Author, two others held for hurting Muslim sentiments

Two men N.Innaiah and Subba Rao were Friday arrested in Andhra Pradesh's Khammam town for helping an author in writing a book that reportedly hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims, police said.Police Thursday arrested Macha Laxmaiah alias Krantikar, author of "Crescent over the world - is a boon or the silent Holocaust" containing blasphemous comments about Islam, the Prophet and the Quran. A case was booked against him for hurting the religious sentiments of the community. The arrests followed massive protests by Muslims in Khammam, around 250 km from Hyderabad. They took out a rally, demanding action against the author and those who helped him. Muslims alleged that the book contained articles from banned books "Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie and "Lajja" by Tasleema Nasreen, along with a blasphemous cartoon published in a Danish magazine. Police said they seized 380 books of the first volume and 410 books of the second volume of the publication in different parts of Khammam district. Khammam superintendent of police Anil Kumar said efforts were being made to seize all books despatched to other areas. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah told the state assembly that the police arrested the author and seized the books. He said stern action would be taken against anyone disrupting peace and communal harmony of the state. His assurance came after Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) raised the issue and demanded action against the guilty. Police sounded an alert in Hyderabad, Khammam and other places to prevent any untoward incident. Additional police forces were deployed in the old city of Hyderabad where 'imams' or clerics, during their Friday sermons, condemned the author and those who supported him. ==========================================================

President’s Milad-Un-Nabi greetings

(PIB NEWS) The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her message on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, which is being observed tomorrow, has said: - “On the occasion of the Milad-Un-Nabi, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. May the message of compassion, tolerance and service to humanity preached by the Holy Prophet inspire and guide us to follow the path of kindness and universal brotherhood.”
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Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari greets people on Milad-un-Nabi

(PIB NEWS)The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi which is celebrated to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammad. In his message he has said that Prophet Mohammad showed mankind the path of compassion, tolerance, love, brotherhood and righteousness. His message has the power to lift the human race from ignorance, violence and moral decay to a life of peace, virtue and spiritual fulfilment. Following is the text of the Vice President’s message : “I extend my greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi which is celebrated to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammad. Prophet Mohammad showed mankind the path of compassion, tolerance, love, brotherhood and righteousness. His message has the power to lift the human race from ignorance, violence and moral decay to a life of peace, virtue and spiritual fulfilment. May the enlightened message of the Prophet unite us all and guide us on the path of peace and harmony.”
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PM greets nation on Milad-un-Nabi

(PIB NEWS) The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Milad-un–Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed. In a message, the Prime Minister said that the universal teachings of love and compassion of Hazrat Mohammad inspire us to work for universal peace and brotherhood.

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Instructions given to pay salaries to eSeva staff regularly

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology K.Venkata Reddy today said necessary instructions were issued to the contract service providers to pay the salaries to the employees working in e-seva centres regularly.Replying  to the question raised by J Prabhakara Rao (Congress) during Question Hour in the Legislative Council, the Minister said instructions were given to the contract service providers to pay salaries to the employees as the government was releasing the funds to them from time to time.He said salaries to the employees have been paid upto December 2009 in all eSeva centres in the state by the service providers.aHe instructed that salary for the month of January be released.Mr Reddy said in all,1579 employees were working in eSeva centres across the state. ===================================================

TDP members stage walk out from Andhra Pradesh Council

The Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members today staged a walk out from the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council during Question Hour, alleging that the Minister had not properly replied to their question on reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on gold.Dissatisfied with the reply of State Minister for Roads and Building G Aruna Kumari on the question raised by TDP members Y V B Rajendra Prasad and Ch Varaprasad, the TDP members walked out of the House, protesting that the Chairman had not allowed them to raise supplementary questions.Earlier, the Minister said the rate of VAT had been enhanced with effect from January 15 this year from 12.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent on items like motor vehicle (except tractors) tyres and tubes, engine oil, lubricants, white goods, cement and cement products, cosmetics, cigarettes, gutka and furniture.She said an amount of Rs 19,814 crore had been realised during the current financial year till January 31, 2010, and there was no proposal to enhance the tax on any other item.
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Sops for Andhra, especially Telangana, in rail budget

The ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh Wednesday welcomed Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee’s budget that offered many sops to the state and gave special attention to the Telangana region.For the first time in recent years, the state did not get a raw deal with the 2010-11 budget offering a railway wagon factory, a sports academy, 22 new railway lines and 14 new trains.
The wagon factory and sports academy will come up in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad. The new trains include Secunderabad-Mumbai, Hyderabad-Ajmer, Madurai-Hyderabad-Pune, Secunderabad-Tirupati and five other trains from Tirupati to Secunderabad, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kanchi and Goa.
A special MMTS train will be operated between Falaknuma and Lingampally stations in Hyderabad. The running of two long-distance trains has also been extended.Telangana, which is witnessing a mass movement for statehood, got special attention in the railway budget, with the region accounting for more than half of the proposed railway lines for the state.Four of the 22 new railway lines will be laid with assistance from the state government.Congress MP Ponnam Prabhakar said it was a welcome railway budget. He claimed that due to sustained lobbying by MPs, Banerjee agreed to sanction several new trains and railway lines for the state.The opposition, however, criticised the budget. Leader of opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu said the minister had disappointed people of the state. He said the allocation for the state was not sufficient to complete pending projects.Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leader and former legislator Harish Rao said for the first time since the formation of Andhra Pradesh, so many new railway lines were sanctioned for the Telangana region.  (thanks to way2online)
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PRANAB MUKHERJEE,GIVING FINAL TOUCHES BUDGET-2010

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee giving final touches to the General Budget 2010-11, in New Delhi on February 25, 2010. The Minister of State (Revenue), Shri. S.S. Palanimanickam, the Minister of State (E,B&I), Shri Namo Narain Meena and the Secretaries of the Ministry are also seen.
(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30576)
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State Level Urdu Convention conclude with enthusiasm at Aurangabad

Aurangabad: (Syed Khaja Sohel) State level Urdu Convention began on 19 Feb come to conclude with enthusiasm .The last day seminar on literature in the morning session, while noted poet Bashar Nawaz would be presented with Ifteqar-e-Adab award .Poet from all over india present on this occasion nated poet Munnawar Rana (Lucknow) Mumtaz Rashid (Delhi) Deepti Mishra (Noida) Mumtaz Pir Boy and Habib Hashmi make event colorful . On this day Wakf Minister and chairman of the reception committee Aref Naseem Khan conclude the session and vote of thanks.  first left in the picture syed khaja sohel, correspondent  (DECCAN SAMACHAR DAILY)and Hon'ble Minister are also seen,
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INTERNATIONAL Civil Aviation Exhibition in Hyderabad from March.3-7

An estimated 200 companies from the civil aviation sector will participate and 40 different types of aircraft will be on display in the 5-day second edition of international exhibition and conference on civil aviation that will kick off in Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh from March 3.''From India, there will be 75 companies and the rest will be foreign ones that will participate in the event. The partner country will be France and the focus country in the event will be the United States,'' Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told a news conference here today.He said the Indian aviation industry has been growing from strength to strength and today it stands on the ninth rung globally, a fact the country takes pride in.The Ministry of Civil Aviation will organise the exhibition jointly with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.''Twenty countries will be participating and more than 500 delegates from over ten countries will attend the conference,'' Mr Patel informed.He said when the event was held in the year 2008 the gross area was 10,000 sqm but this time it would be 12,000 sqm, a testimony of the growing stature of the event.Asked whether there were security concerns for the event due to the ongoing Telangana agitation in the southern state, he answered: '' The state government is on board with us regarding the issue and it has assured us all support for making the event a big success.So, there is nothing to be worried about.''
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HIGHEST EVER PLAN INVESTMENT OF RS. 41,426 CRORE IN THE ANNUAL PLAN OUTLAY

The Union Minister for Railways, Km. Mamata Banerjee departs from Rail Bhavan to Parliament House along with her deputies, Shri E. Ahamed and Shri K.H. Muniyappa to present the Rail Budget 2010-11, in New Delhi on February 24, 2010. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30548)

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(PIB NEWS) The Annual Plan outlay for the year 2010-11 has been proposed at Rs. 41,426 crore, which is the highest even plan investment. Presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11 in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee said that the plan would be finance through Gross Budgetary Support of Rs.15,875 crore, Diesel Cess of Rs. 877 crore, internal resources of Rs. 14,523 crore and Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) of Rs. 10,151 crore including market borrowing through Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) of Rs. 9,120 crore. The Railway Minister said that within the limited resources available, thrust is being given to expansion of the network. She said that to achieve the target of 1,000 kms of new line set for year, the allocation has been increased substantially from Rs. 2,848 crore to Rs. 4,411 crore. Kumari Mamata Banerjee made an allocation of Rs. 1,302 crore for improving passenger amenities as compared to Rs. 923 crore in the previous Railway Budget. Presenting the Budget Estimates for 2010-11, the Railway Minister said that the target for freight loading for the ensuing financial year has been kept at 944 MT, an increase of 54 MT over RE 2009-10. She said that Budget Estimates for freight, passenger, sundry other earnings and other coaching earnings have been kept at Rs. 62,489 crore, Rs. 26,127 crore, Rs. 3,171 crore and Rs. 2,778 crore respectively. A sum of Rs. 200 crore has been kept apart for clearing the outstanding dues of the Railways with an intention to initiate special efforts to clear such dues. The Gross Traffic Receipts have been projected at Rs. 94,765 crore by the Railway Miister.The provision for Ordinary Working Expenses for 2010-11 has been kept at Rs. 65,000 crore which is Rs. 500 crore lower than the Revised Estimates for the previous year. Appropriation to Depreciation Reserve Fund has been kept at Rs. 7,600 crore and Appropriation to Pension Fund at Rs. 14,500 crore in 2010-11. The Total Working Expenses will be Rs. 87,100 crore and Net Revenue Rs. 9,782 crore. After meeting the estimated Dividend liability of Rs. 6,609 crore, the projected ‘Excess’ is Rs. 3,173 crore with the targeted Operating Ratio of 92.3% and the Excess is proposed to be appropriated to Development Fund (Rs. 2,800 crore) and Capital Fund (Rs. 373 crore).
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No increase in passenger fares or freight tariffs,MAMATA

(PIB NEWS) There will not be any increase in the passenger fares of any class or category of trains. Similarly, there will not be any increase freight tariffs. Presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11 in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee said that in the present economic situation, when the country is about to return on a high growth path, she did not wish to impose any burden on the citizens.
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Concessions for,PRESS CORRESPONDENTS,film technicians and cancer patients

(PIB NEWS) The Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee today proposed to enhance the concession to cancer patients upto 100% in 3 AC and Sleeper Class. Presenting the Railway Budget 2010-11 in Parliament, the Minister said at present Railways grant a concession of 75% in 3 AC and Sleeper Class to cancer patients going for treatment, together with an escort. She also proposed that technicians of regional film industry when traveling for film production related work will be eligible for 75% concession in Second Sleeper, 50% concession in First Class, AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier, AC 2 tier in all trains including Rajdhani/Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdis. Kumari Mamata Banerjee said that Press Correspondents are currently given a concession of 50% for their travel along with spouse, once a year. It is now proposed to extend this concession to companion of those correspondents who do not have a spouse, and dependent children up to 18 years, once a year.
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Archaeological Excavation in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Narayanasamy has said that Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is working to strengthen the archaeological excavation work in the State of Andhra Pradesh. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today he said, during the last three years, ASI carried out excavation / scientific clearance works in Andhra Pradesh at (1) Ancient Buddhist Mound, Alluru, District Krishna. (2) Ancient Buddhist Mound, Kotturu, District Visakhapatnam (3) Buddhist Mound, Kodavali, District East Godavari (4) Buddhist Mound, Ghantasala, District Krishna (5) Ancient Mound, Kantamanenivari gudem, District West Godavari and (6) Ancient Mound, Kondapur, District Medak.
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Ministry of I&B calls for caution in coverage of incidents of terrorist attacks

(PIB NEWS) The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India has advised electronic media to exercise caution while providing coverage to the incidents of terrorist attacks. The text of the fresh advisory is as follows: “This is in continuation of the directives issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 27th November 2008 and 3rd December 2008, regarding the coverage of incidents by electronic media during terrorist attacks in Mumbai. In the said directive, TV channels were asked to exercise caution while providing coverage to the incidents to avoid any adverse consequences on the rescue operations. It has also been noted that in the past some TV channels arranged and telecast interviews with terrorists/terrorist groups. In a particular case, a prominent TV channel telecast a phone interview with a dreaded terrorist who tried to internationalize the Kashmir issue using the electronic mass media. This kind of coverage can cause confusion amongst domestic and international audiences. The interviews with terrorists have also provided a platform to them to justify their nefarious activities and obtain coverage on prominent channels which is seen as a major achievement and enabling them to put forward their distorted views to a wide audience. Such undue coverage to terrorists and allowing them to air their views freely can jeopardize national security as well. This matter has been under examination in this Ministry and in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Government has taken a very serious view regarding airing of interviews with terrorists/terrorist groups by TV Channels. While the media has generally played a very constructive role in bringing out relevant issues regarding terrorism and has condemned terrorists for their brutal and ruthless ways, it must, however, be again emphasized that media must continue to cover terrorism and terrorist related issues with great responsibility and sensitivity. In the interests of national security and on the advice of Ministry of Home Affairs, the media is hereby advised to avoid giving undue coverage to terrorists and terrorist groups which may help them to advance their political agenda. Such coverage would amount to gross violation of the provisions of the Programme Code contained in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules framed thereunder.”
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Coaching to Minority Students

(PIB NEWS) The University Grants Commission (UGC) has provided coaching under (i) ‘Remedial coaching at Undergraduate and Post-graduate levels’, (ii) Coaching for Entry in services and (iii) Coaching to prepare for National Eligibility Test (NET) or State Eligibility Test (SET) for lectureship’, during the Xth Plan for beneficiaries belonging to the minority communities in the country. From the XIth Plan onwards the UGC coaching schemes for minorities have been merged under the scheme of Development grants. In addition, UGC has provided assistance to Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow and Aligarh Muslim University for setting up of ‘Residential Coaching Academies for Minorities/SCs/STs and Women’. This information was given by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Smt. D. Purandeswari, in a written reply to a question, in the Lok Sabha today.
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Show proof of Maoist link to Telangana stir, says apex court

The Supreme Court Tuesday asked the Andhra Pradesh government to substantiate its claim that Maoists have infiltrated the student ranks of Osmania University, which is spearheading the movement for a new Telangana state.“Where is the input of the infiltration inside the campus? What is the proof available? We would like to have it,” a bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly said as senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for the Andhra Pradesh government, made the claim.As the state government’s lawsuit challenging an Andhra Pradesh High court ruling for removal of paramilitary forces from the Osmania University campus came up, Salve said the troopers are indispensable and could not be shifted.He said the state has intelligence inputs suggesting that the university has been infiltrated by Maoists who are trying to take control of the movement for a new state.The bench then sought intelligence inputs to back the claim and adjourned the matter for further hearing Feb 25, as Salve agreed to furnish the intelligence to the court by Wednesday.The bench also extended till Thursday its earlier order suspending the state high court’s Feb 16 order to the Andhra government to pull out the paramilitary forces from the Osmania campus.The state government challenged the high court order, saying the court cannot order the removal of paramilitary forces from the campus which is a hotbed of the Telangana agitation. (thanks to way2online)======================================================

AP assembly urges pro-Telangana youth not to commit suicide,

The Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly Tuesday appealed to the youths and students of Telangana not to commit suicide over the issue of statehood to the region even as three more youngsters ended their lives since Monday.Speaker N.Kirankumar Reddy made the appeal on behalf of the entire house after Chief Minister K. Rosaiah made a statement, urging youths not to resort to the extreme step.“Your lives are precious. The state needs your lives. I, on behalf of the entire house, appeal to you not to commit suicide,” the speaker said.Leader of Opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu also made a similar appeal while voicing his concern over the spate of suicides.Earlier, Rosaiah urged the youths and students not to commit suicide and express their opinion in a peaceful and democratic manner. He welcomed the Osmania University students’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) decision not to resort to violence and its appeal to students not to end their lives.The chief minister told the house that the issue was sensitive and everybody has his opinion. “But this opinion should be expressed in a peaceful manner without causing inconvenience to people,” he said.He advised them to convey their views to the Srikrishna Committee formed by the central government to look into the statehood issue. Stating that all regions were equal for him, Rosaiah assured the house that he would abide by the central government’s decision.Naidu said all should exercise restraint. “This is a sensitive issue. The youths are taking their lives in emotion. The government should advise police to act with patience while tackling protests by students and youths,” he said while condemning police baton charge on Telangana advocates in New Delhi Monday.Meanwhile, desperate over the delay in formation of a separate state, three more youngsters committed suicide in Telangana since Monday. One person each committed suicide in Ranga Reddy, Medak and Warangal districts.They included 18-year-old girl student who committed suicide by hanging at Moinabad in Ranga Reddy district. In her suicide note, Sarita, a Class 12 student, blamed Rosaiah.and Chandrababu Naidu for being hurdles in formation of the Telangana state.Last week, a 19-year-old student had immolated himself in full public view during a protest at Osmania University in Hyderabad city.Pro-Telangana parties claim that more than 300 people have committed suicides for Telangana during last three months.  (thanks to way2online)
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UNION MINISTER SHRI DAYANIDHI,INAUGURATING EXPO

The Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Dayanidhi Maran inaugurating the 16th India Carpet Expo organised by the Carpet Export Promotion Council, in New Delhi on February 23, 2010. The Minister of State of Textiles, Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi and the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Rita Menon are also seen.
(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30533)
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