Gujarat NRE to invest Rs.1,000 crore for plant in Andhra

Kolkata, May 13 : Metallurgy coke producer Gujarat NRE Coke plans to invest Rs.800-1,000 crore for a plant in Andhra Pradesh, a top company official said Thursday."We are waiting for the land. We plan to build a one-million-tonne coke plant over there with 60 megawatt (MW) power capacity," Arun Kumar Jagatramka, managing director, told reporters here. The project work is expected to begin by December 2010 and end in 2013, he said. With commissioning of the new coke plant, the production capacity of the company would touch 2.25 million tonnes. About coking coal prices, he said prices would touch USD 240-250 per tonne during the second quarter (July-September) from USD 200 per tonne now. About low-ash metallurgical (LAM) coke, he said high demand would push up the price which is around USD 500-550 a tonne now. The company produced 900,000 tonnes of LAM coke last fiscal and is expecting to produce 1.1 million tonnes this year. Jagatramka expected the turnover of the company to touch Rs.2,000 crore in the current fiscal (2010-11) from around Rs.1,500 crore in 2009-10. Asked how much the Australian operations of the company will be hampered as the government there plans to introduce a 40 percent Resource Super Profits Tax on big mining companies that have benefited from burgeoning Chinese and Indian demand for minerals and energy, he said: "It is a draft proposal. It will take another 6-9 months for the blueprint to be ready." "Our company will not be affected as such as we would get deductions for capital investments," he added.
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MCI chief should be punished severely:ISOT

Hyderabad, May 13: The members of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation(ISOT) today demanded that the Centre take stringent action against the President of Medical Council of India (MCI) and Indian Medical Association(IMA) Dr Ketan Desai who was arrested by the CBI on corruption charges.Addressing a press conference, President of ISOT Prof A Gopal Kishan said the ISOT in its meeting resolved to strongly condemn the alleged corrupt practices of Desai who had brought disrepute to the medical profession as well as the country.He urged the Centre to pursue all criminal cases booked against Dr Desai and leave no loophole.The meeting also resolved to ask Desai to voluntarily quit from all posts including MCI, President elect of World Medical Association, Membership of Royal College of Surgeons as well as teaching, he added.He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate strong measures to cleanse corruption and also to enact suitable law to restrict the tenure of President and Vice-President of MCI to one term of two to three years.He said the meeting also decided to request the Union Government to scrap the present MCI and bring in a suitable ordinance incorporating every measure to prevent such misconduct in future.He alleged that Desai had amassed money mainly by granting permissions and later recognition to newly-established medical colleges throughout the country without adhering to stipulated norms regarding infrastructure and faculty. He used the money power to maximum extent to retain the presidentship for 14 years.To retain the top position in MCI he flouted the rules and even threatened those who resisted, he claimed.
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Andhra Pradesh reeling under scorching heat, temperatures rise

Hyderabad, May 13 : Andhra Pradesh is reeling under scorching Sun with heat wave conditions prevailing various places and maximum temperatures increasing at all over the state.According to weather office here today, heat wave conditions prevailed over Telangana, isolated parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.The maximum temperatures rose at one or two places over Telangana and Rayalaseema and changed little over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. They were significantly above normal over remaining parts of Rayalaseema and at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh.The highest maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala.The weather office predicted that heat wave conditions might continue to prevail over Telangana and in the districts of Cuddapah, Chittoor of Rayalaseema and isolated parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh during next two days.However, isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.Isolated rain or thundershowers would occur over Rayalaseema and Telangana and might occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
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Gold worth Rs.1 crore robbed from Andhra Bank

Hyderabad, May 12: In a major bank heist, robbers broke into an Andhra Bank branch in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh and took away gold ornaments worth over Rs.one crore.Police said the robbers entered the bank at Guduru, about 75 km from Warangal town, Tuesday night through the back entrance, broke open the lockers and looted the valuables. The robbery came to light when the bank staff came Wednesday morning. Bank officials told police that the gold was kept in the bank by depositors who availed gold loans worth Rs.65 lakh. The robbers did not open another locker which had Rs.10 lakh cash. The bank did not have an alarm system or CCTV cameras, which made the robbers' job easy. ================================================

Sri Krishna Committee wants to know people's pulse on T-issue

Hyderabad, May 12 : Justice B N Sri Krishna, Chairman of the committee appointed by the Centre on the Telangana issue, said the committee's main purpose was to know the people's pulse on Telangana.Addressing a press conference along with the members, Justice Sri Krishna said the committee had heard the views of various political parties, groups, individuals and NGOs and trade sector during the three-day stay in the city which concluded here today.He said the committee had received number of representations from various groups and all were meaningful and excellent inputs.Asked how the committee consider the number of groups in each political party, the Chairmain said ''there is no need for committee to educate the political parties. Committee don't bother about the number of groups in each political party. The main purpose of the committee is to hear the views of the groups and take representations from them, whether it is ''pro-Telangana or anti-Telangana''.The committee would again come to the city on a three-day visit from May 17 and hear the views from various individuals and groups, including students' JAC and others.
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Hyderabad records 45 degrees, highest in 20 years

Hyderabad, May 12 : Hyderabad is in the grip of an intense heat wave, with temperature Wednesday shooting up to 45 degrees, a record in 20 years.

According to the Hyderabad met office, the mercury soared to 45 degrees a day after crossing 44.5 degrees, which was the highest in 11 years. For the third consecutive day, the Andhra Pradesh capital experienced scorching heat, rendering the streets virtually deserted. The city Monday recorded 44 degrees, the highest temperature of the current season. Most people remained indoors to escape the heat while those on the roads covered their heads with scarves and caps. The continuing two-hour electricity shutdown in the city further added to the woes. "The weather has become unbearable. I never felt such heat in Hyderabad," said Ramakrishna Reddy, a young software engineer. The met office has attributed the heat wave conditions in Hyderabad and other parts of the state, especially Telangana, to the northwest winds. According to S.V. Rao of the Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, the hot weather conditions were mainly due to the dry winds generated in Rajasthan and blowing through Maharashtra. Ramagundam and Paloncha in Khammam district became a furnace Wednesday with temperature touching 49 degrees, the highest this season. Ramagundam in the past had recorded 50 degrees. Several other towns in Telangana region recorded temperatures of over 45 degrees. It was 45.6 in Adilabad and Nizamabad, and over 44 in Karimnagar, Warangal and other districts. The temperature is five to six degrees above normal in most parts of Telangana and two to three degrees above normal in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra. The worst may not be over for Hyderabd as the weather office has forecast that the severe heat wave would continue for the next four to five days.
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Togadia questioned by SIT probing Gujarat riots

Pravin Togadia, the general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), was questioned for three hours Monday by a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.Togadia arrived at the SIT office accompanied by sadhus and supporters in tow.When asked about the questions posed to him by the SIT, Togadia said: “I was asked whether I had come to Ahmedabad during the communal riots. I told then where would I go, to Pakistan?”According to Togadia, the SIT also asked him who all he met during his visit to Ahmedabad during the riots.“I met crores of hindus, I met sadhus. If I don’t meet them, will I meet Imam Bukhari (Jama Masjid cleric)?” Togadia said.Togadia also slammed the apex court appointed panel.“There is no enquiry ordered on 57 ‘Rambhakts’ (Ram devotees) burnt to death in the Sabarmati Express train carnage, while we are being harassed. For the SIT, this case file is the Bible, Gita and the Koran. We have only god with us and nobody else. But I will definitely give a fitting answer to all this,” he added.
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India an indispensable ally: US ambassador

Fighting terrorism was “a challenge” for both the US and its “indispensable ally” India, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said Tuesday, adding that the 26/11 Mumbai carnage reminded him of the 9/11 terror attack in New York.“India is one of the most important allies of the US, and an indispensable one for the US. I want to reinforce our commitment to the US-India strategic co-operation, which is an important pillar of our indispensable partnership,” said Roemer.Roemer said that as part of this co-operation, the US will help India by giving it access to David Headley, the Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba operative who has admitted his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks.The ambassador said he was reminded of the 9/11 terror attacks that targeted the twin towers of World Trade Centre in New York.“Back then, we never got any direct access to the mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. We want to ensure India gets access of Headley,” Roemer said.In his third visit to Mumbai, Roemer recalled how he had visited Mumbai for the first time only seven months after the terror strikes with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mid-2009.“It was my first act as Ambassador-designate in India. At that time, we chose to stay in the historic Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel. It was a deliberate choice to remind the terrorists that despite the carnage they caused, they did not succeed in their efforts to lower our spirits,” Roemer said.The ambassador paid homage at the 26/11 Police Memorial at Police Gymkhana in south Mumbai and interacted with the policemen present there.“This visit is to underscore the respect we pay to the martyrs of the 26/11 terror attacks,” Roemer said.The US ambassador stressed that “Pakistan needs to do more to deal with the terrorism originating from its soil”.He also assured that the arms and ammunition provided to Pakistan would be used only for internal purposes.“We will make sure that these arms are used to counter internal terrorism and conflict. We will ensure that these are not used as a means to attack any other nation,” he said.
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Heat wave conditons prevail in Andhra Pradesh,

Hyderabad, May 11 : Heat wave conditions prevailed over the districts of Adilabad, Hyderabad, Khammam and Nizamabad of Telangana as the maximum temperatures rose at several places in the state.The maximum temperatures rose at one or two places over Telangana and changed little over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, according to Weather Office today. The maximum temperatures were significantly above normal at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and over the remaining districts of Telangana. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Adilabad, Khammam, Nizamabad and Rentachintala.However, isolated rainfall occurred over Rayalaseema and the weather was mainly dry over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.The weather office predicted that isolated rainfall or thundershowers might occur over Rayalaseema. Heat wave conditions would continue to prevail over Telangana during next two days, the report added.
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Two major blazes in Hyderabad cause panic

Hyderabad, May 11 : Two major fires broke out in two areas of Hyderabad Tuesday, causing panic among residents.One person sustained burn injuries in the huge fire that broke out at a petrol pump while the other fire in a storehouse of a company caused massive loss of property. An oil tanker burst into flames at a petrol pump in Alwal area near the city outskirts in the evening. A few other vehicles were also gutted as huge flames engulfed the entire pump and even threatened the nearby houses. Police and fire fighting personnel evacuated the residents while shops and other business establishments in the vicinity downed shutters as a precautionary measure. An employee of the pump was injured while other employees and customers ran for safety. Police said the incident took place when fuel from the tanker was being pumped into the bunk. Some sparks from the tanker's engine is suspected to have caused the fire, in which about 10,000 litres of fuel was burnt. Four fire engines brought the fire under control. Police have booked a case against the petrol bunk owner for negligence which is believed to have led to the accident. Earlier, a huge fire broke out in a storehouse of tents owned by a company in Khaja Nagar neighbourhood of Banjara Hills. Huge flames were threatening to engulf the nearby houses, creating a panic in the densely populated area. However, the fire services personnel brought the blaze under control. An electrical short-circuit is believed to have caused the fire. The loss of property in the fire is estimated to be over Rs.50 lakh.
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Congress, MIM, TDP win MLC elections

Hyderabad, May 10 : Congress candidate M S Prabhakar Rao, and candidates of All India Majlis Ittehadul-E-Mulsimeen (AIMIM) S Aminul Hasan Jaffri and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) M Narender Reddy, were elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council from the Loal authorities constituencies of Hyderabad and adjoining Ranga Reddy districts respectively.In a triangular contest for the two seats in Hyderabad district, Congress candidate Prabhakar Rao polled 69 votes, MIM candidate Jaffri secured 59 votes, while TDP candidate Y Mallesam got only one vote. Two votes were rejected out of the total of 127 votes polled.In a straight contest in Ranga Reddy district, Telugu Desam Party candidate M Narender Reddy won the seat by 342 votes against his rival and Congress candidate Kasani Gyaneswar, who got 294 votes. Eight votes were rejected out of total 644 in the elections, which were held on May seven.
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Congress, MIM, TDP win seat each in legislative council

Hyderabad, May 10 : Andhra Pradesh's ruling Congress, its ally Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Monday won a seat each in the 90-member legislative council.

Congress and MIM candidates were elected in the state capital while TDP bagged the lone seat in neighbouring Ranga Reddy district. The result of the council polls for three seats were announced within couple of hours after the counting began Monday morning. The elections to three seats from Local Authorities Constituencies (LACs) were held on Friday. Congress' M.S. Prabhakar and MIM's Syed Aminul Hasan Jafri were elected in Hyderabad while Narendra Reddy of the TDP emerged victorious in Ranga Reddy district. The result in Hyderabad was a foregone conclusion given the majority Congress and MIM enjoyed in the local body and the poll boycott by the TDP. However, the result in Ranga Reddy came as a jolt to the Congress party as it had gone all out to woo voters, comprising members of zilla parishad and mandal parishad territorial committee members, corporators and councillors. TDP's Narendra Reddy was elected with a margin of 48 votes. TDP bagged 342 votes while Congress polled 294 votes. Eight votes were declared invalid. Out of 653 voters in Ranga Reddy, 644 had cast their votes. In Hyderabad, Congress polled 69 seats and MIM 55. Two votes were declared invalid. Out of the total 157 voters, 126 had exercised their franchise. In a last minute-decision, the TDP had boycotted the polls in Hyderabad making it almost an unopposed election of the Congress and MIM candidates. The TDP's was voicing its protest against election officials not allowing its corporator Raja Singh to cast his vote through postal ballot. Raja Singh, an accused in the recent communal riots in the city, is lodged in Chanchalguda jail. Soon after his victory, MIM candidate and senior journalist Jafri told reporters that he would do his best to solve the problems faced by the people of Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad.
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Alert sounded in Andhra coastal region

Hyderabad, May 9: The Andhra Pradesh government Sunday sounded an alert in the entire coastal region following a massive earthquake in Indonesia.People in areas along the coast were asked to vacate while fishermen were warned against venturing into the sea. The sea appeared rough in some areas with high waves and water coming in up to 100 metres in a few places. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who is on a visit to Guntur district, asked the collectors of all nine districts to alert the people. Chief Secretary S.V. Prasad informed the chief minister that there was no threat of a tsunami in the Bay of Bengal. After a review of the situation, the chief minister advised collectors to keep people alert without creating a scare. Officials said two to three metre-high tidal waves were likely along the shore. The sea appeared rough in the coastal regions of Visakhapatnam, West Godavari, Krishna, Nellore and Prakasam districts. In the port city of Visakhapatnam, civil and police authorities closed down the shops near the coast and advised tourists to stay away. Fishermen, who were already in the sea, have been asked to return home while others on the coast warned against venturing in, officials said. Control rooms have been opened in the offices of district collectors to monitor the situation. In Sriharikota in Nellore district, which houses the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) space research centre, Coast Guards were alerted. At least 13 mandals or blocks in Nellore district have been put on alert. At Narsapuram and Perupalem in West Godavari district, sea water was seen pouring in over 100 meter area, creating a tsunami scare among people. The situation was similar in some places in Prakasam district. Andhra Pradesh has a nearly 1,000 km-long coastline. The tsunami which struck the region in 2004 following a massive earthquake in Indonesia and other countries had claimed 100 lives and rendered hundreds homeless
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Telugu actor Navdeep arrested for drunken driving

Hyderabad, May 9: In true filmi style, young Telugu film actor P. Navdeep was early Sunday arrested for drunken and rash driving after a hot chase, police said.In a reversal of roles, the hero turned villain when he tried to give the slip to the police after spotting a police team checking vehicles for drunken driving in the posh Banjara Hills area in the early hours of the morning. The incident took place near the Indo-American Cancer Hospital when the actor, who was coming out from a club along with his friend, saw policemen checking vehicles and tried to speed away by driving on the wrong side. The policemen chased the vehicle and tracked it down some distance away. They arrested the actor and made him sit in an auto-rickshaw. As some cameramen tried to capture the scene, the actor behaved rudely with the police and the auto-driver, asking them to move fast. Navdeep had covered his face with the cap of a policeman. Navdeep was taken to the Banjara Hills police station where a case was filed against him for drunken and rash driving. A medical test was conducted on the actor at Gandhi Hospital and he would be produced before a magistrate. Talking to reporters Sunday morning, the actor admitted that he was drunk but claimed that the level of alcohol was within the permissible limits. "Driving on the wrong side is a small thing but it became a big issue due to the presence of the deputy commissioner of police," he said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Stephen Ravindra was leading the police team that was checking the vehicles.
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Purandeswari to launch project to supply eggs to anganwadis

Visakhapatnam, May 8 : Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Daggubati Purandeswari will today inaugurate a project under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to distribute eggs to anganwadi centres in North coastal Andhra districts.

Visakhapatnam Layer Farmers Welfare Association(VLFW) has come forward to implement this scheme of providing the nutritious food to children and poor people who are members of anganwadi centres, National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) Zonal Chairman K Vaharala Raju said in a press conference here yesterday.The Centre has decided to provide eight eggs per month to children between the age group of six months to six years and pregnant and lactating women, and Severely malnourished children.Mr Raju said the state government has given the opportunity to district level farmers' body to supply eggs to 3,394 anganwadi centres in the state, thereby generating employment for the people directly or indirectly in the scheme. He appealed to the state government to add boiled eggs to the menu in the Mid-day meal Scheme for school going children as it is a complete nutritious food which helps in their growth. Neighbouring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have successfully implemented this Scheme in the Mid-Day meals and getting excellent results, he added.
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Reliance gas row: AP's stand vindicated says CM

Hyderabad May 8 : Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict on the natural gas dispute between the Ambani brothers, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today urged the Centre to allocate a bigger share to the state while allocating gas from the Krishna-Godavari basin.He told reporters here that Andhra Pradesh's stand had been vindicated with the apex court ruling that the Union Government was the owner of natural gas till it reached consumers and the government was competent to fix the price of natural gas.The State had been asserting that it was the Centre which should have a say in allocation of natural gas and fixing of the price of natural gas, he said, adding no explorer could be allowed to take away gas indiscriminately. He expressed confidence that the Centre, while regulating supply and distribution of gas, would give more share to the State.
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Australian delegation assures CM of students safety

Hyderabad, May 7: Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean today assured Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah of the safety and security of Indian students, particularly those from the State.Mr Crean and his team had a meeting with the Chief Minister at Secretariat, an official release here tonight said. The Chief Minister, while discussing trade relations with the Australian Minister, expressed concern about the attack on Indian students in Australia. ''We do understand the anxiety of your government and the anguish of the parents of Indian students here. We underscore the safety of the Indian students. We will take all steps needed in this regard.Students exchange is also important,'' the Australian minister said.The Minister said police presence where the Indian students stay and study would be increased and the Australian Government would see that such incidents did not take place. The delegation also visited the ICRISAT, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Infotech and had meetings with CII in Hyderabad.The Australian Minister said Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Andhra Pradesh could be signed in the areas of Agriculture, Water Management, Manufacturing and Service Industry, Educational Sector, Coal-based projects and IT among othes. Mr Crean opined Hyderabad was a dynamic city and had a 'wonderful modern' airport at Shamshabad and also Andhra Pradesh was a fast expanding State. The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh could take advantage of learning from Australian technologies like massive recycling of water, tapping of solar energy, coal plants. The delegation also included Mr Peter Varghese, Australian High Commissioner, Mr Deborah Stokes, First Asst Secretary, Mr Clinton Porteous, Senior Media Adviser and Ms Gitanjanli Nandan, First Secretary.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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