Cong showcauses Jagan for yatra

Hyderabad,July 12: The Congress High Command on Monday reportedly issued a showcasue notice to party MP Jaganmohan Reddy for resuming his controversial 'Odarpu Yatra' in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh defying the party's directive.According to reports, Jaganmohan was slapped a showcase notice a day after he defended Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah's statement that his yatra is aimed to secure the chief ministerial post."I heard Rosaiah telling the media that I started this yatra because I am in a hurry to become the chief minister. But I am here to console the people, not asking for their votes. If we start worrying about the chief minister's chair like this, we should be ashamed of this politics," Jaganmohan said on Sunday.Rosaiah had told a news channel that Jaganmohan needs 'proper advice'."He (Jaganmohan) can dream, aspire and try for the CM's post but there is a method to try and get it," Rosaiah had said.Jaganmohan, son of former state chief minister late YS Rajashekhar Reddy, had embarked on the Yatra (rally) to console the bereaved families of those persons who died of shock on hearing the news of the sudden death of his father in a helicopter crash last year.As Jagammohan started his three-day campaign in Itchapuram town, thousands lined up on both sides of the streets and stood on rooftops to welcome him.He also unveiled a statue of his late father on his birth anniversary and paid floral tributes to him at the site where YSR ended his 68-day 'padyatra' in 2003. "I am not alone. My father has left behind such a huge family," Jaganmohan said, addressing the crowd.He, however, made no reference to the Congress leadership, which has cautioned of disciplinary action against him.Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi had on Tuesday hinted that the party could act tough against Jaganmohan if he went ahead with his Yatra."All true committed and loyal Congressmen must necessarily observe both the party dharma (party rules) and laxman rekha (limits)... "Failure to do so would perforce lead to a chain of consequences, which are best avoidable. We hope and trust that compliance will take the place of defiance," Singhvi had said.K.Roasaiah, who had assumed office as the chief minister following YSR's death, had on Wednesday asked his Cabinet colleagues and party legislators to stay away from the Yatra.He had, however, tried not to antagonise Jaganmohan, while at the same time keeping the Congress central leadership happy."The yatra should be one of condolence and not like a victory march," Rosaiah had said, adding that he was not against the Yatra, but the manner in which it was being conducted.Earlier, Jaganmohan had announced of resuming the Yatra, which he had to abandon midway in May after it led to violent clashes and he was taken into preventive custody.Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had also reportedly asked Jaganmohan to abandon the Yatra when he had called on her, but the young MP has remained adamant.
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SW Monsoon active over Telangana

Hyderabad, Jul 12 : The Southwest Monsoon has been active over Telangana with rain occurring at many places over Telangana and at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh while isolated rain occurred over Rayalaseema.The stations that recorded heavy rainfall in cm are Madhira 8, Jagitiyal, Kaleswaram and Metpalli 7 each, the Met Department today said.The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm are Atmakur, Palasa and Venkatapuram 6 each, Araku Valley, Mahabubabad, Manthani and Sultanabad, Rajahmundry and Yellandu 5 each, Bhadrachalam, Ramagundam, Bobbili, Salur, Chinnoor, Koida, Narsipatnam, Paleru Bridge and Puttur 4 each. Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers could occur at many places over Telangana and in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and West Godavari of coastal Andhra Pradesh.Light to moderate rain/thundershowers would occur at a few places over Rayalaseema and in the remaining districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh. A spell of rain/thundershowers may occur in parts of the city.Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 30 and 22 Degree Celsius respectively, the Met office said.
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Cracks in Andhra Congress widen as Jagan steps up attack

Hyderabad,July 12: The war within Andhra Pradesh's ruling Congress is turning bitter by the day with MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, the son of the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, directly targeting Chief Minister K.Rosaiah.

The young MP wondered why Rosaiah was afraid of losing his chair because of his 'odarpu yatra'. After making indirect attacks on the leadership for preventing ministers and legislators from accompanying him, Jagan, as he is popularly known, launched a direct attack on the veteran leader. Stating that he was not after the chief minister's post, Jagan wanted to know why Rosaiah was afraid of him. "Am I here for the odarpu yatra or for the chief minister's post," the young leader asked the crowd at Ranasthalam in Srikakulam district Sunday night. "I fail to understand why the chief minister will loose his chair because of the yatra. I also fail to understand why they are politicising it," he said. Defying the central leadership, Jagan continued his campaign for the fifth day Monday. After covering Srikakulam district, he entered East Godavari district Monday to console the families of those who died of shock following the death of his father and then chief minister in a helicopter crash in September last year. No minister or legislator joined in in Srikakulam but at least two ministers and six legislators have announced that they would join Jagan in East Godavari district. Jagan had already hit out at the leadership for not allowing ministers and legislators to join his yatra and pointed out that their family members had come out in his support. With the Kadapa MP finally getting some open support from ministers and legislators, alarm bells have started ringing in the ruling party. Ministers, legislators and party leaders loyal to Rosaiah have hit back at Jagan saying nobody was being prevented from joining his campaign. Some senior leaders have accused him of damaging the party through his yatra. Worried over the impact the open wrangling is having on the government, some senior cabinet ministers, who were loyal to late chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy, began efforts for a truce between Jagan and Rosaiah.
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Andhra Pradesh role model in development of remote, interior areas: CM

Hyderabad, Jul 11 : Ahead of the internal security meet called by the Centre at New Delhi on July 14 as apart of its multi prong strategy to tackle the Maoist and insurgency problems in the country, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today asserted the State was a ''role model'' for the development of remote and interior areas, having allocated nearly Rs 15,000 crore for rural areas development this year.He said Andhra Pradesh topped the country in engaging the rural poor, women and youth in gainful economic activity through various popular schemes like MGNREGA, 'Pavala Vaddi', and Self Help Groups (SHG) and achieved large scale employment generation and food security in rural areas. He said a huge sum of Rs 3842 crore has been earmarked for rural development in the state during the current year to promote roads, drinking water, housing, employment generation and comprehensive development of lands of rural poor. An amount of Rs 8,892 crore was being spent on NREGP, to provide employment to 2.75 crore labourers in rural areas, particularly in remote and tribal areas.The Chief Minister said the state government was also set up a Remote Area Development Board (RADB) with a corpus of Rs 538 crore. ''Under the scheme, it was proposed to extentd Rs 5000 to each Tribal farmer family to develop his lands. The state government distributed the funds so that the land could be brought under cultivation and become his livelihood source''. Dr Rosaiah said the centre considers Andhra Pradesh a role model in promotion of welfare and development activities in tribal and remote areas and has successfully brought the rural youth on to the main stream of nation building activities.
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Fish festival abuzz with visitors in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, July 11: The Indian fish festival, INFISH 2010, is being organized in Hyderabad, which is showcasing exotic and colorful varieties of fishes.Organized by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), INFISH 2010 is aimed to promote sales of ornamental fishes and showcase the state-of-the-art production and processing techniques in use in the country."Basically people come here to understand what fisheries are. Secondly, they are very fascinated looking at the ornamental fishes, and those who wish to keep an aquarium athome, it is a great opportunity," said Vasu Devappa, Senior Executive Director of the NFBD."The third and the most attractive thing is the fish food court, where people want to taste different kinds of fish, and there are fish preparations which are from different ethnic groups," he added. Other than ornamental fishes, edible fisheries have also emerged as a major crowd-puller, with people buying their favourite marine delicacies with gusto.The pavilion comprises hundreds of chefs from reputed hotels across the country with their versions of different fish recipes. The show further aims to create awareness among the consumers of fish as a healthy food."People would generally not have been interested in simple fishes. People would want to go to an aquarium to get a reaction. I feel that getting to see these things here generates more interest," said Nikhit Pillai, a visitor at the event. The event began on Friday, and will conclude on Monday (July 12).
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Defiant Jagan continues yatra

Hyderabad, July 11 : Continuing his defiance of the party leadership, Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Sunday went on with his "Odarpu yatra" in Andhra Pradesh to console all the families of those who had died pf shock following his father and late chief minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy's death last year.A worried Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Sunday met some of his cabinet colleagues, including Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao, amid reports that two ministers and some legislators were keen to join Jagan's yatra. Addressing road shows in Srikakulam district, Jagan lamented the decline of moral values in politics. Without naming Rosaiah or any other leader, he called upon his rivals to stop playing politics over dead bodies. Though the yatra was scheduled to conclude in Srikakulam Saturday, he extended it by another day. His supporters said this was done as the yatra was running eight hours behind schedule. Enthused by huge crowds welcoming him in every town and village he is visiting, the young leader decided to cover more areas on the request of local party leaders. During the yatra, taken out in defiance of the Congress leadership, Jagan is consoling family members of those who died of shock following the death of his father in a helicopter crash last year. "I am asking you, were they not workers of Congress party? Has anybody consoled their families?" asked Jagan while trying to justify his yatra. Jagan Saturday hit out at the party leadership alleging that it was preventing ministers and legislators from joining the yatra. Several senior Congress leaders Sunday hit back at Jagan saying he was damaging the party through his remarks. "When Jagan himself said his yatra is not political, then why is he keen to have ministers and legislators with him?" asked state Congress spokesman Tulsi Reddy. Senior leader P. Goverdhan Reddy alleged that Jagan was trying to destroy the party through his yatra. He said people were being paid money for attending the road shows. Another senior leader and Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao said he was receiving threatening calls for opposing Jagan's yatra. "I will not be cowed down by such threats," he said.
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Train robbers strike again in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, July 11 : Train robberies are continuing unabated in Andhra Pradesh with robbers targeting passengers of another train late Saturday night and snatching gold ornaments, with the railway police failing to act quickly.Police said robbers looted about 80 grams of gold ornaments from passengers on the Chennai-Kakinada Circar Express near Ulavapadu in Prakasam district around midnight. Passengers complained that robbers snatched gold ornaments in darkness and got down after pulling the alarm chain near Ulavapadu railway station. Miscreants targeted women passengers of S4, S5 and S6 coaches. The victims lodged a complaint with the railway police in Nellore town. They complained that the security personnel on the train failed to react quickly. Robbers also made a vain attempt to target passengers of the Indore-Trivandrum Ahilyanagari Express in the same region Saturday night. They escaped after passengers raised an alarm. Miscreants had looted gold ornaments worth Rs.1 lakh from passengers of the Secunderabad-Tirupati Padmavathi Express near Appikatla railway station in Guntur district early Saturday. They targeted passengers in four sleeper coaches. Railway passengers are worried over the increasing train robberies on the Guntur-Gudur-Nadikudi section in south coastal Andhra. The latest incidents took place despite the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Guntur district police stepping up vigil and coordinating their efforts. A series of train robberies was reported last month. Women passengers travelling on the Secunderabad-Tirupati Narayanadri Express were deprived of their ornaments near Sattenapalli railway station in Guntur district June 11. A day later, dacoits snatched gold ornaments from women passengers of Secunderabad-Gudur Simhapuri Express between Khammam and Madhira railway stations. On June 16, an armed gang looted 40 tolas of gold from passengers Chennai-Hyderabad Chennai Express between Nadikudi and Pandugula stations in Guntur district.
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Danam flagging off rally,

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service)july,11, HEALTH MINISTER D.NAGEDER FLAGGING OFF RALLY ORGANISED ONTHE EVE OF WORLD POPULATION DAY AT BUDDHA BHAVAN ON 11.07.2010 INCHARGE COLLECTOR SMITHA SABERWAL & DMHO DR,JAYA KUMARI ARE ALSO SEEN (Photo by i&pr no.CNR-1)
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Jagan recieves huge response during Odarpu Yatra

Jul 10 : Encouraged by the overwhelming response from the locals for the past two days, Congress MP from Kadappa Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today continued his 'Odarpu Yatra.' Huge crowds converged at the roadside even at late hours of the night.The response was overwhelming at Srikakulam with thousands of people waving and raising slogans in support of Jagan. The third day's yatra was terminated at Palakonda, where he would take rest at the residence of the Zilla Parishad Chairman, Palavalasa Rajasekhar.Earlier, he unveiled the statue of his father and former Chief Minister YSR at Goidi village of Seethampeta mandal and later addressed a public meeting at Seethampeta.Jagan visited the families of Sravankimar of Veeraghattam and addressed the people. Several MLAs of the Rayalasema are participating in the yatra. The yatra, extended by one more day will pass through Palakonda, Goidi, Seethampeta, Kambra,Veeraghattam, Nivagam and other towns.
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Cong group politics affecting state development: TDP

Tirupati, July 10 : Telugu Desam President and Leader of the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Assembly N Chandrababu Naidu today alleged that group politics in Congress, was badly affecting the development activites in the state.

Addressing in a press conference here, he said the internal fighting and group rivalry in Congress party had led to curtailing of people development activity in the state.Referring to Jagan's Odarpu yatra, Mr.Naidu described the yatra as 'corrupt money yatra'. YSR's son Mr Jagan should explain to the people of the state where the money came from to spend for the yatra.Mr Naidu said UPA chairperson Sonia should intervene in the Babhali project and settle the dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.Later, Mr Naidu proceeded to Venkagiri in Nellore district, where he consoled the family members of former MLA VVRK Yachendra, who recently passed away.
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No direction from Central committee on July 27 bypoll: Yechuri

Hyderabad, Jul 10 : Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member Sitaram Yechuri today washed his hands of the July 27 bypoll in Andhra Pradesh, saying the state committee will decide on the possible direction for voting by its party cadres in Telangana region.''The Central Committee of the party has not given any direction (to its party cadre in Andhra Pradesh) on voting for the byelections in 12 assembly constituencies later this month,'' Mr Yechuri, who was to attend the state committee of the party, told media here.The CPI(M) was not contesting in the July 27 elections, he said, admitting that it did not have strength in the 12 assembly constituencies where elections were being held.The CPI(M) was the only party in Andhra Pradesh which was openly opposed to the formation of Telangana, he said, maintaining it was for the unified Andhra Pradesh. However, in the last elections, the CPI(M) was a part of the TDP-led 'Mahakutami,' the grand alliance of the non-Congress parties in which Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party, with a single point programme of creation of separate state, was a partner.
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YSR's son attacks Congress leadership

Hyderabad, July 10 : Hitting out at the Congress leadership, party MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Saturday alleged that Andhra Pradesh's ministers and legislators were being prevented from joining his yatra.In the first open attack on the leadership since resuming his yatra Thursday, the young MP claimed that ministers and legislators wanted to accompany him but were being prevented from doing so. "What crime I have committed? I am asking you if it is justified to ask ministers and legislators not to accompany me," said Jagan, without naming Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who asked his cabinet colleagues and legislators not to join the yatra. The Kadapa MP was addressing a road show at Veerghattam in Srikakulam district as part of his yatra which he resumed Thursday in open defiance of the party leadership. The remarks came as none of the 17 party legislators who were likely to join his yatra Saturday turned up. Jagan is on a three-day tour to console families of those who died of shock following the death of his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) in a helicopter crash last year. "Were they (those who died for YSR) not Congress workers? Has anybody (from Congress party) consoled their families? Their only crime was that they loved Rajasekhara Reddy," said Jagan to loud cheers from the crowd. Jagan alleged that no legislator was allowed to visit his constituency on the birth anniversary of his father Thursday. He was apparently referring to the government turning down his demand for not holding a legislature session on the birth anniversary to enable legislators to participate in celebrations. Enthused by massive turnout at his road shows and cashing in on the huge public sympathy, Jagan has started targeting the leadership and appeared set for a showdown. The young MP said Friday that within few months after his father's death, the state politics had hit rock-bottom. But he refrained from criticising Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had advised him not to undertake the yatra. The central leadership, which had threatened disciplinary action against him, maintained its silence.
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Jagan can aspire, dream and try to be CM: Rosaiah

July 10: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Saturday said Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy can dream and aspire for the chief minister's post and that there is a method to it."Jagan is a young boy with a future. He needs proper advice. He can dream, aspire and try for the CM's post but there is a method to get it," Rosaiah said in an interview to NDTV. "He could've waited for sometime and staked his claim," he added. Son of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S.Rajashekhara Reddy, Jaganmohan is continuing his controversial 'odarpu yatra' (condolence march) defying reservations expressed by the Congress leadership. However, Rosaiah, who was opposed to the march, said he does not see Jaganmohan's 'condolence march' as a serious matter. "I don't think it is a serious matter for the Congress to see it as a defiance," he said. "Family members of legislators are not barred (from participating). Jagan is not an enemy, he is a member of the Congress. He is an MP," he added, saying he stands by his decision to ask his cabinet colleagues and party legislators to keep away from the march. Jaganmohan Thursday began his 'odarpu yatra' in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, attracting huge crowds. Thousands lined up both sides of the streets and stood on rooftops to welcome him at the start of his three-day campaign in Itchapuram town. The Kadapa MP unveiled a statue of his father on his birth anniversary and paid floral tributes to him at the site where YSR ended his 68-day 'padyatra' in 2003.
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APCC asks rebels to withdraw from fray or face action

Hyderabad, Jul 10 : The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee today threatened to take disciplinary action against rebel candidates, if they did not withdraw from the fray for the bypolls slated for July 27.The rebel canditates have filed nominations in Dharmapuri, Vemulavada, Sircilla, Huzurabad and Korutla Assembly constituencies of Karimnagar district.The APCC asked them to withdraw their nominations on or before July 12 in the interest of the party and its official candidates and work for the success of the party, a press release here said.
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Isolated rain in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, Jul 10 : Isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions of the state today.The chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm were Koida six, Perur and Puttur four each, Medak and Nizamsagar three each, Hindupur and Kodangal (Mahabubnagar district) two each and Arogyavaram, Chittoor, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Banswada, Kaleswaram and Metpalli, Kuppam and Satyavedu, Narsipatnam and Paderu, Palakonda, Paleru Bridge, Parkal, Prathipadu, Sullurpet and Tada one each, Met Department said.Isolated rain/thundershowers would occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema. A spell of rain/thundershowers could occur in some parts of the city. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 33 and 24 degrees Celsius respectively, the Met Department added.
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Congress serves notice on Jaganmohan loyalist

Hyderabad, July 9: Cracking the whip, the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh Friday served showcause notice to a leader loyal to party MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.The disciplinary committee of the party served the notice on general secretary Ambati Rambabu for making certain remarks against Chief Minister K. Rosaiah. Rambabu was issued notice even as Jagan continued his 'Odarpu yatra' in Srikakulam district in defiance of party's central leadership. The former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's son is visiting the families of those who died of shock or committed suicide following the death of his father in a helicopter crash Sep 2 last year. For the second day the central leadership took no action against Jagan though it had warned him not to violate discipline by resuming the yatra. Rambabu told reporters that he would send a reply to the notice. "I have not breached the discipline. Since this is an internal matter of the party, I will send a reply," he said. The party general secretary had hit out at Rosaiah Wednesday after the latter asked party legislators to stay away from Jagan's yatra. He had remarked that Rosaiah should be indebted to YSR's family for becoming the chief minister. He also stated that Rosaiah became the chief minister by accident due to the sudden death of YSR.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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'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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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.

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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.
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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.
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