CM cancels all official engagements

Hyderabad, Sept 2 : Following doctors' advice, Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Thursday cancelled all his official engagements.According to Chief Minister's Office sources, Mr Rosaiah underwent a series of medical tests on Thursday morning. The sources say that the doctors from the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences attending on the Chief Minister advised him complete bed rest for two days. Meanwhile, the doctors said that Mr Rosaiah was responding to treatment rather well for his viral fever and his condition is stable."There is no cause of worry and his temperature is normal. He needs complete rest for two days," they said.According to sources, Mr Rosaiah may participate in the programmes scheduled to be conducted in the city
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Postage stamp on YSR released

Hyderabad, Sep 2 : A commemorative postage stamp on Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the late Andhra Pradesh chief minister, was Thursday released on the occasion of his first death anniversary.Visakhapatnam region post master general Sharada Sampat released the Rs.5 stamp carrying the portrait of YSR, as he was popularly known by his initials, at a ceremony held in Visakhapatnam. Officials said it normally takes 18 months to prepare and release a stamp but they had come out with this commemorative stamp within a year. Visakhapatnam-based philatelist G. Durga Prasad had sent the stamp proposal in October last year and the same was accepted by the Department of Posts. YSR died along with four others in a helicopter crash on Sep 2 last year.
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Homage paid to ex-Andhra CM YSR Reddy on first death anniversary

Kadapa (AP), Sep 2 : Congress MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and his family members on Thursday paid homage to former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y. S. R. Reddy on his first death anniversary.Jagan and a large number of family members took part in special prayers conducted at a church inside the family estate at Idupulapaya.Congress Rajya Sabha member K V P Ramachandra Rao, Congress MLA Konda Surekha and her husband Konda Murali were among the Congress leaders who offered tribute to the late chief minister.The YSR family has made arrangements to feed about a lakh people wanting inside the estate.Special buses have been arranged for the convenience of the people wanting to reach Idupulapaya.Earlier, the Congress Party had announced distribution of Rs. one lakh to the relatives of each of the workers who had committed suicide in shock following Reddy''s death.At least 600 people are said to have died after Reddy''s death.Sonia Gandhi had earlier instructed the AICC to extend necessary relief to family members of those persons who had committed suicide after Reddy death.Reddy and four others died after their Bell 430 chopper crash landed about 40 nautical miles east of the Kurnool mountains on September last year.
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Year after YSR's death, Andhra pays rich tributes

Hyderabad, Sep 2 : Andhra Pradesh Thursday remembered one of its greatest leaders, late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who had died in a helicopter crash a year ago, leaving the state in shock.Rich tributes were paid to YSR - as he was popularly called - and, at various programmes held across the state, he was recalled as a man especially concerned about the welfare of the poor. YSR died when the government helicopter carrying him from Hyderabad to Chittoor district crashed amid bad weather in Kurnool district Sep 2. Four others, including two pilots, also died with him. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who is suffering from fever, had to cancel his visit to Nallakalva in Kurnool district where he was to unveil a statue of YSR. He could not attend a function in the state capital either. "I am sad over not being able to attend the programmes to pay tribute to the great leader due to ill health," Rosaiah said in a message. He recalled his close association with YSR. "He was a great leader who always used to think of the welfare of people," Rosaiah said. YSR's widow Vijayalakshmi, son and Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, daughter Sharmila and other family members came to pay their respects at his grave in Idupulapaya family estate in Kadapa district. Vijayalakshmi, who is also a state legislator, broke down while praying at the grave. Other family members, his long-time friend and Rajya Sabha member K.V.P. Ramchandra Rao, film actor Vishnu, former minister Konda Surekha and Congress leaders were among those who paid tributes. Assembly speaker N. Kirankumar Reddy and several leaders of the ruling party paid floral tributes in the lobbies of the assembly. Chief Minister Rosaiah deputed a couple of senior ministers to Nallakalva near the crash site to unveil the statue. The government is developing YSR Smruthi Vanam, a memorial, over 22 acres of land. An all-religion prayer, video film display and special photo exhibition on YSR were held during one of the main programmes in the state capital.
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600 YSR's statues to come up in Andhra

Hyderabad, Sep 2 : To commemorate the first death anniversary of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, his supporters are planning to build nearly 600 statues all over the state."He is such a great leader that he will stay in our hearts forever. He is an ideal for the coming generation and we have to take forward his wishes,'' said his son Jagan Mohan, who has defied his party, the Congress', orders repeatedly on his "odarpu yatra." The Congress wanted Jagan to call of his tour, but YSR Junior said that he will still go on the yatra in Prakasam district from September 3.Jagan Mohan will meet the families who claim that in the weeks after YSR's death, their relatives died from shock and grief. There are some 600 such families in the entire state. However, with over one lakh rupees spent on each statue, some voters express their dissent. "The money spent on the statues could have been used for improving the hygiene of Hyderabad and the rest of Andhra Pradesh,'' said a Congress follower."There is nothing wrong in erecting a statue but there should be some limit to this madness. YSR supporters and loyalists in the Congress can plant saplings and ensure that these become trees. So, even if you plant one lakh or one crore trees, it will be an eco-friendly way to remember YS Rajashekara Reddy's legacy,'' commented political analyst K Nageshwar.
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Manmohan Singh offers prayers at Tirupati temple

Hyderabad, Sep 1: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday offered prayers at the famous Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.On a visit to the temple town to lay the foundation stone for two projects, he visited the temple atop Tirumala Hills. Priests and officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the affairs of the country's richest temple, accorded traditional reception to Singh at Ranganayaka Mandapam. The priests blessed him amid chanting of vedic hymns. Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister G. Venkat Reddy offered "prasadam", a sacred silk cloth and holy water to the prime minister. Accompanied by priests, Singh later went into the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers to the Lord's idol. This was Singh's second visit to the ancient temple as prime minister. He had earlier offered prayers in September 2005.
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PM lays foundation stone for Tirupati international airport

Hyderabad, Sep 1 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Tirupati international airport to provide direct connectivity from various international destinations to the temple town in Andhra Pradesh."After international operations commence at Tirupati airport, pilgrims from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka would find it easier to come to Tirupati in large numbers, contributing to its development into a major religious-cum-tourist hub," he said. The prime minister noted that the entire investment for the new integrated terminal is being met through the budgetary resources of the government. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost Rs.174 crore. The state government has already handed over 293 acres of land out of the 718 acres committed for modernization and development of the airport. Singh said once the new integrated terminal becomes operational, the Tirupati airport will have the capacity to handle 500 domestic and 200 international passengers during peak hours. The new terminal building will be equipped to provide modern state of the art amenities to passengers. He said the civil aviation sector is a key contributor to the Indian economy. "With our fast economic development, air traffic in India has witnessed unprecedented growth in the recent past. During the last seven years, domestic air traffic has tripled and international traffic more than doubled. Our government has continuously been making efforts to meet the growing demand for air services in the country." Singh said the new integrated terminal complex was a part of the efforts to continuously modernize and develop infrastructure facilities at airports all over the country, keeping in view the existing and potential traffic in a particular region. The government has taken the route of public private partnerships to restructure and modernize the airports at Delhi and Mumbai. The recently inaugurated terminal at the Delhi Airport is truly a world class facility which the nation can be proud of, he said.
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PM visits Lord Balaji temple

Tirupati, Sept 1 : Priests at the Lord Balaji temple in Tirumala accorded the traditional welcome to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he visited the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara to offer prayers.The temple priests, chanting vedic hymns, escorted the Prime Minister to the sanctum sanctorum where he had darshan of the Lord. Dr Manmohan Singh prayed before the idol for about 10 minutes before leaving the temple. The Prime Minister also made an offering at the temple hundi. Dr Manmohan Singh was presented with the traditional silk cloth, the famed Tirupati laddu Prasad and holy water by state Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy. Earlier, the Prime Minister's visit was marred by an attempt by Activists of Madiga ReservationPorata Samithi (MRPS) to block his convoy.The MRPS activists raised slogans demanding that the Centre categorise the Scheduled Castes in the state. The protest was dispersed by the police. The incident took place just as the Prime Minister was due to leave for the temple from the Padmavathi Guest House after his arrival in the temple town by a special IAF aircraft.
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Jagan an 'ant' before High Command: Shankar Rao

Hyderabad, Sept 1 : Secunderabad Cantonment MLA P Shankara Rao on Wednesday described the Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy as an 'ant' before the High Command.Talking to media persons at the Media Point on the Assembly premises, Mr Shankar Rao alleged that Kadapa MP, in the name of consoling families and providing them financial support through is Odarpu Yatra, is attempting to showcase his popularity by mobilizing people in the Yatra.The MLA wondered, "What he has achieved in the name of Odarpu yatra? Instead of consoling the families of those who died of shock following the death of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, he is simply greeting them and seeking their blessings," he said.Mr Shankar Rao said that YSR established his presence in the Congress party by obeying the High Command orders. He regretted that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy is not following the High Command orders. "What is Jagan's age? What political experience has he got that he can defy the High Command? The MLA questioned.The MLA reminded Mr Jaganmohan Reddy that the government has renamed Kadapa district as YSR district as recognition of the former chief minister's services to the people. Mr Shankar Rao opined that now it the time for Mr Jaganmohan Reddy to call of the Odarpu Yatra since the AICC has promised to sanction Rs 1 lakh as ex-gratia for the kin of those who died following YSR's death. The Cantonment MLA also praised Chief Minister K Rosaiah for providing efficient administration without giving room for any corruption.He also lauded Mr Rosaiah for taking stringent action against corrupt officials—Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce B P Acharya and special officer TTD Dharma Reddy.Mr Shankar Rao also urged Mr Rosaiah to appoint a Telangana candidate as chairman for TTD Board as no one from Telangana region had been appointed to the post yet.
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Peri Reddy named interim SHRC chairman

Hyderabad, Sept 1: The state government on Wednesday appointed K Peda Peri Reddy as the interim chairman of Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission.The appointment of Justice Peri Reddy follows the retirement of former chairman Justice Subhashan Reddy. The post is lying vacant since Justice Subhashan Reddy retired on August 12.Justice Peri Reddy, presently member of the Human Rights Commission, will officiate as its chairman till the decision is made on the next chairman by the government.
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CM health stable: Danam

Hyderabad, Sept 1 : Health Minister Danam Nagender on Wednesday described the health condition of Chief Minister K Rosaiah as 'stable'.Talking to media persons after enquiring about the health of Chief Minister K Rosaiah at his residence from the doctors concerned, Mr Nagender said there is no cause of worry.According to sources, the Chief Minister is suffering from fever and was forced to cancel his visit to Tirupati at the last minute. As per the schedule, the Chief Minister was to participate in the foundation laying ceremony of BHEL-NTPC power equipment manufacturing joint venture project at Mannavaram in Srikalahasthi.Mr Nagendar said that heart specialist Dr Shubhakar was personally attending on the CM and there was no cause to worry. He said the CM will unveil the statue of the former chief minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy at Pavuralagutta on Thursday and there is no change in the programme.Dr Shubhakar said the CM is suffering from fever and body pains. "We have conducted all tests on him by bringing equipment from NIMS. We will give complete details of his health after getting medical reports at 5 pm," he said.Minister for Arogyasri and Health Insurance Pithani Satyanarayana, Chief Secretaries C V K Sharma and Dinesh Kumar visited Mr Rosaiah's residence and enquired about his health from the doctors.
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PM lays foundation stone for Mannavaram project

Tirupati, Sept 1 : Laying the foundation stone for much awaited Rs 6,000 crore power equipment manufacturing plant project, a joint venture between the BHEL-NTPC at Mannavaram near Tirupati in Chittoor district on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lauded the services of former chief minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to the state.Talking to reporters, he said "I am happy to lay foundation stone for the project a day before the first death anniversary of YSR who played key role bringing the project to the State." The Prime Minister said the project would provide direct employment to 6,000 and indirect employment to 30,000 people by the time of its completion in 2014-15. The project would also help in the development of this backward region of the state, he stated.He said the BHEL-NTPC joint venture would produce equipment required for power generation of 5000 MW annually. Stressing the importance of power, Dr Manmohan Singh said the government had drawn up ambitious plans to ramp up power generation in the country during the 11th and 12th plan.Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that, "the project would focus on 'balance of power plant' equipment in the first phase which would be completed in 2012, before graduating to the production of turbines and boilers by 2014-15."Mr Shinde said that the project would not only reduce the demand and supply gap for power generation equipment and enable us to export the much-needed equipment to other countries.Stating that new power generation capacity in the country had already surpassed the 10th plan target of 21,000 MW and would reach three times of the targeted capacity by end of the plan period, the Power Minister said that the Government had also put in place an ambitious target of 60,000 MW for the next plan.However, Chief Minister K Rosaiah could not participate in the ceremony due to ill health. Instead, Major Industries Minister Kanna Laxminarayana read out his speech at the meeting.NBPPL Chairman and Managing Director CP Singh, Governor E S L Narasimhan, Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Ministers of State Arun Yadav, Bharat Singh Solanki attended the function. The Prime Minister also offered prayers at Tirupati, the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala.

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Prime Minister lays foundation of NTPC-BHEL power equipment plant

Hyderabad, Sep 1 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the NTPC-BHEL joint venture power equipment manufacturing plant at Mannavaram village near Srikalahasthi in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the prime minister said the project with an investment of Rs.6,000 crore would provide direct employment to about 6,000 men and women and indirect employment to 25,000 persons. NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Private Limited (NBPPL) is a joint venture between National Themal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to manufacture power plant equipment. Singh said the availability of electricity was critical to the nation's development and hoped that the project would go a long way in improving the economic conditions of people of the backward region. The prime minister said bridging the gap between the demand and supply of power was necessary to meet the aspirations of the people. "It is for this that we have drawn up a very ambitious programme for addition of power generation capacity in the 11th and 12th five year plans," he said. "This large addition in power generation capacity will mean a much larger demand for power equipment. I am very happy that our public sector has come forward to take a lead in manufacturing power equipment in our country to help us achieve our targets in the power sector," Singh said. He noted that the two Navaratna companies, NTPC and BHEL, have joined hands to form a new company, thus bringing together their experience and expertise. The plant will be able to produce power equipment required for additional capacity of 5000 MW per annum by 2014-15. "It is a moment of pride but it is also an occasion to pay homage to a tall leader, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. Tomorrow (Thursday) is his first death anniversary. It was his untiring efforts that brought this project to this backward area of Chittoor district," Singh said. Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the project would be completed in five years. Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Major Industries Kanna Lakshmi Narayana said the state government has allotted 783 acres for the project.
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Year after YSR, political vacuum continues in Andhra

It has been a year of unprecedented crises in Andhra Pradesh that remembers one of its tallest leaders Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on his first death anniversary Sep 2.During the last one year, political instability, violent protests over a separate Telangana state, natural calamities and a financial crunch have battered the state like never before.The political vacuum, which the state plunged into after YSR’s tragic death, still remains with the ruling Congress finding no real alternative to the mass leader, say political observers.YSR, his secretary, chief security officer and the two pilots were killed when the helicopter carrying them from Hyderabad to Chittoor district crashed in bad weather over Nallamalla forests in Kurnool district.The death of YSR plunged the state into gloom and a political crisis. He was the first chief minister of the state to die in office and it came barely four months after he led Congress party to second successive win in the elections.“The state is still unable to come to terms with the passing away of a tall leader. A good section of masses still regard him as a leader who provided them whatever is needed,” said Rama Brahmam, head of the department of political sciences at the University of Hyderabad.“When a strong leader suddenly disappears from a political theatre, people perceive it as a major vacuum politically. They will be worried as to what will happen now. Such responses were only natural,” he said, referring to the shock deaths and suicides by people in the immediate aftermath.The vacuum remains as K. Rosaiah, who took over as the chief minister Sep 3, is still unacceptable to YSR’s son and MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who kept defying the central leadership by taking out ‘yatras’ to console families of those who died for his late father.The threat for Rosaiah still exists as Jagan continues his efforts to mobilise support and wean away a section of party legislators to pose a real challenge.For the first time since YSR brought the Congress party to power in 2004, it appears to be in total disarray with serious accusations between loyalists of Jagan and his opponents being order of the day.YSR’s adversaries, who never dared to openly criticise him when he was alive, are now targeting the late leader and his family members accusing them of corruption.If Rosaiah has survived as chief minister it is because of his cabinet colleagues who were staunch loyalists of YSR but dumped Jagan when the high command preferred the 78-year-old leader to the 39-year-old MP.“The Congress high command is in a political fix. The alternative leader (Jagan) is too young and the stakes are too high for it,” said Brahmam It is not just the political crisis but a series of governance problems faced by Rosaiah.With YSR, a strong votary of united Andhra Pradesh no longer around, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) took it as the right opportunity to revive Telangana movement.The central government’s Dec 9 announcement to initiate the process for formation of a separate Telangana state following an 11-day hunger strike by TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao triggered a crisis with mass resignations, street protests and violent demonstrations in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.The state economy, already reeling under the impact of global slowdown, was hit hard by Rs.100 crore loss every day due to the Telangana agitation. The issue is likely to return to Rosaiah in December when the Srikrishna committee is scheduled to submit its report to the central government.The financial crunch began to show its impact on numerous welfare schemes launched and implemented by YSR since 2004. They include fee reimbursement and scholarships for students, free electricity to farmers, Rs.2-a-kg rice and health insurance for poor.“Despite repeated assertions that none of YSR’s schemes will be scrapped, people want frequent reiterations,” said a political observer.While Rosaiah completed one year in office despite all the problems, the veteran leader knows his path is still full of thorns.
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India monitoring China’s intentions in Indian Ocean: Krishna

Amid growing concerns about Beijing’s attempts to entrench its influence in India’s neighbourhood, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Tuesday said China has been showing “more than the normal interest” in Indian Ocean affairs and its “intentions” are being closely monitored.“The government of India has come to realise that China has been showing more than the normal interest in the Indian Ocean. So we are closely monitoring the Chinese intentions,” Krishna said in the Lok Sabha.“We are closely monitoring the developments in the Indian Ocean,” he said, adding that “appropriate action and measures” would be taken to safeguard India’s territorial integrity and the welfare of its fishermen.Krishna’s statement about Chinese intentions comes amid reports of Beijing’s plan to build additional infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and the deployment of its troops in Gilgit-Baltistan region of PoK, an area India regards as an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir.There have also been concerns here over what is seen as an attempt by China to enhance influence in India’s neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and the Maldives.Krishna was responding to a Calling Attention Motion on recent attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, moved by T.R. Baalu of DMK.Airing concerns over the plight of Indian fishermen, Baalu said that when an Indo-Sri Lanka agreement was inked in 1974 on the Katchatheevu Islands, which falls in the Palk Strait and falls in Sri Lankan territory, the then external affairs minister Swaran Singh had said the rights of fishing and navigation have been safeguarded.Under the agreement, Indian fishermen can rest and dry their nets during fishing in international waters.Baalu claimed that in 1976 the Indian fishermen’s rights were affected when secretaries of India and Sri Lanka exchanged two sets of letters. “The letters became part and parcel of the agreement without taking parliament and the state government into confidence… it is a blow to the fishermen,” he said.The Katchatheevu island, which originally belonged to India, fell within Sri Lankan territorial waters when the maritime boundary was redrawn in 1974 following an agreement between the then prime ministers of the two countries.The DMK leader asked the government to revisit the agreement on Katchatheevu and step up patrolling in the waters to protect Indian fishermen from attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy.Krishna ruled out revisiting of the pact, saying “we cannot go back on the solemn agreement between two governments”. Krishna said Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is currently in Colombo and the issues relating to fishermen will be discussed.“Sri Lanka is a friendly country, an aspect that is needed to be kept in mind,” he said, adding he was planning to travel to the island nation in October when issues related to fishermen would be discussed.
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ACB raids Revenue Inspector, DA over Rs 3 cr unearthed

Hyderabad, Aug 31 : Anti Corruption Bureau sleuths on Monday conducted raids on the residences of the Hyderabad Estate Office Special Revenue Inspector and unearthed assets worth over Rs 3 crore from the official.According to reports, the ACB sleuths conducted simultaneous raids on the Estate Officer Akbar Ali Khan's residence in Red Hills,Nampally and also at his office in Khairtabad.These raids were conducted simultaneously, officials recovered illegal property worth more than Rs 3 corer in their raids.A Disproportionate Assets case has been registered against the tainted official, according to ACB sources. The immovable assets include three flats, besides payments of Rs 23 lakh advance for a flat and also Rs 5 lakh advance for open plot. The basic value of these immovable properties is about Rs 85.59 lakh. The searches also unearthed cash of Rs 3.39 lakh, three cars, four motorcycles apart from gold ornaments weighing 259 grams, bank balances of Rs 26 lakh and other house hold articles worth about Rs 12 lakh. The market value of the ill-gotten gains is estimated to be much over Rs 3 crore. Searches were continuing, ACB officials said.
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Andhra CM cancels visit to New Delhi

Hyderabad, Aug 31 : Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Tuesday cancelled his visit to New Delhi.According to CM office sources, the Chief Minister was to visit the National Capital to participate in the process of filing of nominations for the elections of All India Congress Committee president. However, the Chief Minister cancelled his visit last minute as Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is visiting state on September 1 to lay foundation stone for BHEL-NTPC joint venture project at Mannavaram in Srikalahasti in Chittoor district.Meanwhile Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas left for New Delhi to participate in the nomination of AICC president post.Mr Rosaiah had already submitted the name of his nominee for the AICC president's post. Not surprisingly, the name is Sonia Gandhi.
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Gandhigiri at its best: Jagan thanks AICC for Odarpu

Hyderabad, Aug 31 : Hailing the decision of All India Congress Committee decision to console the families of those who died of shock or committed suicide following YSR's death on September 2 last year by paying them Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia as laudable, Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on Tuesday thanked the Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her gesture.Talking to media persons after releasing a letter to Sonia Gandhi, Mr Jaganmohan Reddy urged the AICC to offer solace to the families of victims by permitting all MPs, MLAs and leaders without restrictions The Kadapa MP also urged the High Command to extend the package to those families who were not covered earlier.The 'Odarpu yatra' means not only extending financial support to the victims' families, it should also extend moral support to their families. Then only the purpose of the Odarpu yatra will be fulfilled," Mr Jaganmohan Reddy stated in his letter."I took up Odarpu yatra as my primary responsibility after the sudden death of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy without any political intention," the Kadapa MP said in his letter.
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K Rosaiah puts Collectors on alert over floods

Hyderabad, Aug 31 : Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Tuesday alerted the Collectors of East and West Godavari districts to monitor the floods situation and take all precautionary measures to prevent any loss of life or property and damage to crops.

He also asked them to take care of tank and road breaches and take necessary steps. Mr Rosaiah who reviewed the latest situation in the districts following heavy rains for the last few days with top officials over phone directed them to be in constant touch with the district Collectors and Commissioner, Disaster Management regarding the measures to be initiated. Season's Total Rainfall was recorded as on Tuesday was 621.1 mm as against the normal rainfall of 481.5 mm with a deviation of (+) 29 per cent in the State. Rayalaseema region recorded 421.5 mm as against the normal rainfall of 281.8 mm with a deviation of (+) 50 per cent. Coastal Andhra region recorded 657.7 mm as against the normal rainfall of 454.4 mm, with a deviation of (+) 45 per cent. Telangana region recorded 687.8 mm as against the normal rainfall of 585.8 mm with a deviation of (+) 17 per cent. District-wise rainfall is as follows: Prakasam recorded 87.3 per cent excess rainfall, Nellore (82.5 per cent), Guntur (74.0 per cent), Hyderabad (55.5 per cent), Kurnool (53.6 per cent), Anantapur (52.1 per cent), Kadapa (50.5 per cent), Mahabubnagar (47.1 per cent),Chhittoor (46.2 per cent), Krishna (45.2 per cent), Ranga Reddy (44.1 per cent), East Godavari (42.7 per cent), Vizianagaram (36.2 per cent), Visakhapatnam (31.7 per cent), Khammam (29.1 per cent), West Godavari (29.0 per cent), Srikakulam (25.6 per cent) and Warangal (25.2 per cent). Karimagar (9.5 per cent), Adilabad (7.5 per cent), Nalgonda (7.3 per cent) and Medak (6.4 per cent).
While 768 mandals received excess rainfall, 315 mandals received normal or more than normal rainfall as on Tuesday. In Bejjur Mandal, 125.2 mm rainfall was recorded. Heavy rains lashed West Godavari District on Monday. The Chief Minister was informed by the officials that in view of the floods occurred to Tammileru, Yerra Kalava, Kovvada Kalava, Jalleru rivers, there was an unexpected inflow of around 40,000 cusecs to Tammileru river by midnight of 30-8-2010 and the maximum capacity of the river is only about 30,000 cusecs. In view of the above, 4,839 people were evacuated from the Mandals of Eluru (4,600 persons), Pedavegi (45 persons), Jangareddigudem (52 persons) and Tallapudi (142 persons), organised relief camps for the evacuated persons. One helicopter was requisitioned and kept ready for rescue operations but by Tuesday morning, the water in Tammileru river was receded and there was no further evacuation and the district administration is closely monitoring the situation. Officials explained to the Chief Minister that Irrigation officials are closely monitoring the flood situation and sufficient stock of sand bags were kept ready for strengthening the bunds wherever it is weak and also to close the breaches occurred. Revenue officials were instructed to evacuate the people from the low lying areas and organize relief camps. Necessary arrangements were made for providing food and drinking water for evacuated people. Medical camps are being organized at relief camps. Generators are made available at relief camps for lighting. Two mechanized boats are kept ready for evacuation of the people from low lying areas. Police department is requested to co-operate with Revenue officials in evacuating the people from low lying areas to safer places and to keep police men at all causeways and vulnerable points to see that nobody will cross the river. Fire Services Department was already requested to keep ready the men along with the material of ropes etc. to save the people in rescue operations. Damages so far reported include 2385 houses inundated, 51 houses damaged and 2,000 hectares of crops damaged. East Godavari District: Two Mandals were severally affected and two people died and 683 houses marooned. Officers of Revenue, Police, Irrigation and Fire departments were alerted. Medical teams are being sent to the spot. All precautionary measures are being taken to handle the situation. Guntur District: One person washed away in Kuppaganji Vagu on 30-8-2010 while washing his cycle at a culvert. An extent of 6,806 hactares of crops (Paddy - 3286 ha and Cotton - 3520 ha) were damaged due to inundation during the recent rains from 25-8-2010 to 30-8-2010 in 9 mandals of the district. Visakhapatnam: One person died due to thunderbolt on 28.8.2010 at Donkada Village of Nakkapalli Mandal. Due to heavy rains from 26th to 28th this month nearly 48 houses of Harijana Jaggayyapeta and Tungalam village of Gajuwaka Mandal were inundated and all the families were shifted to safer places. One orphanage home situated at Thungalam village was also inundated and all the 124 orphans staying in the home were shifted to one BHPV Kalyana Mandapam and food and water provided to them. The situation is under close watch and there are no casualty or damages to the public properties in the district. Due to heavy rains in the last few days, agricultural operations and transplantation of paddy in Godavari delta are in slow progress. Sowing of rain-fed crops are almost completed. The sowings under Black soils may continue till September. Early sown rain-fed crops are at vegetative to flowering Stage. Maize is at tasseling stage. Early sown Groundnut, Seasamum and bajra are at vegetative to flowering stage. Late sown Groundnut is at flowering to pod formation stage. Sugarcane is at grand growth and 2nd wrapping stage. Harvesting of early Kharif paddy is under progress in Nellore and Chittoor districts. Cotton plants are dying due to excess moisture was observed in some pockets in Khammam district. The intercultural operations and application of fertilizers are in progress under rain-fed crops where rains are not received. Anantapur district is poised to reap a bumper crop of groundnut due to good monsoon this year. Rainfall received during last fortnight softened the soil so that already sown or transplanted crops are in good condition and the early sown crops are at early vegetative to flowering stage. The recent rains are very much congenial to the standing crops. Overall the crops growth is satisfactory. The pests and diseases on crops have also been reported as low level, the officials said
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Andhra gets new police chief

Hyderabad, Aug 31 : Senior police officer K. Aravind Rao, considered an expert in tackling Maoists, Tuesday assumed office as the Andhra Pradesh police chief.

He succeeded R.R. Girish Kumar, who retired Tuesday on attaining the age of superannuation. Rao, who was the Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), took charge from Girish Kumar as the Director General of Police (DGP) at the state police headquarters here. An an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of 1977 batch, Rao has earlier served as the chief of intelligence and anti-Maoist elite force Greyhounds. As the Inspector General of Greyhounds in the 1990s, he played a key role in curbing Maoist activities. He has taken over as the DGP at a time when there are reports of the guerrillas planning to revive their activity in their former stronghold. Talking to reporters after taking charge, Rao said he would continue the present policy to deal with the Maoist problem. "The Maoist problem can't be solved in a day," he said. Hailing from Anantapur district of Rayalaseema region, Rao has earlier served as the superintendent of police in Medak, Warangal and Kadapa districts, deputy commissioner of police in Hyderabad and commissioner of police in Vijayawada. Rao will retire in June next year on reaching superannuation.
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