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Covid vax dry run underway at 46 centres in Telugu states

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A dry run of Covid-19 vaccination was underway Saturday at 46 centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as part of nationwide assessment of preparedness of health authorities to implement the programme when the vaccine is made available.

The trial run was being conducted at 39 centres in Andhra Pradesh and seven centres in Telangana. Officials said the process was underway in a smooth manner.

In Andhra Pradesh, where the first phase of dry run was conducted at five centres in Krishna district on December 28, the process was conducted at three centres in each of the 13 districts on Saturday.

Dummy beneficiaries lined up at four designated centres in Hyderabad and at three centres in Mahabubnagar district at 9 a.m. to receive the vaccine.

Except the actual vaccine, the health personnel at the centres followed all guidelines under the vaccine protocol.

The dry run is aimed at testing the planned operations and the laid out mechanisms for Covid-19 vaccination in the state. It will provide insights on any gaps or bottlenecks so that those could be addressed before the commencement of the actual vaccination drive, officials said.

In Hyderabad, the dry run was conducted at Urban Primary Health Centre at Tilaknagar, Area Hospital at Nampally, Gandhi Hospital and Yashoda Hospital at Somajiguda.

In Mahbubnagar district, the identified centres are Primary Health Centre at Janampet, Government General Hospital at Mahbubnagar and Neha Sunshine Hospital at Mahbubnagar.

Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan visited Urban Primary Health Centre at Tilaknagar in Hyderabad to see the dry run. She interacted with the health officials deployed at the centre. They explained to her various stages of the process.

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had asked the state to choose the centres in the state capital and a relatively inaccessible terrain in the state to hold the trial run to strengthen the system ahead of the actual rollout.

Identified beneficiaries participated in the dry run at each session site where the process was conducted with all Covid appropriate behaviour measures.

For each centre, 25 test beneficiaries, mostly employees of health department, were identified for the dry run. They were sent dummy SMSes on Friday night informing them about the time and place of Covid vaccination.

Sanitation was done and physical distancing was maintained at all sites. When the intended benificiaries reported at the sites, they were subjected to temperature check and guided to waiting room.

Vaccinating officers checked the names of the beneficiaries in the list and uploaded their details like name, age and Aadhaar number Co-WIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) application. Another vaccination officer gave the dummy vaccine and uploaded the information in the Co-WIN app.

The beneficiaries were made to wait for 30 minutes following vaccination to observe their condition. Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) treatment facility was also set up at each centre with 10 beds e by appointing a general medicine doctor as the in-charge.

At each centre, AEFI kits with emergency medicines were also arranged to administer medication in case of complications

Telangana’s Director of Public Health G. Srinivasa Rao said it was merely a demonstration to test the preparedness.

The process also assessed the logistics involved in shifting vaccines from storage points to vaccination centres and the health workers were briefed about the temperatures at which the vaccines were to be stored.

Health department officials expect Covid-19 vaccination to begin this month. They said the department was ready to roll out the vaccine within 24-48 hours of the Centre giving the approval and providing the required doses.

Telangana health minister Eatala Rajender stated that 10,000 health workers will be deployed for vaccination. He said the state has the capacity to administer vaccine to about 10 lakh people every day.

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Cabinet approves central tribal university in AP

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THe Union cabinet on Thursday approved setting up of ‘Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh’. It will be established in Relli village of Vizianagaram District.

The proposed university will come up after necessary amendment in the Central Universities Act, Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

“The ‘Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh’ will be set up in Relli village of Vizianagaram District as provided under the Thirteenth Schedule to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

“Cabinet has also approved the provision of funds of Rs 420 crore for the first phase expenditure towards establishment of the Central Tribal University,” the government said in its statement.

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AP in 2nd position in list of states with highest growth rate

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Amaravati, Sept 15 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh registered a Gross Value Addition (GVA) of 11.72 per cent to its economy in the first quarter of 2017-18 fiscal, thanks to the fisheries sector that alone contributed 42.09 per cent.

The national GVA average in the Q1 was recorded at 5.6 per cent. Growth in industries and services sectors in the state recorded a decline compared to the corresponding period, while the state fell short of its overall target in economic growth, achieving 11.72 per cent against the target of 16.23 per cent.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu released these figures at a meeting with all top bureaucrats in the state here today.

In monetary terms, the overall GVA achieved was Rs 1,19,652 crore against the target of Rs 1,24,480 crore.

Agriculture and allied sectors contributed Rs 23,374 crore, industries sector Rs 34,599 crore and services Rs 61,679 crore, according to government statistics.

The statistics also revealed that per capita income grew by Rs 14,214 to Rs 1,22,376 during 2016-17 fiscal, a 13.1 per cent increase over the previous year.

AP stood sixth overall in the country in per capita income with the national average being Rs 1,03,219.
The growth rate of industries sector declined from 10.49 per cent in the Q1 of 2016-17 to 8.05 per cent in the current years Q1. The target set by the government was 14.65 per cent.

Notably, numerous MoUs, to set up new industries and facilities in the state, were signed during the annual Partnership Summit held earlier this year.

The government, however, did not release the figures related to industrial investments that actually materialised.

In the services sector, the Q1 achievement was 8.67 per cent against the target of 13.90 per cent. In the corresponding quarter last year, the GVA of services sector was 10.16 per cent.

Overall, the agriculture and allied sectors registered a growth of 27.60 per cent, slightly more than the target of 26.21 per cent.

But it was only the fisheries sector, with a GVA of 42.09 per cent, that helped the overall growth of the primary sector.

Being a coastal state, AP is rich in aquaculture and prawn culture alone recorded 66.86 per cent growth while marine fishing grew at 4.18 per cent. PTI DBV ARS

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16 dead, 32 tribal people taken sick after food poisoning in AP

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Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tribal Welfare and Empowerment, Nakka Ananda Babu visited the tribal victims of Chaparai in Y Ramavaram mandal in East Godavari district on Monday. As many as 16 people died due to food poisoning since May29, while 32 other are undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Rampachodavaram and in the PHC at Maradumilli.

The officials were alerted only on Saturday who could make it to the village only on Sunday due to lack of transportation facilities. The officials were allegedly informed about six deaths, but the medical team realised that almost 16 tribals died including 4 children.

As per the district collector Kartikeya Mishra, five people died after eating meat of wild animals at a wedding, while the remaining are said to be poisoned by drinking water from a stream contaminated by the carcasses of the animals. The collector said that despite having four bore wells in the hamlet with hand pumps, the trial people were using water from the local stream.

The primitive tries in Chaparai make living by hunting wild animals are prefer avoiding contact with outside world. The region reportedly has a population of 325. The villagers allegedly did not inform the administration about the deaths. The officials took notice of the situation only after some people from Boddagandi village alerted them after visiting the hamlet.

The patients needing immediate treatment were shifted to Rampachodavaram. Officials are planning to shift some of the critical patients to Vijayawada for better treatment.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has been monitoring the situation and has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the victims. Home minister Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa who visited Rampachodavaram is supervising the activities.

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AP Govt to pay stipend to 12 lakh unemployed youth

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Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government is getting ready to pay stipend to 12 lakh unemployed youth in the State. The scheme, which was promised by the Telugu Desam Party during the 2014 elections, would come into force shortly, said Minister for Finance Yanamala Ramakrishnudu.

The Minister addressed the party workers at the East Godavari district mini-mahanadu on Tuesday. The Minister said that the government which started with Rs 16,000 crore revenue deficit is now facing the deficit of Rs 24,000 crore over the last three years. However, the government had not gone back on any of its election promises, he said and asserted that the government had introduced several new schemes which were not promised. The increased pensions, Pattiseema and Purushothapatnam lift irrigation schemes were some of the schemes that the government had implemented during the last three years, he said.

The Minister further said that the government had implemented the loan waiver to the farmers and the self-help group women. The other schemes too to be implemented shortly benefiting every section of the people, he added.

The Minister took a dig at the Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for causing obstacles for the State government. He regretted that Jaganmohan Reddy who is accused in 12 corruption cases and had faced 16 months of jail was blaming Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for everything and creating hurdles for the development of the State. “It is unfortunate that a corrupt leader is in the State,” the Minister said. The Minister asserted that Jaganmohan Reddy would be in the jail for rest of his life if the charges against him are proved in the court.

Ramakrishnudu said that the Chief Minister was working for the development of the State round the clock despite financial constraints and hurdles created by corrupt Jaganmohan Reddy. He wanted the rank and file of the TDP and the general public to back Chandrababu Naidu to continue the developmental works in the State.

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Narasimhan to continue as TS, AP Governor until further notice

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The Union home minister informed the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ESL Narasimhan to continue as the head of both the states till further orders.

The tenure of Narasimhan ended on Tuesday but Union home minister Rajnath Singh phoned the governor requesting him to remain in the gubernatorial post till his successor takes charge. The governor is anticipated continue in the role till the Presidential elections.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao conveyed that the state has no objection if Narasimhan continues as the Governor. However, the counterpart in Andhra Pradesh hasn’t made no such comments.

If the buzz is to be believed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to use Narasimhan’s services for a strategic assignment based in national capital Delhi.

Narasimhan was posted as governor to the united AP in 2010. He was appointed as governor of the two states post bifurcation in 2012 for five more years. He was first appointed as governor of Chhattisgarh in 2007.

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Pawan Kalyan welcomes Babu’s plans for early polls

Vijayawada: In a swift move, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan had welcomed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s indications on early elections. Reacting to the reports of Chandrababu Naidu’s hint to his party leaders to get ready for the early elections, the Jana Sena chief said his party is ready for the battle even if it is advanced further.

Pawan Kalyan who had begun recruitment of candidates for the party important posts said he would gear up his party for the elections. Pawan Kalyan had already announced that he is out of the NDA, but did not clear whether he would align with the TDP or the Left parties. Though he is soft towards the TDP, he is practically aligning with the Left parties, particularly with the CPI. He is firm on the issues like Special Category Status to the State. He went to the extent of openly criticising the BJP leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for going back on the promise of Special Category Status to the State.

The Jana Sena chief, though did not contest the 2014 elections, had shared the dais with Narendra Modi and Chandrababu Naidu starting from Tirupati where the leaders promised Special Category Status to the State. As chief of Jana Sena, he had promised to the people that he would stand guarantee to the assurances given by the BJP and TDP. Now, with the BJP going back on the promise of Special Category Status and TDP compromising for the special package, it is to be seen whether the Jana Sena chief would align with these parties or stay away from them.

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Is Babu under increased threat from Maoists?

Vijayawada: The revelation of AP DGP N Sambasiva Rao that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, among others, was under threat from the Maoists, is sending shock waves among the TDP ranks, besides generating debate among the people. The DGP had admitted that the Chief Minister and several politicians and police officers were facing threat to their lives from the Maoists. He made this admission during a brief interaction with the media persons in Visakhapatnam on Friday. He said that the encounter killing of 31 Maoists in the boarder recently had intensified the seriousness of the threat from the Maoists.

Chandrababu Naidu was under threat during his earlier stint. It was this threat that had resulted in a landmine attack on him at Alipiri near Tirupathi in 2003. He survived the attack with minor bleeding injuries. His car in the convoy was damaged badly as the vehicle was bulletproof. The government had then increased his security. Though he had lost power in the two subsequent elections, 2004 and 2009, the security cover continued for him as Leader of Opposition. Now, after his return to the power, the security cover is further increased.

Last week, the State police have added another 50 personnel to provide him security cover particularly during his travel from his Undavalli house to the interim secretariat at Velagapudi. The police have changed his route on the flood bank (karakatta) to the Undavalli Caves, Penumaka to reach the secretariat. Earlier, he was passing through the flood bank from his house to Velagapudi passing through the narrow roads all the way, including the roads in Venkatapalem. The narrow flood bank, located along the Krishna river, was found more dangerous in terms of security for the Chief Minister following which they have changed the travel direction.
The Chief Minister lives right on the banks of river Krishna and a small portion of his house is in the river water. He travels on a single road surrounded by agriculture fields, including banana gardens and a number of culverts. The house too is surrounded by the thick banana fields posing a real security threat to him and one wonders how the police are allowing the Chief Minister to reside and travel under such hazardous conditions.

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“Is Naidu heading a temporary government?”

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Is chief minister Chandrababu Naidu heading a temporary government? , wondered YSR Congress senior spokesperson K Parthasarathi. ” It looks so given the chief minister penchant for all those which are temporary. Naidu’s love for thing temporary compels us to believe that Naidu is heading a temporary government,” he told media Tuesday.

Chief minister said the Rs 1500 crore worth Pattiseema project was a temporary project.He said the project was only to give Krishna water to Rayalaseem during the period of completion of Polavaram project and would abandoned once the Polavaram was completed in four years.

” Vijayawada is made temporary capital at a huge cost. All offices are temporary putting heavy burden on the exchequer. CM stays in temporary camp office. Now they are planning a temporary assembly, spending tens of crores of rupees. Nothing looks permanent in TDP regime. So, we doubt if Naidu is a temporary chief minister,” Partha sarathi wondered.

Parthasarathi was critical of Naidu’s idea of capital city. ” The capital is going to become another Hyderabad, which resulted in the disaster for Andhra Pradesh. Naidu is basically not for equitable development. His real estate mindset is the root cause of all problems,” he said.

Stating that the basic idea behind the huge world-class capital was the real estate business, the YSRCP leader dismissed the Naidu’s claim that farmers offered voluntarily 33000 acres of land to the capital. ” Lands were given out of fear,:” he said.

Alleging that government was resorting to splurging of people’s money on the foundation stone laying ceremony, Parthasarathi said about Rs 400 crore was being spent on the ceremony of October 22, 2015.

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Resentment Brewing Among Andhra IAS Officers

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Resentment is brewing among the  IAS officers of Andhra Pradesh  as  Chief minister N Chandrababau Naidu has developed a sort of disliking for AP cadre babus .  Barring a couple of officers, who are about to retire in a couple of months, Naidu is now surrounded either by junior  officers or those officers brought on deputation from  other services or states. In the words of a senior IAS officer, the state now is being run by IRS officers who have come to the state on deputation. There is even a complaint that officers of a particular caste are being encouraged by the state government. As the state is in short supply of  this brand , Naidu’s government is importing them from other states and services, is the talk doing rounds in the corridors of power.  It is the continuation of ‘caste-empowerment’ project  initiated by YS Rajasekhar Reddy when he was chief minister, they allege.

In assigning responsibilities to the officers on deputation cadre rules are brazenly violated  now. In fact, in  a case related to the appointment of cabinet secretary by Mayawati and in another case related to violation of cadre rules in Kolkata High Court, the importance of cadre posts is are clearly defined. But, they are thrown to the winds in Andhra Pradesh.  The general rule is that officers on deputation should not be given cadre-responsibilities. Now, Naidu is appointing  the IRS, and IPS officers to the posts where their duty is to discharge cadre responsibilities. These new officers occupy key positions in IT, Finance, Investment and Infrastructure, CMO etc much to the chagrin of  Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officers. Many allege that officers, who want to go by the rule book are targeted by chief minister. Naidu is working on the premise that : 1. He is rebuilding the state with an aim to make it occupy number one slot in India 2019 by developing a world class capital city and transforming the state into an investment destination; 2. As he is working hard, every officer should cooperate by listening to him and by giving a nod to whatever he suggests.

According to a senior officer there are two reasons for Naidu’s disillusionment with AP officers: 1. Many of IAS officers are involved closely in the nepotistic activities of YS Rajasekhar Reddy, in implementing the CM’ agenda including scams. So, AP cadre officers can see through the games of CM Naidu if given an opportunity, with their exposure to the investments ; 2. Many officers, following the arrests, CBI cases and prolonged judicial custody in Jaganamohan Reddy‘s assets cases, wary of motives of  chief ministers and may not cooperate with him in implementing the CM’s agenda of making Andhra Pradesh Singapore and allow a couple Singapore Companies join forces  with the local companies, close to the powers that be, to do projects in Amaravati or other locations.

” While YS Rajasekhar Reddy practiced  inclusive humiliation, Naidu’s policy is exclusive humiliation,” remarked a special chief secretary rank officer of state government.

A 1977 batch officer, who fought against the violation of cadre rules in Andhra Pradesh for over two and half decades, said, ” I am not able to figure out whether the AP cadre IAS officers are in spell or scared of Naidu. They are not able to challenge the cadre-rule violation taking place so brazenly in the state,” he told this correspondent.

Naidu  is keeping Andhra cadre IAS officers  at bay as far as possible ever since he took reins in June 2014. If any officer is not amenable he is being shifted to non-focal or ex-cadre posts. All important posts in the key areas of Naidu developmental agenda are being filled with either junior officers or outsiders.  Naidu’s areas of interest are  Urban development (Capital region development authority), Investment & Infrastructure, Power, IT,  Industry etc are handled by officers who are juniors by twelve years to the incumbent chief secretary IYR Krishna Rao of 1979 batch. Most of the officers belonging to the batches between 1980 and 1989 are  persona non gratae in Andhra Pradesh.

The officers who matter now in Andhra Pradessh

1.Dr. M.Venkateswarlu, IPoS (1992), Postmaster General, Kerala as MD of Bhogapuram International Airport Development Authority

2.Metta Rama Rao, IRS (C&CE, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), AP Bhavan, New Delhi
3.Venkaiah Chowdary, IRS Managing director APMDC earlier OSD chief minister.
4.J.Krishna Kishore, IRS (IT:90), Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Board, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
5.Naresh Penumaka, IRS (C&CE1987), has been posted as Commissioner, Handloom and Textiles and Joint Chief Executive Officer, Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB) and Joint Managing Director, A.P. Handicrafts Corporation Limited consequent on his deputation to state of Andhra Pradesh from Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
6.G.S.Phani Kishore, IRS (1992), appointed as Special Secretary to Government, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Department and Managing Director, A.P. Technology Services (APTS)
7.Adusumilli V Rajamouli, IAS (UP:03) posted Joint Secretary to Chief Minister, Chief Minister’s Office
8.Ch.Venkata Gopinath, (IRS), from Ministry of Finance, Government of India, to Andhra Pradesh Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation
9.Aparna U., IAS (UP:01), as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, A.P. State Skill Development Corporation, Hyderabad
10.Lt. Col M.Ashok Babu, (IC-57838) AOC, at the disposal of Government of Andhra Pradesh on deputation, initially for a period of two years as Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi.

11.Smt.K.Sandhya Rani, IPoS, at the disposal of Government of Andhra Pradesh on deputation, initially for a period of two years- as Commissioner, School Education.
12.W.V.R.Murthy , IAS (AGMUT:2002) has reported to the Andhra Pradesh Cadre as Managing Director, A.P. State Finance Corporation Limited, Hyderabad.
13.K. Sambasiva Rao, IRTS (1997 is posted as Vice-chairman & Managing Director, A.P. Infrastructure Corporation Limited (INCAP)
14. A.S.P.S. Ravi Prakash, Pondicherry Civil Service (NFG) Officer, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Girijan Cooperative Corporation, Visakhapatnam.
15.Dr. Arja Srikanth, IRTS (1987) SAG, as Additional Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi
16.M. Jagdish Babu, IRS, as Secretary, A.P. State Planning Board
17.Ms. Hema Munnivenkatappa, IAS (1998) Sr. Deputy A.G. (Administration) O/o A.G. (A&E), Andhra Pradesh & Telangana to the state Government of Andhra Pradesh on deputation as Special Secretary, Finance Department. 18.Dr. E. Ramesh Kumar, IAS (MP:99), Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Girijan Cooperative Corporation, Visakhapatnam.

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Finally, AP finds shelter in Rain Tree Park, Guntur

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At last, Andhra Pradesh government appears to have found shelter in Rain Tree Park, opposite Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur to accommodate its ministers and many senior officers. According to sources, an agreement has been reached with the owners of the complex to make 245 flats and 26 villas available by November 1.The road to Rain Tree park has been paved by social welfare minister Ravela Kishore Babu. He was the first minister to locate a flat in the complex. According to sources, government has agreed to pay the rent at the rate of Rs 11 per sq ft. As per the agreement reached, the complex will be leased out for government for two years. There will be an increase of 5 per cent rent every year.

After Naidu shifted to river front bungalow near Vijayawada, pressure to relocate themselves to Vijayawada or Guntur has been mounting on the minister. As the chief minister has started operating most of the time from Vijayawada, the ministers now feel compelled to shift to Guntur. The result is the agreement with Rain Tree Park.

This is going to put enormous financial burden on the government. The present lease will cost Rs 5.5 crore per year to state. ” The chief minister is aware of the burden. But when the lofty goal of taking the administration to the door steps of the people, burden should not deter us,” Ravela said. According to Ravela, by Sankranti, Andhra Pradesh government will be fully functional from the temporary capital.

He expressed hope that the government could persuade employees also by announcing a package and addressing their concerns.

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‘Kurnool should be made summer capital of AP”

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Causing embarrassment to TDP leadership, party leader from Kurnool TG Venkatesh demanded that Amaravati Capital Development Region be made into an autonomous zone in Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, he also demanded that Kurnool town be declared summer capital of the state to make up the loss of capital to region.

Venkatesh, who has been spearheading the Rayalaseema movement today organized a massive human chain in the town stretching from historical Kondareddy Buruju. Students, youth and people participated in the program in a big way. Talking on this occasion, he said, Rayalaseema doesn’t want to get cheated in future again. ” When Hyderabad developed as the only face of Andhra Pradesh at the cost of Kurnool, the bifurcation caused enormous loss to the region. Kurnool was the capital on the day when Andhra Pradesh was created in 1956. After bifurcation, Telangana became separated, Rayalaseema did not get the capital back. We lost capital and all the labors we put into the development of Hyderabad. This time, Amaravati should not become another Hyderabad. To ensure that the CRDA should be converted into a free zone. Along with this Kurnool should be announced summer capital of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

Taking up the cause of North Coastal Andhra he said, the region should be made the seat of High Court Bench. Venkatesh said discontentment is brewing in Rayalaseema and it should not be allowed to take undesirable form. Government should immediately take the projects such as Gundla Cheruvu, Vedavati and Siddeswaram in Kurnool district.

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AP plans separate desk for Korean investments

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Andhra Pradesh is planning a separate desk to process the investment proposals from South Korea. This will be the second separate desk to be set up at Andhra Pradesh secretariat, the first being a desk for Japan. This was disclosed IYR Krishna Rao, chief secretary of the state today. Speaking at the inaugural of the Korea Caravan organized by Korea Andhra Pradesh (AP) Friendship Forum in Vizag on Tuesday, Rao sought to draw the attention of audience to the ease of doing business created in the State.He said the World Bank had also acknowledged investment friendly environment in the state.

The Chief Secretary said the relations between India and South Korea date back to AD 48 when Princess of Ayodhya married King of Korea and emphasized on the need for strengthening the two millennia old relationship. He invited Korea to partner with AP in building the greenfield capital Amaravati and thanked the Embassy of Republic of Korea for selecting Andhra Pradesh for its first-ever Korea Caravan outside New Delhi. HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao listed out the opportunities in and around Visakhapatnam and invited investment in packaging industry. Ambassador of Republic of Korea to India Joon-gyu Lee said Andhra Pradesh was making spectacular progress and is drawing attention of the world to its performance. The Korean industries had developed expertise in a number of avenues and were keen on investing in Andhra Pradesh in infrastructure, skill development and smart cities, he said.

Minister for information technology and public relations Palle Raghunadh Reddy said chief minister Chandrababu Naidu had expressed his regret that he could not attend the event as he was away in Singapore.

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AP will become Silicon Valley of India: Naidu

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Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said his objective was to transform Andhra Pradesh into Silicon Valley of India. Addressing an impressive gathering at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) in Singapore on the second day of his trip to Island Nation, he said India was moving in the right direction and along with China and the US, India would become the third leading economy in the world by 2050.

“We have a long sea coast. We are the only state with such a long coastline on the East and we are planning to develop this as Logistics Hub of Southeast Asia,” he added. Then chief minister announced to the elite gathering of the Institute amid applause how he took up task of linking to mighty rivers of South India namely Godavari ad Krishna. Despite challenges, the Chief Minister said, the government sees capital building as one of the greatest advantages for the state. “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted our invitation to lay the foundation for Amaravati on October 22nd. I will be meeting Singapore Prime Minister tomorrow, to invite him for the historic occasion on October 22nd,” he said.

“I’m also happy to inform you that our state has been ranked second in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ by World Bank., after Gujarat. I’m confident that we will rise to the top spot next year. We will be a distant number one.”

Meanwhile, an entrepreneur, who has an industry in AP, said he had suffered from lack of power for last five years. Naidu responded to this by stating that the stage had given priority to power sector. “Now, our T & D losses stand at 10.4%. We will soon bring it down to to single digit.”

Q&A session

Q: Do you think that the following democratic tradition will constrain the efforts for economic development ? What assurance can you give us that politics won’t trouble the new state ‘s efforts towards development?

Naidu: “it all depends on the quality of leadership. A motivating leadership and stable leadership can balance development. For example: The previous government at the Centre brought in the Land Acquisition Act. It made land acquisition impossible. But, to create a win-win situation for everyone in the state, I adopted the land pooling system where people responded to my call. We have procured 33,000 acres of land with land owners voluntarily giving their land, with the hope of getting better value for their land in future. Despite being a Democracy, we have completed such a massive task with people’s support.”

Q: What would AP do to help start-ups?

Naidu: I want to make Andhra Pradesh the Silicon Valley of India. In my last stint as the Chief Minister, I had promoted a lot of entrepreneurs. Now, I want to start-ups and MSMEs We already have established a Start-up Village in Visakhapatnam. We are also going to start the Innovation Fund. That apart, a venture capital fund and incubation centre are on cards.

Q: How are you balancing environmental concerns with fast clearances of projects? Can you do environmental impact assessments in such short time?

Naidu: We will take all measures for environmental assessments and follow regulations. Other routine clearances will be granted within 21 days. For a greener state, we will go in for massive plantation.

Q: A lot of students go abroad from India- most from AP. What steps do you take to retain them in Andhra Pradesh? What steps do you take to encourage research in Amaravati especially bioengineering?

Naidu: I want to make AP an education hub. In my previous stint, I have increased the number of engineering colleges from 30 to 300. We also brought a lot of focus on biotechnology.

Q: What are you doing to get good universities to AP?

Naidu: I’m networking with many world-class universities. And, we are also inviting foreign faculty members to come as visiting professors to our colleges/universities.

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.

World Bank clears huge loan package for AP

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Pleased at the reforms effected in AP to facilitate ease in doing business, the World Bank has come forward to lend an assistance of Rs 2,400 crore to strengthen power sector in the State by carrying forward the reforms at all levels.

This was disclosed by K Vijayanand, Chairman & Managing Director of APTRANSCO, during a review meeting on power situation in the State with senior officials. According to Vijayanand, the World Bank has cleared a proposal of AP for assistance of Rs 2,400 crore to take up reforms in the power sector. It may be recalled here that last week World Bank has assigned second rank on all India scale in the ease in doing business based on the reforms implemented to attract the investors. Andhra Pradesh is on an ambitious mission to provide quality power supply to consumers, with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore.

Because of the steps taken by the Discums to curtail the power leakages, Andhra Pradesh is able to save Rs 1,950 crore by cutting Transmission & Distribution(T&D) losses in the last 18 months. “These has been achieved through the implementation of an action plan. It paved the way for reduction of T&D losses from 17.05 per cent in 2010-11 to 10.54 per cent now, a reduction of 6.51 per cent till August 2015,” he claimed.

To carry forward this state the Discums have developed a road map for further reducing the T&D loses from 10.54 per cent to single digit by 2016-17 on a par with the advanced countries like US, UK South Korea and France. In curbing the T&D losses Andhra Pradesh is far ahead of other states T&D losses in different States during 2015: AP: 10.54 pc. Maharashtra: 14.20 per cent; Punjab: 14.21 per cent; Gujarat: 14.60 per cent; HP: 14.69 per cent; Kerala: 16.04 per cent; Karnataka: 18.30 per cent; Uttaranchal: 18.60 per cent; Tamil Nadu: 20.92 per cent. As the AP is the leader in reforms, the World Bank wants now to push further the reforms.

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 promote Buddhist heritage in Far East

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Andhra Pradesh government is aiming to make Amaravati, the emerging capital of state, an important destination for Buddhists across the globe. The state has drawn up a plan to promote Buddhist heritage of Amaravati in China, Japan and other far eastern countries where Buddhism is flourishing. A high level delegation of state government is all set to visit Japan to take part in an international exhibition to be held there from September 24 to 27 in order to promote Buddhist tourist sites of Andhra Pradesh.

Tourism principal secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad will be leading the team to Japan to showcase the Buddhist heritage in Association of Travel Agents’ Tourism Expo, “Japan-2015”. Andhra Pradesh is developing a Buddhist circuit connecting all the Buddhist sites in coastal region. As part of this the sate has embarked on developing at least 19 Buddhist sites, including two in the close proximity of new capital city Amaravati, into prominent tourist destinations with Japanese help. Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda are two world famous Buddhist centres in the State. These are only two sites of 150, which were excavated and identified in the State. Buddhist settlements in Andhra date back to 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had already had already submitted a proposal to the Japanese government, seeking necessary financial and technical support to create a Buddhist Circuit in AP that covers major Buddhist sites. The sites include Salihundam, Ramateerthaalu, Bojjanakonda, Guntupalli, Adumuru, Jaggayyapeta, Gummudigudeam, Alluru, Ghantasala, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. State government is also planning ‘Monastery Boulevard’ in Amaravati, where Buddhist monasteries can be built, like in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya. There are plans to erect a Buddha statue at Ghantasala. A standing Buddha statue unearthed near Ghantasala is now on display in museum in Paris. The statue will be the replica of the one in Paris.

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Chalo AP: Red Carpet rolled out for Investors

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Buoyed by the second rank it achieved in creating business friendly atmosphere in the truncated Andhra Pradesh, state government has cleared land allocation to many industries with huge employment potential today. Andhra Pradesh, which is only second to Gujarat in the ease in doing business has made available 1,589 acres to Kakinada special economic zone. The land is transferred to Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), which in turn enter into MoU with SEZ and assign the land to the project. The land will be used to set up port and industrial back-up area.Similarly, Divis laboratories is all set to invest Rs 1500 crore to establish Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and intermediates manufacturing facility in Kona village, near Kakinada. The facility is expected provide employment to 5,000 people.

In another development, the state government accorded clearance to alienate 125 acres at Thatiparthi in Chittoor district in favour of Floera Ceramics Private Limited. Florea is establishing Vitrified Floor Tile Manufacturing Unit with an outlay of Rs 150 crore and with potential of 553 jobs.

Another allotment is made in Anantapur district. Close 264 ac. has been allotted to EMPI Innovation Park Private Limited for establishing a of manufacturing Cluster for Electronic Systems, Design and manufacturing in Palasamudram village of Anantapuram district . EMPI will invest Rs 450 crore in the cluster and is expcted to creat 2500 jobs. The is modeled on the lines of a Science Park, focused on academia, research, social infrastructure and industry to drive innovation and global manufacturing with the specific focus on the Defense and Aerospace and ESDM sectors.

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.

Telugu’s Tamil Nadu problems

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Language is serious political subject. Throughout history, it has been a made a tool to mobilize people to form governments or to dislodge existing governments or kingdoms. Those who are conscious of the power of language always try to scuttle any attempt of people to coalesce into the identifiable group. Tamil Nadu is very sensitive to the language aspect. The Tamil parties know pretty well that Telugus are a potential group if allowed to talk of their language in Chennai. So, all governments tried to eliminate Telugu from Tamil Nadu. A sister language, Telugu, is being crushed there.

Telugu movies are not exhibited there. Telugu subject is being removed from schools. Once a Telugu teacher is retired, there wouldn’t be any refilling of the post. It is all because of the fear of political power of the language. Who knows, if not tomorrow, someday in future, Telugus may forma political party and pose a threat to the party in power?

Telugus of Tamil Nadu are a worried lot. They can’t stage any protest in Chennai. So, the Tamil Nadu Telugu Yuva Sakthi is planning a Maha Dharan at Indira Park in Hyderabad on September 10 against the ill-treatment meted out to the sister language in Tamil Nadu. For the purpose, a poster has been released by CPI leader K Narayana in Hyderabad. Tollywood director Teja and hero Dileep were also present at the occasion.

Narayana extended full support of CPI to the Maha Dharna and assured the Nadu Telugus that he would take their problems to the notice of Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He also said the CPI would write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue. Narayana also is of opinion that chief minister Naidu to speak to his Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa about the problems of Telugu students in Tamil Nadu. He reminded how the schools in Andhra bordering Tamil Nadu are facilitating students to learn Tamil.

Tollywood director Teja wants chief minister Naidu to solve the problems of Telugus in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Telugu Yuva Sakthi president Ketireddy Jagadeeshwar Reddy called upon all Telugu lovers to take part in Maha Dharna and make it a grand success.

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.

Britannia to invest Rs 127 crore in AP

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India’s food major, Britannia Industries Limited has evinced interest in setting up an agro-processing facility in Chittoor district. Company’s managing director Varun Berry called on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today to discuss company’s investiment plans in Andhra Pradesh.

During his meeting with the Chief Minister Naidu, Berry said that the company was planning to commission the first phase of the project in Chittoor district with an investment of Rs 125 crore by the end of 2016.

The 120 year old company on the look out of a location in Andhra Pradesh from where it could easily cater to the markets of Chennai and Bengaluru.
Chief Minister assured him the government would finalize the site in Chittoor district .
Chief minister briefed Berry about the states plans in promoting agro based industries in the state on priority basis.
“We are focusing on agriculture and allied activities like Horticulture, livestock, fisheries, dairy and poultry whose estimated growth rate for 2015-16 is 24% with Rs 1.87 lakh crore against 1.43 lakh crore in 2014-15,” the Chief Minister said asking the company to explore its options in the area.

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Kuppam to quench the thirst of AP villages

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Chief minister Chadrababu Naidu is for replicating the Kuppam drinking water model across the State and involve corporate and industrialists under the CSR initiatives in the projects meant for drinking water. He prescribes Kuppam model as the real solution to the chronic drinking water problem the districts of Chittoor and Anantapur are facing. But, under Kuppam model the water doesn’t flow free of cost. Chief minister asked the officials to supply water but fix the meters and collect the charges in the name of maintenance.

Expressing concern over the water scarcity compounded by the fluoride problem, he asked officials to work on an action plan to provide mineral water to isolated pockets in these two districts, immediately. “Work out a plan to meet drinking water needs of fluorosis-hit villages. This should include immediate plan, intermediate plan and a long-term plan,” he instructed officials.

He asked the officials not to compromise on the making potable water to the households in rural areas especially, Chittoor and Anantapuram districts.Kuppam, his home constituency, has overcome the acute drinking water problem by adopting rainwater harvesting and setting up recharging structures. The CM said Panchayat Raj officials that the department should be in a position to supply at leader 30 TMC of water for drinking purpose. Chief Minister asked officials to make all the services online for 12, 918 through Panchayat Raj Institution & Management System (PRIM).

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.

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