Against Health Minister Danam for assault case

Hyderabad,Jun 5: The City police today registered case against Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Danam Nagender for allegedly assaulting the builder in the upfront Banjara Hills area on some property dispute.The Minister had reportedly objected to the builder taking some digging and drainage works in a banjarahills area plot alleging it was encroachment.Builder Rami Reddy in his complaint to the Banjara Hills police sation alleged that the Minister and his henchmen had assaulted him even though the construction works being done by him ''legal were in his plot''.Builder Reddy alleged that the local corporater Bharathi and her husband along with four or five people had tresspassed in his property along with the Minister.The minister however, had totally denied the incident claiming before the electronic media.
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Andhra Pradesh welcomes much awaited SW Monsoon

Hyderabad, Jun 5: The SouthWest Monsoon entered Andhra Pradesh today, bringing much awaited relief from the torrid summer, slated to be the hottest over the last four decades.With weathermen keeping an eye on the cyclonic storm Phet developing mid coast in Arabian Sea, residents got a relief as the South West Monsoon which had stalled, resumed its movement and entered Andhra Pradesh, bringing rains to Rayalaseema region and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. It was likely to reach Hyderabad and Telangana region over the next 3 to 4 days, the Met Department said.The Weather bulletin issued tonight said the South West monsoon has further advanced into some parts of Rayalaseema from Kannur, Bangalore, Kadapa and some parts of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh up to Bapatla.''Conditions are favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Andhra Pradesh during the next 48 hours'', the bulletin said.The Bulletin further said the chief amounts of rainfall for the last 24 hours ending at 0830 hours, were recorded at Udayagiri (6cm), Sitarampuram (6cm), Paderu (5 cm), Yerrgondapalem (4 cm), Piduguralla, Tuni and S Kota, Amalapuram 3 cm each.
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Andhra Pradesh first to launch mobile adalat

Hyderabad,The Jun 5: The Andhra Pradesh cabinet today okayed launching of mobile lok adalat at three places in the state on a pilot scheme.It happens to be the country's first mobile lok adalat to reach specifically rural poor to settle litigations at their doorstep without any cost to them.The mobile lok adalat, one in each of the region, will be initially in Ranga Reddy district (Telangana), Kadapa (Rayalaseema) and Visakahapatnam (Coastal Andhra Pradesh), state information Minister J Geetha Reddy said in a post cabinet brief here.The state cabinet also approved Rs 26 lakhs to the each of the centre to purchase vehicle and recruitment of supporting staff on a contract basis. The initiative in this regard was taken in 2007 by the then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Justice of State High Court and the Judge-cum-Chairman Andhra Pradesh Legal Services Committee.For the establish of mobile lok adalts, the member secretary, AP state legal services authority has requested to issue necessary orders for purchase of three maruthi vans and supprting staff.Six typist cum assistant posts, three driver posts and six attender posts.
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Andhra to seek Rs.1,357 crore for cyclone relief

Hyderabad,June 5: Andhra Pradesh Saturday decided to seek assistance of Rs.1,357.42 crore from the central government for reconstruction work in areas hit by last month's cyclone Laila.The state cabinet, which met here Saturday, decided to seek the financial assistance under the National Calamity Contingency Fund and the Calamity Relief Fund. After the meeting chaired by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Minister for Information and Public Relations J. Geeta Reddy told reporters that the state government would soon submit a memorandum in this regard. The cyclone in Bay of Bengal last month caused widespread destruction in the four coastal districts of Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna and Nellore. The natural calamity claimed 28 lives, damaged civic infrastructure and the crops. Geeta Reddy said the losses due to the cyclone were estimated at Rs.1,603.22 crore. The agriculture and horticulture crops suffered a damage of Rs.171.44 crore, while damage to public infrastructure was estimated at Rs.1,302.39 crore. She said the state would be seeking Rs.51.74 crore towards rescue and relief operations, Rs.399.52 crore for temporary restoration and Rs.906.16 crore for permanent restoration works.
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National Muslim and Arab American Organizations Urge President Obama to Uphold Goals of Cairo Speech on One-Year Anniversary, in response to Gaza Flotilla Incident

(Deccan Samachar Service)June 3, 2010, The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Arab American Institute (AAI) sent a letter to White House yesterday requesting that President Barack Obama meet with Muslim and Arab American leaders to discuss the recent incident of violence against the humanitarian convoy traveling to Gaza. The incident occurred only days before the one-year anniversary of President Obama's address to the Muslim and Arab worlds in Cairo on June 6, 2009 and could compromise progress-at home and abroad-on goals laid out in the speech. "One year after Obama's Cairo speech, this tragic incident threatens to undermine both the president's efforts to broker peace between the Israelis and Palestinians and the confidence he sought to inspire in his address to the Muslim world," said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America. The letter asked that President Obama: "...demand an independent investigation into this violent attack and to ensure protections and rights for U.S. citizens who were a part of this humanitarian effort ... [and] to address this crisis in a manner consistent with the vision you advanced in Cairo and to exercise American leadership by calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza." ===================================================

Road map set for global development of telecom and ICT

Hyderabad,Jun 4: The Hyderabad Action Plan adopted today by the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference outlined a road map to foster the global development of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services over the next four-year cycle.The roll out of next-generation networks (NGN) and increased access to broadband services, wireless technologies and the Internet were recognized as catalysts to achieve the broader development goals.The Hyderabad Declaration states: ''Broad access to telecommunications and ICTs is essential for the world's collective economic, social and cultural development, and the building of a global Information Society. This access brings new opportunities for interaction amongst people, for sharing of the world's knowledge resources and expertise, for transforming people's lives, and for contributing to the global development agenda.'' The fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10), which concluded today, attracted 924 participants ''The increasing role of ICT in the life of the common man cannot be overemphasised. Keeping in view the latest technological developments in ICT, the Hyderabad declaration adopted by WTDC-10 will play a decisive role in the development of the ICT sector across the world, especially in developing countries,'' Mr P J Thomas, Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications of the Government of India, who was elected Chairman of the Conference, said. (photo by RSJ Thomas)
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World telecom meet lays roadmap for growth

Hyderabad, June 4 : The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Friday adopted the Hyderabad Action Plan, outlining a road map to foster the global development of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services over the next four years.The roll-out of next-generation networks and increased access to broadband services, wireless technologies and the Internet were recognised by the UN agency's fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference as catalysts to achieve the broader development goals. "Broad access to telecommunications and ICTs is essential for the world's collective economic, social and cultural development, and the building of a global information society," the Hyderabad declaration said. The fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10), May 24-June 4, was attended by 924 participants, including 758 government delegates from 138 countries. Policy-makers and regulators pledged to promote affordable access to telecommunications and ICTs aimed at fostering sustainable development worldwide, with attention given to least developed countries (LDCs) and countries with special needs. New opportunities arising from the widespread use of ICTs were also cited in improving e-government services such as healthcare and education and to step up the drive to alleviate poverty and create jobs, especially among poor and marginalised populations, including women, children, indigenous peoples and people with disabilities. "Mobile telephony has grown phenomenally, and as we approach the five billion-mark for mobile subscriptions later this year, it is considered to be the most rapidly adopted technology in history," ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure while addressing the closing session of WTDC-10. "Yet, the digital divide remains, particularly where accessibility to broadband services and the Internet is concerned. This broadband divide must be addressed by governments and industry as a priority if we are to fully utilise the capacity of ICTs to meet the Millennium Development Goals," he said. The conference noted that digital divide is compounded by disparities in broadband access and infrastructure between and within countries, in particular between urban and rural areas. Public and private partnerships need to be strengthened, in order to explore and further develop new and innovative ways of financing development projects, in close collaboration with international, regional and national financing and investment institutions, the declaration said. (Photo by RSJ Thomas)
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Seven held for hacking online passport software

Hyderabad, June 4 : Seven people were arrested here for hacking the online passport application software of the Hyderabad regional passport office, police said Friday.Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters that seven people, who included passport agents, were arrested and search was on for two others involved in the racket.The accused, who hacked the online software a week ago, were using it to book slots for registration of passport applications. The passport officials, who grew suspicious at some agents managing to get many slots, informed the police. The police commissioner's Task Force took up the inquiry. Police arrested main accused Latadhar Rao in Guntur. Several computers and hard disks have been seized from the accused. The police chief said they were on the lookout for two other accused. The gang was busted a day after the police commissioner announced setting up of a special police station to deal with cyber crimes. Over 100,000 applications are pending in the passport office here. There have been allegations of corruption with alleged collusion between employees and agents leading to inordinate delays in getting the passports. Last month, the passport office authorised 96 agents to receive applications for police clearance certificate and other miscellaneous services offered by it. Each agent was allowed to receive four applications for police clearance certificate and miscellaneous services and five applications for fresh passports and renewals every day.(photo by RSJ Thomas) 

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Connecting Rural Roads in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) June,03,The Ministry of Rural Development has released grant in aid worth Rs. 80,00,00,000/- (Rs. Eighty crore only) as part payment of 2nd installment of Phase VI for construction of rural roads in Andhra Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The sum is from the special window created in NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development) under RIDF as grants in aid to the Andhra Pradesh State Rural Roads Development Agency (APSRRDA). APSRRDA is the agency executing the works taken up under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in the rural areas of the country. PMGSY envisages connectivity to all habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in the rural areas and about 250 persons and above in respect of the hilly states, tribal areas and desert areas through good and all weather roads.
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Government Appoints Court of Inquiry into Mangalore Air Crash

(PIB NEWS) June,03,The Government today has appointed a Court of Inquiry into air crash of the Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-AXV which occurred near the Bajpe Airport, Mangalore on 22 May, 2010 while operating a scheduled flight IX-812 from Dubai to Mangalore resulting in the death of 158 passengers.Finding it expedient to hold an inquiry into the circumstances of the accident, the Government has appointed Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale to hold the investigation. Capt. Ron Nagar, Shri S.S. Nat, Shri Babu Peter, Shri Gurcharan Bhatura will be the assessors to the investigation. The Government has also appointed Shri S.N. Dwivedi, Director Airworthiness as Secretary to the Court. The Headquarters of the Court will be at New Delhi. The Court will complete its investigation and submit the report to the Government by 31 August 2010.
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Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Arrives in Busan to Attend G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meeting

(PIB NEWS)June,03, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrived today in Busan, South Korea on a three days visit to attend G-20 Finance Ministers Meeting scheduled to be held on 4th and 5th June,2010. Official delegation led by Shri Mukherjee includes Shri Ashok Chawla, Finance Secretary among others. G- 20 Central Bank Governors’ Meeting will also be held during this period in Busan.During his stay in Busan, Shri Mukherjee will also hold bilateral talks with UK Chancellor of Exchequer and Ex-Finance Minister of South Korea who will be Chairing the G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meet. Before participating in the deliberations of G-20 Finance Ministers Meet starting on 4th June,2010 evening, Shri Mukherjee will also attend four nation Finance Ministers Meet of BRIC countries which will be held on the sidelines of the G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meet. Major issues which are likely to dominate the G-20 Finance Ministers’ Meet include current Global Economic situation, problem of rising fiscal deficits going upto 9 percent of GDP and high debt/GDP ratios in advanced economies and an action plan to tackle them. Beside, a review will be done of actions taken so far for building a framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth to correct various global imbalances as decided in Pittsburgh Summit. This mainly includes need for fiscal contraction, promoting sound fiscal and monetary policy frameworks, building sound financial sector and adoption of collective policy options as a common strand across all group of countries for moving towards a more balanced economy. Beside above, Busan Ministerial Meet will be a stock taking exercise on the progress of regulatory reforms in financial sector which mainly include international rules on capital, leverage and liquidity, compensation reforms, OTC Derivatives and High Standard Accounting Standards and Non Cooperative Jurisdictions. There will be stress for completing the regulatory reforms as per the committed timelines. Other issues to be deliberated during G-20 Finance Ministers Meet include reform of International Financial Institutions(IFIs) which has always been part of G-20 AGENDA over the past Summits. While operational level reforms in IFIs have been achieved including increased lending capacity, creation of flexible lending facilities and liquidity provision to emerging economies. However the Strategic Reforms like governance reforms to enhance legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness of the IFIs are still under consideration of IMF. Other issues to come up before the G-20 Finance Ministers Meet include strengthening of Financial Safety Nets(FSNs) to cope with financial volatility, reducing the economic disruption from sudden swings in capital flows and perceived need for excessive reserve accumulation. Issues of energy and fossil fuel subsidies, financial inclusion and global food security are also likely to dominate the Meet.
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Shri Kapil Sibal Meets Secretary Clinton - Discusses Formation of India - US Education Council

(PIB NEWS)June,03, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal met the U.S. Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton today and discussed wide ranging issues relating to bilateral cooperation in the field of education. Shri Sibal recalled that 50 years ago India and USA had come together to establish world class institutions like IIT Kanpur. The nature of cooperation has now changed with development of India but there is great opportunity for the two countries to work together to create centres of excellence.Shri Kapil Sibal mentioned some of the major reform measures undertaken by him and said that his aim is to increase GER in Higher Education to 30% by the year 2020 which means almost tripling the enrolment from the present 14 million to about 40 million. This effort would require setting up of at least 600-700 new universities and another 35,000 colleges. Welcoming the Singh-Obama knowledge Initiative, Shri Kapil Sibal said that we need to establish a bi-national India-US Education Council having academics, entrepreneurs and government representatives as members. This Council will give further impetus to the sustained efforts being made by both sides to increase education cooperation. Shri Sibal also mentioned the 14 Innovation Universities being set up in India and said that the two sides could partner in setting some of these Innovation universities, one of which could be announced during the proposed visit of President Obama to India later this year. The two leaders also discussed the use of ICT in enhancing the Teaching- learning capabilities, research collaboration Biosciences, nano-sciences and other spheres. they also discussed the interest shown by US universities in establishing institutions in India. Secretary Clinton, who was well informed about the education developments in India, expressed keen interest in India's vision of building an educated and skilled society and suggested collaboration in areas of skill development as well, particularly through community colleges. Secretary Clinton also welcomed the proposal of India-US Education Council. Earlier during the day, Shri Sibal met Arne Duncan, Secretary Education. Shri Sibal shared his vision of education particularly reforms in education sector. The photograph of Shri Sibal with Secretary Clinton and Education Secretary Arne Duncan is available on Indian Embassy website (www.indianembassy.org.) and can be downloaded from there.
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Chidambaram inaugurates housing complex for the poor in Andhra Pradesh

Kalkiri/ Tirumala, June 3 : Union Home Minister P Chidambaram inaugurated 'Indiramma', a housing complex constructed specially for the impoverished families under a programme of the State government here on Wednesday.The complex, which has 1,600 houses, has been built in the State''s Chittoor district with support of the Central Government.Chidambaram said that the Central Government would continue to support such public welfare programmes liberally."As long as we have the wise leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, we will continue to grow at a very fast rate and if we continue to grow at a very fast rate, money will not be a problem for implementing programmes," said Chidambaram. The housing colony constructed for the poor was inaugurated along with the other welfare programmes."We are spending nearly six crore of rupees on the ''Indiramma'' houses that have been completed today," said Chidambaram.The Home Minister later visited the famous Tirumala temple to offer prayers to Lord Venkateswara.
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HMWSSB is bursted the pressure of water flows fr 2 to 4 meter height

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service) June,1, As Summer is on peak. people are in trouble to get safe drinking water , here the picture shows of main line of HMWSSB is bursted the pressure of water flows fr 2 to 4 meter height  (PHOTO BY RSJ THOMAS)==============================================

Right to education historic, will work to make it reality: PM

Describing the Right to Education Act a “historic step”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said his government will work in tandem with the states to make it a reality.“The Right to Education Act is a historic step that will give every Indian child the means to become productive, responsible and active citizen of the country. We will work in cooperation and partnership with state governments and other stakeholders to make the fundamental right to education a reality,” the prime minister said after releasing the UPA-II’s report card to mark one year in office.The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory education (RTE) Act, which came into force from April 1 this year, provides for free education to all children till Class 8. The act has been highlighted as the most prominent achievement of the human resource development (HRD) ministry.“Nothing can be more precious to us than the future of our children. It is they who will fulfil our dreams, hopes and aspirations for a better tomorrow,” the prime minister said.Stating that a number of steps have been taken in the field of higher education, Manmohan Singh said that reforms will soon be introduced in medical education as well.“We have already taken several initiatives in the field of higher education. In the coming year, we will work on reforming the system of medical studies,” he said.A tussle is on between the HRD and health ministries for keeping Medical education under their ambit. While the HRD ministry wants to include medical education under the proposed National Commission for Higher Education and Research, health ministry proposes the formation of a separate National Council for Human Resource in Health.In the field of higher education, the report card mentions the establishment of 16 central universities and six new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country.Establishing over 19,000 primary and upper primary schools, mid-day meal scheme, introduction of grading system in schools and interest subsidy on education loans to poor students with parental income less than Rs.4.5 lakh per annum are the other prominent steps mentioned in the report card.The report also includes a scheme for the establishment and management of girls’ hostels launched last year.
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CID enquiry over EAMCET leakage: Minister

Tirupati, Jun 2: State Minister for Technical Education and Law Mopidevi Venkata Raman today clarified that there is no EAMCET -2010 question paper leakage as the authorities acted timely to prevent the leakage.Briefing the press persons, Mr Raman, who arrived here to pay obeissance to Lord Venkateswara Swamy, said, ''we would conduct CID enquiry over the cheating with the aid of bluetooth-enabled microphones at Kadapa and Kurnool district during the EAMCET examinations. The guilty would be punished severely, he added.The Minister also said the fee reimbursement would be streamlined shortly as a committee had already been formed for it.
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Bomb threat stops Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Garibrath

Hyderabad, Jun 2 : The Visakhapatnam-bound Garibrath from Secunderabad was stopped at Bibinagar tonight following a bomb threat.The train, which had left Secunderabad at 2100 hrs, had hardly run for less than 30 minutes when it was stopped at Bibinagar railway station on the South Central Railways, police sources said.Soon after the Garibrath had left Secunderabad, an anonymous call was received by the railway officials that said a bomb was planted in the train. The information was immediately passed on to police who stopped the train at Bibinagar in Nalgonda district.A dog squad has been rushed to the spot even as search was on compartment by compartment for the 'bomb'. The train has already been detained at Bibinagar for nearly 30 minutes and the search was on, sources said.
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NRI IT Businessmen to invest over Rs 1500 cr in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jun 2 : The NRI-owned Small and Medium Enterprise businesses have come forward to invest over Rs 1,500 crore in Hyderabad in three phases, Small and Medium Enterprise Consortium Chairman Mahender Musuku announced today.At a breakfast meeting held in USA with the CEOs of SME companies, State Information Technology and Communications Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy appealed to the NRI businesses to consolidate their voerseas operations in Hyderabad, India, and make it as their destination city for IT and ITES needs.In response, the businesses have expressed interest in making Hyderabad as their first choice for operations, provided the companies get equal playing field, good incentives in taxation and infrastructure support.Several proposals were discussed during the meeting, including setting up an incubation center with immediate effect followed by developing a self-sustaining campus. The Minister assured full support from the state government to enable these companies to start the operations immediately.Responding to the request of some of the companies to have immediate space available, the Minister offered to lease the currently available built-up space in the Madhapur area that is owned by the department at a reasonable price pending the approval from the Government.SMEs have proposed to setup an incupation center in the heart of the city of Hyderabad for administrative and front offices with an estimaed employment for over 2,000 people in the next two years.This would be followed by the campus in the vicinity of Hyderabad where in there would be a direct employment for around 10,000 people and indirect employment for around 40,000 people with an investment of over 1500 crore. The campus would be built in three phases with the 1st phase to be completed within two years of the approvals, if any.Mr Musuku mentioned that a similar proposal was pending with the government for more than two years and requested the Minister to look into the matter favaouably. The SMEs in USA had sustained operations in India and irrespective of the recession, had been' investing in future growth plans in India. The minister assured to take up the matter immediately with the Chief Minister and respond within 30 days.
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Name party workers, not moneybags, for Rajya sabha, Naidu told

Hyderabad, June 2 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu's brother-in-law N. Harikrishna has warned him against ignoring party leaders and nominating the rich industrialists for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.Harikrishna, who is also a member of upper house of parliament, Wednesday asked Naidu to field only those who were working hard for the party. Harikrishna, son of TDP founder and former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao, met Naidu and urged him to ignore industrialists and businessmen lobbying for Rajya Sabha tickets. His remarks assumed significance in the wake of reports that Naidu was considering the names of Sujana Chowdary of Sujana Group of companies, C.M. Ramesh of Rithvik Projects, and Garikapati Mohan Rao, a contractor. NTR's son told Naidu that fielding any of them would harm the party's image and cause heartburn among those working sincerely for the party. Naidu is already under pressure from strong contenders like former central ministers K. Yerran Naidu, Ummareddy Venkateswarlu, former state ministers Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and P. Chandrasekhar and party vice president Lal Jan Basha. Naidu held a meeting with senior party leaders to decide the party's candidates for June 14 elections. Going by its strength in the assembly, TDP can win two out of six Rajya Sabha seats from the state. Ruling Congress party can win four seats with the support from its ally Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), which has decided not to field a candidate following a request from Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Five Congress members, Union Minister of State for Environment Jairam Ramesh, J.D. Seelam, V. Hanumantha Rao, Girish Sanghi and Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy and one Communist Party of India-Marxist member Penuballi Madhu are retiring from the Rajya Sabha. The Congress is yet to announce its candidates for the biennial polls to the upper house.
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Free medicines for one year to Aroygyasri patients

Kakinada, Jun 2: Patients who undergone surgeries under Arogyasri for various ailments, numbering 121, specified in the scheme could avail medicines free of cost for a period of one year, according to Dr Krishna kumar, Arogya Sri District coordinator.In a press release here today, he advised the Arogyasri patients to utilise the facility. He said special medical camps would be conducted all over the district from June 6 to June 29 where regular patients would be examined besides screening new patients for selection for treatment under the Arogyasri scheme.
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