PM to discuss Kashmir situation with state leaders

Aug,09, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will review the violence-hit situation in Kashmir Valley and the ways to restore normalcy there when he meets the leaders of political parties of Jammu and Kashmir here Tuesday, official sources said.meeting will be held at the residence of Manmohan Singh – 7, Race Course Road – at 6 p.m. Tuesday.“The meeting will be a follow-up of the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar on July 11,” a state government official said.

Omar Abdullah and his father and union Minister Farooq Abdullah, state Congress chief Saifuddin Soz and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislature party chief Ashok Khajuria, J&K National Panther’s Party (J&K NPP) chief Bhim Singh and legislator Harshdev Singh and Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA Muhammed Yusuf Tarigami are among the leaders expected to attend the meet.However, the main opposition party – People’s Democratic Party (PDP)- led by Mehbooba Mufti has said it would not attend the meet. The PDP had boycotted the July 11 Srinagar meet also, saying a meeting “led by Omar Abdullah would serve no purpose”.The J&K NPP, which had also boycotted the Srinagar meet, has decided to attend the Tuesday meeting as “it will be chaired by the PM and not the unpopular chief minister”, party chief Bhim Besides the prime minister, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon are likely to attend the meet, sources said.The state’s leaders will present the prime minister a copy of the resolution adopted at the Srinagar meeting and seek his intervention in solving the problems faced by the people.The state leaders are likely to urge the centre to ensure sufficient supply of foodgrains, medicines and other essentials during Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, beginning Wednesday.A resolution adopted at the Srinagar meeting had urged the prime minister to “give a fillip to internal and external dialogue”.The meeting had asked the state government to institute an independent inquiry into the killing of civilians in the Valley. However, the BJP had disassociated from this decision. A few days later, the state government ordered the inquiry.The Srinagar meeting had also called upon people to “help in restoration of peace and normalcy in the state”.Kashmir had been hit by a cycle of violence since June 11, with 50 civilians killed, mostly in firing by security forces on stone-pelting street protesters. Normal life has been severely affected with curfew imposed by the authorities and daily shutdowns called by the separatists =============================================================

Andhra’s interests not compromised on Babhali: Rosaiah

Hyderabad,July,04, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah Tuesday denied that he compromised the interests of the state on the Babhali barrage dispute during a meeting with his Maharashtra counterpart in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Addressing a news conference Tuesday evening, he said Andhra Pradesh would continue to pursue the contempt of court case filed in the Supreme Court against Maharashtra for not abiding by its interim order.“At the same time the two states will continue their efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the problem,” Rosaiah said.The chief minister said it was the opinion of the central government that both the states should abide by the Supreme Court order on the dispute. He said the central government had also directed the Maharashtra government to clarify Andhra Pradesh’s doubts on 13 other projects being built by it across Godavari river.Rosaiah denied the allegation by Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu that he compromised the state’s interests during the meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and the prime minister in New Delhi Monday.He, however, declined to reveal details of the meeting, saying it was not proper to do so.Rosaiah said the prime minister directed Union Minister for Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal to hold a meeting with ministers and officials of the two states to follow-up on the meeting held Monday.Earlier, Naidu told reporters that Rosaiah compromised the state’s interests during the meeting to save his “chair”. He pointed out that Maharashtra had already violated the Supreme Court’s interim order in the case by going ahead with the Babhali barrage across the Godavari.The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief, who along with other party leaders was arrested by Maharashtra police recently for marching towards Babhali, wanted Rosaiah to reveal the details of the meeting.“Will Maharashtra stop the construction of 13 other illegal projects being built by it. Has Mr.Rosaiah raised this issue in the meeting and what was the response of Maharashtra and the prime minister?” asked Naidu.Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) chief K. Chiranjeevi also said the meeting was not satisfactory. He too urged Rosaiah to call an all-party meeting and reveal the details of his discussions in Delhi.Andhra Pradesh argues that Babhali dam will deprive the state of its rightful share of Godavari waters.
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Andhra government awards L and T Hyderabad Metro project

Hyderabad, Aug 4: The Andhra Pradesh government Wednesday awarded the Rs.12,132 crore Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project to leading construction group Larsen and Toubro (L and T).A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister K.Rosaiah, approved selection of L and T as the developer of the project and decided to release Rs.500 crore as the state government's share in the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the Metro, Information and Public Relations Minister Geeta Reddy said. The foundation stone of the project will be laid in January and the entire project is expected to be completed in five years. A three-member evaluation committee, which evaluated the financial bids, had submitted its recommendations to the government. The recommendations were examined by law and finance departments and the same were placed before the cabinet for awarding the project to the lowest bidder. Rosaiah recently said the project would be developed as a role model and would have more advanced features than Delhi metro. The elevated metro system will have state of the art features like foolproof signalling system, air conditioned coaches, stations with escalators and lifts, and air conditioned feeder bus services. The project will cover high density traffic corridors of Hyderabad spanning over 71 km - Miyapur-LB Nagar (28.87 km); JBS-Falaknuma (14.78 km); and Nagole-Shilparamam (27.51 km). Out of six companies that bid for the project, L and T emerged as the lowest bidder seeking Rs.1,458 crore, the least from the government in terms of VGF. The central government had agreed to give Rs.2,363 under VGF. The authorities called for fresh global bids last year after scrapping the deal with Maytas, a sister-concern of scam-hit Satyam Computer Services, as it failed to achieve financial closure.
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Govt committed to build citizen-centric info system:CM

Hyderabad, Aug 4 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said his government was committed to build a citizen-centric, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society where everyone can create, access and utilise knowledge in a seamless manner to achieve full potential in promoting sustainable development thereby improving the quality of life.Addressing a gathering on the inauguration of three-day e-India 2010 here, he claimed Andhra Pradesh was pioneer in e-Governance and making available the services to common man in a transparent, simple and efficient manner. He cited the examples of a few successful e-Governance projects of the State like e-Seva (electronic delivery of citizen services) and computerised registration of immovable property documents (CARD).Andhra Pradesh had emerged as a State providing the right climate for the growth of IT business and is now one of the most preferred destinations in the country, he further claimed.
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Another woman dies of swine flu in Andhra

Hyderabad, Aug 4 : Another pregnant woman died of swine flu in Andhra Pradesh Wednesday, taking the toll to 18 since June this year.The woman died at King George Hospital in coastal city of Visakhapatanam. She was undergoing treatment at the hospital for the last few days and was from Araku valley, doctors said. Two women have died of the virus in as many days. Nine of the 18 dead so far have been pregnant women. This is the fourth death due to swine flu in Visakhapatnam during the last one-and-half months. The latest death was reported a day after a woman died in Hyderabad. Asma Begum, 38, a resident of old city of Hyderabad, died at the Gandhi Hospital. Ten fresh cases of swine flu were also reported in the state Tuesday. Eight of them were women. Five of the fresh cases were reported in the state capital. According to K.Subhakar, the state nodal officer for swine flu, the number of swine flu cases this year had gone up to 177. As many as 167 cases were reported since June 1. The health authorities are concerned over rapid spread of swine flu in Hyderabad, its suburbs and in north coastal Andhra. Subhakar said the virus could spread rapidly during monsoon and winter. He, however, assured people that there was no need for panic. The health officials claimed that all precautionary measures were being taken to check the spread of the virus. Concerned over the spurt in swine flu cases, Chief Minister K.Rosaiah has directed the officials to make sufficient stocks of medicines available all over the state, particularly in district hospitals and primary health centres. However, the chief minister called upon the people not to panic and contact the nearest hospital or doctor in case of swine flu symptoms. As many as 54 people died of swine flu in the state last year. Nearly 800 cases were reported. The first swine flu case in India was detected at Hyderabad airport May 16 last year. Most of the deaths were reported in September-October.
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Woman's body found in suitcase in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Aug 3 : The body of a middle aged woman dumped in a suitcase was found under a flyover near Mehdipatnam on the busy thoroughfare of the city today.As the suitcase was lying under flyover, people raise an alarm and then police and bomb squad reached the site. Bomb squad finally opened the suitcase and were surprised to find the body of the woman stuffed inside.The limbs of the woman were tied and her face was smeared with ink apparently to hide her identity.Police sent the body for autopsy and investigation is on to identify the victim.
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Disperse crowds in Kashmir but banish the bullet, say experts

Aug,03, Can Kashmir find its way out of the vicious cycle of protests and police firings that has seen 36 civilians being killed in six weeks? Yes, say outraged experts and rights activists who wonder why security forces haven’t used non-lethal methods like rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse protesters in the valley. A milder response by security forces and the use of internationally accepted ways of dispersing crowds would have reduced civilian killings and helped rein in tensions that have once again put Kashmir in the international spotlight is the widely held view.“I do not think at any occasion in recent times has firing by security forces been warranted,” said E.N.Rammohan, former Border Security Forces (BSF) chief and head of the commission that probed the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada region in April.“Kashmir needs better policing not repeated firing. An effective lathi-charge, teargas shelling or the use of water cannons could have been better than the bullet firings.”Rammohan, who had worked in Kashmir during the peak of militancy in the mid 1990s, added: “If you abide by international practices, the administration is supposed to deploy baton squads with shields to tackle rioting mobs or stone-pelting protesters.“Firing is not permitted unless security forces are fired upon or their lives are endangered. Even if you fire, it should be at the legs, not above the chest.”Of the 36 people, most of them teenagers and youths, killed during protests since June 11, 29 died in police firing. Four of them Monday.“Police, paramilitary forces and the army have to evolve a new strategy to avoid excessses while dealing with protests,” said Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Saifuddin Soz. “The aim should be not to kill while controlling mob protests,” Soz said.Stressing the use of water cannons and bullets, he said security forces should be given refresher courses how to deal with street protests and stone-pelters.Human rights organisations have also criticised the “excess use of force” by security personnel in Kashmir.“It is clear security forces are not at all equipped to deal with crowd control. If law enforcement agencies start firing on the protesters, it will ignite more anger amongst the people. It will build a momentum for another round of protests and violence,” Suhas Chakma, director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights,Security agencies, he said, should use rubber bullets instead of live bullets. The criminal procedure code (CrPC) and the UN code of conduct prohibits security personnel from shooting any protester above the waist, Chakma pointed out.“People will protest in a democracy. These protests can take place in any other city of India. But that doesn’t mean that security forces should use live bullets to contain the crowd.”Adding to the chorus of protest, Gautam Kaul, former director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), said the formation of peace committees comprising prominent citizens, social activists and community leaders was the need of the hour.He was critical of the methodology of the police action in Kashmir. “I do not see any riot drill undertaken by the police. Instead, there is a formation of uniformed uniformed groups, engaged loosely,” Kaul, himself a Kashmiri, added.Forget about bullets, even rubber bullets should not be fired at close range, he said.Muhammed Yusuf Tarigami, legislator and state secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, told “coordinated panels of the police and the security forces” should be formed at all levels so that the bloodshed is stopped.“They are not the traditional AK-47 wielding militants. But a new group of stone-pelting youngsters. With the media spreading its network, forces should know that the entire world is watching what they do,” Tarigami said.
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Bombay High Court postpones Kasab matter till Aug 12

Aug,03, The Bombay High Court Monday deferred till Aug 12 the proceedings related to confirming the death penalty awarded to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab by a trial court for the 2008 Mumbai attack.The death sentence was awarded to Kasab by a special court here May 6 after a marathon trial of nearly 11 months. A division bench comprising Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice Vijaya Tahilramani adjourned the matter after public prosecutor Pandurang Pol informed the court that the state government would file its appeal within a week challenging the acquittal of Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Shaikh, co-accused in the terror attack case.The duo was acquitted after Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani granted them benefit of doubt over their role as co-accused in the terror attack in November 2008 which left 166 dead and nearly 300 injured.The special court forwarded its verdict to the Bombay High Court for confirmation of the death penalty awarded to Kasab, who was not produced in high court Monday for security reasons.Eminent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who was the special public prosecutor in the trial Court, has been appointed a special counsel for appearing in the matter in high court.
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Andhra's interests not compromised on Babhali: Rosaiah

Hyderabad, Aug 3: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah Tuesday denied that he compromised the interests of the state on the Babhali barrage dispute during a meeting with his Maharashtra counterpart in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Addressing a news conference here Tuesday evening, he said Andhra Pradesh would continue to pursue the contempt of court case filed in the Supreme Court against Maharashtra for not abiding by its interim order. "At the same time the two states will continue their efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the problem," Rosaiah said. The chief minister said it was the opinion of the central government that both the states should abide by the Supreme Court order on the dispute. He said the central government had also directed the Maharashtra government to clarify Andhra Pradesh's doubts on 13 other projects being built by it across Godavari river. Rosaiah denied the allegation by Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu that he compromised the state's interests during the meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and the prime minister in New Delhi Monday. He, however, declined to reveal details of the meeting, saying it was not proper to do so. Rosaiah said the prime minister directed Union Minister for Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal to hold a meeting with ministers and officials of the two states to follow-up on the meeting held Monday. Earlier, Naidu told reporters that Rosaiah compromised the state's interests during the meeting to save his "chair". He pointed out that Maharashtra had already violated the Supreme Court's interim order in the case by going ahead with the Babhali barrage across the Godavari. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief, who along with other party leaders was arrested by Maharashtra police recently for marching towards Babhali, wanted Rosaiah to reveal the details of the meeting. "Will Maharashtra stop the construction of 13 other illegal projects being built by it. Has Mr.Rosaiah raised this issue in the meeting and what was the response of Maharashtra and the prime minister?" asked Naidu. Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) chief K.Chiranjeevi also said the meeting was not satisfactory. He too urged Rosaiah to call an all-party meeting and reveal the details of his discussions in Delhi. Andhra Pradesh argues that Babhali dam will deprive the state of its rightful share of Godavari waters.
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Paper leak: Bail plea of railway official rejected

Hyderabad, Aug 3 : A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court here Tuesday dismissed the bail petition of suspended chairman of railway recruitment board (RRB), Mumbai, M. Sharma in the examination paper leak case.This is the second time that Sharma's bail petition has been dismissed by the court since his arrest in the case in June. The CBI opposed Sharma's bail plea on the ground that this would hamper the investigations into the case. Sharma, his son Vivek Bharadwaj and senior railway officials A.K. Jagannathan and G. Sethi, are lodged at Chanchalguda central jail here. The court June 24 sent Sharma and Sethi, senior divisional personnel officer, Raipur, to judicial custody. The other accused include Jagannathan,a former additional divisional railways manager, Raipur, and his son Srujan. The federal investigating agency had unearthed the racket, involving railway officials and agents. They allegedly charged nearly Rs.3.5 lakh from each candidate for recruitment tests for the posts of assistant locomotive pilots and assistant station masters held early June. Investigations have revealed that at least 444 candidates were supplied question papers. Sharma, Bhardwaj and their accomplices are believed to have pocketed over Rs.15.5 crore through these deals.
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CPI(M) Central Committee meeting from Aug 7

Vijayawada, Aug 2 : The four-day extended Central Committee meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) will be held here from August 7, its Politburo Member B V Raghavulu said today.Addressing a press conference here, he said party National General Secretary Prakash Karat would inaugurate the conference to be held at Tummalapallivari Kshetraya Kalashektram.He said 376 delegates including Chief Ministers of CPI(M) ruled states--West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, 15 politburo members and national and state leaders would take part in the meeting. Mr Raghavulu said the meeting was being held ahead of the party's National 'Mahasabha' to be convened next year. However, the 'Mahasabha', to be held every three years, was postponed due to Assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala and Assam likely to be held in September 2011, he added.He said on the last day of the meeting there would be a huge public meeting at PWD grounds in which all the left-ruled Chief Ministers, Mr Karat and other leaders would address the gathering.Mr Raghavulu, who is also party's Andhra Pradesh unit Secretary, said the deliberations included reviewing of economic and political situation in the country.Political resolutions would be adopted in the conference so that all could work towards it, he added.
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Newly-elected TRS legislators take oath

Hyderabad,Aug 2: Eleven legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), who were elected in the by-polls last week, Monday took oath as members of the Andhra Pradesh assembly.Assembly Speaker N.Kirankumar Reddy administered them the oath in the assembly premises. Earlier, the legislators paid tributes to 'martyrs' of Telangana at Gun Park in front of the assembly building. E.Rajender, who was re-elected as the party's floor leader in the assembly, his deputy T.Harish Rao and others raised slogans of "Jai Telangana" before entering the assembly. Rajender told reporters that their massive win has proved beyond doubt that the goal of achieving a separate Telangana state is not far away. All the legislators had quit in February this year demanding separate statehood to Telangana. All 10 legislators of TRS and one each of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) had resigned to protest what they called the central government going back on its Dec 9 statement to initiate the process for formation of Telangana state. All the legislators, who had quit, were re-elected with huge majority. Ch. Ramesh, who quit TDP after he resigned from the assembly, was re-elected on the TRS ticket.
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Mathew championed highest traditions of Indian journalism: PM

Aug,02, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday condoled the death of Malayala Manorama chief editor K.M. Mathew, saying that the country had “lost a true champion of the highest traditions of Indian journalism”.

In a message to his son Mammen Mathew, the prime minister spoke of K.M. Mathew’s commitment to the cause of excellence in journalism and his contributions to promoting the freedom of the press.“I was deeply grieved to learn of the sad demise of your father Shri Kandathil Mammen Mathew. Shri K.M. Mathew was a leading light of the Indian press fraternity and played a key role in making Malayala Manorama one of the major dailies in the country after he became its Chief Editor in 1973,” he said in his message.He noted that Mathew was was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his commitment to the cause of excellence in journalism and his contributions to promoting the freedom of the press. ““He had distinguished tenures as chairman of the Press Trust of India, president of the Newspaper Society of India (Indian Newspaper Society), and as member of the Press Council of India. In his death the country, particularly the state of Kerala, has lost a true champion of the highest traditions of Indian journalism.”
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Curfew continues in Srinagar after violence

Aug,01,Curfew continued in summer capital Sunday after two days of violence in which six people were killed in firing by security forces. Separatists have called for a shutdown across the Kashmir Valley to protest the killings, prolonging the “difficult times” for residents.Police vehicles fitted with loudspeakers made repeated announcements in both the Old City and uptown areas, urging people to remain indoors as curfew was imposed in the city for the second consecutive day.“Police vehicles made curfew announcements outside my home and said nobody must venture outside as an indefinite curfew was in place.“Restrictions and curfew have become a daily routine here. And on days when there are no restrictions, the separatists call shutdowns,” said a resident of Old City area who did not want to be named.“My daughter is doing her MBBS in the local medical college and her exam has again been postponed now. These are very difficult times,” he added. Authorities here say curfew is a preventive measure resorted to under extreme conditions given the overall law and order situation.“Nobody would like to inconvenience the common man unless it becomes unavoidable. The separatists call for protests, marches and shutdowns and their basic aim is to incite youth to violence even when they say the protests would be peaceful.“We are yet to see the so-called peaceful separatist protests,” a senior police officer said here.Reports here said the Jammu-Srinagar highway was blocked by unruly mobs at various places in south Kashmir by felling trees and laying them across the highway.Times have really become very difficult for the common Kashmiri as normal life has been thrown completely out of gear for the last 55 days. Reports from other towns of the Valley said curfew was being imposed there as well. Separatists have called for a Valley-wide shutdown against the recent killings of civilians in firing by security forces.Six protesters were killed in the last two days in different violent protests across Kashmir. Over 80 people, including protesters and security personnel, have been injured in the violence. Eight of them are said to be battling for life.Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who was released here Saturday, told the authorities that he would not obey the release orders as he was being released on parole, sources said.“Geelani Sahib told officials that if they wanted to release him they must revoke the Public Safety Act (PSA) order against him,” a source close to the separatist leader said here.The valley has been virtually paralysed due to violent protests against civilians being killed in firing by security forces since June 11.
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Deadline for minority scholarship application extended

Hyderabad, Jul 31 : The Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Finance Corporation Ltd (APSMFCL) today announced the extension of last date for online submission of Government of India Scholarship applications till August ten.In a statement, the APSMFCL Vice-Chairman and Managing Director said Minorities Welfare Minister Mohd Ahmadulla considered to extend the deadline after receiving representation from parents of Minority students.Minority students who have already registered their applications online are requested to submit the applications to the office of the Executive Director, APSMFC, of the district concerned on or before August 6, 2010 without fail.Those who have not registered online so far are requested to register their application and submit applications to the office of the Executive Director on or before August 10, 2010.
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ISNA Welcomes Statement from the National Association of Evangelicals Against Qur'an Burning

USA(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) July 29, 2010) ISNA applauds statements released by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) that denounces the planned burning of Qur'ans on September 11th by a Floridian group. ISNA President, Dr. Ingrid Mattson states, "We live in a time when all people of faiths must be committed to mutual understanding and reconciliation, for there is no doubt that some people from each of our traditions are using the power of religion to foster hatred and discord. I applaud the ethical leadership of the NAE in issuing this statement. We should never blame all Christians, evangelical or otherwise, for the actions of an individual pastor and his congregation." According to the press release, the National Association of Evangelicals states that it encourages increased understanding and reconciliation between those of different faiths and backgrounds, and it laments efforts that work against a just and peaceful society. "The plans recently announced by a Florida group to burn copies of the Qu'ran on September 11 show disrespect for our Muslim neighbors and would exacerbate tensions between Christians and Muslims throughout the world. The NAE urges the cancellation of the burning." NAE President Leith Anderson said, "The most powerful statement by the organizers of the planned September 11th bonfire would be to call it off in the name and love of Jesus Christ."In 1996 the NAE addressed religious persecution saying that "If people are to fulfill the obligations of conscience, history teaches the urgent need to foster respect and protection for the right of all persons to practice their faith." [1] In the same resolution, the NAE pledged to "address religious persecution carried out by our Christian brothers and sisters whenever this occurs around the world." The NAE calls on its members to cultivate relationships of trust and respect with our neighbors of other faiths. God created human beings in his image, and therefore all should be treated with dignity and respect. The proposed burning of Qu'rans, it said, would be profoundly offensive to Muslims worldwide, just as Christians would be insulted by the burning of Bibles. Such an act would escalate tensions between members of the two faiths in the United States and around the world. "We have to recognize that fighting fire with fire only builds a bigger fire," said Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed, in Orlando, Fla., and member of the NAE Board of Directors. "Love is the water that will eventually quench the destruction."[1] National Association of Evangelicals, Worldwide Religious Persecution 1996. See http://www.nae.net/government-affairs/policy-resolutions/413-worldwide-religious-persecution-1996
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TRS chief demands separate statehood after massive poll win

Hyderabad, July 31 : Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao has said the party's victory in by-elections in the Telangana region nothing less than a referendum for the creation of a separate state, and asked the Centre to take immediate steps in this regard,"I humbly appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi that please deliver Telangana state without any further loss of time. The time has come; the time has ripened. This verdict is nothing less than a referendum," he told reporters here on Friday.He also urged the Justice B N Srikrishna Committee, constituted by the Central Government to go into the Telangana statehood issue and submit its report quickly."In the meantime, the Congress should prepare for delivering Telangana after December 31. They should come forward. They should ask the Justice Srikrishna (Commission) to expedite, expedite proceeding and submit the report immediately in the view of bye election results," he said.The TRS won eleven seats while its new political ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won one seat.The polls to the 12 seats were held in the wake of resignations of provincial lawmakers over the issue.Pro-Telangana activists have been agitating since December 23 after the Central Government deferred its promise to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.The agitations have resulted in series of violent incidents in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as some other parts of the state.
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HMDA makes new zonal office for building layout approvals

Hyderabad, Jul 31 : The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has established a zonal office at Medchal to provide better public facilities regarding building layout approvals of people covering nine revenue mandals.According to a release here yesterday, these revenue mandals are Medchal, Shameerpet, Quthbullapur of R R Dist and Jinnaram, Narsapur, Toopran, Shivampet, Mulugu and Wargal of Medak Dist.HMDA has also held a first co-ordination meeting in connection with layout approvals of buildings with the officials of Gram Panchayats falling under Medchal Mandal on July 30, the release said.In the meeting, officials explained the role of Gram Panchayats in respect to giving permission of building construction as well as enforcement action against the unauthorised constructions. With regard to approval of non-residential buildings, HMDA will technically approve the building plans and forward the same to local body for final release. The applications of said category and residential buildings above ground plus two upper floors shall be directly submitted to zonal office HMDA for necessary approval, the release added.
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Student commits suicide for Telangana, Osmania University tense

Hyderabad, July 31 : Osmania University here was tense Saturday as yet another student committed suicide in the campus, demanding the formation of separate Telangana state.The charred body of Ishan Reddy, an engineering student, was found near the university library. In his hand-written suicide note found near the body, the student said he was fulfilling his "wish" as all 12 legislators, who had resigned for the cause of Telangana, were re-elected. "I wished before Maisamma (deity) that I will sacrifice my life if D. Srinivas and other Congress candidates are defeated in the elections and now that they are defeated I am fulfilling my wish," he said. Andhra Pradesh state Congress chief D. Srinivas and other Congress candidates were defeated in the by-elections in the region. Ishan congratulated the people of Telangana and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao for ensuring the re-election of 12 legislators. Ishan, who hailed from Medak district, also wanted that Congress and TDP leaders like D. Srinivas, Jana Reddy, Damodar Reddy, Sridhar Babu, K. Venkat Reddy, Kadiam Srihari, E. Dayakar Rao and N. Janardhan Reddy be declared "traitors" of Telangana and hanged publicly. Tension prevailed on the campus as the students were resisting police attempts to shift the body to the mortuary. Ishan Reddy, in his suicide note, expressed his wish that autopsy should not be conducted on his body. He also wanted his body to be taken in a procession from the university to Telangana martyrs' memorial near the assembly. Ishan Reddy completed his B Tech from St. Ann's Institute of Technology and was undergoing coaching for GRE TOEFL exams. He is the fourth student to commit suicide on the Osmania University campus this year. In March, Sai Kumar, a second year B Tech student of Osmania University, had ended his life by hanging in his hostel room as he was upset over the delay in formation of a separate state. On Feb 20, a Class 12 student had immolated himself at the main entrance of Osmania University in full public view during a protest by university students. In January, a MCA student had self-immolated on the campus. Parties fighting for a separate Telangana claim that over 300 students and youth have committed suicide in the region since protests began in November last year.
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TRS scores historic victory in Telangana by-polls

Hyderabad, July 31 : The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which won all 11 seats it contested in the Telangana by-elections, made history with its massive victory margins.Riding on the popular Telangana sentiment, the party not only retained all 10 seats it won in the 2009 elections but also wrested one from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). TRS had not fielded its candidate in Nizamabad Urban where BJP's A. Lakshminarayana once again defeated state Congress chief D.Srinivas. Its candidates, who won last elections with a few hundreds votes, retained the seats by a bumper majority. The victory margin in most of the constituencies was anywhere between 60,000 to 95,000. Political pundits say a candidate polling 70 to 85 percent of votes in assembly elections is unprecedented. The TRS performance reminds one of the massive victory of the Telangana Praja Samiti (TPS) in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections. Fighting on the similar slogan, TPS had bagged 10 out of 14 seats it contested in Telangana. But even the TPS had polled 50 to 65 percent of votes. The performance of TRS this time has been so strong that the ruling Congress finished a poor second while TDP candidates lost security deposit as they failed to get the minimum of one-sixth of the total votes polled in their respective constituencies. TRS leader T. Harish Rao registered a record victory with a margin of 95,858 votes in Siddipet, polling 82 percent of votes. His nearest rival of the Congress could get only 12,921. Both Congress and TDP forfeited their deposits. The second highest margin of victory for TRS was in Huzurabad where its former leader in assembly E. Rajender retained the seat with a majority of 79,227 votes. The margin was 78,047 in Manchiryal constituency. ballot papers were used for Tuesday's polling in five constituencies, the results were announced after Friday midnight. TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao's son K.Tarakarama Rao, who won last election with a margin of 171 in Sircilla, this time defeated his rival by 67,997 votes. In Warangal West, D. Vinaybhaskar was re-elected with a majority of 67,809 votes. Former minister and Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir was defeated in Yellareddy by TRS candidate A. Ravinder Reddy by 37,535 votes. TRS also retained Korutla seat with a victory margin of 56,525 votes. The Congress could put up some face-saving performance only in Nizamabad where the BJP candidate's victory margin was only 11,981 votes. It also gave a good fight to TRS in Sirpur. In its worst ever performance, TDP lost security deposits in all constituencies. The by-elections were necessitated by the resignation of all 10 legislators of the TRS and one each of the BJP and the TDP on the issue of a separate Telangana state in February.
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Trains partially cancelled/diverted due to breaches

Hyderabad, Jul 30 : The South Central Railway (SCR) today partially cancelled/diverted some trains due to breaches on track caused by rain water between Kinwat-Ambari-Kosai Stations on Mudkhed-Adilabad section of Nanded Division.According to a press release here, Train No 7406 Adilabad - Tirupati Express, scheduled to leave today, has been partially cancelled between Adilabad and Nizamabad. Train No 7405 Tirupati-Adilabad Express, which left Tirupati today, will be terminated at Nizamabad and the same train will run as Train No 7406A to Tirupati leaving Nizamabad at 0215 hrs tomorrow.Train No 551 Purna-Adilabad Passenger, scheduled to leave Purna at 1745 hrs today, will be terminated at Kinwat and will be partially cancelled between Kinwat and Adilabad and will return as Train No 554/A from Kinwat to Parli tomorrow. Train No 7610 Purna-Patna Express, scheduled to leave Purna today, has been diverted to run via Akola and Bhusaval. Train No 1045 Chathrapathi Sivaji Maharaj (Terminus) Kolhapur - Dhanbad Express, which is on run, has been diverted to run via Manmad, Bhusaval, Nagpur to Dhanbad.
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Statehood wind blows through Telangana, TRS sweeps bypolls

Hyderabad, Jul 30: Sailing on the separate Telangana sentiment blowing across the region, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was poised tonight to make a clean sweep of all the 11 Andhra Pradesh Assembly seats it contested in the July 27 by-elections while its ally, the BJP, had won the lone seat it had vacated along with the TRS candidates.TRS-BJP combine had swept all the seven seats for which results have been declared so far and is leading in five constituencies for which counting of ballot votes was in progress.Hopes of Pradesh Congress President D Srinivas to make a comeback to the State Assembly were dashed when he was defeated by BJP candidate Lakshminarayana from the Nizamabad Urban Seat.This is Mr Lakshminarayana's second victory over the PCC President within 14 months. The results leave Mr Srinivas, who had hoped to become the Deputy CM if he won, in political wilderness once again.Mr Lakshminarayana led Mr Srinivas by about 20,000 votes at the end of 11th round of counting.The first result to be declared in the morning was that of the Siddipet Constituency which TRS Candidate Harish Rao won with a record majority of 95,858 votes. The result left his opponents -- Congress, TDP and Independents, --forfeiting their security deposits.TRS Candidates Gaddam Aravind Reddy won from Mancherial, Kaveti Sammaiah from Sirpur, Harish Rao from Siddipet, Koppula Eshwar from Dharmapuri, Nallala Odelu from Chennur and Chennamaneni Ramesh from Vemulawada, while the BJP's Lakshminarayana retained his seat from Nizamabad Urban Constituency.TRS retained all the seats it had vacated to press for the formation of separate Telangana State.Mr Harish Rao, a former AP Minister, entered the record books by capturing the Siddipet Assembly Constituency by a margin of 95,858 votes, the highest in an election to the state Assembly.
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TRS win 11 seats in Andhra by-polls

Hyderabad, July 30 : The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) on Friday won eleven seats in the Telangana by-elections, while its new political ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won one seat.Both the Congress and the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) drew a blank in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats caused by the resignations over the Telangana issue.The entire counting process was being videographed and a media and data centre were set up at every counting center for quick information.State Congress president D Srinivas and TRS president K.Chandrasekhar Rao's son K T Rama Rao were among the prominent candidates in the fray.
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Delete 'newly added facts' in paternity suit: Tiwari

July 30 : Former Andhra Pradesh governor N.D. Tiwari Friday asked the Delhi High Court to direct the person claiming to be his biological son delete the newly added facts in the paternity suit.

Tiwari, represented by his counsel Chetan Sharma, raised objections to the additional facts incorporated by Rohit Shekhar in his fresh paternity suit. He said that Rohit should have sought the court's permission to amend the suit with the new fact that he had tried to meet Tiwari at an airport in 2005.
"The court did not grant permission to him to file a fresh petition after incorporating the new facts into the suit," Tiwari's counsel said referring to the March 2008 order of the court. Rohit, in the fresh lawsuit, alleged his request to meet Tiwari was deliberately turned down. Meanwhile, he also moved an application to direct Tiwari for a DNA test to determine the parentage. The court fixed Aug 13 for the next hearing of the case. The apex court had on May 10 dismissed the appeal filed by Tiwari challenging the high court's decision to adjudicate the paternity suit. Rohit claimed he was born out of a relationship between his mother Ujjwala Sharma and Tiwari, a charge denied by the 84-year-old Congress leader. Tiwari had earlier refused to undergo DNA test and denied ever having any physical relationship with Rohit's mother. The Congress leader had to resign as governor after he was purportedly shown in a sting operation to be in a compromising position with three women. Earlier, the high court had dismissed the plea by Tiwari who sought dismissal of the petition on the ground that it was filed 31 years after the petitioner was born in order to malign his character.
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Telangana by-poll results trigger rumblings in Congress, TDP

Hyderabad, July 30: The crushing defeat of the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the Telangana by-elections has triggered rumblings within the two parties over the Telangana statehood issue.

Leaders of the Congress from Telangana blamed their counterparts in other regions of Andhra Pradesh for the loss, while TDP leaders from Telangana advised those opposing separate statehood to reconsider their stand. Both Congress and TDP drew a blank in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats caused by the resignations over the Telangana issue. TDP lost the lone seat it was holding while Congress candidates, including party's state unit chief D. Srinivas had to bite the dust. Chief Minister K.Rosaiah, who is from outside Telangana, said he respects the people's verdict. Party general secretary and state incharge M. Veerappa Moily said in New Delhi that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won due to "local factors". Congress leaders from Telangana lashed out at party leaders belonging to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions for opposing the demand for a separate Telangana state. Senior Congress leader from Telangana and former minister G. Venkatswamy blamed leaders from Andhra for the party's defeat. Another leader from the region T.Jeevan Reddy termed the poll results an "eye opener" for those opposing the separate Telangana demand. Congress legislator Shankar Rao said he was happy over the election results as people, through their verdict, paid tributes to 600 "martyrs" of the Telangana movement. He said the results had increased the responsibility of the Congress party to carve out a separate Telangana. TDP's senior leader in Telangana N. Janardhan Reddy wanted his party leaders from other regions to reconsider their opposition to a separate state. It may be recalled that strong protests by Congress and TDP leaders from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions had forced the central government to go back on its announcement last year to start the process for formation of Telangana state.
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TRS sweeps Telangana by-elections, Congress chief loses

Hyderabad, July 30 : Riding on the Telangana sentiment, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) swept the assembly by-elections in the Andhra Pradesh region, winning six seats and was leading in six other constituencies Friday.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained one seat with its candidate Lakshminarayana defeating state Congress chief D. Srinivas in Nizamabad Urban segment. It was big blow for Srinivas who was aiming to join the state cabinet and even emerge as successor to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah. Proving that the Telangana sentiment is still strong, TRS retained Siddipet, Sirpur, Manchiryal, Dharmapuri and Chennur seats with huge majority and wrested Vemulawada seat from Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Its leader T. Harish Rao set a record by retaining Siddipet with a margin of 95,858 votes, breaking the record of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who was re-elected from Pulivendula constituency in Kadapa district last year with a margin of 68,681. The ruling Congress party and main opposition TDP were virtually wiped out in the by-elections, necessitated by the resignation of all 10 legislators of the TRS and one each of the BJP and the TDP on the issue of a separate Telangana state in February. In a majority of the constituencies, Congress and TDP candidates lost their security deposits. Among other prominent losers were former ministers G.Vinod (Congress) and Babu Mohan (TDP). Another former minister and Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir was trailing in Yellareddy constituency. The verdict has come as a morale booster for the TRS, which has long been fighting for a separate Telangana state. Celebrations broke out in TRS camp, which termed the results as a victory of Telangana's "four crore" people and a defeat of "anti-Telangana forces". During the poll campaign, TRS had targeted both Congress and TDP for betraying the cause of Telangana. "This victory will give us new strength and vigour to fight for a separate Telangana state," said TRS leader K. Tarakarama Rao, who is leading in the Sircilla assembly constituency. Tarakarama Rao, who is also son of TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, is confident that a separate Telangana state will become a reality in December this year when the Justice Srikrishna committee is scheduled to submit its report.
The committee, constituted by the centre in February to look into demands for and against Telangana state, is currently holding public consultations on the issue. TRS nominees not only retained their respective seats but significantly improved their victory margins. The Election Commission said 66.67 percent of 23.60 lakh voters in the 12 constituencies spread over five districts cast their votes in the elections held Tuesday.
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Setting up of New Training Camps by Lashkar-e-Taiba

(PIB NEWS) July,29,Government has seen reports that the Lashkar-e-Taiba has expanded its operations in Afghanistan and set up training camps. Government continuously monitors the existence and operations of terrorist groups that target India and Indian interests. Government has consistently raised with its international partners, including the Government of Afghanistan, the issue of existence of terrorist sanctuaries in the region which target India and other countries. The Communiqué issued after the Kabul Conference, co-hosted by the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations, also referred to combating terrorism by ending support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorists. Government of India has comprehensively reviewed and enhanced security measures for the safety and security of our personnel and other Indians working in Afghanistan. It is also in regular touch with the Government of Afghanistan, which has assured necessary security for Indians in that country. Government is committed to taking all necessary steps to safeguard the nation’s security. This information was given by the Minister of External Affairs Shri S. M. Krishna in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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PM’s statement at the Joint Press Conference with his British counterpart

(PIB NEWS) July,29, It is my great privilege to welcome the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom His Excellency David Cameron on his first visit to India. Prime Minister Cameron has a distinguished political career. He brings with him the finest qualities of leadership and a bold vision for Britain and a better and safer world. His presence here, so soon after his election victory in May this year, indicates the strength of the bonds that tie India and the United Kingdom. It also demonstrates the Prime Minister’s strong personal commitment to take our partnership to an even higher level of understanding and purpose. Our discussions were wide ranging, warm and extremely productive. We share the same vision for a renewed and enhanced partnership between our countries. To this end we have agreed on specific initiatives in the areas of economy and trade, science and technology, energy, education, defence, culture and people to people contacts. We have decided to constitute an India-UK CEOs Forum and an India-UK Infrastructure Group. We will work towards doubling our trade in five years. Building upon past experience, we have also agreed to launch a new phase of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative. We will intensify bilateral exchanges at all levels. India and the United Kingdom are natural partners to shape a better world. If we join hands together, we can make a meaningful contribution to addressing the challenges of poverty and development, reform of global institutions, terrorism and climate change. We also reviewed the regional security situation and developments in Afghanistan. There was agreement between us that today terrorism constitutes the single biggest threat to the region and to open and pluralistic societies like ours. We have agreed to further intensify our cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. Finally, I conveyed to the Prime Minister that the people of India look forward to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi which we hope will further strengthen the spirit of the Commonwealth. With Prime Minister Cameron’s visit we have set in place a new momentum to drive our partnership forward. I have no doubt that this will be good for both our countries, and responds to the wishes and aspiration of both our peoples.
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PM calls Andhra, Maharashtra chief ministers on Babhali row

New Delhi, July 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called a meeting of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Aug 2 to discuss the row over the Babhali dam project between the riverine states, official sources said.

The sources said Thursday that the meeting was aimed at addressing apprehensions among political parties in Andhra Pradesh on Maharashtra not sticking to its commitment about the project following Supreme Court directions. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah had Monday led an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to direct the Maharashtra government to dismantle the gates installed at the Babhali barrage and take necessary action to put an end to the dispute. The delegation, which had representatives from all registered political parties in Andhra Pradesh, also urged the prime minister to call a meeting of the chief ministers of the two states to resolve the issue of Babhali barrage and 13 other barrages built on Godavari river, which flows through both states. Political parties in Andhra Pradesh have accused Maharashtra of carrying out illegal construction on the Babhali barrage against a Supreme Court order, but Maharashtra denies it. Andhra Pradesh's opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with some supporters had earlier this month entered the Maharashtra border district of Nanded in a bid to go to the site of the Babhali barrage.
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Andhra High Court dismisses petition against power project

Hyderabad, July 29 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court Thursday dismissed a writ petition against the environmental clearance granted to East Coast Energy Pvt. Limited (ECEPL) for developing a thermal power project in Srikakulam district.A division bench headed by Chief Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakru dismissed the petition filed by an NGO, which challenged the environmental clearance on the ground that the project site is a wetland. The court, however, allowed the petitioner to avail the statutory remedy within 30 days. ECEPL is developing a 2640 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Kakarapalli village of Santhabommali mandal in Srikakulam district. ECEPL, an SPV incorporated for setting up the project, has already achieved financial closure for Rs.12,000 crore project and so far invested Rs.600 crore, said a company statement. Forum for Sustainable Development, in its petition, claimed that the project site is wetland and part of Naupada swamp besides being ecologically sensitive. Some environment groups are opposing ECEPL project and a similar one proposed by Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) at Sompeta in the same district on the ground that they were coming up on wetlands. The groups fear that the thermal power projects would destroy the ecology and endanger traditional livelihood of local communities. The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) had last month quashed the environmental clearance given by the ministry of environment for NCC project on the ground that information on existence of three irrigation projects and wetlands was suppressed. The NEEA judgement came a day after two persons were killed and several others were injured at Sompeta on July 14 when police opened fire on people protesting against the NCC project. Both the projects are to generate 2640 MW and involves an investment of Rs.12,000 crore each.
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All set for vote counting in Telangana by-polls

Hyderabad, July 29 : Counting of votes in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region will be taken up Friday.The state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I.V. Subba Rao said all arrangements were made for counting of votes, which will start 8 a.m. The first result is expected by 11 am. Since polling in five of the 12 constituencies were held through ballot papers, the last result is expected by 6 p.m. The results from seven constituencies, where electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used, are likely to be announced in the initial two to three hours. According to the CEO, 66.67 percent of 23.60 lakh voters cast their votes in the elections held on Tuesday. Since the Election Commission received no complaint of rigging or other electoral malpractices from any of the constituencies, no re-polling was required in any polling station. The by-elections were necessitated by the resignations of all 10 legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of separate Telangana state early this year. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, seen as a referendum on the issue of separate Telangana state. The election authorities have made elaborate arrangements for counting of votes at seven counting centres spread over five districts. No mobile phones would be allowed inside the centres. Arrangements have been made for recording the entire counting process. The CEO said tight security arrangements were made at strong rooms where EVMs and ballot boxes were kept after the polling. Officials have installed CCTVs in the strong rooms with monitors kept outside for the polling agents to keep a watch.
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Low pressure persists, brings rains in AP

Hyderabad, Jul 29 : Yesterday's low pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Westcentral Bay, South Orissa and North Andhra coast persisted today and was likely to move in a Westnorth-westerly direction.

Southwest monsoon was vigorous over Rayalaseema while it was active over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with rain occurring at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema and at many places over Telangana, Met department said.Bhadrachalam received very heavy rainfall of16 cm, Koyyalagudem (West Godavari district) and Kunavaram (Khammam district) 14 each and heavy rainfall in Dowlaiswaram (East Godavari district) 12 cm, Rajahmundry (East Godavari district) 10 cm, Koida (Khammam district) eight and Parvathipuram (Vizianagaram district) seven cm.Chief amounts of rainfall were also recorded in Dummagudem (Khammam district) six, Anantapur, Jammalamadugu (Cuddapah district), Mahabubabad (Warangal district) and Yellandu (Khammam districts) five each, Achampet, Kodangal and Kollapur (all Mahabubnagar districts), Allagadda (Kurnool districts), Badvel, Kamalapuram and Proddatur (all Cuddapah districts). Eturnagaram (Warangal district), Ichapuram (Srikakulam district), Paleru Bridge (Krishna district) and Tandur (Rangareddy district) received four cm of rainfall each, while Mahabubnagar, Nandyal, Tuni, Chintalapudi and Tadepalligudem (both West Godavari district), Golkonda (Hyderabad district), Kalwakurthy (Mahabubnagar district), Koilkuntla and Srisailam (both Kurnool district), Lakkireddipalli, Muddanur, Porumamilla and Rayachoty (all Cuddapah district), Macherla (Guntur district), Madhira and Venkatapuram (both Khammam district), Pargi (Rangareddy district), Patapatnam, Ranasthalam and Sompeta (all Srikakulam district), Tiruvuru (Krishna district) and Udayagiri (Nellore district) received three each.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and may occur over Rayalaseema.Sky condition would be cloudy with intermittent rain or thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 26 and 22 degrees respectively.
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Huawei enters India open market with new mobile devices

New Delhi,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)    July 29,2010: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd., a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, today announced its entry into the Indian open market with the launch of its new series of handset devices - “Hangout” and “Android”. These devices were launched utilizing Qualcomm’s advanced chipset solutions. Qualcomm is a world leader and innovator of 3G and other advanced mobile technologies. Huawei’s new high-quality, innovatively designed, easy-to-use, and affordable devices embody the company’s “Smart Device, Simple World” philosophy. These devices will be made directly available to consumers in India, starting on August 1,2010. The Hangout series includes a full range of stylish & feature rich devices on GSM/CDMA/UMTS technologies that cater to Entry Mid & Mid High type of consumers, whether they seek an entry level phone or a more high-end device. The Android series is based on the open source smart phone platform developed by Google. This range includes series of smart phone right from affordable to high-end devices on Android Platform with loads of applications catering to mid & high end consumers. Huawei is currently working with India’s leading operators, including TATA Indicom, Reliance Bharti Airtel & all the major operators, in the areas of Handsets, Mobile Broadband and Home Convergence, to bring its innovative, user-friendly devices to consumers. Mr. Victor Xu, Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei Device said, “Huawei believes that intelligent technology should come from a human perspective. Smart Device, Simple World is a concept designed to achieve this. Huawei’s offerings are based on partnership, customization and value. Through the launch of these products, we hope to enrich lives of Indian consumers.”Mr. Xu further added, “With the Indian telecom industry growing at the rate of 20M subs each month, and poised to reach 1 billion by 2015, Huawei sees traction in the Indian telecom device segment. With our entry into the open market, we will continue to look at all the possible growth opportunities.”Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kanwalinder Singh, president of Qualcomm India and South Asia and Senior Vice President of Qualcomm said, “Qualcomm welcomes Huawei’s entry into the open market in India with the launch of a compelling range of handsets and smartphones based on 3G and CDMA/EVDO technologies. We believe millions of Indians will soon have their first mobile Internet experience on such devices. Huawei’s expertise to deliver innovative 3G devices based on our chipset solutions will expand the mobile Internet experience to a large base of Indian consumers.” Huawei unveiled its four devices at the conference: Hangout Series U9130 Aimed at Young Adults and professionals, it incorporates email solution and popular social networking sites like Facebook, twitter etc. and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort with cool QWERTY keypad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks.C5600 Aimed at youth; this CDMA phone is on the OMH platform which allows consumers to change the CDMA networks seamlessly unlike other CDMA phones. Music is the great experience in this ultra slim phone along with, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter.Android Series:U8300 Aimed at the young adults and professionals, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Supports multiple emailing solutions including office emails and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort. With awesome Android OS you can feel better experience in the touch screen of this phone along with the cool QWERTY keypad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks. Google market is a great download machine in this phone using which you can download multiple applications.U8500 Aimed at the youth, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Supports multiple emailing solutions and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort. With Android OS in this feel awesome dual touch experience with large 3.2” touch screen and optical track pad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks. Google market is a great download machine in this phone using which you can download multiple applications.Today, Huawei is perceived as a strategic partner to all leading telecom carriers given the paradigm shift in the handsets and telecom space where end users are now treating handsets as lifestyle products depicting one’s personality. Huawei stands ahead in flexible customization and offering quality, affordable and range of productsHuawei saw a remarkable growth and products acceptance with over 5 millions devices shipped to India in the year 2009. In terms of sales, Huawei Terminals recorded around 160 million for 2009. Huawei has delivered over 25 million devices till date with handsets contributing 60% of the same.About Huawei:Huawei is a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, and now serves 45 of the world’s top 50 operators, along with over one billion users worldwide. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers ================================================

ISNA and All Dulles Area Muslim Society Co-Sponsor Islamic Scouting and Inter-faith Events at Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree

USA,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) July 28,2010, The Islamic Society of North America, in partnership with the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) and the National Council on Islamic Scouting (NCIS) will join fellow Scouts and leaders at the 18th National Scout Jamboree which will be held from July 26 through August 4, 2010, at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, located near Fredericksburg and Washington D.C. in celebration of the first century of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)."Every Scout should have religion. Religion seems a very simple thing: First: Love and serve God. Second: Love and serve your neighbor," said BSA founder Robert Baden-Powell.ISNA and ADAMS will be co-sponsoring interfaith events which will be held during the jamboree. Imam Izak-EL Mu'eed Pasha, Resident Imam of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, NICS member, will deliver the sermon and lead prayers at the Islamic congregational services on Friday, July 30th at 1pm. Interfaith prayer services will be led by Rizwan Jaka, ADAMS/ISNA/IFCMW Board Member and ADAMS Scouts Chartered Organization Representative, on Sunday, August 1st, at 10:30am. Participants include Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and various other faith leaders and Scouts. Reverend Clark Lobenstine, Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW) will be the special guest during the service. The IFCMW, which was created in 1978, brings together the Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Latter-day Saints, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Sikh and Zoroastrian faith communities to promote dialogue, understanding and a sense of community among persons of different faiths in metropolitan Washington. ADAMS Scouting leaders assisted NCIS in setting up an Islamic Scouting exhibit, which was also co-sponsored by ISNA, and constructing the 40 x 40 foot Gillwell Park Mosque complete with green rugs, a dome, and a minaret. Visitors to the mosque will be able to meet over 250 Muslim Scouts and leaders and share in the camaraderie of duty to God, honor to country, and service to others, thereby deepening mutual interfaith understanding. This is also the first time in Jamboree history that halal meals are being provided to Muslim Jamboree attendees.For more information about the events, contact NCIS Membership Chair Abdul Rashid Abdullah (ADAMS Troop 786 Scoutmaster) at 808-689-6092, rashid@ADAMSScouting.org or Rizwan Jaka, ADAMS/ISNA/IFCMW Board Member at 703-624-6352, rojpm@yahoo.com.For directions to the Jamboree visit http://www.bsajamboree.org/Visitor.aspx.
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Myanmar’s ruler visits IT hub in Hyderabad

Hyderabad,July,29, The head of Myanmar’s military regime Senior General Than Shwe Wednesday visited Hitec City, the Information Technology hub, here.Accompanied by his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, along with an 80-member delegation, Than Shwe went around L&T Infocity and some other IT parks to witness the rapid progress made by the city in IT and ITES sector.The officials of the state government made a presentation before the Senior General, explaining how the city developed its IT/ITES industry during the last 15 years.Than Shwe was impressed by the rapid growth made by the city and evinced interest in the possibility of cooperation in the IT sector.Earlier, he also visited Bharat Biotech, a leading biotechnology company at Shameerpet on the city outskirts. He spent about half-an-hour in the plant.The Myanmar delegation also visited the famous Salar Jung Museum, world’s largest one-man collection of artefacts.Than Shwe and other officials met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan in the evening. Governor Narasimhan hosted dinner in the honour of the visiting dignitary.The Senior General, who is on a five-day visit to India, will leave for Kolkata Thursday morning. ==============================================

Andhra Pradesh Govt has identified areas to set up solar projects: CM

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the state government has identified specific areas, which have high solar insolation for setting up power projects.Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the three-day SOLARCON India 2010, he said the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) would allot land in the potential areas for development of solar power projects.Some of the potential areas identified were Kadiri in Ananthapur (2,200 acres), Gurajala in Guntur district (4,575 acres), Nennal in Adilabad district (1,008 acres), Pulivendula and Kopparty in Kadapa district (625 acres). Mr Rosaiah said the state government had been encouraging solar power projects by approving the recommended tariff of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and recommended for 0.25 per cent solar energy power purchase obligation. The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has also issued tariff order to this extent. A number of entrepreneurs were evincing interest to set up solar power projects in the state, he claimed, assuring that the Andhra Pradesh government would extend full support to the entrepreneurs who come forward to set up solar power projects in the state, he said.
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'State separation gives rise to water disputes': public view

Kakinada, July 28 : Political parties, voluntary organisations and civic associations told the Srikrishna panel during its public hearing here that people's interests would be safe only if Andhra Pradesh was united.Separation would give rise to river water disputes and also deprive the people of their legitimate employment avenues. The political parties' JAC representative and Jaggampet MLA Thota Narasimham said all round development was possible ony in a united state. Division would only bring misery to the people of both regions. Zilla Parishad Chairman CH S Venugopalakrishna, representing Congress party said East Godavari district had the agency, uplands and delta regions. A United State would help accelerate development of all the areas.` The district had five lakh acres of Delta and another 6.5 lakh hectares would come under irrigation under the "Jalayagnam" projects. The gas and other hydro-carbon resources in the KG basin would be of great help for rapid industrialization generating lot of employment, he added. Water resources consumers association President Trinath Reddy said if water from upstream did not reach Godavari, the entire delta area was bound to become a desert soon. Hence unity of the state should be protected at any cost. Dantu Suryarao chairman Cocanada chamber of commerce, Bulusu Sambamurty trust secretary Srinivasarao, Lok Satta leader Dr Aluri Vijayalakshmi, Vysya’s association president Pydah Venkatanarayana, Christian rights committee secretary Jayarathna Kumary also favoured a united Andhra Pradesh for all round progress.
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Rains in city: Andhra Pradesh CM alerts GHMC, other officials

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : In the wake of heavy rains lashing the city and outskirts, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today held discussion with government officials to immediately initiate relief works.The Chief Minister held the discussion with Chief Secretary S V Prasad, Commissioner, GHMC, Collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district, MD, Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Commissioner of police, a press release here tonight said.In the meeting the Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to constantly monitor the situation and direct the Hyderabad District Collector and Commissioner, GHMC, to evacuate people from the low-lying areas to safer places and other temporary shelters. The Chief Minister asked the city police Commissioner to instruct the traffic police to be on high alert to avoid traffic jams following heavy rains and water logging on the roads. He directed the traffic police to clear the traffic on all roads and if need be to deploy more forces. He also asked the GHMC to immediately pump out water from the water logged roads, lanes and in lanes. Dr Rosaiah cautioned the officials that since more rain was predicted in the next 24 hours, they should all be on high alert and constantly monitor the situation. He also wanted cranes to be deployed to clear the roads of fallen trees etc.Dr Rosaiah also asked the Commissioner, GHMC, to alert the medical and health department to be ready with medicines to prevent outbreak of any communicable diseases. He directed them to store adequate medicines well in advance and sanitise the areas once the rains were over. The Chief Minister said the main problem in Hyderabad city and outskirts following heavy rains was the traffic bottleneck due to water logging and inundation of roads. He asked the officials to be on the alter and work round-the-clock to see that the roads were cleared of water logging.The Chief Minister also alerted the fire service and other departments to meet any eventuality following expected heavy rains.He asked the departments concerned to act on time. The Chief Minister asked the MD, water works, to ensure supply of pure drinking water in all parts of the city. He asked the commissioner, GHMC, to open a special control room if needed, the release added.
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Environment writ against Srikakulam power plant dismissed by Andhra Pradesh HC

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : The division bench of Andhra Pradesh High Court today released the order dismissing the writ petition against the environment clearance granted to East Coast Energy Pvt Ltd for setting up 2640 MW thermal power plant at Kakarapalli village in Srikakulam district.The division bench comprising Chief Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru and Justice Vilas V Afzalpurkar dismissed the writ petteion, directing the petitioner to avail the statutory remedy if he still feels aggrieved, available under law, within 30 days beginning next week.The petitioner, forum for sustainable development represented by Advisor and Convener of the Committee on Water Bodies and Wetlands retired Capt J Rama Rao, had approached the High Court citing interest of public and filed a writ claiming that the project site is a wetland and part of Naupada Swampt besides being ecologically sensitive which was negated by this order. The Court noted the contents of the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary, government of Andhra Pradesh and held that ''it is clear that the (environment) clearance was granted by the state after due deliberations and application of mind, reversal whereof or otherwise depends on the findings of fact in respect of issues, spelt out hereinabove on the strength of elaborate oral and documentary evidence which is not possible in the writ petition because of technicalties and complexites of the issues''.
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Jagan only hope for Congress in Andhra, says MP

Hyderabad, July 28 : Describing Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy as the most popular leader in the state, the Congress MP's loyalists Wednesday mounted an attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and state Congress chief D. Srinivas.Coming out in open support of Jagan, as the Kadapa MP and son of the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is popularly known as, Nellore MP M. Rajamohan said he was the only hope for the party. He said the central leadership should reward Jagan without heeding certain leaders working against him. Rajamohan told reporters in Delhi that the Congress could win 2014 elections only under the leadership of Jagan. Ambati Rambabu, who was suspended from the party by the leadership recently for making certain remarks against Rosaiah, also said Jagan was the most popular leader in the state. Talking to reporters in Guntur, the former state general secretary of the party said Jagan's popularity was proved by the huge public response during his ongoing 'odarpu yatra' in East Godavari district. Claiming that people want to see Jagan as the chief minister, he recalled that a majority of party legislators had signed a letter supporting the Kadapa MP. "Certain leaders are targeting Jagan and spreading misinformation about him but this will only strengthen him," said Rambabu, without naming Rosaiah or Srinivas. Rambabu, who claims he has still not received any communication from the party regarding his suspension, ruled out the possibility of Jagan launching a new party. Stating that the party was not likely to win even a single seat in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Telangana held Tuesday, Rambabu said it was unfortunate that even senior leaders could not campaign. Rambabu said the state would never see a great leader like Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. "I am not saying Rosaiah and Srinivas are small leaders but they are not great leaders like YSR," he said.
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SW monsoon active over coastal AP

Hyderabad, Jul 28 : Southwest monsoon has been active over Coastal Andhra Pradesh with rain occurring at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and at a few places over Telangana while isolated rain occurred over Rayalaseema.

A low pressure area has formed over North-West Bay of Bengal and adjoining West-Central Bay, South Orissa and North Andhra coast today, Met department said.Sirpur (Adilabad district) recorded a very heavy rainfall of 13 cm and Bobbili (Vizianagaram district) recorded a heavy rainfall of eight cm.The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm are Asifabad (Adilabad district) six, Addanki (Prakasam district) five, Luxettipet, Mancherial and Utnoor (all Adilabad district) four each, Adilabad, Medak, Ongole, Darsi (Prakasam district), Gajapathinagaram (Vizianagaram district), Gudivada (Krishna district), Macherla (Guntur district) and Patapatnam (Srikakulam district) three each, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Avanigadda (Krishna district), Chinnoor (Adilabad district), Komarada and Parvathipuram (both Vizianagaram district), Perur (Khammam district), Repalle (Guntur district) and Veeraghattam (Srikakulam district) two each and Bapatla, Chittoor, Kalingapatnam, Kavali, Kurnool, Ramagundam, Rentachintala, Tuni, Boath and Nirmal (both Adilabad district), Cheepurupalli, Terlam and Vizianagaram (all Vizianagaram district), Kaleswaram (Karimnagar district), Kandukur and Podili (both Prakasam district), Mandasa and Palakonda (both Srikakulam district), Mangalagiri, Piduguralla, Sattenapalli and Tenali (all Guntur district), Narayanakhed (Medak district), Narsipatnam and Paderu (both Visakhapatnam district), Pakala, Punganur, Puttur and Srikalahasti (all Chittoor district) one each.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and at many places over Telangana. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers may occur at a few places over Rayalaseema. Sky condition would be generally cloudy with intermittent rain or thundershowers in parts of city. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 31 and 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
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TDP to launch stir if Centre has no solution on Babhli: Naidu ",

New Delhi, Jul 27 : Telugu Desam chief and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.Chandrababu Naidu today threatened to launch an anti-Babhli barrage agitation if the Government failed to resolve the issue by August 10.

Mr Naidu, who is in the national capital for the past few days after he was arrested by the Mahrashtra Government for launching an agitation against the Babhli construction in the upper reaches of Godavari river, told newspersons here that the Centre should find a solution to the Babhli barrange which was "illegal".''If the Government fails to find a solution, the TDP would formalise its nature of agitation as the by-elections in the Telangana region are over,'' he said. He said during his interactions with the Prime Minister yesterday, he had not got any definite or positive response on resolving the Babhli issue and had not even called for a meeting of political parties. The Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh Government too had not acted with alacrity and if they had approached the Supreme Court in time, the situation would have been different, he said.''Even now the Centre can ask Maharashtra to dismantle its gate and Maharashtra should realise that India was a federal union and a citizen did not need any passport or visa to traverse across the country. If Babli is legal as claimed by Mahrasthra, why should it hide and why is the state afraid to let me visit the construction site,'' Mr Naidu questioned. He condemned the Maharashtra Police's lathi charge on the TDP workers near the Maharashtra border while on their way to Babhli project. Citing the rationale behind the TDP launching the agitation, Mr Naidu said it went against the sprit of agreement signed by the Chief Ministers of AP and Maharashtra in 1975 based on the Godavari water Dispute Tribunal which allowed all water above Paithan dam and up to Siddeshwar dam on the Godavari to be used by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh could draw more than 60 TMC of water below Paithan dam and Siddeshwar dam site. He said Babhli was a project on the foreshore or submerged areas of Sri Ram Sagar Project and the project was coming up without necessary clearances and consent from Andhra Pradesh. The barrage has a capacity of 2.74 TMC but could intercept 20 feet depth of live storage of Sri Rama Sagar depriving the lower riparian state of up to 65 TMC of water.Maharashtra was also constructing 13 other projects with the capacity of storing 14 TMC water but in actuality these were capable of denying AP up to 100-120 TMC of water, he claimed.
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'Separation of Andhra Pradesh disastrous'

Kakinada, Jul 27 : Representatives of various organisations, favouring unified Andhra Pradesh, told the Srikrishna panel at Rangampet in East Godavari district today that the separation of Andhra Pradesh will be disastrous and if the separation was favoured, by any, it would open the Pandora's Box dividing the nation as a whole.They told the committee that the division of the state will give rise to river water dispute and people would also lose employment avenues.''Already projects were constructed across the Godavari and Krishna rivers by Maharashtra and Karnataka. If the state was divided, some districts in the Andhra region would turn into deserts as Telangana also would construct projects leaving little water downstream,'' they said. Anaparty MLA Nallamilli Seshareddy said if the state was divided, the Godavari river water would not be available and the area would become desert. East Godavari people, particularly, the Anaparty constituency people, were favouring unified Andhra Pradesh. Earlier the committee members, including V K Duggal, Ravidingra, Amita Mityani and nodal officer Rajiv Sarma accompanied by incharge Collector Kona Sasidhar and SP Ghattamaneni Srinivas visited Cotton Barrage at Dowlesweram and made inquiries with the irrigation engineers on the inflows for the past five decades and the possible affect in case of constructing more dams across Godavari in the Telangana region. The committee would conduct public hearing at the Collectorate here tomorrow before returning to Hyderabad.
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55 percent polling in Telangana by-elections

Hyderabad, July 27 : An estimated 55 percent of 23.60 lakh voters cast their votes in by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region Tuesday.Barring minor incidents, the polling remained peaceful. Voting ended at 5 p.m. but the election authorities allowed all those standing in the queues to cast their votes. The polling, which began on a dull note in the morning, picked up as the day progressed. The highest polling percentage of 75 was recorded in Siddipet while it was only 51 percent in Nizamabad Urban, where state Congress chief D. Srinivas is contesting. Director General of Police R.R. Girish Kumar said polling was peaceful though rumours caused some tension in Nizamabad Urban constituency. Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao told reporters that no major incident was reported from any of 2,783 polling stations in the 12 constituencies spread over five districts. Police used mild force to disperse two clashing groups of ruling Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) supporters outside a polling centre in Vemulawada assembly constituency in Karimnagar district. Ballot papers were used in five constituencies where the number of candidates exceeded 64 while in the remaining seven segments voters cast their votes by pressing a button on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). About 23.60 lakh voters, nearly half of them women, were eligible to cast their votes in the by-elections caused by the resignation of all 10 legislators of the TRS and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of a separate Telangana state early this year. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, which are being seen as a referendum on the issue of a separate Telangana. About 68,000 security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Around 15,000 polling personnel were also on duty. Polling was delayed in some centres due to non-functioning of EVMs. The slush in and around some centres due to incessant rains over last three days caused some inconvenience to voters, especially in Adilabad district. State Congress chief D. Srinivas and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir are among key candidates from the ruling Congress. TRS has again fielded all its former legislators and left one seat for the BJP. TRS candidates include party chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao's son K. Tarakarama Rao, nephew T. Harish Rao and party's former leader in assembly E. Rajender. Votes will be counted July 30 and the results are expected to be announced the same day.
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Polling begins on dull note in Telangana by-elections

Hyderabad, July 27 : Polling began on a dull note and amid tight security in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region Tuesday.About 10 percent polling was recorded in the first half-an-hour, officials at the Chief Electoral Office here said. The polling began at 7 a.m. at 2,783 polling stations in the constituencies spread over five districts. Ballot papers were being used in five constituencies where the number of candidates exceeded 64 while in the remaining seven segments Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been deployed. About 23.60 lakh voters, nearly half of them women, are eligible to cast their votes in the by-elections caused by the resignations of all 10 legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of separate Telangana state early this year. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, which are being seen as a referendum on the issue of separate Telangana state. According to state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I.V. Subba Rao, about 68,000 security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Around 15,000 polling personnel were also on duty. Polling was delayed in some polling centres due to non-functioning of EVMs. The slush in and around some centres due to incessant rains of over last three days caused inconvenience to voters, especially in Adilabad district. State Congress chief D. Srinivas and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir are among key candidates from the ruling Congress party. TRS has again fielded all its former legislators and left one seat for the BJP. TRS candidates include party chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao's son K. Tarakarama Rao, nephew T. Harish Rao and party's former leader in assembly E. Rajender.
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