No 'fish medicine' for kids, says Andhra rights panel

Hyderabad,May-31: A fresh controversy hit the famous 'fish medicine' therapy for asthma patients as Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission Tuesday ordered that children below the age of 14 should not be administered it.

Acting on a petition by Balula Hakkula Sangham, an NGO working for children's rights, the commission asked the Hyderabad district administration to ensure that no child below 14 years is given the 'fish medicine'.The annual event of distribution of fish medicine is to take place at Exhibition Grounds here June 8-9.The Bathini Goud family of Doodhbowli in the old city of Hyderabad has been administering the medicine free of cost for 165 years.Asthma patients from different parts of India every year gulp down a live 'murrel' fish with a yellow herbal paste in its mouth. The herbal paste, the contents of which remain a family secret, is believed to cure asthma and other respiratory diseases.The NGO president Achyut Rao said since the 'medicine' is given by the family members under unhygienic conditions, it may also spread infection.fish medicine lost its popularity in recent years after NGOs, working to inculcate scientific temper among people, termed it as a fraud and approached court.They argued that the herbal paste contains heavy metals and caused more harm than good to the patients.After the controversy, the Goud family began calling it 'fish prasadam' or holy offering.The Goud family claims that the secret formula for the herbal medicine was given to their ancestor in 1845 by a saint after taking an oath from him that it should be administered free of cost.
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Minister from Telangana quits

Hyderabad, May 31 : An Andhra Pradesh cabinet minister Tuesday submitted his resignation to the governor over the delay in carving out a separate Telangana state.Endowments Minister J. Krishna Rao, who had sent his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi March 3, met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation.He later told reporters that he had fulfilled his promise made to the students of Osmania University by submitting his resignation."I have resigned as the Congress leadership has failed to make a clear-cut announcement for formation of separate Telangana state," he said.The minister later met Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy to explain the reasons for his decision.He demanded that all the ministers and legislators from Telangana resign to exert pressure on the leadership to accord separate statehood to the region.He also announced that he would resume his 'padyatra' for the separate state on Wednesday and cautioned the government against making any attempt to stop it.The minister's 'padyatra' in Mahabubnagar district May 21 had sparked a row with the police arresting him and his cabinet colleague D.K. Aruna to avert a clash between them.Aruna opposed the 'padyatra' saying the minister had not taken her permission to undertake the visit in her constituency.Krishna Rao has resigned at a time when Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising various pro-Telangana groups, plans to intensify the agitation in the first week of June.
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NDA ready to support bill for Telangana state: Sushma Swaraj

Hyderabad, May 31: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj Tuesday urged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to bring a bill for formation of separate Telangana state in the next parliament session, assuring support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).Addressing a public meeting at Karimnagar Tuesday night, she said if the government brings a bill in the parliament session beginning in July, she would ensure that it is passed with two-third majority.Stating that she had come to the region to draw the battle-lines, Sushma Swaraj reminded Telangana MPs of Congress party of June 1 deadline set by them for their party leadership to make a clear-cut announcement on the Telangana bill.The BJP leader said her party would not rest till a separate state is achieved. "If the government brings a bill in parliament, we are ready to support it but if it fails to do so we will bring the bill and pass it after we come to power," she said.She said ever since the forcible merger with the Andhra region in 1956, the people of Telangana got only commissions, committees, formulas, documents, promises and assurances.On the Srikrishna committee, the BJP leader said it crossed all the limits by suggesting to the government the Telangana movement be suppressed through political and media management."I am ashamed at reading the contents of the secret eighth chapter of the report, in which the committee expressed the apprehension that separate Telangana state will become a Maoist state or a BJP-ruled state," she said.She however said by supporting the demand for separate Telangana state, she was not opposing the people of Andhra and pointed out that three new states were carved out during BJP-led NDA rule.Sushma Swaraj said the demand for Telangana state arose from the imbalanced growth, injustices and discrimination. She termed the movement for separate state a struggle to keep alive the region's culture and its own identity.If it is not a fight for self-esteem, 600 people would not have laid down their lives and citizens from all walks of life would not have come on to the streets," she said.
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Shutdown in Andhra town against power plant

Hyderabad, May 30 : Protests broke out again in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district against an upcoming thermal electricity project, police said.

People in Sompeta town of the district in north coastal Andhra Monday observed a shutdown demanding that the government stop work on the project which, they claimed, threatens the ecology and endangers the livelihood of local communities.Shops and business establishments remained closed in response to the shutdown call given by the Environment Protection Committee, a group of environmentalists and NGOs.Protestors, including fishermen and farmers, likely to be affected by the project, staged road and rail blockades.Police arrested dozens of protestors when they tried to stop the convoy of Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao as the latter was visiting Ichapuram.The arrested include opposition Telugu Desam Party's legislator Sai Raju's father Raja Rao.Some activists alleged that the minister was instrumental in approving the plant wo Raising slogans against the project, the protestors also squatted on the railway tracks, bringing rail traffic to a halt.The Environment Protection Committee is also demanding compensation to the families of those killed in police firing during the protests in July last year.Two people were killed and several others were injured July 14 when police opened fire at people protesting against the project by Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) at Sompeta.The National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) later overruled the environmental clearance given for the 2,640-MW project coming up at a cost of Rs.12,000 crore. Locals claim that the work had resumed on the project.Meanwhile, a group of ruling Congress leaders Monday began a visit to north coastal Andhra region to inspect thermal power project sites, special economic zones, mines and ports amid allegations that irregularities were committed in approving the projects.Member of Parliament V. Hanumantha Rao, who is leading the group, said they would urge the government to cancel the Sompeta project as it would harm the interests of farmers and fishermen.
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Auto strike from May 30 midnight

Hyderabad, May 29 : Telangana Auto Drivers' Joint Action Committee (TADJAC) today appealed to the auto drivers to participate in the 'auto bandh' from May 30 midnight to press for their demand of hike in fare in tune with the increased fuel prices.TADJAC convenor Mohd Amanullah Khan said the income of auto drivers has come down and affected their livelihood due to non-revision of auto fare in tune with the hiked diesel and petrol prices.He demanded that the minimum auto charge should be hiked to Rs 20 from Rs 14 and from Rs 10 to 20 per kilometer afterwards.Mr Khan said sealing of auto meters should also be stopped immediately until further increase of auto fares.He also demanded cancellation of e-Challan system, which was launched to target the auto drivers. The government also has responsibility to find a permanent solution to the problem of auto parking in the city, he added.
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TTDP promises to bring Telangana statehood within year

Hyderabad, May 30 : The Telangana Telugu Desam Party (TTDP) senior leader Mr Yerrabelli Dayakara Rao has said that they would bring ' Telangana statehood' within a year if everybody support the movement.Speaking on the last day of three-day annual conclave of the party after supporting the political resolution introduced by party Polit Bureau member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu yesterday here, he said all the 35 TDP Telangana MLAs were ready to work unitedly if the side cornered TRS President K Chandrasekhara Rao, who was provoking the people of Telangana and keeping silent on the issue in Parliament by siding with the Congress.The party's stand was clear and the party leader also favour the Telangana agitation, he said and lambasted the TRS supremo for failing to accost the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for its dilatory tactics on the separate Telangana issue.He also questioned why the TDP was being asked to set its flag aside when the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) , BJP and every other political party hoist their flags at the events they conduct." We will fight in favour of Telangana by holding party flags and there is no compromise," he said.Appealing to JAC Chairman Prof Kodandaram and Osmania JAC students to understand the issues, he said its party President was clear on the Telangana issue and also ready to join agitation without holding party flag if other political parties, including TRS, also followed the same suit.He also found fault with the TRS President statements that no political party except the TRS would survive in the Telangana region.Interestingly, Mr Dayakar Rao also appealed to its co-members belonging to Seemandhra at the Mahanadu stage to support Telangana issue and said the Telangana leaders would not humiliate the Seemandhra region people.Accusing the estranged party senior leader, Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy, of confusing the party and Telangana TDP leaders, he said the former himself remained confused and forced the party to take drastic action against him. said the TDP leaders of the region were always ready to fight for Telangana collectively, but they could not tolerate if any one dared to belittle the party and its leadership.
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Moderate to rather heavy rain in Coastal AP in 48 hours

Hyderabad, May 28: Moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers would occur at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh over next 48 hours.Light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at a few places over Telangana and over Rayalaseema during the same period.The outlook for subsequent two days is there would be no large change, the Met office said here today.Skies would be generally cloudy over Hyderabad and neighbourhood and rain or thundershowers would occur in parts of city over next two days.The maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 36 and 23 degrees Celsius respectively.Observations recorded till 0830 hrs today said rain occurred at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Isolated rain occurred over Rayalaseema.The heavy rainfall recorded in cm are Nuzvid (Krishna dist) 11, Tanuku (West Godavari dist) 10, Narsapur, Bhimavaram (West Godavari dist), eight each and Gudivada (Krishna dist) seven.
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ACB unearths assests worth Rs one crore

Hyderabad, May 28 :Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials today unearthed disproportionate assests worth Rs 1 crore from the house and office of Gowrishetty Amruth Kumar, Assistant City Planner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad.The ACB officials conducted searches at various places, including his office, residence at Srinagar Colony and unearthed assets including a house at P and T Colony, Hyderabad, 3 flats at Kutbiguda, Kundanbagh and Srinagar Colony and 4 plots at Rangapur Village, car, a scooter, gold weighing 897 grams and 800 grams of silver.Household articles worth about Rs ten lakh, fixed deposits of Rs four lakh and bank balances of about Rs 2.30 lakh and cash of Rs 46,000 were found, a release from ACB here said.
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CM approves 1,341 new posts in Andhra Pradesh Genco

Hyderabad, May 28: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today approved the appointment at 1,341 new posts in A P Genco to strengthen the power generation in the state.The posts included 350 Assistant Engineers, 881 Junior Plant Attendants and 110 LDC posts, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said here today.In these, Assistant Engineers and Junior Plant Attendants will be appointed through direct recruitment and LDC posts will be taken through outsourcing basis.Within the projects budget, the expenditure will be borne by A P Genco, the release added.As a special case, the Chief Minister has approved the compassionate appointments to the dependents of the employees who died in harness in Andhra Pradesh State Roard Transport Corporation (APSRTC) against the sanctioned vacancies, the release said.
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Andhra Pradesh Government,Israel to sign MoU on IT

Hyderabad, May 28: Andhra Pradesh government and Israeli government are poised to enter into a partnership to promote Information Technology and as part of it, an Israel-based IT company will spread its technical know-how in Hyderabad shortly.Both the State Government and the Hitech Industries Association (HIA) of Israel will sign a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) shortly.Prior to it, an international meet will be held in Tel Aviv, capital of Israel, from May 29 to June 3 where Andhra Pradesh State Minister for Information Technology Ponnala Laxmiah, who has been invited by the Israeli Government, will deliver his keynote address on the first day of the meet.
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BJP to hold public meeting on May 31 on 'T'issue

Hyderabad, May 28: To bring pressure on the Union Government to introduce the separate Telangana Bill in the ensuing Parliament Session, the BJP is organising a public meeting at Karimnagar on May 31.Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj would address the meeting, BJP State General Secretary Ramachander Rao said at a press conference here today.The party considers the Telangana meeting as very crucial, he said adding the party was expecting a larger turnout at the meeting, he said.In addition to anticipating huge turnout, the meeting would be marked with a lot of sensitivity with the display of Telangan a ethnic tradition and cultural programmes, he added.It may be mentioned here that the BJP has been supporting the cause of the smaller states.The proposed meeting at Karimnagar is going to be a show of strength by the party in Telangana Region as the BJP has two members in the Legislative Assembly and both from the Telangana region
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Govt having strength in Assembly:CLP

Hyderabad, May 28 : Reacting sharply to the TDP's Purported statement announced at its Mahanadu meeting yesterday that they would move no-confidence motion against Congress Government in the coming Assembly Session, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today made it clear that the Congress Government had the strength to face the no-confidence motion if the TDP or any other party moves it in the Assembly.Speaking to the mediapersons at CLP office here, Government Chief Whip M Bhatti Vikramarka said that the no-confidence motion would be against the democratic system as the Congress Government was elected by people's confidence.Alleging Mr Naidu always concentrated on Chief Minister's post instead of serving the people, he said this was proved his speeches at the ongoing Mahanadu.Expressing happiness over the statement issued by TDP on free power to the farmers for nine-hours if it comes to power, he said that TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu was following the footsteps of the Congress Party, he added.
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Police Commissioner appreciates auto driver

Hyderabad, May 27:Hyderabad City Police Commissioner A K Khan today appreciated Hyder Ali, an autorickshaw driver who had honestly handedover NRI's bag to the police and in turn the police called Mr Jilani (UK) who had forgotten the same in his auto on May 23 night and handedover the same to him.

The Commissioner announced a rewarde of Rs 2000 for his sincerity.He also appealed to all the auto drivers to follow Hyder Ali's example to gain good-will by the people in the city, a police release said here.
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Haj Committee requests to submit passports

Hyderabad, May 27 : Haj Committee chairman Janab Syed Khaleeluddin Ahmed requested all the selected Haj pilgrims and the pilgrims confirmed under reserved categories to submit their original passports in the office of the AP State Haj Committee along with a photograph before June 15.

The Chairman, in a press release, stated that the selection letters to all the selected Haj pilgrims have been dispatched to their given addresses along with their bank reference number, which they will have to enter invariably on every bank transaction.The prescribed pay-in-slip of the State Bank of India has also been sent along with the selection letters.He also requested those pilgrims who do not possess the passports to contact immediately the office of the Haj Committee in Nampally Hyderabad or the Haj society concerned in the district so that the process of obtaining passports for them could be started before June 15, the last date for submission of the passports and payment of first instalment of Rs 31,000.Chairman said the delay in this matter will forfeit the seats and after the due date is over, the seats will be allotted to the waiting list applicants automatically as per their priority numbers.

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Telugu Desham Party challenges YSR Cong party to move no-confidence motion

Hyderabad, May 27 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu today challenged YSR Congress party chief Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, to move no-confidence motion against Congress government in the state.Delivering the inaugural address at the TDP's annual conclave Mahandu at Gandipet near here, Mr Naidu said its party was strongly committed for farmers' issues and ready to move no-confidence motion against Congress party if need be.Mr Naidu asked the YSR Congress party chief, who always threatens to pull down the Congress in the state, to approach the Governor and move a no-confidence motion with his loyalists, against Congress if the latter was confident that he could topple the government. He said the TDP would support such a move.The TDP had moved a no-confidence motion on then YSR government four-years back on Obulapuram mining issue, he said and predicted that the YSR Congress party would also merge with Congress on the lines of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) soon.Alleging that the YSR Congress party was a branch of "poisonous tree" of YSR, who completely spoiled the state with rampant corruption during his tenure, Mr Naidu said Jagan Mohan has formed new party for not giving up Chief Minister's post after his father Dr YSR's death.He charged that the regime of the ruling party was full of corruption and spoiled Telugu glory achieved during the TDP regime.Meanwhile, reacting on the TDP President remarks, the YSR Congress party official spokesperson Gattu Ramachandra Rao in a press conference said his party was ready to support if the TDP moved no-confidence motion against the Congress government.
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Tributes paid to NTR on birth anniversary

Hyderabad, May 28: Rich tributes were paid to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T. Rama Rao Saturday on his 88th birth anniversary.NTR's family members, TDP leaders and prominent personalities from different walks of life paid tributes at NTR Ghat on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake here.His services to the people were also remembered during Mahanadu or the state-level conclave of TDP which began here Friday. Led by TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, the party paid glowing tributes to the founder.NTR's sons Harikrishna, Balakrishna, Ramakrishna, grandson Junior NTR, son-in-law N. Chandrababu Naidu, daughter Bhuwaneswari and other family members paid floral tributes at NTR Ghat.NTR's second wife Lakshmi Parvathi paid separate tributes at NTR Ghat. Addressing Mahanadu, Naidu demanded that the centre confer the Bharat Ratna on NTR in recognition of his services to the people.NTR, a popular Telugu actor, had launched TDP in 1982 and created a record of sorts by coming to power within nine months, ending the single party rule of the Congress.NTR died in January 1996, a few months after he was unseated from power by his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu.
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Disabled persons call on Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy

Hyderabad, May 26: Physically challenged people and their representatives today called on Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and voiced their long pending demands.The Chief Minister patiently heard them and directed the officials to look into the issues and resolve them, a release from Chief Minister's Office here said.The Chief Minister announced hike in marriage incentive to those marrying a physically-challenged person from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.The Chief Minister also announced that the economic support scheme or subsidy for them had been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000 on par with SCs and STs.The Chief Minister said that Aarogyasri Scheme will be extended to all the physically-challenged and he also agreed to positively consider Indiramma houses and agricultural lands for them.The Chief Minister also agreed to consider bus travel concessions for them within the districts and promised stringent action against harassment of physically-challenged women.
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TRS, YSR Congress woo suspended TDP leader

Hyderabad, May 26 : After being suspended Tuesday from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the party's politburo member and senior leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy is mulling his future action as opposition parties are wooing him.

Nagam began consultations with his colleagues and followers Thursday as Telanga Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and YSR Congress party initiated efforts to woo him to their ranks. But the former minister is keeping his cards close to his chest.With the TDP also planning to urge assembly Deputy Speaker N. Manohar to disqualify Nagam as legislator, the senior leader from Mahabubnagar district is contemplating to quit the assembly.Two TDP legislators from the Telangana region, Harishwar Reddy and Jogi Ramna, have already thrown their weight behind Nagam. Harishwar has even claimed that 25-30 legislators would join hands with them.Nagam, who served as minister for 12 years in the Andhra Pradesh cabinets led by the late N.T. Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu, told reporters that he would decide on his future action after consultations with other like-minded leaders and followers.At its emergency meeting Tuesday night, the TDP politburo suspended Nagam for what it called anti-party activities.For the last few days, the senior leader had been targeting party president Chandrababu Naidu for his "u-turn" on the demand for separate Telangana state. He even organised two public meetings without party flag."I only want Mr. Naidu to abide by the stand taken by the party before last elections," said Nagam.Continuing his tirade against Naidu, he said by suspending him Naidu had proved himself a leader of seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions).He said if Naidu goes on suspending leaders for raising the demand for Telangana, the party would have no future in Telangana.Meanwhile, TRS leader Jitender Reddy called on Nagam and reportedly requested him to join the party. YSR Congress party leader Gone Prakash Rao also called on the suspended TDP leader to join the newly-floated outfit.
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Chief Minister directs steps cut down to IMR, MMR

Hyderabad, May 26: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy directed the officials to take steps in a focussed manner to reduce the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternity Mortality Rate (MMR) in the State.The Chief Minister said the IMR and MMR, which is comparatively high in the State, has to be brought down and all steps towards this taken immediately, a release from Chief Minister's Office said here.Mr Reddy said steps like motivating institutional delivery and providing nutritional food to pregnant woman should be taken up on a mission mode throughout the State and in a fast expanding progressive State like Andhra Pradesh, "there is no reason why we cannot cut down the IMR and MMR drastically." The Chief Minister held a detailed review of the Women, Child Welfare and Disabled Welfare Departments, functioning of the Juvenile Welfare and Women Cooperative Finance Corporation and AP Foods with the head of the departments and said that large scale Skill Development and Job Training programmes should be taken up with the Women Coop Corporation as the nodal agency.The Chief Minister said huge funds could be leveraged from the Centre as the Finance Commission is very much focussed on Skill Development and job training to various sections of the people
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Railway booking clerk attacks woman passenger

Vijayawada, May 26: A petty altercation over issuing of a railway ticket led a railway booking clerk to attack a woman passenger in which she sustained head injury at the railway station here.police said the victim, Varalakshmi, tried to take ticket to Palasa in Srikakulam district in general queue which led to the altercation with booking clerk Mohan Babu.The booking clerk, in a fit of rage, hit on her head with a wooden plank 'She received injury and was shifted to the railway hospital'.The Divisional Commercial Manager suspended the accused and the railway police took the clerk into custody.
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