Switch to: తెలుగు
Home Tags Andhra Pradesh

Special Status : War Clouds Gather in Andhra Pradesh

Telugu360
-
0

The “special status’  is  generating too much heat in Andhra Pradesh. The remark of union planning minister Rao Inderjit Singh that no state was special, stirred up harnet’s nest in the state. political parties are sharpening their knives to attakc TDP and BJP. The BJP, however, is trying to distance itself from TDP on the issue stating Centre was ready to assist the state in every possible way in lieu of special status. For BJP the special status is a settled matter. 14 th finance commission addressed it  and matter is fait accompli.

Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi, who visited the state last week and assured to the people that was ready to visit any place to fight for Special Status, on Saturday telephoned APCC president N Raghuvira Reddy to inform him that he would go to any extent to fight for special status to AP. He said all Congress MPs are meeting on Monday in New Delhi to prepare an action plan. Raghuvira Reddy said APCC would formulate its own action plan.

Even CPM also pitched in. Senior leader Prakash Karat said CPM would fight for AP’s cause.
“Just because special status was UPA government’ commitment NDA is not supposed to deny the much wanted special status to AP. We will fight for it,” Karat said in Hyderabad.

Karat

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who address party workers in Vijayawada today is said have opined that Andhra Pradesh which faced painful division should not be equated with other states for the application of general fund devolution formula.

Naidu

“Andhra Pradesh has been divided against our wishes. It was centre who thrust division on us. We were denied capital, revenue, water, power etc. To recover from the division A P needs special status. We want special treatment  from the centre. We will continue to put pressure on centre,” he told TDP extended meeting.

BJP however defended the union minister statement. Purandeswri, the rising star of BJP in Andhra firmament, said state’s requirements had already been taken care of by 14 th Fiance Commission. The 14 th Finance Commission had increased to devolution of funds to states up to 60 per cent to meet the growing requirements. And the centre was ready to extend all support to the AP, she told media in Vizag.

Capture

In menatime, Anantapur MP J C Diwakar Reddy, who is known for bizarre statements, today said in Vijayawada that chief minister knows it pretty well that the special status was not a realizable demand. “So, we are fighting to get more funds to state of Andhra pradesh,” he said rediculing Pawan Kalyan’s statement that TDP MPs were not doing enough on the demand.

Capture

“It seems he has a plan to hit the streets to get special status. We have staged dharnas in parliament, stalled the House and represented many union ministers. If Pawan Kalya is ready to lead us , we would  walk behind him,” he said in Vijayawada.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

AP Cabinet fails to react on Centre’s NO to spl. status

Telugu360
-
0
AP Cabinet fails to react on Centre’s NO to spl. status

Andhra Pradesh cabinet which met for the first time in Vijayawada fell short of meeting expectations of opposition demand vis-à-vis the centre’s categorical statement that they had no plan accord special status to any state. The cabinet met for eight ours and discussed many things such as unveiling a bronze statue of Dr Kalam, exgratia and house to the parents of Rishiteswari, constructing houses for poor, completion of Polavaram by 2018 and inauguration of Pattiseema on August 15 etc, but failed to react on the planning minister’s clarification on the demand for special status.

Out side, YSR Congress has called for a dharna in New Delhi, CPI is observing state-wide bandh on August 11, and some intellectuals are planning to agitate for special status. The cabinet, though reportedly not happy at the statement, failed to make this apparent.
Opposition parties have demanded an ultimatum to NDA government on the issue by Naidu. YSRC wants Naidu to pull out of NDA government. TDP has two ministers, one cabinet (P Ashok Gajapati Raju ) and MoS (YS Chowdary). The refusal to express displeasure by the state cabinet is indicative of the fact that Naidu doesn’t want to antagonize NDA government at a time when PM Narendra Modi is maintaining equi-distance with TRS and YSRC.

Chief minister Chandrababu Naid is said to have asked the cabinet to take light of the union minister Inderjit Singh’s statement on special status.” The statement doen’t make any difference. We will continue our efforts to get the special status tag to Andhra Pradesh,” is all what he reportedly told his cabinet colleagues.

Briefing to media finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu admitted that the state was subjected to all -round injustice. ” We have been promised special category status at the time of AP Reorgnization bill passage. We have been assured of special package, special assistance to cover up the revenue loss, financial assistance to capital. Many a time we raised these issues, lates being with 14 finance commission. Our requests have fallen deaf ear. Neither centre, nor 14 th finance commission fulfilled our demands. The 14 finance commission, instead of recommending special grant, simply applied all India scale. What is the assistance you (centre) extended to a state which was subjected division, revenue loss, capital loss, resources loss etc.” Yanamala lamented. Still, he said, the government would continue raise these issues till justice was done to Andhra Pradesh he said.

The cabinet , which paid rich tributes to Kalam, decided to unveil a bronze statue in Acharya Nagarjuna University. Similarly Ongole IIIT would be named after Dr Kalam. The government would give Rs 10 lakh as exgratia and 500 yard hose site in Rajamundry for parents of Rishiteswari, who committed suicide following ragging in Nagarjuna University.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Speical status not possible: Centre tells Lok Sabha

Telugu360
-
0
Speical status not possible: Centre tells Lok Sabha

The NDA government has finally let the cat out of the bag.

Much to the chagrin of its regional partner Telugu Desam, the planning minister Rao Jitender Singh made it clear that  there was no plan with the center to accord special status to any state.  The minister said it on the floor of Lok Sabha to the  members agitating for the special status to Andhra Pradesh during question hour.

The unambiguous statement from the minister came at a time when  union minister of state for science and technology YS Chowdary has been day in and day out claiming that the decision on special status is in the final stages of announcement.

However, there are no takers for Sujana Chowdary’s statement. The TDP MPs  last week staged dharna in the parliament premises demanding the special status to Andhra Pradesh, though this was in response to the jabs taken at them by movie star Pawan Kalyan who said the businessmen-MPs were doing more business than fighting for rights of the state like special category status.

Similarly, another movie star Sivaji also entered the fray to fight for the special category status. Sivaji appointed convener of a joint action committee set up to take forward the movement.

Even though the demand is gaining momentum, the TDP government, being a partner of the NDA, not able to raise the matter beyond a point. Because, Prime Minister Mody has been maintaining an honorable distance from Naidu ever since he entered the 7 RCR. Besides, the TDP is only an important ally of BJP,  its support is not critical to NDA. Hamstrung by these factors Naidu has long back stopped demanding special status. Rao Inderjig  Singh’s statement is more embarrassing for the TDP  than the pressure being built by YSRC, Congress and CPI.

Inderjin Singh was categorical in that  no proposal for according special status on any state was pending with the centre. “There are no criteria for bestowing the special status. But, we can’t give special status to any state. There has been, however, a proposal to give special financial packages to some state. Government is yet to take a decision on financial packages,” the union minister told the House.

Let us watch how TDP supremo reacts to the Centre’s statement.

 

 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Why is Naidu in a Hurry to Move to Vijayawada ?

Telugu360
-
0
Why is Naidu in a Hurry to Move to Vijayawada ?

Why is Naidu in so much a hurry to relocate himself to Vijayawada? Today the cabinet meeting is being held in the city, to show his resolve to shift his base. He announced that he would work for three days every week from the camp office here. He appointed P Krishnamohan, registrar of college of architecture ,as OSD in CMCO in Vijayawada.

Earlier, he again appointed a new committee of officials to identify the department and persuade the employees to shift to temporary capital.

The thought of relocating all heads of the department(HoD) is one year old. In 2014 also he
set up a committee of senior officers to identify the departments to be relocated
to new capital region and seek the opinions of employees. Even after a half dozen meetings, the committee could not identify the departments and found that employees were not inclined to shift to temporary capital. Another important aspect is almost all IAS officer were opposed to this temporary shifting of the capital. Why?

Employees’ reasons:
1. Majority employees have constructed house and they are well settled in Hyderabad. If they were to relocate to Vijayawada they need an accommodation. They have to pay rent. This is an extra burden. Shifting families is not possible now because academic year has already begun.
2. Children of all employees will become non-locals in Vijayawada as they belong to Telangana state. This issue has to be settled.
3. Most important aspect is the allocation of house sites in Hyderabad. Erstwhile AP has allocated house sites to NGOs. Telangana is arguing that they are not eligible for house site as they are going back to their state. the matter is in court. If they were to move, TS argument gains strength , it could easily cancel the allocation. Each plot costs Rs 50 to 60 lakhs.
4. The shifting is likely to separate wife and husband if they are working in government and public sector.
Employees want these issues to be addressed first.
“AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, facilitates us to stay in Hyderabad for a period of 10 years. Then, why should we relocate our offices to the new capital by relinquishing our right here?” asked AP Revenue Services Association president Bopparaju Venkateswarlu .

IAS officers’ reasons

1. They do not express their view in public like NGO leaders. IAS officer also lose a 500 sq yard house site in Hyderabad if there were to choose to work from temporary capital. Who will forego such a huge and expensive land in Hyderabad.
2. Vijayawada does not have a social life comparable to Hyderabad- recreation, hotels, restaurants, malls, theaters, international airport, quality private schools.
3. There are many legal issues involved. Everyday hundreds of officers(IAS and NGO) need to attend courts. Coming from Vijayawada for court cases puts heavy burden on government.
“If we go to the new capital region, our children will be treated as non-locals there. That means, they will be ineligible for government jobs there. So, the zonal system set up as per Article 371(D) should first be scrapped,” a senior IAS officer said.

So, why is it that Naidu wants to relocate his office over night after remaining silent for over 7 months?

The talk is that Telangana government was annoyed by the constant refrain from AP ministers that they would not vacate Hyderabad even a day before the expiry of 10 year time given in AP Reorganization Act. The T-government is worried that if AP capital construction is delayed, there is a possibility of Andhras demanding extension of deadline. Their presence would jeopardize the complete ownership rights of TS over Hyderabad.

So, if sources are to believed, as part of the common understanding between TS and AP brokered by centre, the Telangana would not drag Naidu into cash-for -vote scam and Naidu would reciprocate it by shifting his base from Hyderabad to Vijayawada.

Many senior officers wonder as to how the CM would operate from Vijayawada when the secretariat and departments remain back in Hyderabad. Shifting departments necessitate shifting of about 20,000 employees to Vijayawada. Can government find accommodation to these employees?

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Phone Tapping: Centre was aware of Interception

Telugu360
-
0
Phone Tapping: Centre was aware of Interception

In a curious twist to the telephone tapping case, the Hyderabad High Court was informed that the Telangana government kept the centre informed about its plan to intercept certain phone number of Andhra Pradesh government functionaries.

So, it is clear that the tapping was done with the full knowledge of the NDA government in which the aggrieved party TDP government is partner.

According to the union government Telangana sought the permission of the Centre before intercepting the phone of some functionaries of Andhra Pradesh government.

This was revealed by additional solicitor general of India, Natarajan in the High Court yesterday when the petitions filed by TS came up for hearing. While arguing in support of interception of the phones by Telangana government, Natarajan said, Section 2 of Indian Telegraphic Act authorizes the governments to take control of the telephone lines of licensed telephone operators for interception. ” The state of Telangana had sought the opinion of the centre before intercepting certain telephone conversations and entire correspondence regarding the interception  is a privileged document. It can not be disclosed or forced to be disclosed  before a court of law,” Natarajan clarified.

Telangana government, which is opposed to the revealing of the call data as it would be violative of Telegraphic Act, filed petition seeking quashing of Vijayawada Chief Metropolitan Court order that asked telecom operators to disclose the call date of the phones they  tapped.

The bench of Justice Vilas V  Afzulpurkar said the petition was maintainable and ordered the Vijawada court to handover the sealed cover to High Court, and adjourned the case for four weeks.

Last week, the Supreme Court asked operators to furnish the data in a sealed cover to trial court.

After the hearing the arguments from both the sides against and in favor of furnishing the call data, the High Court  asked the mobile phone service providers to furnish the data to Vijayawada Court which  should be sent to the High Court through a special messenger by Vijawada court.

Eminent advocate Ram Jethmalani, who appeared on behalf of the Telangana government,argued that government had the right to intercept phone calls and asking for data from operators operating from another state was an attack on the state.

Another eminent advocate Venugopal appeared for Andhra Pradesh.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

“Centre can’t instruct Guv on Section- 8”

Telugu360
-
0
“Centre can’t instruct Guv on Section- 8”

Union government on Tuesday clarified that it had no authority to issue a directive to the governor on the implementation of Section 8 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act-2014.

Section-8 has been one of the contentious issues between Andhra Pradesh government and Telangana government. While AP government thinks that implementation of the provision by governor would be panacea for all problems the AP people facing in Hyderabad, TS argues that it would not allow governor invested with special powers.

Many organizations, political parties held meetings across AP demanding the centre to empower with section 8. Delegations have been sent to Delhi. Finally, the issue reached parliament in the form of an un-starred question. Members get written answers to the un-starred questions.

Anakapalli TDP MP Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao asked Home Ministry in an unstarred question to inform if the government had issued any guidelines to the governor to implement the section 8 of APRO Act-2014.

In the written reply to the question, MoS home affairs Haribhai Chaudhary said there was no such provision in the Act to issue guidelines to implement provisions including Section 8.

The minister aid centre hold periodic meetings with representatives of the two government to avoid conflict between the states over the implementation of provisions of the Act.  Last such meeting took place on May 30, 2015, said Chaudhary.

Points in Section 8 of AP Reorganization Act- 2014

It deals with the responsibilities of Governor to protect residents of common capital of Hyderabad.

(1) On and from the appointed day, for the purposes of administration of the common capital area, the Governor shall have special responsibility for the security of life, liberty and property of all those who reside in such area.

(2) In particular, the responsibility of the Governor shall extend to matters such as law and order, internal security and security of vital installations, and management and allocation of Government buildings in the common capital area.

(3) In discharge of the functions, the Governor shall, after consulting the Council of Ministers of the State of Telangana, exercise his individual judgment as to the action to be taken:

Provided that if any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects which the Governor is under this sub-section required to act in the exercise of his individual judgment, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final, and the validity of anything done by the Governor shall not be called in question on the ground that he ought or ought not to have acted in the exercise of his individual judgment.

(4) The Governor shall be assisted by two advisors to be appointed by the Central Government.

 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

AP to have Second N-Power Plant

Telugu360
-
0
AP to have Second N-Power Plant

Andhra Pradesh will soon have a Russian Nuclear plant. Talks to set up this plant with the state are in advanced stages. This is going to be the second nuclear plant in state. With this the state will join league of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamilnadu where two plants are set up. The first plant in AP is coming up near Kovvada, Srikakulam district. State is setting up  the plant in association with GE-Hitachi.

Ministers of state in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh informed  this Rajya Sabha.

He said discussions between Department of Atomic Energy and the government of Andhra Pradesh for the location of  the  nuclear plant, based on Russian Technology, were in advanced stages.

The Russian plant was originally to be set up at Haripur of West Bengal. Local protest forced the centre to shift the location. Andhra Pradesh had been approached along with MP, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajastha and Odisha with a request to identify a location for the plant. As the Andhra Pradesh is keen, the talks are in progress, Jitendra Singh told in reply to a question by Congress member KVP Ramachandra Rao.

 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

TDP stages Dharna “Drama” in Parliament

Telugu360
-
0
TDP stages Dharna “Drama” in Parliament

The problem of TDP in Parliament is that it is neither here nor there. Since the party is a partner in the Mody led NDA government it is not expected to shout like the Opposition in the parliament and rush into the well, at the same it can’t afford to remain silent when part-time politicians like Pavan Kalyan also started attacking it. This predicament of the party is making it butt of a joke even among the party MPs.

As if it is a reply to Pavan, who asked what were the TDP MPs doing parliament to get special status accorded to Andhra Pradesh, TDP MPs today staged a dharna demanding special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

The MPs led by Rajya Sabha MP CM Ramaesh demanded the implementation of all assurances given at the time of passage of Telangana Bill such as incentives to industries, grants to bridge the deficit created by loss of revenue of after bifurcation and granting the special category status .

Holding placards, the TDP MPs chanted slogans such as “grant of special category status” and “implement all promises made to successor state of Andhra Pradesh”.

The MPs finally ended up criticizing Congress for disrupting the house and  preventing TDP members from raising the special status issue in Parliament.

But, JC Diwakar Reddy cracked serous joke on the dharna.

The Ananatpur MP, who might have participated in a dharna probably for the first time in his political career, was not happy with party’s  perfunctory approach to these issues.

“This dharnas is staged perfunctorily,” he let the cat out of the bag.

” This dharna program has been taken up as a knee jerk reaction to Pavan Kalyan’s attacks. This won’t take you any where,” he revealed what is in his mind.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Cabinet takes light of the Pushkarala stampede

Telugu360
-
0
Cabinet takes light of the Pushkarala stampede

Andhra Pradesh cabinet which met in Rajahmundry for four hours took light of the stampede on the first day of Godavari Pushkaralu. The four-hour long meeting, held in R&B guest house in the city, devoted a just minute silence to pay condolences to those crushed to death in the stampede reportedly caused by the delayed pujas by chief minister a ghat which not designated for VVIPs.

Though chief minister Chandrababu Naidu announced Judicial inquiry into the causes of stampede deaths, the cabinet is said to be in favor of an inquiry by a retired judge. State government is not keen on getting a sitting judge of High Court appointed for inquiry. I &PR minister, Palle Raghuntha Reddy indicated to this effect after cabinet meeting .  This is likely to trigger opposition from opposition parties  as they have been demanding a probe by a sitting judge of the High Court.

The meeting, chaired by the chief minister,  went gaga about greatness of Andhra Pradesh, the resources available and state government’s commitment to build a new capital with international standards. The cabinet decided to send a team to study to beautiful capitals of Central Asia, Astana (Kazakhstan)and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan).

The minister  said Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that a team from state should  visit Kazakh and Turkmenistan capitals to study the architectural designs.  Palle said the state government was committed to build the capital with international standards. He said state would call upon Japan and Singapore to participate in the Swiss Challenge model to build the capital.

The cabinet called upon people of the state to celebrate the closing ceremony of Godavari Pushkaralu with state-wide participation in a grand way. The cabinet wants every family in the state to perform “deeparadhana” (lighting of lamp) as part of the Pushkara Jyothi to mark the closing of the Mahapushkaralu.

In a surprise turn, the cabinet fully backed TDP MLA Chintamaneni Prabhakar, who allegedly manhandled MRO Vanajakshi. Giving clean to chit to the MLA, the cabinet felt that the revenue official was at fault in not taking cognizance of the permission to mine the sand and for crossing the boundary of the district.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

AP Cabinet nod for missile testing range near Kurnool

Telugu360
-
0
AP Cabinet nod for missile testing range near Kurnool

Rajahmundry: A missile testing range will come up in Kurnool district shortly. The State Cabinet which met here on Wednesday, has taken a decision to allot 2295 acres of land for national open air range(NOAR), DRDO in the villages of Palakolanu, Kuppalapadu and Uyyalavada of Orvakallu mandal in Kurnool district.

“The land is allotted at the rate of Rs.2 lakh per acre. The DRDO has come forward to complete the project by 2018 with an investment of Rs.500 crore and provide employment for as many as 5,000 people,” Palle Raghunadha Reddy, Minister for Information and Public Relations said. He briefed media of the cabinet decisions.

Similarly, it was decided to allot 43.1 acres of land for Divi’s Resorts in Vizianagaram district to develop a golf course, eco park and wayside amenities for tourism project.

The minister also said that it was only the second time that a Cabinet meeting was held outside the present capital of Hyderabad the first being  Visakhapatnam, after  swearing in of the cabinet.

 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Rahul to walk 10 km to meet Anantapuramu farmers

Telugu360
-
0
Rahul to walk 10 km to meet Anantapuramu farmers

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is arriving in Anantapuramu district on July 24 to interact with farmers and weavers who have been in distress for years.  Anantapuramu is one of the districts in the country where farmers and weavers committed suicides more in number following crisis in their field affected their livelihoods. Suicides are still continuing in the district. Rahul has chosen the district for  padayatra to enthuse the Congress leaders and workers who have also been in distress since 2014 election, when the party failed win a single seat in Assembly. Following rout many leaders, including former PCC president Botsa satyanarana, left the party to join YSR Congress. In the padayatra, consisting of three stretches, Rahul will spend time with farmers, weavers and students from rural areas to instill confidence in them that Congress would stand by them and fight for redress. Following is the route map of Rahul’s padayatra and his proposed activities in Anantapuramu district.

06:30 am:                  Dep from Bangalore

07:15 am                    Reach Kodikonda Checkpost (Karnataka – AP Border)

VP is received by APCC leaders at the Border

08:00 am:                  Arrival ObulaDeveraCheruvu in AnanthapurDist

08:05 to 09:45am     Padayathra begins (Obuladevera Cheruvu to Mamilakuntapalli): 3 kms

Padayathra commences from Indira Gandhi Dias in the village.

Enroute:

  • Garland statues of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy (5 minutes)
  • Interaction with Farmers and Weavers at Dias 1 of the village (45 minutes)
  • Interaction with Students (10 minutes)

09:45am                      Reach Mamilakuntapalli village

09:45 to 10:00am        Meet late Harinathreddy’s family (suicide victim’s family)

10:00 to 11:00am        Padayathra second stretch (Mamilakuntapalli to Daburavaripalli): 5kms

11:00 to 11:45am        Interaction with women Self Help Groups and visit Deburavaripalli habitation

11:45 to 12:30pm        Padayathra final  stretch (Daburavaripalli  to Kondakamarla): 2Kms

12:30 to 1: 30pm        Interaction with MGNREGS workers and family members of migrant labour

2:30pm                        Arrives in Puttaparthy

3:15 to 4:45pm            At Puttaparthy

  • Receive representations from people
  • Interaction with Senior Congress leaders
  • Visit Mahasmadhi of Sri Saibaba

                                   

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

After fertile lands, now forest : Casualties of Amaravati

Telugu360
-
0
After fertile lands, now forest : Casualties of Amaravati

The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to cut down an extent of 43,000 acres of forest near Vijayawada-Guntur districts to make room for the proposed mega city of Amaravati which is expected to outdo all other metros in India.

The irony  is that this is happening days after launching of a massive campaign across the State to plant saplings to improve green cover in Andhra Pradesh,

Already there is a lot of resentment  over the way about  35,000 acres of fertile agricultural lands on the banks of river Krihna were being destroyed for the capital development, the government has now decided to use forest land in Krishna, West Godavari and Guntur districts for the same purpose.

This was disclosed by none other than Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu himself soon after the master plan of the seed capital was presented  to him in Rajahmundry  by the Singapore team on Monday.

“The Centre has agreed to our request to de-notify the forest land to an extent of 43,000 acres near the proposed capital city to use for the requirements of the new capital. This means, apart from the 33,000 acres of land procured around Tullur from local farmers, even this 43,000 acres of land will be used to construct world-class Amaravati city,” Naidu said.

The Chief Minister’s dream city might turn the new capital region into a concrete jungle, and of course with some green patches like parks here and there.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Can Governor’s family members use helicopter at state’s cost?

Telugu360
-
0
Can Governor’s family members use helicopter at state’s cost?

Former union power secretary and noted environmentalist Dr EAS Sarma asked should the people of the state bear the expenditure of Governor’s family members’ helicopter trip to Rajahmundry?

In a letter written to the state government he objected to the ferrying of family members of Governor to Rajahmundry to take a holy dip in river Godavari by helicopter at the expense of taxpayers’ money.

“The family members of the Governor are not public functionaries and they cannot get paid out of the public exchequer. There should be public accountability in such matters. The tax-payer of the State cannot be forced to pay for the VIPs to earn “punyam”for themselves! ,” he said in the letter addressed to IYR Krishna Rao, chief secretary of the state. “I understand that the governor, with a few of his family members, used a helicopter to fly to Rajahmundry for this visit. Who pays for such purely personal visits” he asked.

The role of the Governor in a State, Dr Sarma said, was well defined and limited and he or she could not assume roles that were not intended to in the Constitution.

Dr Sarma was equally critical of the visits and long presence of VVIPs at Rajahmundry including the omnipresent chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

“Had the CM and his family displayed even a semblance of sensitivity to the plight of the pilgrims, the tragedy in which more than 30 persons (including children) had lost their lives, would not have taken place.

The former bureaucrat said the presence of even one VIP was sufficient to upset the security arrangements, the traffic and the utility services which otherwise would have been available to the million-odd pilgrims visiting Rajahmundry for the Pushkarams.

“What has been reported indicates that, despite the unpardonable happenings that led to one of the biggest stampedes in AP, self-styled VIPs continue to troop into Rajahmundry, accompanied by their families and entourage, as though the State exchequer is always there to meet their private expenses and the pilgrims should fend for themselves,” he said in the letter.

Pointing at the long queues of pilgrims lining up to as far as Tuni on the north and Eluru on the south, waiting to reach Rajahmundry to have a holy dip in the river, Sarma said this was unprecedented.

“In the normal course, any responsible government would have banned the entry of any self-styled VIP unless he or she is prepared to stand in the queue, be treated like anyone else and go through the ordeal of taking part in the Pushkarams. Unfortunately, the present government does not appear to have any sense of responsibility whatsoever,” he said.

He wondered how the Governor had chosen to visit Rajahmundry with his family and take a dip in a specially designated “VIP” ghat despite the stampede that took place and the innocent lives lost.

“In a democracy like ours, does it not evoke a sense of disgust to recognize a few as VIPs and permit them to occupy more public space than what is due to them, at the expense of the public?,” he said.

He said a time had come when VIPs who cause not only public inconvenience but also a threat to the public security were held fully responsible and brought to book. He even opposed to government’s organization of high-level team from Singapore that visited Rajahmundry in the midst of this chaos. I am sure that the team’s visit had further added to the travails of the pilgrims.

 

 

 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

TS should finance institution-building in AP

Telugu360
-
0
TS should finance institution-building in AP

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology YS Chowdary
said the Telangana State government should bear the cost of setting up of institutions in AP, which were taken over by it just because they were located in Hyderabad such as the institutes listed in Schedule IX and X of AP Reorganisation Act.

He said the TDP would press for appropriate amendments to the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, to resolve such issues which are contentious between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States.

“Due to deficiency in the Reorganisation Act, lot of problems are arising in the implementation of the Act. We have decided to put pressure on the Centre to amend few sections of the Act so that there would be no conflict between the two States,” Chowdary said in New Delhi hours before the commencement of Monsoon session of Parliament.

The TDP has been under attack from Congress, YSRC and Left parties for its failure to get interests of Andhra Pradesh protected from Telangana which is using the geographical status of Hyderabad to lay ownership claim on the institutes like center for good governance, Dr MCR HRD Institute even though they are listed in Schedule 10 and 9.

Even though it is not clear as to how TDP exerts pressure on BJP led NDA government in which it is also partner, it is clear that the party is planning to make some noise to avoid from being shown in poor light.
“We, the TDP MPs, are  gearing up to raise the issues such as implementation of Section 8 in common capital Hyderabad, special category status, amendments to Reorganization Act and water sharing between AP and TS, in the monsoon session of Parliament beginning from Tuesday,” said another TDP MP Thota Narasimham.

Meanwhile, APCC chief N Raghuvira Reddy wrote an open letter to the MPs of TDP, BJP and YSRC, asking them to work in unison  to persuade Centre to give special category status to AP as promised in the Reorganisation Act.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Amaravathi new district on cards

Telugu360
-
0
Amaravathi new district on cards

Andhra Pradesh government is mulling over reorganizing districts which leads to increase in the number of districts. There are 13 districts in Andhra Pradesh. Many areas like Nandyala of Kurnool, Hindupur of Anantapuramu  have been demanding district status. Now, proposed Amaravathi capital will necessitate  reorganization of districts.

Sources in the government said capital region  is likely to be declared a new district with Amravathi as the capital.

“Now, Amaravathi falls in Guntur disrict. It is rare that capital is part of another district. All capitals are separate districts. For example Hyderabad is a district. So, Amaravathi needs to be carved out  into a separate district,” sources added. According sources,  the new district will have 10 municipalities, 59 mandals and two corporations.

But it will take time, said sources in the revenue department. ” Now there is no capital. What the capital area consists of is only a vast stretch of land mass. So, unless people live there, creation of district is not possible. We have to wait for the completion of seed capital development,” sources said.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Amaravathi won’t Eclipse V’wada : Naidu

Telugu360
-
0
Amaravathi won’t Eclipse V’wada : Naidu

Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu assured that the Brand Amaravathi would not overshadow the image of Vijayawada as important coastal city. Accompanied by  Singapore second minister for home affairs and trade S Eswaran, Naidu addressed media in Rajahmundry after the presentation of seed capital area (SCA) master plan by the former.

Dismissing the apprehension that Vijyawada was being eclipsed by the proposed capital Amaravathi, Naidu said Vijayawada and Amaravathi would remain as two cities and at the same time be part of the capital region. Amaravathi proper would be capital of Andhra Pradesh and would be confined to only 16.9 sq.km (4176 hc.). The complex of Amaravathi, Vijyawada, Guntur, Mangalagiri and Telanali would be developed into a mega city or capital region, Naidu said.

Naidu said the first phase of the capital development would be completed by 2018. The chief minister profusely thanked the Singapore government and the experts involved, for the development of the in record time and free of cost.

He hoped that the association would last forever.

Giving details of the seed capital, the chief minister said Amaravathi would have four parts namely gateway, down town, business area and institutional area and it would developed in the five phases.

“The capital will have seven regional centres- Guntur, Tenali, Sattenapalli, Gudivada, Gannavar, Nuziveed and Nandigama. Government offices will accommodated in two towers with  45 floor,” he said.

The capital city is going to be walker friendly with 25 km long walk-ways.

 

 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

A Brief History of Amaravathi Master Plan

Telugu360
-
0
A Brief History of Amaravathi Master Plan

Today, Singapore has delivered the  master plan for the development of the seed capital (administrative district of Amaravathi) proposed new capital city of Amaravathi. A 30-member team led by  S Eswaran, second minister, Home Affairs and Trade, today presented the copy of the  seed capital master plan to chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Rajahmundry. Preparation of Master Plan is the important stage in the development of capital Amaravathi. Now, the next stage of identifying the master developer and chief architect begins.In this connection, we are giving the brief history of the first stage of capital development for the benefit of readers.

Named after an ancient Buddhist city, the Capital City of Amaravati, is located between the cities of Vijayawada and Guntur. It will also soon be the seat of the Andhra Pradesh government.

To make the Capital City a world-class People’s Capital, the Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Singapore in December 2014.

The MoU envisages preparation of 1) Capital Region Concept Master Plan, 2) Capital City Master Plan, and 3) Seed Capital Area Detailed Master Plan.

During the deliberations between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh, K. Shanmugam, External Affairs Minister of Singapore met the Chief Minister on February 26, 2015.

The Government of Singapore had appointed Singapore’s Ambassador-at-large Gopinath Pillai as the special envoy to facilitate cooperation between the Government of AP and Singapore.

 Three Stages of Master Plan

 1) First Stage: In December 2014, the Government of Singapore, as per its commitment, had submitted the draft Capital Region Concept Master Plan in last December to the Chief Minister. Singapore-based consulting organisations Surbana and Jurong were engaged to prepare the Master Plan for Capital Region.

Following some revisions in the plan, the first stage – the Capital Region Plan – was completed and handed over to the Government of AP on March 30, 2015.

  • The Capital Region Concept Master Plan is for an area of about 7,420 sq.km. The Capital Region Plan provides Development Corridors that connect the Capital City and the Regional Centres.
  • The development Corridors provide opportunity for linear developments with Special Use Developments such as clean industries, Infrastructure projects, logistics-based activities are allowed along these corridors.
  • The upcoming national Projects i.e. Dedicated Freight Corridor along East Coast Economic Corridor, High-Speed Rail and Waterway 4 are integrated in the Capital Region Plan.

2) Second Stage: On May 25, 2015,  S. Iswaran, Second Minister of Government of Singapore along with the high-level delegation presented the Capital City Master Plan to the Chief Minister in Hyderabad.

  • The Capital City Master Plan is for an area of about 217 sq.km. This Plan will guide the development of Amaravati upto the year 2050.
  • The five key features of the Amravati Master Plan are: i) growing a vibrant economy; ii) creating a liveable Indian city; iii) enhancing connectivity and active mobility; iv) ensuring sustainability; and v) the People’s Capital.
  • Amravati will be built on land pooled from the contributions of the residents of the region. In return, they will receive plots of commercial and residential land in the city and share in the fruits of development for years to come.
  • The Capital City Area is planned for about 4 million people. Being developed as Capital City and a vibrant business hub, a total of about 1.8 million jobs are expected to be created in various sectors.
  • This would comprise of public sector, light and green industry, service sector IT, Finance, Tourism and support services to meet the requirements of the urban ecosystem.
  • The master plan provides zoning, urban design and development guidelines for the Capital City.
  • This master plan also provides for affordable housing, easy access to amenities such as schools, healthcare services, markets, and shopping malls, libraries and a university.
  • The master plan respects the sense of local identity and enhances appreciation for local heritage. It protects the existing religious and heritage sites and connects them to the network of MRT/BRT and roads to form tourism circuits.
  • Sustainability and efficient management of resources will form another important pillars of this new capital.

3) Third Stage: On July 20, 2015, the Seed Capital Area (SCA) Master Plan for Amaravati was presented to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Rajahmundry. This also coincides with the Godavari Maha Pushkaram in Rajahmundry to mark the great beginnings of a historic capital city.

  • Seed Capital Area Master Plan is for an area of about 16.9 sq.km. The Seed Capital Area is planned for about 300,000 residents. Being developed as a vibrant business hub, a total of about 700,000 jobs are expected to be created in various sectors including government jobs.
  • The Seed Capital Area aspiration is to create a thriving state of the art Central Business District (CBD) for business and living. The Seed Capital Area master plan provides nodes and development corridors from transit-oriented development approach.
  • The city’s iconic developments include state-of-the-art government complex, city gateway, cultural centre, convention centre etc.
  • The Seed Capital would be developed in overall 5 phases. The various zones would comprise of central business district, residential townships, institutions, parks and gardens, water bodies, recreational spaces, water front etc.
  • Special emphasis has been laid to develop extensive walkways and pedestrianisation inter-linked with open and green spaces with a blue and green network of more than 25 kms to promote walk-to-work environment and non-motorised transport.
  • The Seed Capital Area master plan provides extensive downtown waterfront, waste management systems that would enable innovative methods for waste collection, transportation, treatment and resource recovery such as Waste-to-Energy, thereby creating a resourceful, safe and healthy city.

 

 

 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

A Tribute to River Godavari

Telugu360
-
0
A Tribute to River Godavari

The river Godavari is described as sheer poetry in motion and many a poet is fascinated by it. It has not only inspired all writers of Andhra Pradesh and the region has produced some of the greatest poets in Telugu literature.

To begin with, the first known poet -`Adikavi’ Nannaya Bhattaraka belonged to this place and his translation of `Mahabharatha’ are the first as well as the best in Telugu literature. He was said to have been assisted by Narayana Bhattu who was also a luminary.

The great Srinadha who penned `Sringaranaishadham’ and Vemulavada Bhimakavi, known for ruthless criticism through poems, and the great reformer and writer Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu are unforgettable in Telugu history.

Pavuluri Mallana was said to be the first `science poet’ having described mathematics in poems, humour writers Chilakamarthi Lakshminarasimham whose `Gayophakyanam’ sold over one lakh copies in early 20th century and Bhamidipati Kameswara Rao, the poet-duos of Tirupati Venkatakavulu and Venkataparvateeswara Kavulu who enthralled audience by reciting poems extempore, Kokkonda Venkataratnam who was a writer and contemporary of Veeresalingam Pantulu and founded the Gauthami Granthalayam in Rajahmundry, Panuganti Lakshminarasimha Rao who wrote the caustic `Sakshi’ and Mokkapati Narasimha Sastry who wrote `Barrister Parvatisam’, short story writer Sripada Subrahmanya Sastry, Kokkonda Venkataratnam, Sripada Krishnamurthi Sastri, were natives of this region.

Among later generation of poets were Devulapalli Krishna Sastry, Devarakonda Balagangadhara Tilak, Madhunapantula Satyanarayana Sastry, Avantsa Somasundar, Ismail, and Addepalli Mohana Rao.

The prolific writer Kovvali Lakshminarasimha Rao who wrote as many as 1,000 novels and stories for films, another film writer Bhamidipati Radhakrishna, Ushasri, Sanskrit poet Chilukuri Ramabhadra Sastry, freedom fighter and writer Krovvidi Lingaraju all belong to this region

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

MLA Anitha’s Husaband Arrested

Telugu360
-
0
MLA Anitha’s Husaband Arrested

Telugu Desam Party Payakaraopeta MLA Vangalapudi Anita’s husband K Sivaprasad was arrested by the Vizag III town police station on Sunday night following a complaint from the MLA herself.

The MLA lodged a complaint at the police station, in which she married Sivaprasad about fourteen year ago, Saturday stating that Sivaprasada had been harassing her and her children. She said her husband tried to steal some important documents from home when she was not home. She stated that one of her employees informed about her husband’s suspicious search in the House and she rushed back home to stop him from taking the documents. He also alleged that Sivaprasad tried to take away her son and daughter forcefully.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Ashok Gajapati Raju Miffed, Ready to Quit

Telugu360
-
0
Ashok Gajapati Raju Miffed, Ready to Quit

Ashok Gajapati Raju, arguably one of the honest politicians in the country, is miffed. Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajaparati told in no uncertain terms that if TDP boss was unhappy and thinks he was not able to get funds to state from center though he is a minister in Modi’s cabinet, he would have no qualms to quit.

This happened in the customary parliamentary party meeting of Telugu Desam which party president N Chandrababu Naidi holds on the eve of the every parliament session.This time the meeting was held in Vijayawada.

This meeting was meant to discuss the issues pending before the centre for long time.  The issue of non-implementation of assurances given to the state at the time bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh figured prominently and many MPs expressed their displeasure at centre’s casual approach towards these promises.

The debate also turned to the delay in the expansion of Gannavaram airport near Viayawada and getting funds released for proposed airports in the  district headquarters which the state earmarked for the development of airports. The issue had been raised by Raju’s junior colleage Sujana Chowdary and, minister of state for science and technology as well as some MPs. Raju clarified to the meeting that the delay was caused by the delay in the land acquisition by the state government.

TDP president and N Chandrababu Naidu felt that the process of expansion of airports in the State was being delayed because of  non-payment of compensation to the local people .  Naidu reportedly asked civil aviation minister Raju to prevail upon the Centre to release required funds for the same.

Raju, without mincing the words, told Naidu that he could not pressurize the Centre beyond a limit for funds for land acquisition because such a promise was not included in the AP Reorganization Act.

Pointing at the inordinate delay in releasing the funds promised by the Centre, Naidu reportedly told union minister, slightly resentfully, that, “Being a cabinet Minister it is incumbent upon you to take initiative and pressurize the centre to get more funds. Lest, people will misunderstand us.”

Raju told the TDP president that, “Sir, I am putting all energies at my command. At the centre, every file goes to the prime minister. Prime Minister’s Office raises too many queries and we are replying. This process is causing delay. If the party feels that I am not putting enough pressure, I am ready to quit without any ill will”.

Media reports said later the union minister  was conspicuous by his absence at a couple of meetings in which chief minister Naidu participated.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

1...149150151Page 150 of 151

TRENDING

Latest

css.php
[X] Close
[X] Close