Police seize highly explosive material in AP dist

Nizamabad,Jun 22 : The police on a tip off recovered highly expolsive material from a house at Ramadugu village in the Dharpally mandal of the district today.According to police, over five quintals of explosive material stocked in several bags in the house was recovered.Police were interrogating the owner of the house, Rajanna, who reportedly told the police that he had given the house on rent three years back to a person.Investigation was going on, police added.
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17 killed, 39 injured in lorry tractor collision

Warangal, Jun 22 : At least 17 people, including a bridegroom, were killed and 39 others injured when a bamboo laden lorry rammed from behind into two tractor trollies with a marriage party of tribals at Birsettigudem, about 100 km from here in the wee hours today.The bridegroom, identified as Nagesh, died at the hospital less than 24-hours after he tied the nuptial knot to Sunitha, who was battling with her life at Mahbubabad Area Hospital, police said.The marriage party in two tractor trolly had just stopped less than 100 metres from their residence to offer ritual prayers at the village temple before entering the tribal hamlet in a procession, accompanied by band and instrument.The lorry in high speed which was carrying wood for a Rayon factory dashed the tractor trollies from the rear and mowed over the marriage party, killing 12 on the spot, including the five band group, who accmpanied the bride from the neighbouring Khammam district.The injured, including the couple, were shifted to the Mahbubabad Area Hospital where the bridegroom died.The condition of five of them was critical and they were brought to MGM hospital here for critical medical care.Police have sent parties for the driver who fled the scene reportedly under drunken condition.
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Vice President Presents G.D.Birla International Awrds

The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari with the awardees and the trustees of the award after presenting G.D. Birla International Award – 2008, in New Delhi on June 21, 2010.       (Photo by PIB No.CNR-32144)
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(PIB NEWS) June,21,The Vice-President of India Shri M.Hamid Ansari presented the G.D.Birla International Awards in the presence of distinguished gathering at a function here today. Describing the awardees as role models and worth emulating, the Vice President applauded the Birla Academy of Art and Culture for instituting these awards and for recognizing the outstanding work of the awardees. This Award is a source of inspiration to those who make earnest efforts, benefiting masses with their contributions to Humanity, Rural Upliftment and associate themselves not only in preserving but also spreading the rich Cultural Heritage of India.The Award for Humanism was given to Mrs. Zokhumi Vankung , an eminent social activist from North East who made significant contribution for the benefit of Spastic, handicapped children and empowerment of women by helping in creation of an institution called “Gilead Special School ” and working for betterment of those needing humanitarian assistance. The Award for Preservation of India’s Cultural Heritage was conferred on Mr. P V Dhanjayans and Mrs. Shanta Dhanjayans, a famous couple known propagating Indian Dances and while maintaining their identity,collaborating them with International form of dances bring fresh wave of innovations. In the category of Rural Upliftment, the Award was presented to Dr. Percy Barnevik, a Swedish National who after retirement from a MNC devoted his life and retirement funds in transforming the socio-economic environment in rural and remote areas of Distt. Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu and achieving the success, replicating in other part of India and world. Smt. Sarala Birla, Chairperson of Birla Academy of Art & Culture which has instituted these Awards also appreciated and welcomed the contributions made to various segments of the society and invited all to join hands to make a better India.
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By-polls to 10 assembly seats in Telangana July 27

Hyderabad, June 21 : By-elections to 10 Assembly seats in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh will be held on July 27, while the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has decided to challenge in court the Election Commission's decision against conducting polls in two other constituencies.The Election Commission Monday announced that by-polls will be held to Sirpur, Chennur (SC), Mancherial, Yellareddy, Nizamabad (Urban), Koratla, Dharmapuri (SC), Huzurabad, Siddipet and Warangal West Assembly constituencies. It decided aggainst holding the by-polls for two assembly seats - Vemulawada and Sircilla - as the election petitions against the winning candidates in last year's elections were still pending in court. The bye-elections were necessitated by the resignations of all 10 legislators of TRS and one each of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in February in support of the demand for a separate Telangana state. Chief Electoral Officer I.V.Subba Rao told reporters here that the poll notification would be issued on July 2. The last date for filing nominations would be July 9, while the scrutiny would take place the next day. He said July 12 would be the last date for withdrawal of nominations. According to the poll schedule, counting of votes would take place July 30. Subba Rao said the model code comes into force with immediate effect in the districts in which the constituencies fall. TRS chief K.Chandrasekhara Rao reacted strongly to the decision against holding polls in two constituencies. Terming it a "political conspiracy", he said he would challenge it in court. "This is an undemocratic move and we will challenge it in high court," he said. The TRS leader's son, K.Tarakarama Rao, was elected from Sircilla constituency in last year's elections by a thin majority of 171 votes. A petitioner has claimed that the votes were not counted properly. In Vemulawada, Ch. Ramesh of TDP was elected but a contestant filed a petition contending that Ramesh is not a citizen of India.
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Andhra Pradesh by-elections July 27

New Delhi, June 21 : The Election Commission Monday announced by-elections for 10 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh July 27.While the date of issue of notification is July 2, the last date of making nominations is July 9. The nominations will be scrutinised the next day, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 12. Polls to the 10 assembly constituencies will be held July 27 and will be held between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Votes will be counted July 30, the poll panel said. According to the commission, the model code of conduct will come into force with the announcement. Electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used during the by-elections. "Adequate numbers of EVMs have been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the poll is conducted smoothly with the help of these machines," the commission said in a statement here. Elections were scheduled to take place in 12 constituencies. But as petitions have been filed in two, the commission is holding polls for 10 assembly seats, the poll panel said. It said in the assembly constituencies of Vemulawada and Sircilla, election petitions are pending as petitioners have sought to be declared elected. Elections will be held in Sirpur, Chennur, Mancherial, Yellareddy, Nizamabad (Urban), Koratla, Dharmapuri, Huzurabad, Siddipet and Warangal West.
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GVK signs contract with Hyundai, L and T

Hyderabad, Jun 21 : GVKPIL, which owns and operates 915 MW gas-based Combined Cycle Power Plants in Andhra Pradesh located close to K-G basin gas sources is planning to substantially augment its generation capacity over the next five years.As part of the expansion program, it will be installing an 800MW (2x392.24MW) gas-based Combined Cycle Power Plant at its Gautami plant site at a cost of Rs 3,200 crore.GVK has signed EPC agreements with the Consortium of Hyundai Engineering Company Limited, Korea and Larsen and Toubro, Chennai.The implementation of the 2x392.24MW Power Project on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis envisages nstallation of advanced class Siemens single shaft gas turbine generators, unfired triple pressure HRSGs with reheat and state-of-the-art plant controls.The first unit of the project is scheduled to go into commercial operation in the first quarter of 2013.GVK Chairman GVK Reddy, in a statement said the company plans to further increase the installed capacity by adding a third unit of about 400 MW in Gautami at a later date.
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Andhra seeks 80 companies of paramilitary forces for by-polls

Hyderabad, June 21 : Andhra Pradesh has sought 80 companies of paramilitary forces, or nearly 8,000 troopers, from the central government for by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Telangana region, an official said Monday.State police chief R.R.Girish Kumar told reporters in Karimnagar town that the state needed the additional troopers for smooth and peaceful conduct of the polls. Seeking cooperation from all for the polls, the director general of police warned of strict action against those creating trouble. "In a democracy everybody has a right to campaign. If anybody tries to create trouble, we will take action as per the law," he said. His warning was an obvious reference to the threats by Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) and other pro-Telangana groups to stop both the ruling Congress and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from contesting the by-elections, likely to be held in July-August. JAC is pressurising Congress and TDP not to field candidates to allow unanimous election of those who resigned in February this year to demand separate Telangana state. All 10 legislators of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the TDP and the Bharatiya Janata Party had quit to press the demand for separate Telangana state to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh. Some pro-Telangana student groups Sunday threatened to stall Chief Minister K.Rosaiah's visit to Nizamabad district where by-election is scheduled for one assembly seat. The Election Commission is likely to issue poll notification this week. Meanwhile, TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with senior party leaders to discuss the strategy for the by-elections.
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Expert rues lack of steps on heart disease prevention

Tirupati,Jun 21 : 'We have advanced technology in India compared to other countries but we are lagging in taking preventive steps against heart attacks in the country,' Apollo Hospitals (Chennai) Senior Cardiologist Dr Y Y C Reddy said here.Addressing the press last evening, Dr Reddy, who visited the temple town to brief on the steps taken to help people better understand risk for cardiovascular disease, said though advanced technology could save life, awareness should be created among youngsters, especially those between 30-35 years, on prevention of heart attacks.Apollo had embarked on a campaign titled 'billion heart beatings' for creating awareness among youngsters on prevention of heart diseases roping in NGOs.As per medical studies, heart attacks can be predicted from hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol levels.Consumption of five varieties of vegetables, lifestyle alteration and use of olive oil were most beneficial for health.
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CLP urges JAC not to obstruct CM tour in Telangana

Hyderabad, Jun 20 : The Congress Legislature Party today urged the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Students of Osmania University not to obstruct the tour programme of Chief Minister K Rosaiah in Telangana region as it would hamper development activities.Addressing a press conference, Information and Public Relations Minister J Geeta Reddy in the presence of Endowments Minister G Venkata Reddy, said it was wrong on the part of the JAC students to disturb the tour of Chief Minister.She said agitation and separate Telangana state demand was different from development.'We need developemnt of Telangana. Obstruction to the Chief Minister tour amounted to stalling the development of the region,' she said.She appealed the JAC students to allow the Chief Minister to tour Telangana as the developmental activities which were going on in the region would further improve for the benefit of the people of Telangana. She said though revenue collections had come down last year due to agitations and disturbances, the state government continued the welfare schemes and developmental activities launched by former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. Mr Venkata Reddy said despite financial crunch, the goverrment had not taken any overdraft for the last six years whereas the TDP during its tenure depended only on overdraft.''As the government maintained the fiscal management in a perfect manner, the government has not crossed the FRBM limits so far,' he added.Stating that there was 25 per cent difference of revenue collections in the state between 2009 and 2010, he said inspite of global recession, the state had managed to implement the welfare schemes for the benefit of the people.
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Tension between BJP, JD-U ‘a drama’: Lalu Prasad

Terming reports of the growing rift between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) “nautanki (drama)”, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Sunday dared the BJP to snap ties and contest the coming Bihar polls on its own.“Both of them are playing a drama. They will go together,” Lalu Prasad said at a press conference here, claiming that the BJP-JD(U) alliance was an outcome of their “Laluphobia” over a decade ago.“The BJP should snap ties with JD-U and withdraw support from Nitish Kumar government to prove that it has self-respect,” he said.He also said it was time Nitish Kumar should sever ties with BJP. “No more drama over advertisements featuring him and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi… he realised the danger of Modi and BJP after running the government for four and half years with the BJP,” Lalu Prasad said.Referring to Nitish Kumar’s decision to return the Rs.5 crore aid given by the Gujarat government during Kosi floods in 2008, Lalu Prasad said that it was wrong. “The assistance provided by Gujarat government during floods in 2008 was not the personal money of Narendra Modi but that of people of Gujarat,” he said.The RJD chief also said he wanted to know from the Bihar government about the huge amount of relief materials sent by Gujarat government.“Two trains full of relief materials were sent by Gujarat government. Were they distributed among flood victims or not?” he asked, demanding Nitish Kumar make public all details of relief assistance provided by various state governments, public agencies and others.The rift between JD-U and the BJP widened Sunday, with Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi boycotting a joint march in rural Patna and the chief minister quickly hitting back by cancelling a similar event here later in the day.The Sushil Modi-Nitish Kumar face-off came even as top leaders of the two parties flexed their muscles over differences that seem to threaten their alliance ahead of assembly elections in October this year.Sushil Modi stayed away from the Sunday morning ‘Vishwas Yatra’ (Confidence March) at Paliganj in rural Patna, a day after the chief minister returned the Rs.5 crore aid money given by the Gujarat government during the Bihar floods in 2008.Nitish Kumar has justified his decision, saying the Gujarat government and Narendra Modi erred by talking about their aid to Bihar. “What they did was against the principles of our culture,” he said.
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Minor married to 45-year-old man in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, June 20 : In the third incident of its kind in four days, a 16-year-old girl was forcibly married to a 45-year-old man here Sunday. After the wedding, the girl managed to contact the police and lodged a complaint.Kamakshi, in her complaint at Panjagutta police station, claimed that she was married against her wish. She also told the police that she was a minor. Her parents, however, claimed that she was 19-years-old and was earlier married to a man from Vijayawada. She got divorced a few months ago, they said. The girl's father, M. Prasad, told reporters that the second marriage took place with her consent and with the hope that she would live happily. Police said they had sent the girl for medical examination to determine her age. "Any action will be taken after determining her age," Sub-inspector of Police Ravi Kumar said. This is the third incident of its kind in Andhra Pradesh in the last four days. Police arrested a 58-year-old man in Rajahmundry town June 17 after he married a 14-year-old girl. On Saturday, a 57-year-old man, a native of Rajasthan, was arrested in Rajendernagar near Hyderabad for allegedly marrying a minor.
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Infant murdered in Hyderabad, parents suspected

Hyderabad, June 20: A one-and-half-month-old infant was allegedly murdered at her house here Sunday. Police suspect the involvement of her parents.The girl's mother Sujata told police that three people barged into her house in Raghuvendra Society in Kukatpally area early Sunday and killed her child by drowning her in a bucket full of water. The woman claimed that she was tied by the attackers before they killed the child. They caused no harm to her elder daughter, who is two years old. Sujata said her husband was away when the incident took place. However, contradictory statements given to the police by Sujata and her husband created doubt. Police said they had not yet found any proof of attackers forcing their way into the house and committing the crime. The parents were being questioned with the police suspecting that they killed the infant as they were reportedly depressed over the birth of a second girl child.
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Swine flu returns to Andhra, two fresh cases in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, June 19 : Swine flu has returned to haunt Andhra Pradesh with two fresh cases reported in Hyderabad Saturday, health officials said.One person was admitted to Government Chest Hospital and the other to Gandhi Hospital with symptoms of swine flu. The officials have not given the details of the patients. The fresh cases were reported a day after a 32-year-old man, undergoing treatment since June 14 at a private hospital, died of swine flu in the port city of Visakhapatnam Friday. Relatives of the deceased said he had gone to East Godavari district for a function last week, where he developed swine flu symptoms. This is the first swine flu death in the state this year. The first case of swine flu this year was reported last week, when a 21-year-old pregnant woman from Medak district tested positive. Following the fresh cases, health authorities in the state have gone on alert to take precautionary measures to check swine flu. As many as 54 people died of swine flu in the state last year. Nearly 800 cases were reported. The first swine flu case in India was detected at Hyderabad airport on May 16 last year. Most of the deaths were reported in September-October. Health officials and doctors have sounded an alert as the onset of monsoon is believed to be the reason for fresh cases. The authorities are on high alert in areas bordering Karnataka and Maharashtra, where several swine flu cases were reported during the last few days. K.Subhakar, chief coordinator of the Government Chest Hospital said the cold climate offers the perfect conditions for H1N1 virus to multiply rapidly.
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First swine flu death in city

Visakhapatnam, Jun 18 : Swine flue claimed the first victim in this city when a youth died today.According to District nodal Officer Dr S Devi, a railway employee's son Appanna (30) died this evening at Care hospital.Appanna tested positive after he was admitted to the Private Corporate Care hospital on June 14.The samples were sent to Mumbai for testing. Dr Devi also told that the youth residing at Dondaparthy Junction near the railway quarters was put on ventilator. The treatment was being given to him since last four days.
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Andhra Pradesh announces new industrial policy

Hyderabad, June 18 :Andhra Pradesh Friday announced a new industrial policy for the next five years, aiming to attract Rs.15,000 crore investment annually and create 500,000 jobs every year.The policy has set a target of 17 percent growth in manufacturing and increased investment subsidy for micro and small enterprises from Rs.15 lakh to Rs.20 lakh. The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister K.Rosaiah, approved the policy for 2010-2015, which offers a series of incentives, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Information and Public Relations Minister J.Geeta Reddy told reporters that it was the best industrial policy in the country with potential to transform Andhra Pradesh into the top investment destination. The policy, which comes into effect from July 1, focuses on MSMEs and food processing units. It is also aimed at facilitating reduction of regional and sub-sectoral imbalances. The government will promote industries along the gas pipeline laid in the state to take advantage of the availability of natural gas. The policy has also changed the definition of a mega project by enhancing the existing limit of Rs.100 crore investment to Rs.250 crore. "However, any project creating employment for more than 2,000 persons is also proposed for consideration of special package of incentives under mega projects," said a government statement. The policy offers 75 paise reimbursement of power cost for each unit. The present electricity tariff for industry is Rs.3.53 per unit, the lowest compared to other industrially developed states. The government will provide Rs.100 crore every year for promotion of industrial infrastructure for micro and small enterprises. The other highlights of the new policy includes 25 percent of VAT (value added tax) reimbursement for large and medium enterprises, 50 percent VAT reimbursement for small enterprises, 5 percent additional subsidy to women entrepreneurs, 10 percent of plots to women entrepreneurs in the new industrial estates, special incentives for entrepreneurs belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
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Assets worth Rupees 1.63 crore seized from APIIC Dy Zonal Manager

Hyderabad, Jun 18 : ACB sleuths today unearthed assets worth Rupees 1.63 crore during simultaneous raids at the office and residence of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited Deputy Zonal Manager (Shamshabad Zone) K Gopal Reddy.The sleuths registered a case of disproportionate assets against the accused after conducting simultaneous searches at different places covering his office and residence at Maruthi Nagar, Kothapet and Hyderabad and unearthed movable and immovable assets possessed by the accused in his name and in the names of his family members worth about Rs 1.63 crore, a release here said. The immovable assets include Two G+2 houses (one each at New Maruthi Nagar and L B Nagar in Hyderabad), one Flat at Saroornagar, Eight house plots in and around Hyderabad city. The official value of these immovable properties is to the tune of Rs 1.33 crore. The searches also unearthed Rs 96,000 in Cash, four gold biscuits and gold ornaments weighing about 887 gm worth about Rs 13 lakh, two kg of silver ornaments worth about Rs 50,000, bank balances of Rs 4.18 lakh, one Ford car worth Rs six lakh, one Maruti car worth Rs 1.50 lakh, one Pulsar Motorcycle worth over Rs 40,000 and household articles worth about Rs 3.20 lakh.The total value of the movable assets was about Rs 29.74 lakh. The total recorded value of movable and immovable assets possessed by the accused was about Rs 1.63 crore though the market value of the assets would be more than Rs five crore. The searches were in progress. The accused was arrested and produced before Principal Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases, Hyderabad, the release added.
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Andhra Pradesh Wakf Board CEO caught taking bribe

Hyderabad,June 17: Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) B.S. Farooq Ahmed was Thursday caught red handed while taking a bribe.Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials said the CEO was caught when he was taking Rs.1 lakh from a person who wanted a job in the Wakf Board. An official said Farooq had demanded Rs.2 lakh from Arshad, a youth from Kadapa district, to appoint him as a security guard. Farooq was caught while taking Rs.1 lakh. ACB officials raided Farooq's house to conduct a thorough probe into his assets. Wakf Board, run by the state government, looks after movable and immovable properties dedicated by Muslims for religious and charitable purposes.
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Man arrested for marrying minor

Hyderabad,June 17: A 58-year-old man was Thursday arrested in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district after he married a minor girl, police said.
The bridegroom, an employee of the state-owned Road Transport Corporation, married a girl - said to be 14 years old - at a temple in Rajahmundry town of the district this morning. However, protests by local people forced him to leave the place in a hurry with his bride. The man, who hails from Vemulawada in West Godavari district, was arrested later on charges of kidnapping and cheating as the marriage reportedly took place without the consent of the girl. Police said they would send the girl for medical examination to establish her age as her parents have claimed that she is 18 years old.
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Two blast accused brought to Hyderabad

Hyderabad, June 17: Two activists of a Hindu terror group accused in the October 2007 blast in the Ajmer Sharif dargah were Thursday brought here by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in the Mecca Masjid bombing in May the same year.Devender Gupta and Lokesh Sharma, both members of Hindu terror group Abhinav Bharat, were produced before a court, which sent them to judicial custody for two weeks. CBI sources said the two were later shifted to Chanchalguda Central Jail amid tight security. This is the first time that the accused have been brought to Hyderabad after their involvement in the Mecca Masjid blast came to light in April. Nine people were killed in the blast during Friday prayers at the mosque May 18, 2007. Five more people were killed in the subsequent police firing on protesters outside the mosque. The CBI, which brought the two accused on transit remand, will move a petition to seek their custody for interrogation. The investigating agency will try to find out if they received any local help in carrying out the blast at the 17th century mosque here. On a petition by the CBI, 14th additional chief metropolitan magistrate court had last week issued a warrant to present them in the court. The CBI had informed the court that two other accused, Sandeep and Ramchandra, were absconding and efforts to nab them were on. Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K.Khan told reporters that the city police would provide all assistance to the CBI. Gupta and Sharma were arrested by Rajasthan Police in April this year in connection with October 2007 blast at Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi dargah in Ajmer, which had claimed one life and injured 30 others. The CBI believes that both the blasts were the handiwork of the same group.
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Congress to submit views on Telangana before Srikrishna panel

Hyderabad,June 17: The Justice Srikrishna Committee, looking into the demand for separate statehood for the Telangana region, will hear the views of the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh on the issue next month. The Congress is the only party that is yet to present its views on the contentious matter.Srikrishna told reporters Thursday that the committee has invited the Congress party to submit its arguments on July 5, 6 and 7. Though all the parties, including the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), have submitted their arguments before the panel during last three months, the Congress had been avoiding a meeting. As the party is divided on the statehood issue along regional lines, two to three groups are likely to meet the committee separately to put forth their views. "We don't know how many groups from the Congress party will come to meet us," said Srikrishna, who is heading the five-member committee. The Srikrishna committee had last month heard different groups of the TDP on the Telangana issue. The Congress had postponed its scheduled meetings with the panel on two occasions in the past. Leaders of both TDP and Congress from Telangana support the demand for a separate state while their counterparts from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions are opposed to it. To a query, Srikrishna said the committee would meet TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, if necessary, to elicit his views. The committee met 100 groups and 1,000 individuals during the last three months. "We are in the process of gathering information and inputs. We are sure that the train is progressing on time and will reach the destination on time," he said. The committee, formed by the central government in February after violent protests for and against a separate Telangana, has been asked to submit its report by December 31. The committee, which heard the views of various sections of the Telugu diaspora through video conference, has almost completed its process of consultations with various political and non-political groups. The panel will begin region-wise visits next month to elicit the people's opinion. It held a meeting with Chief Secretary S.V. Prasad as part of the preparations for regional visits and also to seek region-wise information from various departments. The committee's member secretary, V.K. Duggal, said they would not visit those Telangana districts where by-elections to 12 assembly constituencies are scheduled in August. He denied that the committee had urged the Election Commission to postpone the by-polls.
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