was brought to Hyderabad amid tight security. The last rites will be performed here Sunday. The other body has been kept at Manchiryal hospital.
==============================================

TRS MP Vijayashanti arrested, released on bail

Hyderabad, July 3 : Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leader and MP Vijayashanti was released from jail on bail Saturday evening, a few hours after she was arrested for making inflammatory remarks ahead of the July 27 by-elections in Telangana and sent to judicial custody.A city court granted bail to the actress-turned-politician, who alleged that police misbehaved with her and said she had decided to take up the issue with the prime minister and Lok Sabha speaker. After her release from Chanchalguda jail this evening, she told reporters that the way a woman MP was treated by the police was shameful. "My only crime is that I gave a slogan," she said referring to the allegedly provocative remark she made a few days ago. Vijayashanti, who had earlier refused to move a bail petition, said as a disciplined solder of the party and also in view of the law and order situation, she agreed to the party decision to apply for bail. The bail was granted a few hours after a court sent her to 14 days judicial custody. Police arrested her from Road Number 3 Banjara Hills near her residence and brought her before the third additional chief metropolitan magistrate at the Nampally criminal court. The Medak MP was Friday booked for promoting animosity and hatred among people. The TRS leader, while addressing party workers a few days ago, had called upon people in Telangana to "slay" anyone who opposed formation of a Telangana state. Earlier, tension prevailed near her residence in Banjara Hills as police used force to disperse TRS workers who gathered there to resist her arrest. Vijayashanti, who went into hiding Friday after police filed a case against her on the directions of the Election Commission, was taken into custody by police while leaving for Siddipet in Medak. The actress, known as Lady Amitabh for her roles in Telugu movies, had heated arguments with police officials. "I was in my house throughout the night and even this morning but you did not come. Now you are arresting me on the road," the MP told them. TRS workers raised slogans against the police, who had a tough time controlling the crowd. Congress legislator T. Jayaprakash Reddy was also arrested for making provocative remarks. He represents Siddipet assembly, a part of Medak Lok Sabha constituency. Reddy, arrested in Sangareddy, will be brought before a magistrate, police said.
==============================================

CBI blames pilots for YSR's chopper crash

Hyderabad, July 3 : Human error, more specifically wrong judgement by the pilots, led to the fatal crash of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajashekhar Reddy's helicopter in September last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has concluded after a probe.The CBI, which submitted its report to the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments on Friday, has ruled out any sabotage or conspiracy angle to the accident.YSR, as the chief minister was popularly known, died in the chopper crash in the state's dense Nalla Malla forests on September 2, 2009. Two state government officials and both the pilots also died in the accident.The CBI, in its report, said that the pilots were late in realizing that the aircraft was losing altitude and they raised an alarm just 18 seconds before the crash."The chopper had started losing altitude and even disappeared from the radar screens of the Air Traffic Control at 9:23:30 hours. By the time the pilots realized what was happening, it was too late," the report states.A detailed study of the Bell-430 VT APG chopper's cockpit voice recorder (CVR) by the CBI led to these findings.The last recorded words on the CVR were: "Go around go around action"."He (YSR's son Jagan) said some prominent people had reasons to eliminate his father. This allegation was looked into and it was found that neither sabotage nor conspiracy was behind the crash. It was an accident which could have been avoided. None other than the pilots are responsible for the crash. They chose to go ahead with the flight despite adverse weather conditions," the CBI said in its report.
============================================

Vijayashanthi arrested for alleged inflammatory speeches

Hyderabad, July 3 : The Hyderabad police on Saturday took into its custody actor-turned politician and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) Member of Parliament Vijayashanthi for allegedly making inflammatory speeches.The Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer had earlier issued notice to her in the matter.It has been reported that Vijayashanthi made provocative remarks at a Telangana Rashtra Samiti meeting on June 30.The Hyderabad police had registered a case against her in this regard on Friday. There was also a clash between the TRS supporters and the Hyderabad police on Friday, when they attempted to arrest her.She has been charged under section 505, 153-A for promoting enemity.
============================================

Mother, brother allowed to see Maoist leader's body

Hyderabad, July 3 : The mother and brother of top Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad, gunned down by the Andhra Pradesh Police a day earlier, were Saturday allowed to see his body.Tension prevailed at Machriyal town in Adilabad district as police prevented revolutionary balladeer Gaddar, writer Varavara Rao and other Maoist sympathizers from entering the Government Hospital. But the police allowed Azad's mother C. Karuna to see his body before the autopsy began as per the directions of the high court. She was accompanied by Azad's brother C. Suresh. Accompanied by other family members, Varavara Rao and activists of various civil liberties groups reached the hospital where Azad's body was bought with that of another Maoist for autopsy. There was a heated argument between police and rights activists as officials refused to allow let except Azad's mother and brother inside the hospital. Mediapersons staged a protest against the police for not allowing them into the hospital premises. Maoist sympathizers alleged that the police killed Azad in cold blood after capturing him in Maharashtra. "The government has killed the man who was to participate in the talks, which shows it is not interested in peace," Gaddar told reporters outside the hospital. The balladeer warned that killings of Maoist leaders in what he called were staged shootouts would lead to "a mass revolution" against the central and state governments. Azad, considered second in the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) hierarchy and also the spokesperson of the outfit, was shot dead Friday by police in a shootout in the forests near Jogapur in Adilabad district, about 300 km from here, police said. Another Maoist who was killed has been identified as Sahadev.
==============================================

Rosaiah,meeting with Chidambaram in New Delhi,

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service,DSS) June,02: Dr. K.Rosaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is seen with Sri P.Chidambaram, Union Home Minister at his office at New Delhi on 02.07.2010. (Photo by I&PR No.CNR-409)
=============================================

AP-CM meeting with pranab mukherjee in new delhi,

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service,DSS) June,02: Dr K.Rosaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is seen with Sri Pranab Mukerjee, Union Finance Minister at North Block, New Delhi on 02.07.2010 (Photo by I&PR No.CNR-398)
===============================================

Justice Meena Kumari,Inaugurate the"MEGA LOK ADALAT"

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service,DSS) JUNE,02: Hon’ble, Smt. Justice T.Meena Kumari, Judge High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, is seen Lighting the Lamp to Inaugurate Mega Lokadalat (settlement of cases) at Nampally Courts complex, Nampally,Hyderabad on 02-07-2010. Sri A.K.Khan(IPS) Commisioner of police Hyderabad,also seen in the picture,  (Photo by I&PR No.CNR-1116)
==============================================

CM HAS TELECONFERENCE WITH COLLECTORS,

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)June,02: The Chief Minister Dr K.Rosaiah before leaving for New Delhi today morning had a teleconference, regarding the heavy rains, with all the District Collectors concerned and directed them to take all precautionary measures to prevent any loss of life and property. The Chief Minister also talked to the Commissioner, Disaster Management, T Radha and top officials of the Departments concerned to monitor the situation constantly and issue guidelines so that crop losses also could be avoided. The Chief Minister, in the meanwhile, expressed happiness over the good rains that the State is receiving. "We need the rains for our agricultural operations. A good monsoon is what we earnestly desire. That will be a boon for our farmers. We have already completed 12 major irrigation projects. If we have a good monsoon and get enough water, all our irrigation projects will provide water to lakhs of acres", Dr Rosiah hoped. The Chief Minister, however, cautioned the officials and District Collectors that we should take preventive measures with the onset of the monsoon season. "We should not allow any minor irrgation tanks to be breached during heavy rains. Water is very precious. We have to save every drop of the rain water. We need them for agriculture and generating hydel power. Let us not waste a single drop of water. Let not the water flow waste into the sea.", the Chief Minister said. Dr Rosaiah said that there should be optimum utilization of rain water and reminded that there was severe drought in the State last year. The Commissioner, Disaster Management informed the Chief Minister that excess rainfall had been reported from the districts of Nellore, Kadapa, West Godavari, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, Hyderabad, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Kurnool, Rangareddy and Anantapur. These Districts were still receiving good rains and according to forecast there is a likelihood of heavy rains might be there in some areas of these districts. In this backdrop, the Chief Minister hence directed the District Collectors to keep track of all the low lying areas in these districts and whenever and wherever needed, people should be evacuated to safer places. He said if needed temporary shelters and camps should be opened. The Chief Minister also directed the District Collectors to alert the health officials against spread of epidemics in these areas since there is a possibility of epidemics spreading in the monsoon season. He wanted supply of pure and safe drinking water to all the areas affected or likely to be affected by heavy rains. Dr. Rosaiah asked the Health Department officials to keep medical teams ready in case of emergencies. He also asked the Municipal Administration and Pamchayatraj Department to direct the local bodies to clear the silt in all nallas and other streams. Dr Rosaiah asked the District Collectors to keep a close and constant vigil of the heavy rains, likely inundation and the situation in the low lying areas in their respective districts and initiate necessary preventive measures. The Chief Minister assured that necessary funds for all preventive and relief measures will be released as and when required. He also wanted the Collectors to see that not a single acre of crop is inundated. As per the IMD’s long range forecast for the year 2010 South-West monsoon (June to September) the rainfall for the country as a whole is likely to be Normal. Quantitatively, rainfall is likely to be 98% of the long period average. As per the IMD's latest forecast report, dated 25-6-2010, rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2010 southwest monsoon season is likely to be normal. Rainfall for the country as a whole is likely to be 102% of long period average (LPA). Rainfall (upto 30- 6- 2010): Rainfall recorded was 118.3 mm as against the normal rainfall of 112.1 mm in the State. While Coastal Andhra region recorded 142.2 mm as against the normal rainfall of 106.6 mm, Rayalaseema region recorded 99.8 mm as against the normal rainfall of 73.8 mm, Telangana region recorded 105.5 mm as against the normal rainfall of 132.4 mm. Excess rainfall was recorded in Nellore, Kadapa, West Godavari, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, Hyderabad, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Kurnool, Rangareddy and Anantapur districts. Normal rainfall was recorded in the districts of Khammam, Guntur, Warangal and Srikakulam districts. Six districts namely Karimagar, Adilabad, Medak, Nizamabad and Mahaboobnagar have recorded ‘Deficit’ rainfall. Excess Rainfall recorded in 501 Mandals of the State while 289 Mandals recorded Normal rainfall and 248 Mandals deficit rainfall. The forecast said heavy rains may occur in the coastal districts in next few weeks. The Chief Minister once again cautioned the District Collectors that welfare and safety of the people were the Government's top priority and hence they should monitor the situation constantly and report to him on a day to day basis of the situation.

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

Andhra Pradesh Governor pledges to donate eyes along with his wife

Hyderabad,Jul 2: Andhra Pradesh Governor     E.S.L.Narasimhan along with his wife Vimala Narasimhan today signed eye donation pledges at the L V Prasad Eye Institute here. ''Emphasized the need to educate people on the simplicity of the procedure and the attendant effects, the Governor said once this is done many more people would willingly pledge their eyes for corneal transplant so that many more eyes can be opened to see this wonderful world.'' The Ramayamma International Eye Bank at LVPEI is now a recognized ''Global Centre of Excellence,'' according to a release here. It has recently formalised a fresh five-year collaboration with SightLife, one of the world's leading eye banks based in Seattle, US, in the areas of technical consultancy, training of eye bank personnel and eye bank management systems.
============================================

No change in dates of Andhra Pradesh Legislature Session: Rosaiah

New Delhi, Jul 2 : Asserting that there would be no change in the dates of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature Session slated to commence from July 8, state Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the Cabinet had taken a unanimous decision on the dates for the Session. The Chief Minister, who is here on a two-day visit to the capital to discuss the strategy and selection of candidates for the by-elections to 12 Assembly seats in Telangana region, told newspersons that if the Speaker permits he would pay homage to former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in the highest democratic forum available for the state. ''If some of the party legislators want to attend a private meeting they are free to do so,'' he said, without referring to a private function organised by the family members of the former Chief Minister.Asked what advice he had to offer to defiant Jaganmohan Reddy since he considered him as a son, Mr Rosaiah said he had not changed his relationship with Mr Reddy. ''Even today he is like a son to me and I will not tender any advice without being solicited,'' he said.Mr Rosaiah said he had discussions with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Congress Treasurer Motilal Vohra on the organisational matters in Andhra Pradesh and he had no hesitation to say that the party's national leadership would take appropriate decision to win maximum number of seats in the by-elections.''Congress held no seat in the constituencies were by-elections caused by the resignations of 10 TRS MLAs and one each from Telugu Desam and BJP parties so whatever the results will be, it will be a gain for us,'' he said. To a question on the arrest of Telugu filmstar-turned TRS MP Vijaya Shanti, Mr Rosaiah clarified that it was not the state administration, which had clamped case against her but it was the Election Commission of India and he certainly had no influence on that independent constitutional body,'' he said. Regarding the death of top Maoist leaders in police operations, the Chief Minister said he had nothing to add to the encounter details given by the authorities back in the state. Meanwhile, during his meetings with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, he requested a release of Rs 6000 crore under National Calamity Contingency Fund as advance to AP to take up relief and rehabilitation work on a war footing. He had also requested him to advice the Planning Commission to provide additional grant to 'Arogya Sri' for AP and declare Polavaram project as National Project. In his meeting with Home Minister P Chidambaram, Mr Rosaiah raised the issue of including four districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Vishakapatnam and East Godavari in the list of extremist-affected districts besides Khammam, which was already in the list. The Home Minister is said to have agreed to include Vishakhapatnam district for augmenting infrastructure to counter challenges posed by the Left Wing Extremism. He had also sought the Home Ministry's approval for the establishment of a CRPF Training Institution with Field Firing Range in Chittoor district.
=============================================

Open new chapter in people's lives in Andhra Pradesh: LSP

Hyderabad,Jul 2: President of Lok Satta Party and MLA Jayaprakash Narayan today called upon the educated and the youth to seize the golden opportunity to transform politics in Andhra Pradesh and open a new chapter in people's lives.Addressing the media on the two-day deliberations of the State Working Committee, he said LSP had realised that pursuing a transformational political agenda was an uphill task.Traditional parties over the years had kept people in a state of stupor and managed to win in election after election by buying their votes with money or liquor or raining short-term sops. ''The Congress Party in the State is steeped in a deep leadership crisis while the Telugu Desam Party(TDP) has lost all credibility,''he said. ''Successive traditional party Governments have abdicated their basic responsibilities of ensuring quality education, healthcare, employment and livelihood opportunities through skills enhancement, optimum utilization of natural resources and rule of law.'' ''Traditional party politicians have turned politics into a means for personal aggrandizement at the cost of the people who elect them. Against such a dismal backdrop, the Lok Satta with a credible, specific and practical agenda and committed and dedicated leadership comes as a fresh breath of air,'' he said.''It was never too late to transform the political scene since there are legions of honest people in society who are thirsting for change. As of now they feel they are helpless,'' the LSP leader added.
=============================================

Cases against TRS MP for poll code violation

Hyderabad, Jul 2 : Echoing BJP MP Varun Gandhi's now famous ''cut the hand'' incitement, popular South Indian actor and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP, Vijayasanthi is facing the wrath of the Election Commission, leading to registration of cases against her for violation of poll code.Banjara Hills police have registered a case against her for allegedly making inflammatory remarks while addressing an election meeting of party workers at the TRS office here on June 30.At the meeting organised in connection with July 27 by-polls to 12 Assembly segments in the Telangana region, she had allegedly made the remarks against those opposed to the formation of a separate Telangana state.A case has been registered under IPC sections 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth and residence) and 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, ill-will or hatred between classes), police said.High drama was witnessed when police went to the residence of Vijayashanti at MLA Colony today.
=============================================

Take steps to prevent loss of life,property due to rain: Andhra Pradesh CM

Hyderabad, Jul 2: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today directed the District Collectors concerned to take all precautionary measures to prevent any loss of life and property due to heavy rains.Before leaving for New Delhi this morning, Mr Rosaiah, interacted with the Distrct Collectors concerned through teleconference and also asked Disaster Management Commissioner T Radha and top officials of the Departments concerned to monitor the situation constantly and issue guidelines so that crop losses could be avoided.The Chief Minister said welfare and safety of the people were the Government's top priority and the District Collectors should monitor the situation constantly and report to him on a day-to-day basis of the situation.Mr Rosaiah, meanwhile, expressed happiness over the good rains.''We need rains for our agricultural operations. A good monsoon is what we earnestly desire. That will be a boon for our farmers. We have already completed 12 major irrigation projects. If we have a good monsoon and get enough water, all our irrigation projects will provide water to lakhs of acres.'' ''Water is very precious. We have to save every drop of the rain water as we need them for agriculture and generating hydel power.
============================================

Maoist leaders killed in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, July 2 : At least two Maoists, including a top leader belonging to the core committee of the CPI-Maoist outfit, were killed in an encounter in a remote area of Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday night, police said.One of the two killed is C Rajakumar, also known as Azad. He was a spokesperson of the rebels in the north Telangana region.The bodies were yet to be brought to the town area.The encounter took place in Jogapur forest area, police said. Several firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, were recovered from the scene of encounter.
=============================================

Top Maoist leader gunned down in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, July 2 : In a major blow to the Maoists, their top leader and spokesperson Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad was killed in a gunfight with police in Andhra Pradesh Friday, police claimed.The shootout took place near Jogapur in Adilabad district, about 300 km from here. Another Maoist guerrilla, who is yet to be identified, was also killed. Police also recovered an AK-47, a 9mm pistol and two kit bags from the scene of the gunfight. Azad, who carried a reward of Rs.12 lakh on his head, was a member of the central committee of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist). Hailing from Krishna district, he was associated with the Maoist movement for four decades. Following the killing of Azad, security agencies have sounded a high alert in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chhatttisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Azad was gunned down by police two days after Maoists killed 27 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Chhattisgarh.
==============================================

265 arrested for poll code violation in AP: CEO

Hyderabad, Jul 1 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer I V Subbarao today said as many as 265 people were arrested for violating electoral code.He said 237 cases were booked against the violators.Cautioning of stern action against the violation of electoral code, Dr Subbarao said all the liquor shops in 12 Assembly constituencies, which are sheduled to go for polls on July 27, have been closed.The authorities will also keep a watch on the expenses of the candidates, he told media persons here, a day before the poll notification was to be issued.
================================================

Kashmir’s instigated violence: Who benefits?

The current evidence in Kashmir is that the Valley is on fire, with serious widespread discontent and repeated protsts against alleged human rights violations by the security forces fanning violent demonstrations, resulting in mayhem and death. But this is only a partial, possibly distorted, reflection of the situation fanned by the mass media. Till a week ago, the Kashmir Valley was having one of its best tourist seasons in years. People from the rest of the country thronged the place, packing its hotels, restaurants, shops, shikaras and scenic spots. Buses and tourist taxis raced from one destination to another.It was difficult to get an airline reservation to Srinagar and, if available, it was at an astronomical cost. Any change in flight travel plans would make an even more serious dent on your wallet. The option was to return home by bus.There is no doubt that business – handicrafts, hospitality and tourism – was booming. Ordinary people in Kashmir were pleased by the extra work and income that such an invasion from out of the state brings. And they were hoping for continued normalcy, so that they could go on with their normal lives and earn a decent living. Now, who would want to disrupt that?The reality is that ordinary Kashmiris are sick of the disruptions and bandhs that plague the state and in the end impoverish them. They are also sick of the politicians who encourage such disruptions.The people are smart enough to know that many politicos have a vested interest in the continuing violence, have bled the state white and taken money from all sides, while ensuring their children enjoy luxurious sanctuary abroad. If the violence ceased, and Kashmir secured the normalcy essential for development and the betterment of its people, politicians of various hues would be out of business, like the terrorists.It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the pattern of instigated violence. A group of youths is encouraged to start pelting stones at the security forces to ensure retaliation. At some point it forces the latter to do so, either with stones, tear gas or bullets. Sometimes the shells or bullets injure protesters or even kill. The perpetrators have now manufactured a full-blown incident, which they can beat the state and the Indian government with, and milk politically.This pattern is repeated time and time again, mainly in Srinagar but elsewhere in the Valley as well. By and large in Srinagar the violence is contained within a small area in the heart of the town, while the rest of it goes about its business. But it does get worse.It is not often that voices of sanity dare speak out against the disruptors, possibly fearing a militant’s bullet to their head. Criticism of human rights violations by the Jannu and Kashmir Police or Indian security forces, whether deserved or not, comes fast and furious from all quarters. There is not a murmur about worse atrocities against ordinary Kashmiris by terrorists and Pakistani sympathizers.But people are fed up and some are beginning to take a public stand. There is every reason to believe they have the support of the silent majority in the Valley. Even editorials in newspapers, otherwise critical of India, have begun to question the politics of hartals.As the Greater Kashmir newspaper observed, “…the real concern right now should be this: Is it any way working to the advantage of the people? If not, why should this situation persist……. So our major and dominant concern should be to find ways that could stop this mayhem. Going beyond the conspiracy theories and moralistic assessment of stone pelting, people who matter in this situation must sit down and work for some solution. We cannot afford dying every day. We cannot afford going on strikes every day. If we have problems here, which we certainly have, there must be some way other than this to fight them out”.A private citizen, Ghulam Jeelani, was moved to put out a large advertisment in the newspaper titled “Beyond the Politics of Hartals”. Among other things he said: “However, it is also a fact that the frequent hartals bring the normal life to a grinding halt as no economic activity takes place. The daily wagers, the labourers who eke out their living after putting in hard labour, find it impossible to earn enough for their sustenance on a hartal day…….“It is for those who claim to be in the leadership role to introspect and dispassionately assess the impact of frequent hartals,” he continued, ending with the critical question: “Finally, who gets benefited out of the interruptions due to frequent hartals?“Somebody has to answer this vital question some day.”Jeelani has it right. Someone is clearly benefiting from the frequent disruptions, hartals and fatalities. And it is neither Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for whom the knives are out, nor the people of the Kashmir Valley.
===============================================

SCR to run 32 special trains till July 31

Hyderabad, Jul 1: To ease the passenger rush, South Central Railway will run 32 special trains between Secunderabad-Guntur, Secunderabad-Mancheriyal and Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam from July 2 to July 31.Ten services of special trains on the Secunderabad- Guntur-Secunderabad route, 18 services on the Secunderabad- Mancherial-Secunderabad route and four services on Hyderabad- Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad route, will be run, a SCR release said here today.Train No 0714 (A) Secunderabad - Guntur special train will depart Secunderabad on Fridays, 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th July at 2250 hrs and would arrive at Guntur by 0445 hrs next day. In the return direction, Train No 0713(A) Guntur-Secunderabad special train will depart Guntur on Saturdays, ie., 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st July at 2200 hrs and would arrive Secunderabad at 0400 hrs next day. En route these special trains will stop at Nalgonda, Miryalguda, Nadikudi, Pidugurala and Sattenapalli in both the directions.Train No 0752 Secunderabad-Mancherial special train will depart Secunderabad on Tuesdays and Fridays, i.e, 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th and 30th July at 0530 hrs and would arrive Mancherial at 0935 hrs same day. In the return direction, Train No 0751 Mancherial-Secunderabad special train will depart Mancherial on Tuesdays and Fridays, i.e., 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th and 30th July at 1030 hrs and would arrive Secunderabad at 1430 hrs same day. En route these special trains would also stop at Bhongir, Aler, Jangaon, Kazipet, Uppal, Jammikunta, Potkapalli, Odela, Kolanur, Peddapalli and Ramagundam in both the directions. These Special trains will comprise of ten general second class and two second class luggage cum brake van coaches totaling to twelve. Train No 0748 Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam special train will depart Hyderabad on Fridays ie. 2nd and 9th July, 2010 at 1930 hrs, arrive/depart Secunderabad at 1950/2000 hrs and arrive Visakhapatnam at 0830 hrs on the next day. In the return direction, Train No 0747 Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad special train will depart Visakhapatnam on Saturdays ie. 3rd and 10th July at 1910 hrs, arrive/depart Secunderabad at 0815, 0825 hrs and would arrive Hyderabad at 0850 hrs next day Enroute, these special trains will also stop at Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam, Madhira, Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Annavaram, Tuni, Anakapalli and Duvvada in both the directions, the realease said.
=============================================

Halt for Krishna express at Malkajgiri extended

Hyderabad, Jul 1: South Central Railways has decided to continue the stoppage of Krishna Express at Malkajgiri till December 31.Train no 7406-7405 running on Adilabad-Tirupati-Adilabad route will continue to stop at Malkajgiri in both the directions, a SCR release said here today.Meanwhile, the Malakavemala Passenger halt station on Dharmavaram-Madanapalle section of Guntakal division on South Central Railway has been reopened for a period of one year from June 28, 2010 till June 27, 2011, the release added.
==============================================                                                                         

2 new missile units in Andhra Pradesh by BDL

Hyderabad, Jul 1 : In a major boost to India's strategic and tactical missile capabilities, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the only missile maker of the country, will put up two new facilities in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore.The Andhra Pradesh government had suggested a 500-acre site at Ibrahimpatnam and a 600-acre stretch at Lepakshi in Anantpur to meet BDL's expansion of integrated guided missiles programme. The allotment and transfer of the land to BDL is in the process, a top BDL source said.Chief Minister K Rosaiah had announced that BDL officials had a meeting yesterday with him on the logistic support for their expansion schedule. ''They (BDL) will make huge investment in the two new missile manufacturing facilities,'' the Chief Minister today said while releasing the State's new industrial policy for the year 2010-2015, seeking to attract Rs 75,000 crore investment and 25-lakh jobs over the next five years.BDL has two facilities at Kanchanbagh here and at Bhanoor in Medak district which is a special weapon system facility. Besides anti-tank missile Nag, BDL was commissioned to provide variants of Prithvi Missile to the three wings of Indian Armed Force.
==============================================

Govt blamed for improper representation in Almatti FRL

Hyderabad, Jul 1 : Former Union Minister and Senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya today blamed the Andhra Pradesh Government for not effectively representing the case against the Karnataka government regarding the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of Almatti dam in the Water Tribunal.In a statement here, he said the approved FRL of Almatti dam was about 519.60 feet though the existing FRL was about 520.20 feet. ''Karnataka Government does not agree to this point...the only alternative is to request the Survey of India to conduct the survey again to verify the present FRL of the Almatti Dam.'' He criticised State Irrigation Minister Ponnala Laxmaiah for stating there was no loss to the state. ''This is deplorable and shameful; unless the government takes this issue seriously and fights out in the Tribunal on justified grounds, we may have to cut a sorry figure again.'' Mr Dattatreya also asked the Rosaiah Government to take seriously the issue of the Maharashtra Government erecting gates on Babli Projects by fighting it out in the Supreme Court and ensure that gates on Babli Project are demolished. The Chief Minister should see that Telangana does not become a desert, he added.
============================================

Bypolls to all 12 vacant Assembly seats in AP on July 27

New Delhi, Jul 1 : By-elections to all 12 vacant Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh will be held on July 27, the Election Commission announced today.

Earlier, bypolls were to be held to ten seats -- Sirpur, Chennur (SC), Mancherial, Yellareddy, Nizamabad (Urban), Koratla, Dharmapuri (SC), Huzurabad, Siddipet and Warangal West Assembly constituencies. The Election Commission, in its June 21 order, decided against holding the bypolls to two Assembly seats - Vemulawada and Sircilla - as the election petitions against the winning candidates in last year's elections were still pending in court. The High Court, however, yesterday ordered that by-elections to Vemulawada and Sircilla Assembly constituencies have to be held along with the other 10 segments that are going to the polls on July 27.The court passed the orders on a petition by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) challenging the decision of the Election Commission not to hold bypolls to Sircilla and Vemulawada Assembly constituencies in view of some election petitions pending in the court. ''Now, the Commission has decided to hold by-elections to fill the two vacancies, Vemulawada and Sircilla Assembly constituencies also, along with the 10 clear vacancies already announced,'' the poll watchdog said today.
============================================

South West monsoon active over Telangana, rain in other regions too

Hyderabad, Jul 1 : Southwest monsoon has been active over Telangana, with rain occurring at many places and at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh while isolated rain occurred over Rayalaseema.Rainfall recorded in cm: Dowlaiswaram and Tadepalligudem 8 each followed by Sriramsagar 7, Met department said today.The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm are Chodavaram and Eluru 6 each, Adilabad, Medak, Mahabubabad, Mangalagiri, Narayanakhed, Navipet and Peddapuram 5 each, Jagitiyal, Metpalli Khanapur and Nirmal 4 each, Khammam, Nizamabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Achampet, Armoor, Nizamsagar, Kaikalur, Mudhol, Utnoor, Prathipadu, Rajahmundry, Ramannapet and Tanuku 3 each, Visakhapatnam, Avanigadda, Gudivada, Bhimavaram, Boath, Bodhan, Kamareddy, Madnoor, Dubbak, Ramayampet, Elamanchili, Jangaon, Repalle, Salur, Srungavarapukota and Satyavedu 2 each.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and in the districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam of Telangana. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers may occur at a few places over Rayalaseema and in the remaining districts of Telangana.A spell of rain/thundershowers would occur in parts of the city.Maximum and Minimum temeratures would be around 33 and 23 degrees celsius respectively, it added.
=============================================

ATC denies permission for Naidu to fly

Hyderabad, July 1 : The Air Traffic Control (ATC) Thursday denied permission to former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to fly in a helicopter due to bad weather.The leader of opposition had to cancel his visit to Warangal and Ongole towns as ATC refused permission to his chopper to take off from here in view of bad weather. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president was to fly to the towns to attend marriages of the children of two party leaders, party sources said. This is the first incident where ATC has denied permission to a VIP to fly after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) framed new safety rules for VIP operation of planes and helicopters. That followed the death in a helicopter crash of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy or YSR. Naidu enjoys Z-plus category security and is protected by the Special Protection Group. According to the new rules, no flight would be allowed when "weather conditions are not conducive to safe operations". YSR and four others were killed when the chopper that had taken off from here for Chittoor district crashed in bad weather in Kurnool district Sep 2 last year.
============================================

2 new missiles units in Andhra Pradesh: CM

Hyderabad, Jul 1 : Two new missile manufacturing facilities will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah announced here today.The new units similar to the Bharath Dynamics Limited (BDL), country's premier missile making facility, will be located with ''huge investment,'' the Chief Minister said, while releasing the state 2010-2015 new industrial policy here.''We had a discussion with Defence authorities yesterday and the locations for the new missile manufacuturing facility are be identified,'' the Chief Minister said, indicating that huge investment would be coming to the state. He, however, did not indicate the location for the new facilities.
============================================

Terrorism has to be fought together: Patil

President Pratibha Patil Wednesday stressed the need for a collective and “firm commitment” of the international community to fight terrorism.“Fighting terrorism requires a firm commitment by the international community to act collectively and decisively,” she said at a ceremony to accept credentials by seven new ambassadors.She said the prospects for peace in the contemporary world were threatened by forces of extremism and terrorism.The envoys who presented their credentials were Ruben I. Zamora of El Salvador, Ronald B. Allarey of the Philippines, Thongphanh Syackhaphom of Laos, Doulat O. Kuanyshev of Kazakhstan, Nanguyalai Tarzi of Afghanistan, Marco Piccinini of Monaco and Byron Escobedo Menendez of Guatemala.The presentation ceremony was attended by the members of the diplomatic community and senior officials of the ministry of external affairs.

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