ISNA Condemns Israeli Massacre On Board of Gaza Freedom Flotilla, Calls for End of Illegal Blockade

(DECCAN SAMACHAR SERVICE) June,01, The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) condemns the unwarranted deadly use of force by the Israeli military against unarmed humanitarian ships in international waters. The ships, Gaza Freedom Flotilla, were bringing badly needed supplies to the people of Gaza who have been under a choking and illegal blockade by Israel for the last three years. Over 700 peace activists of all faiths, from America and around the globe including academicians, law makers, and Nobel Prize winners were aboard 6 ships carrying over10, 000 tons of humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza. Turkish customs, who inspected the ships prior to departure from Turkish ports, assert that no weapons were on the ships.The international community and the United Nations have condemned the irresponsible actions of Israeli commandos and the flagrant violation of international humanitarian law by Israel. However, many rights groups assert that the lack of any real consequences for the continuous violation of international law has given Israel a sense of impunity and has made any progress towards peace and justice in the Middle East more distant. ISNA calls on president Obama and Congress to demand an end to the illegal and inhumane blockade of Gaza and to launch an investigation into the massacre in order to hold those responsible accountable for the murder of at least 19 (according to many media outlets) and the injury of over 60 civilian peace activists. ==============================================

India cheers as monsoon arrives in Kerala

june,1, Southwest monsoon, often called one of the most dramatic wind movements on earth that brings over two-thirds of India’s rainfall and accounts for over half of its farm sector’s water needs, has arrived in Kerala.After some highly technical and hard-to-understand jargon, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its much-awaited statement Monday that it was satisfied to declare that the monsoon had finally arrived in India, albeit a week later than last year.In the mainland, monsoon is generally expected to hit Kochi June 1.“Conditions are favourable for further advance (of) monsoon into some parts of central Arabian Sea, coastal and south interior Karnataka and Goa during the next 48 hours,” said the department.It expects the rainfall to be 98 percent of the 50-year long-term average this year.So over the next four-and-a-half months this annual phenomenon will travel northward along the Western Ghats and then spread over to the northeast and finally retreat towards south India before disappearing into the Bay of Bengal.In the process, Indians will hope it brings enough rainfall to refill reservoirs, irrigate the fields and lift the underground water beds, and at the same time pray it does not result in floods, which are known to claim lives, uproot trees and destruct entire villages.In fact, the weather department has already warned of an impending cyclone off the coast of Gujarat from Wednesday or so and asked fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea.A failure of monsoon last year – which saw the worth precipitation since 1972 — resulted in a sharp drop in India’s food output that sent prices of grain, lentils, fruits and vegetables soaring – the effects of which people face even today.For the tourism industry in Kerala, monsoon is big business. Ayurvedic centres are overjoyed – since practitioners believe the therapy is most effective during this season as it boosts the immunity.At a broader level, the Indian government has predicted a higher growth of 8.5 percent for this fiscal as opposed to 7.4 percent for the previous year, mainly on the hope that monsoon rains would be normal.“The agricultural output for next year is likely to be better given the positive forecast of the IMD with respect to this year’s monsoon,” said Shanto Ghosh, principal economist with consultancy firm Deloitte.The farm output last fiscal grew a mere 0.2 percent.Little wonder Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee says monsoon is the real finance minister of the country and not he, while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said his prediction of a 8.5 percent economic growth for this fiscal depended on good monsoon.
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Andhra Pradesh CM refuses to comment on Jagan's charge;Ministers back CM

Hyderabad, Jun 1 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah today refrained from commenting on Mr Jaganmohan Reddy's allegation that he was responsible for the aborted ''Odarpu Yatra' even as the entire Cabinet came out in the open, backing him against the Kadapa Lok Sabha MP.After inaugurating the Rs 600-crore US-based Wave Rock Complex at the IT SEZ here, the Chief Minister said peace was necessary for bringing investments to the State. He did not react to Mr Jagan's allegations that he (Rosaiah) was responsible for the May 28 Mahbubabad Firing.Elsewhere, the entire Cabinet came out in support of the Rosaiah Administration, denouncing Mr Jaganmohan Reddy's charge.At a joint press conference here, Information and Public Relations Minister J Geetha Reddy, talking on behalf of the Cabinet Ministers, ridiculed Mr Jagan for making ''wild and baseless allegations''.Asserting there was no groupism in the Congress and the Ministers will go by the advise of the Congress high command, they maintained Mr Jaganmohan Reddy was unnecessarily levelling charges against the Chief Minister for Mahbubabad Firing.Home Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy said action will be taken against erring policemen if the CID investigation into the firing revealed any wrongdoing on their part.
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Indian-American SMEs plan Rs.1,500 crore IT facility

Hyderabad,June 1: Small and medium enterprises owned by Indian-Americans plan to set up an IT incubation facility here with an investment of Rs.1,500 crore.Small and Medium Enterprises Consortium (SMEC) made the announcement when Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT K. Venkat Reddy, currently on a visit to the US, met CEOs of SMEs. According to an official statement issued here Tuesday, SMEC chairman Mahender Musuku told the minister that SMEs would invest Rs.1,500 crore in three phases. The CEOs expressed keen interest in making Hyderabad the first choice for their operations provided they get equal playing field, incentives in taxation and infrastructure. An incubation centre, to be set up in two years for administrative and front offices, is expected to provide employment to 2,000 people. While the centre will be set up in a leased facility in Hitec City, a permanent campus would be set up later with an investment of Rs.1,500 crore. This is expected to provide direct employment to 10,000 people and indirect employment to 40,000 people.
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Andhra ministers back Rosaiah after Jagan's attack

Hyderabad,June 1: A day after Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy blamed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah for last week's violence in Warangal district, state ministers Tuesday came together to defend the chief minister.

The ministers said they were with the chief minister and condemned the allegations made against the government. "We are with the chief minister, the Congress high command and party president Sonia Gandhi," Information and Public Relations Minister J. Geeta Reddy told reporters in the presence of almost all the ministers. They denied the allegations that the government failed to deal with the situation and defended the action taken by it. Geeta Reddy said there were no differences among ministers over the issue. Jagan, son of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Monday blamed Rosaiah for the violence at Mahabubabad town in Warangal district May 29. Nine people were injured when gunmen of two Congress legislators loyal to Jagan opened fire on pro-Telangana activists protesting against his visit. The same day police arrested Jagan in Nalgonda district when he was on his way to Mahabubabad as part of his yatra to console families of those who died of shock or committed suicide after his father's death last year. The MP from Kadapa is currently in Delhi to convince the party's central leadership that his yatra was not political. He told reporters in the capital that the government allowed people to attack Congress leaders who had taken refuge in waiting room of Mahabubabad railway station. Sounding defiant, the young leader said he would continue his yatra as it was personal and had no political motives. Meanwhile, Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy announced a probe by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) into the violence and firing. "We will take action if any policeman is found guilty during the inquiry." A majority of the ministers loyal to YSR wanted Jagan as the chief minister following YSR's death in helicopter crash Sep 2. They gave up the demand after the Congress leadership turned it down.
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Heat wave prevails in Telangana despite isolated rain

Hyderabad,Jun 1: Heat wave conditions prevailed over Telangana today even as isolated rain occurred over Telangana and Rayalaseema.The maximum temperatures changed little over the state. They were significantly above normal at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. The highest maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala, Met Department said today.The chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm are Punganur (Chittoor district) five, Kuppam and Venkatagiri Kota (both Chittoor districts) two each and Chilamattur (Anantapur district) one.Heat wave conditions would continue to prevail over Telangana during the next two days. Isolated rain/thundershowers may occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, the Met Department said.Sky condition may be partly cloudy in the city. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 43 and 28 degrees, respectively.
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Tishman Speyer opens its first IT park in India

Hyderabad,June 1: Tishman Speyer, one of the world's leading developers of real estate, Tuesday unveiled its first property in Asia, commissioning the first phase of the Waverock IT Park here.The US-based developer also launched the second phase of the project, a joint venture between Tishman and ICICI Ventures, which has come up at a special economic zone at Nanakramguda, Gachibowli, an IT district on the city's outskirts. Comprising two phases, Waverock has come up on 12 acres of land for providing 2.46 million square feet IT office space to provide employment opportunity to 25,000 people. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah commissioned the first phase, comprising 700,000 square feet with 10 floors to seat 7,000 professionals. The first phase, built at a cost of Rs.600 crore, began partial operations in February. Waverock phase II is estimated to cost Rs.700 crore. When completed, it will provide 1.65 million square feet office space. It will be developed in three sub-phases and will be 15-19 storey-high with a total area of 650,000 square feet each. TCS has begun its operations in Waverock while Accenture and Invesco will start their offices shortly. Tishman had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh government in 2006 to build the facility. ICICI Ventures is 50 percent partner in the joint venture. Company officials said 80 percent of the phase I capacity at Waverock was committed. "This is the first building our company has finished in Asia," said Jerry Speyer, chairman and co-chief executive, Tishman Speyer. India is the 11th country where Tishaman has launched operations. Tishman, which raises and manages private equity funds for real estate across the world, currently has USD 50 billion of assets under management. Rosaiah said Hyderabad had made a mark in the world IT map with manpower and world-class IT infrastructure. He said the state aimed to achieve IT export turnover of Rs.70,000 crore and additional direct IT employment generation of 125,000 by 2015. The IT export turnover from the state in 2009 was Rs.32,500 crore. There are over 1,200 companies providing employment to 251,786 people.
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Jaganmohan says Congress has allowed him to continue Telangana yatra

New Delhi,June 1: Congress MP and the son of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy, Jaganmohan Reddy met Law Minister Veerappa Moily on Tuesday and said all issues regarding his ongoing state tour (yatra) had been sorted out.Talking to reporters after the meeting, Reddy said: "My tour was widely appreciated, and I have been given a clear indication to go ahead and do what I was doing. If at all, you can call it a misunderstanding, I would say things have been cleared,"He claims that Moily expressed appreciation for his tour and permitted the tour to resume. He said he had told Moily that the yatra purely personal and not political motive aimed at visiting the families of those who had died of shock or had allegedly committed suicide after hearing the news of his father''s deathCongress sources say the permission comes with some basic guidelines, including staying away from the politically-sensitive Telangana region.On Monday, Reddy had said he was ready to quit as Kadapa MP if it was proved that he had politicised the visit even as he insisted on continuing with the yatra.He had defied the party high command''s directive and gone ahead with his yatra of the sensitive Telangana region on last Friday. However, he was forced to abandon the yatra after violence erupted in Mahaboobabad town in Warangal district.
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No question of leaving Cong: Reddy

New Delhi, May 31: Congress MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who was recently detained for his controversial 'yatra' (rally), said he will not leave the party but is ready to quit from his Lok Sabha post."There is no reason why I should leave my party (Congress). If I had to leave, I would have done that immediately after my father (late Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy) died; at that time I also had sympathy of 135 MLAs," Reddy told reporters on Monday here.Reddy, who is in the Capital to meet Congress top brass over the 'yatra' controversy, said: "I respect madam (party supremo Sonia Gandhi) a lot, and have full faith in her. My intensions are clear, my mind is guilt-free, I have not done anything wrong."I am here (Delhi) to request the Congress to allow me continue my Odarpu Yatra. I will explain my stand behind this apolitical rally. The 'yatra' cannot be stopped...it's my moral responsibility and duty to carry on with it. "Asked if there are chances that Congress will take action against him over this issue, Reddy said: "I don't think the party will take action against me. Why should they? I have done no wrong."On May 28, Reddy was taken into preventive custody by the Andhra Pradesh police, apprehending violent clashes after he refused to call off his controversial yatra (rally).Reddy was arrested from a train at Vangapalli in Nalgonda district while he was on way to Warangal to console the family members of those who died of shock or committed suicide after his father's death in a helicopter crash last year.Reddy was on a yatra to meet the bereaved family members and even after his arrest, he has reportedly stated of resuming his travel at a later date.His yatra was seen as a move to give air to the anti-Telangana lobby, of which Reddy and his late father were supporters.Like the late chief minister, the younger Reddy is also against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and he had, along with MPs from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions, voiced their opposition to formation of Telangana state in the Parliament.The yatra could have fuelled clashes between Reddy's supports and pro-Telangana activists.The Joint Action Committee (JAC), Telangana Rashtra Samiti, other pro-Telangana groups, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had announced their plans to stall the yatra.Some Congress leaders were also against Reddy's yatra and had even reportedly got Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to ask Reddy to stop his rally.But Reddy had decided to go ahead with the yatra, which he has now stated of resuming at a later time.He has maintained that the yatra was not a political statement, and his detractors were trying to defame him.
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HIV woman refused admission, gives birth by roadside

Hyderabad,May 31: An HIV-positive woman was forced to give birth to her baby by the roadside after a government-run hospital allegedly refused her admission.The shocking incident took place Sunday evening in Suryapet town of Nalgonda district, about 170 km from here. According to delayed reports reaching the state capital, some women in the town helped deliver the baby after the pregnant woman collapsed by the roadside. Alivelu, wife of a daily wage labourer from Kesaram village in Nalgonda, reached Government Area Hospital in Suryapet. After the blood examination, she was found HIV-positive and the staff on duty allegedly refused her admission saying the doctors were not available. The 28-year-old was asked to come to the hospital the next day. Some relatives accompanying her tried to get her admitted to a private hospital but could not arrange the money. In the meantime, she developed labour pains and some local women came forward to help her. Shocked by the incident, Health Minister D. Nagender announced a probe. "We will take action against those who refused to admit the woman," the minister told reporters. Alivelu, who had returned to the village with the new-born Sunday night, was brought to the town and admitted to the hospital by health officials. R.V. Chandravadan, director, Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society, said there was no reason for a government hospital to deny admission to any HIV-infected person. "Action will definitely be taken against those found guilty," he said.
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Heat wave prevails in coastal AP, Telangana despite rain

Hyderabad,May 31: Heat wave conditions prevailed over Telangana and over the districts of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam of Coastal Andhra Pradesh despite isolated rain occurring over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema.The maximum temperatures changed little over Telangana and Rayalaseema and fell at one or two places over coastal Andhra Pradesh. They were significantly above normal over Rayalaseema and at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius was recorded at Adilabad, Met Department said today.Srungavarapukota (Vizianagaram district) recorded a heavy rainfall measuring nine cm. Palamaner and Punganur (both Chittoor districts) received three cm each rainfall, Kuppam (Chittoor district) 2 cm and Mahabubnagar, Araku Valley (Visakhapatnam district) and Vizianagaram (Vizianagaram district) recorded one cm each rainfall.Heat wave conditions would continue to prevail over Telangana and may continue to prevail over the districts of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam of Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next two days.Isolated rain/thundershowers would occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema.There is a chance of rain/thundershowers in parts of the city while maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 43 and 28 degrees Celsius respectively.
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Hyderabad gets an eco-friendly ice skating rink

Hyderabad,May 31: Hyderabad got its first eco-friendly ice-skating rink with a synthetic surface on Sunday.The rink has been introduced by Sparq Concepts in conjunction with Spanish company, XTRAICE.Spanning an area of 1,300 square feet, the sporting arena is all set to woo ice skating enthusiasts."The rink here is artificial ice rink. This is not ice but it is 97 percent close to ice-skating. It is a fibre-plastic on which we put solution and we skate. We get 97 percent similarity of ice skating," said Anup Kumar Yaman, an Asian Games medallist in figure skating.With zero electricity consumption, the rink can accommodate 25 skaters at a time and has a viewer gallery, which can accommodate double the number of visitors overlooking the skating rink."It''s a remarkable technology and the same product is being used in US and Canada where the ice hockey teams called Florida Panthers and ..., they are using the same product in their training centers," said Afroz Khan, Associate Manager, Sparq Concepts.Similar kind of artificial ice rinks are present at Disneyland in Paris, Toki No Sumik in Japan, the Danish and Spanish ice hockey Associations, and the Bastad Stadium in Sweden.
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Jagan leaves for Delhi to meet Cong high command

Hyderabad,May 30: Reprimanded by the Congress high-command for defying its advice against the 'Odarpu Yatra', which was aborted amid firing and escalating law and order probelms, Congress MP from Kadapa Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy left for New Delhi this evening to put forward his side of the story to the party.After Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee advised to cut-off 'Odarpu Yatra', Jagan had called on Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimham at Rajbhavan yesterday bypassing Chief Minister Rosaiah.He had reportedly compalined to the Governor that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) had deliberately stoked the Mahaboobabad firing incident on May 28 'by attacking the Congress leaders there'.The Mahaboobabad firing incident triggered a bandh in Telangana where the government was able to bring back peace after more than 5 months turmoil with the appointment of the Justice Srikrishna Committee. The political temperature in Telangana went up with the yatra. Jagan who is member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance which is meeting in New Delhi tomorrow is likely to use opportunity with the visit to meet party high command including Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily who is incharge of Andhra Pradesh affairs.Jagan's visit also come at a time amid reports of businessmen known to him had reporterdy approached the Bharatiya Janata Party for a look into the new situation in Andhra Pradesh. Jagan's business links with the 'Gali brothers', the BJP minister of Karnataka is no secret.
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Chiranjeevi's party to support Cong. in RS polls

New Delhi, May 30: South Indian superstar Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) has pledged its support to the ruling Congress in the coming Rajya Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh as the national party fell short by six votes to get its fourth candidate elected to the Upper House.The agreement between the Congress and PRP was reached at a meeting between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and PRP chief Chiranjeevi at Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence here Saturday. Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel, Union Minister for Law and party in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Veerappa Moily and PRP leader C Ramchandraiah were also present. The PRP has decided to withdraw its candidate for the Rajya Sabha election and its 18 MLAs in the state Assembly shall now vote in favour of Congress candidate, Ramchandriah said. With this, Congress' candidates victory in four seats has been ensured, for which it required 164 votes but, prior to the understanding with the PRP, was falling short by six votes. The PRP leader maintained that no favour has been sought from the Congress in return, though he added that Gandhi's support was asked for getting two irrigation schemes in the state declared as national projects. The arrangement with PRP will spell double benefit for the Congress as the party was facing prospects of revolt by former chief minister late YSR Reddy's son Jagan Mohan and his loyalists. Reddy's lobby has support of about 18 MLAs and if they leave the Congress, Rosaiah's government would have been reduced to majority. The PRP's support in such a scenario could come handy for the ruling party.
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Four of a family murdered in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, May 30: In a gruesome incident here, four members of a family were murdered by their son-in-law and his relatives early Sunday, police said.

Six assailants hacked to death four people in a house at Premnagar in Amberpet neighbourhood. Another person sustained serious injuries and is battling for life in hospital, police said. Qamruddin, his wife Sajida Begum and two other family members Abdullah Begani and Abdullah Kirmani were killed in the attack. Qamruddin's daughter Afreen, wife of the main accused, is in critical condition. Police said while one person died on the spot, three others succumbed to the their injuries in hospital. After the murders, Jehangir, son-in-law of Qamruddin, and his brother went to the police station where they surrendered. Police also arrested their four other relatives who helped them in committing the crime. Jehangir, who separated from his wife following a marital dispute, said he committed the crime to take revenge for a dowry harassment case filed by Afreen against him. Police are investigating.
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Telangana observes shutdown after Friday's violence

Hyderabad,May 29: Normal life was affected in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday in wake of a general shutdown called by Telangana-Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) to protest violence in Mahbubabad town during the tour of Congress MP and son of former chief minister late Y.S.R. Reddy, Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy, that left 24 people injured.Business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in Warangal, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Nizamabad districts. Several T-JAC leaders were taken into preventive custody at Kazipet, Narayankhed and Siddipet towns, police said. The pro-Telangana activists had called for the shutdown, blaming Jagan Mohan Reddy responsible for Friday's violence. Nine people were injured when police fired to quell protesters while seven others were injured in clashes, police said. Eight policemen were also hurt in the violence that broke out in protest against his yatra (rally) to meet families of people who committed suicide or died of shock after his father's death in a helicopter crash last year. Reddy was finally taken into preventive custody by the police on Friday from a train while on way to Warangal. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Osmania University JAC, Kakatiya University JAC and Bharatiya Janata Party have supported the shutdown. According to media reports, lawyers blocked roads near L B Nagar in Ranga Reddy district, while Telangana activists took out motor-bike rallies in Warangal, Karimnagar and other Telangana districts shouting anti-Jagan slogans. Tight security arrangements have been made in Telangana and additional forces were deployed near Osmania University, considered the nerve centre of the statehood movement.
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No merger with Congress in future: Chiranjeevi

New Delhi,May 29: Telugu cine star and Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) President Chiranjeevi on Saturday ruled out any merger with the Congress party in the future."The Congress has asked PRP to withdraw from Rajya Sabha polls," said Chiranjeevi after his meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath."The PRP has allied with Congress only for Rajya Sabha polls," he added The meeting gained significance after Congress MP and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajshekhar Reddy's son Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy defied the party orders and decided to go ahead with his planned 'Odarpu Yatra,' which caused a lot of violence in the Telangana region. The Praja Rajyam Party, which has 18 MLAs in the 295-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly, is keen on contesting the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The actor-turned politician was asked by the Congress High Command to come here for discussions to reach an understanding on the biennial Rajya Sabha polls, after he announced that his party would contest the election.
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Telangana shutdown: Andhra Govt. asks police to ensure security

Hyderabad,May 29: The Andhra Pradesh Government has instructed the state police to prevent untoward incidents during a shutdown call given by the opposition Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) on Saturday.The Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) is observing the shutdown in the Telangana region against the 'Odarpu Yatra' that was being led led by former Chief Minister Y S Rajshekhar Reddy's son and Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. Police said all preventive measures have been put in place to avoid any untoward incident in the region, including taking Reddy into custody. The Director General of the Andhra Pradesh Police, R R Girish Kumar, said security forces have been asked to take stern action against those indulging in violence during the shutdown. On Friday, 24 people, including eight policemen, were injured in violence that broke out during Reddy's Yatra in Telangana.Reddy has said he will continue with his week-long 'Odarpu Yatra.'The Yatra was to begin from Mahbubabad in Warangal District on Friday, but opposition activists resisted Reddy's plan.Holding Reddy responsible for the violence in Warangal, the Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) has called for a shutdown in ten districts of the region. Meanwhile, incidents of pro-Telangana activists resorting to road blockades and stone pelting have been reported from Warangal and Nalgonda and Hyderabad.Reddy's followers created road blockades in Tirupati and set two bogies of Padmavathi Express on fire in Kadapa. They have also given a call for a shutdown in Kadapa District in protest against his arrest.
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87th birth anniversary of NTR observed in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad,May 28: The 87th birth anniversary of matinee-idol, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder-president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N T Rama Rao was observed by his family members by paying floral tributes at 'NTR Ghat' here today.Former AP Chief Minister and NTR's son-in-law N Chandrababu Naidu and his wife Bhuvaneswari, daughter Union Minister for Human Resources Daggubati Purandeswari,son and Rajya Sabha member Harikrishna, another son and actor Balakrishna, his grandsons and others laid wreaths at the NTR Ghat.While remembering her father, Ms Purandeswari said he had secured a place in the hearts of people, who were affectionate to him even now. NTR, who strived hard for the welfare of the people in the state, had launched several welfare programmes for the poor and downtrodden, she said. A doyen of Telugu film industry, Rao was also responsible for safeguarding the self-respect of Telugu people, she said.Meanwhile, NTR's elder son-in-law and Congress MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Rao unveiled the statue of NTR in Karamchedu in Prakasam district where all his family members were present.Dr Venkateswara Rao, husband of Ms Purandeswari, said he has been making arrangements for unveiling the statue since the last six months. All family members of NTR, irrespective of their political affiliation, were invited for the programme.As a mark of respect to the founder-president of the party, the leaders of the TDP had been organising three-day 'Mahanadu' every year, coinciding with the birthday of NTR. This year the 'Mahanadu' began yesterday where the party would pass a number of resolutions.
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Rupees 605 crore under 'Pavalaa Vadee' scheme loans to SHGs

Kakinada, May 29: Andhra Pradesh government has fixed Rupees 605 crore as the target for extending loans under the Pavalaa vadee scheme to the SHGs in East Godavari district during the current year, district collector M Ravichandra has said.Presiding over the bankers' district level advisory committee meeting here yesterday he assured the bankers that the administration would extend all assistance to them for total recovery of the loans.A community based recovery mechanism had already been introduced for this purpose. He advised the bankers to ensure that each branch adopts one village and extends assistance to villagers for their economic uplift, formulating suitable plans. NABARD assistant General Manager Somayajulu said the banks would face difficulties in sanctioning loans to SHGs unless the recovery mechanism was improved and sought the cooperation of the district administration to lay more stress on this aspect.
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