Railways’ Tatkal Reservation Scheme

(PIB NEWS) Tatkal Scheme was initially introduced in December 1997 on a few trains by attaching additional coach and the same was defined in computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) as separate train by suffixing word “T” to the train number. The Tatkal Scheme was comprehensively reviewed in 2004 and revised Tatkal Scheme was introduced extending the same to Sleeper, Air-Conditioned Chair Car, AC-3 tier, AC-2 tier classes in all Mail/Express trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi Express trains by earmarking the following accommodation as Tatkal :AC-2 tier -4 berths per coach,AC-3 tier-6 berths per coach, AC Chair Car-6 seats per coach, Sleeper Class - 10 per cent of the accommodation or one coach whichever is less. The Tatkal coaches running in the trains were, however, included in the train service composition. Since the revised Tatkal Scheme was extended to all Mail/Express trains including Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi Express trains and in various classes, the availability of general accommodation got reduced to that extent. However, the Tatkal quota so earmarked was also available for the general passenger with the only difference of comparatively reduced Advance Reservation Period. Based on the demand pattern, the berths/seats under Tatkal Scheme were increased in phases on certain trains during the period from 2004-05 to 2008-09 resulting in increased percentage. Simultaneously, general reservation quota also increased during this period on account of introduction of new trains, increasing the frequency and augmenting the load of existing trains etc., which required investment in production of additional coaches. This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
================================================

Political parties welcome death sentence to Kasab

Political leaders cutting across party lines Thursday welcomed the death penalty given to terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab for the 26/11 attack and said the Pakistani gunmen must be hanged as soon as possible.Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan welcomed the verdict and said: “I am thankful to the court for taking such a fast decision and that too in a transparent way. Thanks to (Special Prosecutor) Ujjwal Nikam, (police officer) Rakesh Maria, Deven Bharti and the entire team of Mumbai Police.”“Kasab must be hanged as soon as possible,” Chavan added.Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal said Kasab’s “heinous crime warranted stricter punishment than capital punishment”.“But he has got what he deserved,” added Bhujbal.“The way Indian law and judicial system conducted this case was simply outstanding. The decision will be welcomed by all Indians and is a warning to India’s enemies,” said Bhujbal.
================================================

Hang Kasab, Afzal Guru together: Togadia

Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab as well as Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri sentenced to death for the 2001 terrorist attack on the Indian parliament, should both be hanged, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia said Thursday.Welcoming the death sentence given to Kasab by a court in Mumbai, Togadia said: “This is a welcome first step towards bringing Bharat’s culprits to proper justice.”He added: “So also, Afzal Guru has been playing with Indian democracy for long now. Mercy to such people is an insult to Indian democracy. Therefore both Kasab and Afzal Guru must be hanged together and immediately.”Afzal Guru has sought clemency after his death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court.Togadia also urged the Indian government to cut off diplomatic relations with Pakistan for its involvement in terrorist activities in India.
================================================

Hang Kasab as soon as possible – is the popular sentiment

Now that Ajmal Amir Kasab has been awarded the death penalty he should be hanged soon, was the unanimous sentiment of people everywhere, especially in Mumbai where the 26/11 carnage took place, after the death sentence to the Pakistani terrorist was given Thursday.

In Mumbai, there were celebrations on the streets as people burst firecrackers and distributed sweets to express their joy on Kasab getting the death sentence, while in the national capital most people said the terrorist should be hanged without any delay.As soon as the judgement was given by the Special Court in Mumbai, people began distributing sweets, burst firecrackers and shouted in joy. Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the Mumbai terror attack, along with nine other terrorists held the country’s commercial capital to siege in November 2008, killing 166 people and injuring 244.Celebrations were also held outside Special Public Prosecutor Ujjawal’s Nikam hotel in the CST where firecrackers were burst along with the beating of drums. People gathered outside his hotel with garlands and bouquets to felicitate him for his feat.At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, where Kasab and his associate Abu Ismail massacred over 50 people, many commuters lit a lamp in front of a memorial to the victims.“We are glad Kasab has been awarded the death sentence. It comes as a tribute to all those who lost their lives in the terror attacks at the CST,” said Anil Parmar, a daily commuter.Party workers of the Shiv Sena also burst firecrackers at various places to welcome the death penalty.Members of the National Institute of Jihad Against Atrocities and Terrorism (NIJAAT) distributed sweets to passers by near the Maratha Mandir in Mumbai Central, south Mumbai. “We are glad he has been sentenced to death,” said NIJAAT convenor Haji Hyder Azam.In Mumbai and in New Delhi most people sought immediate execution of the death sentence, with some even saying he should be shot by a firing squad in public.In the western suburbs of Mumbai, people celebrated by distributing sweets to passers by. “This is our way to welcome Kasab’s death sentence. We just hope his execution also takes place soon,” said Ameya S. from suburban Goregaon.Fauzan Umar, 23, a resident of Darya Ganj in the old quarters of Delhi, said that Kasab should have been hanged 17 months ago. “Why have we waited for so long,” said the student who is pursuing software engineering.Speaking in the same vein, Umar added the judgement showed that “justice has been done to those people who had died in the Mumbai massacre. This shows our judicial system is still effective and credible.”Simmy Hasija, 21, demanded that both Kasab and Afzal Guru, sentenced to death in the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, be hanged together as “both are cold blooded murderers”.“He (Kasab) should be hanged immediately. No punishment can ever suffice his actions. Even after killing so many people he used to shamelessly smile in the court. Moreover, crores of taxpayers money has been spent on his security. It’s high time that we should put an end to this nonsense,” Hasija said.Kriti Mehra, a HR trainee with a private company, said she hoped that Kasab’s appeals in various courts should not become a way to give him more time to live.“He may appeal in a higher court which will again take many more years. People of India will be satisfied the day he is hanged,” he added.

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

Family of Indian student killed in US car crash shocked

Hyderabad, May 7: A pall of gloom has descended on the residence of Praneetha Devi Kasani, an MS student who was killed in a car accident in West Virginia in the US.The family of the 22-year-old student is in a state of shock after learning that she died while driving back home to Ohio from West Virginia. Five others accompanying her were also injured in the crash that occurred Thursday morning. Puneeth Reddy Amarella, who was driving, reportedly lost control of his car and crashed it into another vehicle. Praneetha's father Ramarao Kasani, who works as a circle inspector of police in Falaknuma traffic police station here, was inconsolable. He could not believe that his daughter, who had gone to the US only six months ago, was no more. Dozens of relatives and family friends reached his house in Karman Ghat neighbourhood to console Praneetha's parents and her sister. Family members said Praneetha had gone to the US in December last year after completing her B.Tech here. She had enrolled for MS Electrical Engineering at Wright State University, Ohio. Family members of Praneetha said they hoped that the body would be flown home by next Tuesday.
================================================

AP govt withhelds retirement benefits of corrupt official

Hyderabad, May 7 : The Andhra Pradesh government has withheld pension and gratuity in full of a Mandal Education Officer in Athmakur in Nalgonda district and dismissed from service a Mandal Revenue Inspector following conviction in graft cases.The Mandal Education officer, Mohamed Shamshad Ali, was sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,500 and in default six months simple imprisonment each by the Additional Special Judge for SPE and ACB cases here. The officer was trapped by the officials of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on April 18, 2002 when he demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 3,000 from the complainant, for doing an official favour in signing on the Group Insurance Claim file of the father of the complainant who retired as Primary School Head Master from Chada. In another case, A Kasiram, Additional Mandal Revenue Inspector, formerly of Hayatnagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District was dismissed from service following his conviction in ACB trap case, a release said here.
================================================

Mass marriage for poor Sikh youths

Hyderabad, May 7 : The Prabhandak Committee of Gurudwara Saheb Barambala will perform 'Samuhik Vivaha' (Mass marriages), free of cost for economically poor Sikh youths on May 8 and 9.''Sagai'' for brides and bridegrooms will be performed on May 8, at 1100 hrs and 1900 hrs, followed by ''Lawan Phere'' (solemnising of marriage) at 1130 hrs on May 9, at Gurudwara Saheb Barambala, Sikh Chawniat, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Nagar, Kishanbagh here, a Prabhandak Committee release said here today.Committee President S Harbans Singh said only Gurmukh and Amrit Dhari Sikhs would be allowed for marriages.
================================================

BJP wants separation of NPR from census

Hyderabad, May 7 : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and MP M.Venkaiah Naidu today urged the Centre to seperate of the ongoing census survey from the process of collecting information for compiling National Population Register to 'prevent infiltrators from across the border getting into NPR and claim citizenship later.' Addressing a press conference here, he said 'there is every scope for individuals from other countries entering the NPR by declaring themselves as Indian national.' 'The provision for self-declaration is very dangerous,' he said.It was unfortunate that the Centre had put the onus on a complainant to prove that a particular person is not an Indian national, he said and feared that indigenous people would become minority in their own country if this was allowed.He contended that infiltrators from across the border in a systematic manner first get their names enrolled in ration cards and voters list in the country before getting citizenship.The then Home Minister Inderjit Gupta had told Parliament that there were one crore infilitrators living in the country, he said, adding their number would have now increased several folds.
================================================

Ensure speedy execution of Kasab, Venkaiah urges Centre

Hyderabad, May 7 : Criticising the Centre for the 'prolonged' delay in execution of death sentence awarded to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, Senior BJP leader and MP M Venkaiah Naidu today urged the Centre to ensure speedy execution of Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab sentenced to death by a special court in Mumbai.Expressing happiness over the judiciary awarding punishment to Kasab quickly and in a transparent manner yesterday, he told a press conference here that ''Kasab deserves no mercy. Political leadership should not come in the way of hanging Kasab.'' In the case of Afzal Guru, more than six years has lapsed, he noted.President Pratibha Patel was bound by advice of the Union Cabinet and it should expedite execution of the death sentence, he said, adding that it was unfortunate that religious colour was being given even to terrorist strikes.
================================================

Biennial Election to the Council of States from the State of Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) The term of office of 6 (six) members of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) elected from the State of Andhra Pradesh, is due to expire on their retirement as detailed below :-Name of Member,Date of retirement,and Party affiliation ,

1)Shri Girish Sangi, 21.06.2010 INC
2)Shri Jesudasu Seelam, 21.06.2010- INC
3)Shri Jairam Ramesh, 21.06.2010- INC
4)Shri Penumalli Madhu, 21.06.2010 -CPI(M)
5)Dr. N.Janardhana Reddy, 21.06.2010- INC
6)Shri V.Hanumanta Rao, 21.06.2010 -INC
2. The Commission has decided to hold the biennial election to the Council of States from the State of Andhra Pradesh in accordance with the following programme:-.
Issue of Notifications 28th May, 2010 (Friday) Last date of making nominations 04th June. 2010 (Friday) Scrutiny of nominations 05th June, 2010 (Saturday) Last date for withdrawal of candidatures 07th June, 2010 (Monday) Date of poll 14th June, 2010 (Monday) Hours of poll 9.00 A.M. to 4.00 P.M Counting of Votes14th June, 2010 (Monday) at 5.00 PM Date before which election shall be completed.17th June, 2010 (Thursday)
================================================

Smt. Ambika Soni Condles Death of TV Reporter Ajay Tiwari

(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni has condoled the tragic demise of Shri Ajay Tiwari who died while covering a major fire in the capital yesterday.In her message Smt. Soni said that in Shri Tiwari’s death Indian journalism has lost promising talent. Shri Tiwari died in the line of his duty maintaining the highest tradition of television journalism, the Minister added.
============================================

Political pressure will not work on me, says Srikrishna

Hyderabad, May 6 : Justice B.N. Srikrishna, who heads a five-member panel formed by the central government to look into the demand for a Telangana state, Thursday said political pressure will not work on him.The former Supreme Court judge, who was here along with other members the panel for consultations with various socio-cultural groups, said this when a reporter asked him if he was under any political pressure. "In all my life nobody including my parents, let alone politicians, dared to pressure me," Srikrishna said. His remarks assume significance in the context of the civil war threat by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and comments by some political leaders that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government would force the committee to give a report of its liking. TRS has warned that there would be civil war if a Telangana state was not carved out after the Srikrishna committee submits its report. The retired judge said the panel would hear the views of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Muslim League May 10, 11 and 12. The committee, which has heard the views of TRS, two Left parties and Praja Rajyam Party will hold consultations with the ruling Congress party May 17 and 18. He said Congress leaders from both Andhra and Telangana regions would appear before the committee to submit their arguments. The committee Thursday heard the views of socio-cultural organisations from both Andhra and Telangana regions. On the first day of their two-day visit, the committee heard the arguments by Andhra Intellectuals Forum against state's bifurcation. It also met representatives of Telangana Jagruti and Telangana Writers Association demanding a separate state.
================================================

Child born with heart outside body dies

Hyderabad, May 6 : A child born with his heart outside his body in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district died at a hospital here Thursday, less than 24 hours after birth.The baby boy whose heart was atop his chest died a few hours after he was shifted to Care Hospital here for corrective surgery. Doctors said the child born with Ectopia Cordis, a condition where the heart develops outside the body. A team of doctors was preparing for the corrective surgery when he succumbed to his rare condition. The doctors said the child was brought in a critical condition from Kadapa district, about 400 km from here. He was born Wednesday and was examined at Proddatur Government Hospital before being shifted to Hyderabad. According to doctors one in 200,000 children are born with Ectopia Cordis due to genetic disorders but the diagnosis during pregnancy can help in treatment.
================================================

Statement by US President on World Press Freedom Day

(Deccan Samachar Service) US President Barak Obama addressed several crucial issues in his World Press Freedom Day address, including the sobering number of journalists who were murdered in the past year and the unacceptable levels of impunity these crimes are confronted with.President Obama mentioned several countries where press freedom takes a especially brutal beating year in and year out, such as China, Ethiopia, Iran and Venezuela. But he also mentioned a country that this blog follows closely and that all too often gets an international pass for its blatant abuses and harassment of journalists.That country is Tunisia, and we welcome the president's bringing attention to several regimes notorious for their alarming proclivity to jailing journalists, including President Ben Ali's.Here is the full text of the statement:World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3 to remind us of the critical importance of this core freedom. It is a day in which we celebrate the invaluable role played by the media in challenging abuses of power, identifying corruption, and informing all citizens about the important issues that shape our world. It is also a day for us to sound the alarm about restrictions on the media as well as the threats, violence or imprisonment of many of its members and their families because of their work.Last year was a bad one for the freedom of the press worldwide. While people gained greater access than ever before to information through the Internet, cell phones and other forms of connective technologies, governments like China, Ethiopia, Iran, and Venezuela curtailed freedom of expression by limiting full access to and use of these technologies.Moreover, more media workers were killed for their work last year than any year in recent history. The high toll was driven in large part by the election-related killings of more than 30 journalists in the Philippine province of Maguindanao, the deadliest single event for the press in history, along with murders of journalists in Russia, Somalia, Mexico and Honduras. In this year, like in other years, nearly three out of four of the journalists killed were local news-gatherers who were murdered in their own nations.Chauncey Bailey was one such local journalist. A tireless reporter who covered his own city of Oakland, California, Bailey was widely respected for his many exposés of abuse and corruption. He was gunned down 3 years ago, near his office, while taking a homeless man to breakfast. A trial of the alleged perpetrator is scheduled to begin this summer. Such accountability is critical to deterring further attacks. I note with concern that the murderers of journalists succeed in avoiding responsibility for their crimes in nearly nine out of ten cases, and urge fellow governments to address this problem.Even more journalists and bloggers find themselves imprisoned in nations around the world. Iran, following its crackdown on dissent after the last elections, now has more journalists behind bars than any other nation. Governments in Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, North Korea, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela imprisoned journalists who wrote articles critical of government leaders and their policies.But for every media worker who has been targeted there are countless more who continue to inform their communities despite the risks of reprisal. On World Press Freedom Day, we honor those who carry out these vital tasks despite the many challenges and threats they face as well as the principle that a free and independent press is central to a vibrant and well-functioning democracy.  (Interesting Times)================================================

Sainik School in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) The Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested for opening of a new Sainik School in the State. A proposal for establishment of the new Sainik School in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh has received from the State Government in November 2007. The sites identified by the State Government for the purpose were inspected and not found suitable. The State Government was requested in July 2008 to identify fresh sites which meet the requirements but has not yet offered any fresh sites for the purpose. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri M.V. Mysura Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
================================================

Park and Ride Bus Service for Central Secretariat Complex

(PIB NEWS) Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy today flagged off a free “Park and Ride” bus service for Central Government office complex to ease out parking problem and reduce inconvenience to visiting public and officials. On the occasion, Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit and MoS Urban Development, Shri Saugata Roy were also present.Inaugurating the service Shri Reddy said it would help visitors to Government offices who find it difficult to get parking+ slot in the compounds of Government buildings besides providing comfortable transport to the Government officials to visit other offices for meeting and other official work. The service has been started by the Ministry of Urban Development in collaboration with Govt. of NCT and CPWD. Now the visitor to the Government offices can park their cars in the parking lot of C-Haxagon and take a bus ride to any of the Government building located on either side of Rajpath. Similarly employees commuting through metro can take the ride from metro station to their offices. Government officers can visit other ministries without taking their official or personal car through the low floor AC bus under the service. The service will start from C-Haxagon (India Gate) and will run to and fro various Central Government offices located on either side of Rajpath. It will have two routes P-1 and P-2 in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction respectively. Route 1 will start from Haxagon and will pass through Jamnagar House, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, Red Cross, Transport Bhawan, North Block to Haxagon. Route 2 from Haxagon to Andhra Bhawan, IGNCA, Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, ‘G’ Block, Sena Bhawan, South Block to Haxagon.
================================================

Andhra Pradesh seeks sister state ties with Washington

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh is keen to have a sister state relationship with the state of Washington in the US in view of several perceptible similarities between the two states. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Wednesday said his government wished to seek a sister state relationship with the state of Washington. He was speaking to a business delegation from Andhra Pradesh which is leaving for the US Wednesday night. Rosaiah hoped that it will be a win-win situation for Andhra Pradesh and Washington when the sister-state relations become a reality. The delegation led by the deputy speaker of the state assembly will showcase Andhra Pradesh in all its diversities along with its industrial incentives. There is a conducive atmosphere in the state for investment in various spheres. The investors could take advantage of the new industrial policy which offers the best incentives in the country, the chief minister said. The delegation will explore common areas of interest between the two states in various fields like trade, commerce, industry, education and culture. In a message to people of Washington, Rosaiah invited them to experience the investor and tourist friendly ambience of Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that multinational giants like Microsoft, Dell, IBM, Deloitte, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Amazon and Google already have state-of-art facilities in Hyderabad and Facebook recently announced plans to set up its first Asian operations here.
================================================

Gayatri Projects Limited bags Rupees 2,200 crore road project

Hyderabad, May 05 : Gayatri Projects Limited (GPL), the Hyderabad-based leading Infrastructure Company has secured a road project worth Rupees 2,200 crore that involves four laning of Hyderabad-Karimnagar-Ramagundam road under public-private partnership on BOT basis.The project has been awarded by Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation (APSRTC) and the construction would be completed in 30 months.The project would be executed on a design, construct, finance, operate and maintenance (toll) basis with a concession period of 25 years, including the construction period.The concessioning authority would provide an equity support of Rs 454 crore.Managing Director, Gayatri Projects Limited Mr. Sandeep Reddy, in a statement said, The order from APSRTC validates the company's core competency in the road construction sector. Gayatri Projects Limited would share its responsibility in developing the state's infrastructure.
================================================

World telecom conference to adopt action plan

Hyderabad, May 5 : A world telecommunication development conference here later this month will assess the growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) and adopt an action plan for the next four years to bring in benefits to all communities of the world.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to inaugurate the event being organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency. "A key objective is to promote international cooperation, regional initiatives and partnerships that can sustain and strengthen telecommunication infrastructure and institutions in developing countries," said a statement by the Geneva-based ITU. Beginning May 24, the event will continue till June 4. It will be attended by heads of state and government, ministers, heads of international organisations, development banks, regulatory agencies and private companies. The event would focus on issues like broadband connectivity, digital broadcasting, open source software, cyber security, E-accessibility for people with disabilities, e-applications in health care, human capacity building and emergency communications.
================================================

Govt taking measures for women empowerment : CM

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the state government has initiated several measures for women empowerment and child protection.Launching the AP State Society for Protection and Empowerment of Women and Children and Integrated Child Protection scheme of the Women Development and Child Welfere department here, he said the Centre and the State government had taken effective measures for the empowerment of women and child protection. Voicing concern over incidents of women harassment and child abuse, he said the departments concerned should strictly enforce the law to punish the guilty.Expressing displeasure over the prevalence of gender discrimination, he urged the parents to treat both male and female child in an equal manner.Stating that trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation was a heinous crime, he said the state government was committed to prevent it and take steps for the welfare and rehabilitation of the victims.
================================================