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BJP faces uphill task to emerge as alternative to TRS

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BJP faces uphill task to emerge as alternative to TRS

A year after dealing a big blow to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) by bagging four Lok Sabha seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) still appears far from reaching its goal of emerging as an alternative to the ruling party.

The continued domination of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao over state politics and lack of strong leadership is what is believed to be preventing the BJP from building on the inroads it made in Lok Sabha elections in May last year.

As the BJP celebrates its formation day under the new state unit chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar, it faces a herculean task to take on the TRS, which virtually decimated the main opposition Congress since retaining power in 2018.

Sanjay Kumar, one of the four party MPs from the state who took over the reins of the party last month, will be hoping to at least replace Congress as the principal opposition party.

The 48-year-old leader, who belongs to the backward class and was associated with the RSS since his childhood, may find it difficult to challenge the TRS, which continues to hold a stranglehold over Telangana politics.

By retaining its lone Lok Sabha seat and wresting three seats from TRS, the BJP had caused a big political upset. It not only garnered 19 per cent votes but also dealt a huge blow to TRS by defeating Chief Minister and TRS president K. Chandrashekhar Rao’s daughter K. Kavitha in Nizamabad parliamentary constituency.

Bandi Sanjay Kumar himself wrested the Karimnagar seat from senior TRS leader B. Vinod Kumar. G. Kishan Reddy, who was defeated in Assembly elections, was elected from Secunderabad despite replacing veteran leader and former central minister Bandaru Dattatreya. Kishan Reddy’s induction as Union Minister of State for Home was also expected to give a shot in the arm to the party.

Buoyed by the impressive performance, the BJP’s central leadership started focusing on Telangana with the 2023 Assembly elections as the target. Union Home Minister and then BJP chief Amit Shah visited Hyderabad in July to launch the party’s membership drive and declared that formation of BJP government in the state is certain.

However, the BJP failed to build on the success in Lok Sabha polls. Continuing its good show, the TRS swept the polls for rural and urban local bodies. In the municipal elections, the BJP’s marginal gains were confined to a couple of Lok Sabha constituencies.

Though BJP leaders have been making tall claims that several TRS leaders will be switching loyalties, KCR kept his flock intact. Only a handful of Congress leaders joined the BJP ranks.

The BJP was expected to emerge as a major force in separate Telangana state and anticipating this, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) had been opposing bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

However, the BJP, along with its then ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP), finished far behind the TRS in 2014 polls. Though subsequently, the BJP severed ties with the TDP as the latter was dubbed as party of Andhra Pradesh by its rivals, the saffron party faced humiliating defeat in 2018. It could win only one seat in 119-member Assembly.

“Though one out of the only two seats BJP won in the first-ever general election (1984) the party contested was from Telangana (Hanamkonda), it could never emerge into the force to reckon with in the region,” political analyst Raghava Reddy told IANS.

The lack of strong leadership has also hampered the party’s growth. “Though there were few leaders like Vidyasagar Rao, Bandaru Dattatreya who had strong connections at the national level, none could attain the stature of Venkaiah Naidu. Bangaru Laxman, who was installed as party chief but the elevation was short-lived and his fall was monumental.”

The analyst pointed out that the party leadership in Telangana and even Andhra Pradesh believed in coalitions and partnerships, instead of charting its own path.

Even younger leaders like K. Laxman and Kishan Reddy Acould not motivate the cadre to form a strong force that would take on more mainstream Congress or the TDP.

He believes that with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the top and ground being fertile enough to create religious polarization, the BJP will be hoping for a breakthrough in Telangana.

“Presence of a legislator like Raja Singh who is known for hate-filled speeches, and elevation of an activist like Bandi Sanjay to the post of party chief will do good to the saffron brigade,” Reddy said.

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Lockdown is the only solution for India. Will ask PM to further extend lockdown : KCR

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Lockdown is the only solution for India. Will ask PM to further extend lockdown : KCR

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao, who hoped that the state will be free from coronavirus by April 7 and that complete lockdown will be lifted if no fresh cases are reported, on Monday said he was in favour of extension of lockdown by at least another two or three weeks. “I will speak to the Prime Minister and express my willingness for extension of the lockdown,” he said.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government’s aggressive stance to declare complete lockdown saying such tough measure is the only way to fight the invisible enemy that is crippling countries like the US, Spain and Italy where people are dying by the heaps.
Pointing out that nearly 22 countries declared complete lock down and 99 nations announced partial lock down, he said, “The Prime Minister has extended the lockdown in the best interests of the nation. I am in favour of further extension of lockdown. I will request Modi saab to extend the lockdown at least by another two or three weeks. It will be in the best interests of the people. The Prime Minister should hold a video conference with all the CMs and announce further extension of the lockdown.”

Stating that the government has placed human life above economy, he said, “It is a fact that lockdown is hurting the economy. But we can always revive economy provided there are people alive to steer it back. Human life is valuable. Economy can always be revived.”

Citing a study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group which noted that complete lock own was the only solution for India to fight the corona virus, the Chief Minister said “The fact that the number of Covid-19 cases are still low in India is because of the complete lockdown. Today, there are only 4,318 positive corona cases in India. Imagine, the consequences if lockdown was not enforced. Until we have a vaccine, lockdowns and social distancing are the only ways to reduce the spread of the virus. Until then, social distancing and lock down are the only ways to break the chain of transmission and a fighting chance of surviving this pandemic.”

Interestingly, the Boston Consulting Group predicted that the central government could start lifting Covid-19 lockdown only between the fourth week of June and the second week of September.

Appealing to the people not to view the lockdown viewed as punishment, he appreciated the people of Telangana for cooperating with the government and asked the people to continue the same spirit.

The central government had declared a complete lockdown from March 23 till March 31, but was later extended by 21 days to April 15. Other than a few essential services, all commercial, industrial, religious and cultural activity was shut down. Residents were ordered to stay home. India also shut down most transport services. Nothing, from city buses to domestic flights, would run.

The Chief Minister hailed the Prime Minster Narendra for finding new ways and means to keep the public morale high during the Covid 19 outbreak and came down heavily on social media and individuals who criticised his call to switch off lights on April 5 at 9 pm for 9 minutes. “The social media has become anti-social. I curse the social media. May it die of corona virus,” he said.

Thanking the medical staff for their service to the people in these difficult times, he said people and his government are indebted to the doctors, nurses, hospital staff. The CM announced Rs 7,500 for the GHMC and water board staff, Rs 5,000 for sanitation workers.

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KCR seeks PM’s intervention for supply of gunny bags

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KCR seeks PM’s intervention for supply of gunny bags

Facing scarcity of gunny bags to procure paddy from farmers, Telangana has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open manufacturing units in West Bengal and transportat bags through special trains.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday called on the Prime Minister to apprise him of the scarcity of gunny bags faced by the state.

According to Chief Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister responded positively to the request and assured he would talk to the departments concerned on the matter.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, told Modi that every year, Telangana source gunny bags from West Bengal where the manufacturing units are located. This year there is shortage of gunny bags due to lockdown and closure of the units in West Bengal.

As the state needs 20 crore gunny bags to procure paddy, KCR sought Modi’s intervention to open the gunny bags manufacturing units in west Bengal and ensure their transportation through special good trains to the state.

The Chief Minister on Sunday instructed the officials concerned to take measures to ensure that there are no problems for harvesting the crop or procurement of the paddy despite the lockdown.

To stop crowding at the markets, the government has decided to procure paddy at village level.

He asked officials to create an atmosphere in the villages so that farmers use the harvestor machines. He said harvester mechanics should be allowed in the villages with special passes. Permissions should also be given to the shops who sell spare parts to harvesters to open.

“Ensure that farmers do not swarm the procurement centres. Create awareness among farmers that they should reach the centres at the specified date and time, which is mentioned in their coupons. Make all the necessary arrangements at the procurement centres. The government is ready to buy every single morsel from farmers and hence the farmers need not panic,” the CM said.

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KCR meets Governor on Nizamuddin corona contagion

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KCR meets Governor on Nizamuddin corona contagion

With Telangana reporting 97 positive cases of corona, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao met Governor Dr Tamilsai Soundarajan on Wednesday at the Raj Bhavan to discuss the measures the government had initiated to contain and tackle the spread of corona virus in the state.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by state chief secretary Somasekhar and DGP Mahender Reddy. The Chief Minister discussed the situation arising out of the Nizamuddin religious congregation. He told the Governor that more than 1,000 people from the state had attended the religious congregation ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ in Markaz Masjid in South Delhi’s Nizamuddin area. Around six deaths were reported in Telangana, all of whom were people who attended religious congregation ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ in Markaz Masjid. Rao, it is learnt, told the Governor that more than 1,000 people from various parts of Telangana attended ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ and that the government could trace 800 people. The government, he said, has intensified its efforts to trace the remaining people who attended the ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ and also those who came in contact with the infected people. The Chief Minister, it is learnt, told the Governor that Telangana is witnessing a spike in the number of positive cases from the Nizamuddin event with several attendees from the state testing positive. The government officials are identifying people who attended the religious gathering and also those who came in contact with the infected people, he told the governor.

On March 29, the Telangana Governor has donated her salary for one month to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund as a token contribution towards controlling the spread of coronavirus. Soundararajan handed over a cheque of Rs.3.5 lakh to Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, M. Jagadeeshwar.

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Govt staff salary cut may face legal issues

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Govt staff salary cut may face legal issues

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had announced steep cut in salaries for government staff at all levels right from CM-level to attender-level ranging from 75% to 10% for various categories citing financial crisis on account of corona lockdown situation.

However, KCR’s decision to expected to land him in legal trouble.

Because Telangana employees and pensioners are planning to file cases against KCR in the Supreme Court and in the High Court against the move.

They are also planning to lodge a complaint with the Centre against KCR.

Employees and pensioners are accusing KCR of violating the Centre’s directives on lockdown and violating the provisions of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The Centre issued advisories through home ministry and labour ministry to all the state government not to deduct salaries citing lockdown.

They were directed to pay full salaries in time.

Moreover, the NDMA Act also bars states from deducting salaries during crisis situations like these.

If Centre and courts take KCR’s salary cut orders seriously, he may land in trouble.

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Corona effect: Telangana govt decides to cut salaries of CM, Ministers, MLAs, MLC, IAS, IPS and IFS officers

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Corona effect: Telangana govt decides to cut salaries of CM, Ministers, MLAs, MLC, IAS, IPS and IFS officers

In a bid to combat coronavirus crisis and provide relief to people infected by it, the Telangana government on Monday decided to deduct salaries of Ministers, MLAs and MLCs. The Chief Minister will also take a significant pay cut.

The decision to cut salaries of Ministers, MLAs and MLCs was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekara Rao and his Cabinet colleagues. The government has decided to cut the salary of the Chief Minister, Ministers, MLAs and MLCs by 75 per cent. Similarly, the high-level meeting also decided to cut the salaries of IAS, IPS and IFS officers by 60 per cent due to loss of revenue to the government in the light of the complete lockdown declared to contain the spread of corona virus. Further, the government has decided to cut the pension of all retired employees by 50 per cent,

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the Telangana government had lost around Rs 12,000 crore revenue so far this month due to the complete lockdown declared to contain the spread of corona virus. The Telangana government, like most other state governments, accrues revenues from GST, VAT, excise revenue. Ever since the government declared the lockdown on March 15, revenue generation declined significantly with the closure of business establishments, stoppage of vehicle registration and property registrations and zero revenues from excise department. Each month, the government requires at least Rs 3,000 crore to pay salaries and pensions.

TRS MPs and MLAs have contributed Rs 500 crore to the CM’s Relief Fund to help the government fight the coronavirus outbreak. Telangana has so far reported 72 Covid-19 cases. Besides, one-month salary, they contributed one year’s constituency development fund to the CM Relief Fund. The total amount is estimated to be Rs 500 crore.

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Telangana will hopefully be corona free by April 7, migrant workers are partners in the development of our state: KCR

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Telangana will hopefully be corona free by April 7, migrant workers are partners in the development of our state: KCR

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday hoped that the state could be declared ‘corona free’ if no fresh cases are reported till April 7.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the Chief Minister the state reported 70 positive cases of corona, 58 were undergoing treatment at various government hospitals, 5,742 were under quarantine, 11 were tested negative for corona virus. He reiterated that people should strictly follow social distancing and stay indoors to contain the spread of the virus. “Social distancing and staying indoors is the only weapon we have to fight this battle against the virus. I request the people of Telangana to cooperate in our efforts to achieve corona free tag to our state. For this, self-discipline is the best defence and weapon against the virus. Let us pray god that we should come out of this,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister noted that medical experts and international medical journals have lauded the efforts and measures of the central and the state governments to contain the spread of corona virus, especially with regard to the complete lockdown and social distancing norms,. “Some international medical journals have appreciated that India, with a population of 130 crore, has taken some effective measures to contain and tackle the contagion of corona virus,” Chandrasekhara Rao informed.

He said farmers, who sell their crops through established supply chains like market yards to sell their produce, should avoid doing so as the government had closed all the markets as part of the complete lockdown to restrict the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The state government has made all arrangements for the procurement of agricultural produce, including paddy and corn, directly from villages. Since all the market yards were closed as part of complete lockdown, the government has made arrangements to enable farmers to sell their produce in villages to contain the spread of virus, he said. In this regard, the government will issue coupons with specific dates clearly mentioned for the sale of the produce, the Chief Minister informed. He said the district and village officials were directed to prepare estimates for different crops and provide tokens to farmers for avoiding crowds at procurement centres. The purchases will be made through respective Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) or IKP procurement centres located in each village

“The government has no money to buy the produce. We have asked the civil supplies corporation to lend Rs 25,000 crore and another Rs 3,000 crore from Markfed to raise the money required to buy the produce directly from the farmers. The government revenue took a hit due to the corona virus, but we are doing everything from our end to ensure that the farmers do not suffer,” he said.

The Chief Minister said no migrant labour from other states will go hungry and would have to leave Telangana for want of shelter during the complete lockdown. Further, Chandraskehara Rao said he had instructed district officials to stay at home and advised migrant labour not to cross the border.

“We consider the migrant workers as partners in the development of Telangana. We have to treat them as sons of our soil. I have instructed the ofificals to grant Rs 500 per migrant worker and 12 kilos of rice or 12 kilos of wheat. Nobody should starve in Telangana. I have also instructed the officials to ensure they get all the necessary medical attention required. The migrant labour is like our brothers, our sons. They are part of our family. If migrant workers have any problem, they can meet the local MLA or district collectors. The migrant workers can stay in Telangana without any worries or concerns,” he said. The children of the labourers shall be provided with eggs and milk from the Anganwadi centers, he said.

He said the state government will allow poultry vehicles and vehicles that transport fruits despite the complete lockdown. “The state government will buy all the fruit cultivated in Telangana from the farmers. This is for the benefit of Telangana people as consumption of fruits such as oranges, sweet lime and pomegranates are known to build immune systems. These are vitamin-packed fruits. The produce of these fruits in Telangana will not be exported for the benefit of Telangana people. High doses of Vitamin C will be good in these days of coronavirus,” he reiterated. He also said corn will be procured at Rs 1,760 per quintal by TS Markfed to ensure that farmers do not suffer due to the Covid-19 crisis.

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Corona tally in Telangana 59. Govt can handle even 60,000 corona cases, says KCR

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Corona tally in Telangana 59. Govt can handle even 60,000 corona cases, says KCR

As the number of Covid-19 cases in Telangana rose to 59 with 10 fresh cases reported in single day on Friday, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao said the state medical administration is fully equipped to handle even 60,000 cases of corona although such a situation will not arise in Telangana.

Addressing a press conference, Chandrasekhara Rao said most of the positive cases reported in Telangana had travel history to various foreign countries and appealed to the people to cooperate with the government’s complete lockdown regulation to effectively contain the spread of the virus in the state. “Social distancing is the only potent weapon we have to fight this war against corona virus. We have all the medical facilities to deal with the current situation. However, social distancing is the best way to fight the virus,” he said. Despite the complete lockdown and total curfew from 7 pm to 6 30 am, Telangana has reported 10 positive cases of corona. Imagine the situation without these measures. It will be terrifying to even think,” the Chief Minister said while appealing to the people to stay indoors. “With a folded hands, I request the people of Telangana as the son of Telangana to remain where you are and don’t make any attempt to cross borders.”

In the light of students and IT employees making attempts to cross interstate borders, the Chief Minister asked the people to desist from leaving the state in their own interests and in the interests of other states. He appealed to the hostel managements in Hyderabad not to forcibly evacuate the inmates and warned that stern action would be taken against the managements of hostels if they fail to continue to provide accommodation to the hostellers. Recently, thousands of students and IT employees were asked to leave the hostels in light of the Covid-19 outbreak forcing them to leave the city to their native places in Andhra Pradesh. This created tension between the students/IT employees and the Andhra Pradesh police who barred them from entering into the AP borders.

He said the state government will allow poultry vehicles despite the complete lockdown and said it was a myth that consuming chicken leads to transmission of corona. “This is a stupid belief. As a matter of fact, people should consume eggs and chicken which has rich protein content required to boost immune systems. There is a false propaganda that chicken causes corona. We should not believe such propaganda,” he said. The poultry industry in Telangana has been severely hit amid rumours that coronavirus is transmitted through consumption of chicken, the prices of which have fallen considerably as a result. “Also fruits such as oranges, sweet lime and pomegranates are known to build immune systems. These are vitamin-packed fruits. The produce of these fruits in Telangana will not be exported for the benefit of Telangana people. High doses of Vitamin C will be good in these days of coronavirus,” he advised.

He said farmers, who sell their crops through established supply chains like market yards to sell their produce, should avoid doing so as the government has closed all markets after declaring complete lockdown to restrict the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Markets are essential activities for the economic livelihood of farmers and for food access for millions of people. The closure of markets has the potential to bankrupt farmers and force people to go without food. However, the CM assured that the government will buy their produce at their doorstep. The chief minister appealed to the farmers to keep their pass books and bank account details ready at the time of selling their produce directly to the government. “The marketyards are closed, therefore kindly do not go there to sell your produce. But be assured that the government will support the farming community in every which way. The government will stand behind the farming community in every possible manner. All arrangements are in place, so the farmers need not worry,” he assured.

Further, he said that the state government will ensure 24 hour power supply to the farmers and water supply from the Sri Ram Sagar Project and Jurala for irrigation till April 10. “Every single acre in Telangana will get water,” he assured. He directed the government power supply agencies to ensure that power is supplied 24 hours to the farmers without fail.

The state government has the capacity to treat 60,000 positive cases of corona. “We have kept 1,400 Intensive Care Unit beds ready to tackle any eventuality in the State. We are also roping in 11,000 healthcare professionals including the retired doctors and fresh medical graduates in our efforts to fight this monstrous virus. We have also made arrangements to create facilities at isolation centres and quarantine facilities to handle as many as 11,000 people suspected to have contracted the virus,” he said. However, all these efforts will be in vain if people fail to cooperate with the government’s effort by violating the lockdown. “I repeat social distancing is the only weapon to fight the virus,” he appealed.

The dreaded virus, the Chief Minister, said has affected every part of the globe. “America, the most powerful nation with top class medical facilities, is struggling in its fight against the virus. The country reported the highest ever number of infections recorded by any nation in a single day. We can imagine how the virus is crippling the world.”

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Corona delays KCR’s government from fulfilling poll promises!

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Corona delays KCR’s government from fulfilling poll promises!

Strange it may sound. But this is the opinion being expressed by TRS party leaders and also officials of Telangana government.

Telangana government is already facing several financial crisis due to the decisions of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to take heavy loans from various financial institutions to funds Kaleshwaram, Mission Bhagiratha and other projects. It is paying nearly Rs 15,000 crore towards interest on these loans.

In this scenario, KCR was struggling to fulfill his major poll promise of Rs 1 lakh crop loan waiver scheme and also implementation of new PRC for state government employees and pensioners.

Finally, KCR had decided to waive off crop loans in four installments starting this month. It was decided to release Rs 1,200 crore to clear dues of farmers up to Rs 25,000 each.

Employees have also stepped up pressure on KCR for implementation of new PRC from April.

At this juncture, coronavirus came into the state followed by lockdown.

The state government’s earnings took a beating with no financial activities outside.

KCR has no funds to release for crop loan waiver scheme and implement PRC. KCR has decided to keep crop loan waiver scheme on hold till situation improves.

Despite this, no one is daring to attack KCR or TRS government.

KCR got the opportunity to defer all his schemes and promises citing fund crunch on account of corona lockdown.

Even employees associations have decided to put off their PRC demand due to present critical financial condition of state government.

TRS leaders and state government officials say no one will dare to ask KCR to fulfill their demands at least for the next one-two years.

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Stay indoors or face shoot-at-sight: KCR warns people

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Stay indoors or face shoot-at-sight: KCR warns people

As the number of corona virus cases continues to rise in Telangana with three fresh cases reported taking the total to 36, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao warned of 24 hour curfew with no relaxations if people continue to disobey the complete lockdown imposed by the government till March 31. The warning comes in the wake of various violations by the public who came in large numbers on to the streets in complete defiance of the lockdown. The chief minister also warned of deploying the Army if the people continue to violate the lockdown and will even issue ‘shoot at sight’ orders to the police if need be.

The chief minister said the government was ready to take the harshest measure in the larger interests of Telangana state and its people. Further, those under home quarantine should deposit their passports in the collector’s office. Licences of motorists will be seized by the police if they violate the law, the chief minister said. While asking the ministers to monitor and supervise the efforts being taken in their respective constituencies with regard to containing the spread of corona virus, the chief minister wondered what the 150 corporators in municipalities were doing. Addressing a press conference after a high-level meeting attended by collectors, DGP, SPs, revenue officials and health ministry, the chief minister said, “We live in a democracy, but people should understand that the essence of democracy is not to disobey the law. The government may have to issue shoot at sight orders or even deploy the army to strictly enforce the lockdown. The public should now introspect if such strict measures should be enforced on them. The only way out is to stay indoors and there is no other way,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister said PD Act will be invoked if vendors sell vegetables at exorbitant prices and asked the farmers not to visit the market yards to sell their produce.

The chief minister’s tough talk comes in the wake of three more people being tested positive for Covid-19 in Telangana on Tuesday, taking the total in the state to 36. The state is under a complete lockdown, with only essential services allowed to function. It has imposed a curfew from 7pm to 6am daily to contain the spread of the outbreak.

On Monday and Tuesday, however, a large number of people came on to roads despite DGP Mahender Reddy warning of criminal action if people disobey the lockdown. As part of the measures, schools and educational institutions were closed, a swathe of businesses including pubs, clubs, hotels, gyms, cafes, cinemas, restaurants and other non-essential services were shut. Religious gatherings and places of worship also ordered to observe restrictions were barred. All inter-state borders were closed for passengers, and public transport was shut down. Only goods vehicles will be allowed; private bus services will also not be allowed to function. “Everyone should stay at home till March 31. That is the only way to defeat coronavirus,” KCR declared, announcing that the state government was invoking the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. As a matter of fact, the chief minister himself had appealed with folded hands asking people to stay indoors.

Despite the government pleas to people to isolate themselves by maintaining social distancing and warnings that they could face criminal action, citizens were found to violate the lockdown by coming on to the streets defying the law and law enforcing agencies. The police, including top cops, have marched on to the streets to enforce the lockdown. In some instances, they had to lathicharge the people and issued challans to motorists in order to drive some sense into motorists about the seriousness of the situation. Some even entered into heated agreements with police commissioner Sajjanar and even with Siricilla district collector Krishna Bhaskar when they tried to sensitize people about the seriousness of the situation.

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KCR shares dog joke. Find out what the joke is….

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KCR shares dog joke. Find out what the joke is….

Chief minister K Chandrasekhara Rao, known for his good oratory skills and articulation often peppered with jokes or poetical anecdotes, had his audience in splits on Sunday.

While thanking the people of Telangana for showing an overwhelming response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Janata curfew’ by staying indoors, the Chief Minister shared a joke in circulation about a dialogue between two dogs.

The joke goes like this. As the streets of Hyderabad wore a deserted look with millions of people staying indoors as part of the social distancing exercise to help stop the spread of the virus, one dog wonders as to where the humans have disappeared suddenly. It asks the other dog whether it has any idea why the streets are deserted. The other dog replies “Probably, they have been picked up by the baldia (municipal) officials for spreading the corona virus.” The chief minister said the joke was not meant to trivialize the issue being dealt by the governments across the world, but only to press the point how serious the problem had become when humans have to live in isolation and social distancing.

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Respect complete lockdown in 5 districts in Telangana, appeals KCR

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Respect complete lockdown in 5 districts in Telangana, appeals KCR

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhara Rao on Sunday announced that the central government has imposed a complete lockdown in five districts in the state including Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Ranga Reddy, Medchal and Bhadrachalam and appealed to to the people to remain indoors during the period.

Addressing a press conference soon after the central government’s decision to impose complete lockdown in 75 districts across the country as the total number of novel coronavirus cases in India rose to 341 on Sunday, the chief minister said the move to impose lockdown in Telangana was in the larger interests of public safety and should not be viewed as an insult on the people of the state. He also informed that five fresh cases of Covid-19 positive cases were detected, all the five were foreign returnees – two from Dubai, two from London and one from Scotland. The total number people with Covid-19 in Telangana rose to 26 after the state reported five fresh cases on Sunday. “All the corona virus cases reported in Telangana are foreign returnees,” he said.

“We will have a total lockdown as per 1897 Act. All state borders will remain closed. No more than five people can gather. Those who flout rules will face punishment. It is not like curfew, but people should not come out in their own best interest. One person from each family will be allowed to step out of their houses to buy essential commodities,” Rao said while addressing a press conference. The decision to lockdown in Telangana was taken at a high-level meeting attended by chief secretaries of all states and the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary to the prime minister, Rao informed. The state governments may expand the list depending on their assessment of the situation.

During the lock down period, all forms of public transport, including metro, bus services and autos will be non-operational. It has also been decided to suspend the interstate bus services till March 31. All train services remain suspended till March 31, including sub-urban rail services. However, goods trains are exempted. All metro rail services were also suspended till March 31. However, all essential services will be in operation in all five districts of Telangana under lockdown, the chief minister informed.

During the lockdown period, Rao stated that employees of both the government and private sector should be paid their salaries. “Even the private sector cannot deny salaries to its employees during the lock down period,” the chief minister noted. Daily wagers will be given 12 kg rice per individual and Rs 1,500 for groceries for the entire family, Rao said.

The chief minister thanked the people of Telangana in showing an overwhelming response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Janata curfew’ on Sunday by staying indoors and clapped in solidarity to the PM’s call in honour of all the medical staff and other employees working round the clock in India’s fight against corona virus. In Hyderabad and elsewhere in Telangana, streets wore a deserted look as people stayed indoors. It was no different in Andhra Pradesh where people stayed indoors.

The other districts where lockdown was announced are from states that include Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In

On Saturday, the chief minister reviewed the situation in Karimnagar district, where 10 members of an evangelist group from Indonesia were tested positive for the deadly disease following which the state government had announced a complete lockdown in Karimnagar.

A 10-member religious group had landed in New Delhi last week. They took the AP Sampark Kranti Express and reached Ramagundam on 14 March. The group then traveled in a private vehicle to Karimnagar where they stayed in a Mosque for two nights

With the maximum number of corona cases reported in Karimnagar, which has a population of over three lakh, the state government put the district on high alert and immediately swung into action to contain and tackle further spread of the virus

The Indonesians tested positive for Covid-19 were shifted to the Gandhi Hospital. Further, all those who came in contact with the Indonesians were also shifted to the Gandhi hospital.

The group of 10 Indonesians stayed near the collectorate and the area within a three-kilometre radius was kept on strict surveillance. Residents of several houses, within the vicinity and outside of it, were thoroughly checked by medical teams for corona virus. It is learnt that the Indonesians visited three mosques in Karimnagar. The state government and administration in Karimnagar have put several teams to scan the areas visited by the Indonesians.

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Arrest those who troll Modi: KCR asks DGP

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Arrest those who troll Modi: KCR asks DGP

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao took serious view on the issue of social media trolls against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As part of Janata Curfew call given on Sunday, Modi asked all the Indians to clap their hands at 5 pm on Sunday by standing in their balconies or doorways or ring door bells to express solidarity and support to those people working in emergency services to contain coronavirus and also to display before the world that India stands united to fight against coronavirus.

However, PM’s 5pm clap call is being trolled in the social media.

Some netizens are making mockery of Modi’s call while some created jokes on this issue which are being circulated in the social media.

KCR told media on Sunday that he too viewed such trolls and jokes mocking and criticising Modi on social media and felt very angry and bad.

KCR directed DGP Mahender Reddy who sat next to him on the dais at Pragathi Bhavan at Pragathi Bhavan to investigate who are behind those trolls and arrest him immediately.

“There is a limit for everything. He is the Prime Minister of India. We should respect him. The messages that are posted on social media against Modi are disgusting. Can’t they show minimum courtesy towards a PM. What’s wrong in PM asking people to clap at 5 pm. Its a gesture to show India’s unity and resolve to fight against corona. I too will clap at 5 pm along with my family members at Pragathi Bhavan on Sunday. I ask DGP to investigate and catch the culprits who are trolling Modi,” KCR said.

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Make Janata curfew a success, let us set an example: KCR

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Make Janata curfew a success, let us set an example: KCR

Extending support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Janata curfew call, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekahara Rao on Saturday urged the people not to come out of their homes between 6 am on sunday to 6 am on Monday stating that Telangana should set an example for the rest of the country by being in the forefront in every effort to contain and tackle the spread of the deadly Corona virus.

Everyone in the state, except those who are working in police department, medical services, emergency services, fire services, and those who work to deliver milk and daily groceries, should support the Janata Curfew. The chief minister said Janata Curfew will help in maintaining social distance and this is just a beginning to eradicate Covid-19.

Rao’s appeal also comes in the wake of Telangana reporting 19 positive cases of corona, the maximum being in Karimnagar. Telanagana has a spurt in the number of COVID-19 cases since Wednesday when 10 Indonesians tested positive for the virus. In the most recent case, an 18-year old woman who returned from London was tested positive for the virus.

The chief minister said at least 21,000 people from abroad have traveled to Telangana and around 11,000 travellers from other countries were identified by the state government. He said a special task force was set up to identify any cases of corona and take necessary measures to contain and tackle the spread of virus.

A group of 10 evangelists from Indonesia were tested positive for the virus earlier. With the Indonesians testing positive, the state administration has put Karimnagar on a high alert and initiated elaborate exercise to visit houses in the locality in Karimnagar where they stayed. Nearly 50,000 people were screened for COVID-19 by special medical teams in Karimnagar.

In a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, the Telangana Chief Minister said people from foreign countries come to metropolitan cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad in large numbers and that they need to be screened thoroughly.

On Saturday, Rao reiterated that more focus should be put on these cities and appropriate measures taken. The CM also told media on Saturday that he had suggested to the PM for temporary cancellation of international flights to the country. “Since a large number of people in the country travel by rail, tests should be conducted at the railway stations,” Rao said.

Rao said all measures have been taken in Telangana to prevent people from gathering in large numbers.
Rao also aid that he had appealed to Modi to utilise lab facilities at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad to conduct coronavirus tests.

Rao recently held a meeting with ministers, and top officials. The district collectors and police officials have been given directives to identify people who arrived from abroad after March 1 so that those having the virus symptoms could be referred to hospitals. The state government has already announced the closure of all educational institutions (from primary school to university) till March 31 and the closure of cinema halls, bars, pubs.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rao convened a “high-level emergency meeting” on preventing the spread of the virus.
The state government has already announced the closure of all educational institutions (from primary school to university) till March 31 and the closure of cinema halls, bars, pubs for a week (from March 14), among other measures.

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KCR puts off visit to corona hit Karimnagar

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KCR puts off visit to corona hit Karimnagar

Telangana Chie Minister K Chandrasekahara Rao, who was scheduled to visit Karimnagar today, has decided to postpone his plans. The Chief Minister initially planned to visit the district to take stock of the situation in the light of spread of corona virus after 10 Indonesians who were tested positive for COVID-19 stayed for two days in Karimnagar.

The state government has announced a complete lockdown in Karimnagar after eight evangelists from Indonesia who roamed its streets for at least two days have tested COVID-19 positive.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, health minister Eetala Rajender said the chief minister will be visiting Karimnagar to assess the situation in light of incidents of corona infected persons visiting the district. On Saturday, it was decided by the state government to put off the scheduled visit to Karimnagar as it could hamper the work to contain and tackle the spread of virus.

It may be noted that a 10-member religious group had landed in New Delhi last week. They took the AP Sampark Kranti Express and reached Ramagundam on 14 March. The group then travelled in a private vehicle to Karimnagar where they stayed in a Mosque for two nights

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.

KCR, Jagan take part in PM’s video conference on corona

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KCR, Jagan take part in PM’s video conference on corona

Chief ministers of the two Telugu states K Chandrasekahara Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart on Friday attended a video conference being held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chief ministers and state health ministers to ensure a coordinated approach to counter the corona virus.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to utilise laboratory facilities at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Hyderabad to test the Coronavirus presence in patients. The CM brought to the notice of the PM that lab facilities at the CCMB can be utilised for conducting tests for a large number of patient’s blood samples from any place in the country. He said that the CCMB was under the Centre’s control. The CCMB conducts the life sciences research. If an opportunity is given to conduct tests for the Corona virus, a thousand samples can be tested at one go at the CCMB, he said. The CM brought this matter to the PM’s notice.

Since a large number of people in the country travel by rail, tests should be conducted at the railway stations. High sanitation should be maintained in the railway coaches and at the railway stations. KCR said all measures were taken in Telangana State to prevent people gathering in large numbers. Festivals like Sri Ram Navami, Jagne Ki
Raat and celebrations connected to them were cancelled. The CM assured the PM that the state government would work with the Centre to stop spread of the Coronavirus in the country.

In the first such Centre-state interaction at the top level, Telanaga CM is likely to raise the issue of banning all international flights after a group of 10 Indonesians were found to have carried corona virus to Karimnagar.
The Telangana CM had put the state, especially Karimnagar on a high alert to contain and tackle the deadly virus. He will be visiting Karimnagar, which has a population of more than three lakh, to take a stock of the situation in the district where the Indonesian evangelists have stayed for two days. The state government has swung into action since and put up stringent vigilance in the areas visited by the Indonesians.

The Indonesians are believed to have visited three mosques in Karimnagar and the government is scanning thousands of houses with medical teams conducting health check ups to detect and rule out any positive cases of corona.

Modi has already held a video conference with heads of Saarc leaders and had deputed Principal Secretary PK Mishra to coordinate with states, who held a series of videoconferences.

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KCR to visit corona hit Karimnagar

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KCR to visit corona hit Karimnagar

Telangana Chie Minister K Chandrasekahara Rao will be visiting Karimnagar on March 21 in the light of corona virus infected Indonesians visiting the district. The state government has announced a complete lockdown in Karimnagar
after eight evangelists from Indonesia who roamed its streets for at least two days have tested COVID-19 positive.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, health minister Eetala Rajender said the chief minister will be visiting Karimnagar to take a stock of the situation in light of incidents of corona infected persons visiting the district.
A 10-member religious group had landed in New Delhi last week. They took the AP Sampark Kranti Express and reached Ramagundam on 14 March. The group then traveled in a private vehicle to Karimnagar where they stayed in a Mosque for two nights

With the maximum number of corona cases reported in Karimnagar, which has a population of over three lakh, the state government put the district on high alert and immediately swung into action to contain and tackle further spread of the virus

The Indonesians tested positive for Covid-19 were shifted to the Gandhi Hospital. Further, all those who came in contact with the Indonesians were also shifted to the Gandhi hospital.

The group of 10 Indonesians stayed near the collectorate and the area within a three-kilometre radius was kept on strict urveillance. Residents of several houses, within the vicinity and outside of it , were being thoroughly checked by medical teams for corona virus. It is learnt that the Indonesians visited three mosques in Karimnagar. The state government and administration in Karimnagar have put several teams to scan the areas visited by the Indonesians.

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.

Stop foreign flights immediately, demands KCR

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Stop foreign flights immediately, demands KCR

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Thursday demanded that the Centre immediately stop all international flights to contain the spread of coronavirus.

He told reporters here that the Centre should not wait till March 22. “Why March 22, all foreign flights should be stopped immediately,” he said.

Rao said he would make this demand during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video conference with the Chief Ministers on Friday.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said the international flights should have been stopped long back. He, however, said special flights could have been arranged to bring back the stranded Indians.

The Chief Minister said that countries like Taiwan which took strict measures succeeded in protecting themselves from coronavirus. He said countries like China, Italy and Iran suffered large number of casualties because of their “negligence”.

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.

Corona positive cases rise in TS, KCR convenes emergency meet

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Corona positive cases rise in TS, KCR convenes emergency meet

With Corona positive cases rising in Telangana even after state government announced ‘shutdown’ of educational institutions till March 31, bars, pubs, public places, parks, cinema theatres etc till March 21, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao sprung into action to take further strict measures to prevent the spread of corona virus.

The positive cases in Telangana increased to six by Wednesday with each case being detected every day.

To check this, KCR has decided to convene a high-level emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss measures to be taken to prevent the spread of Corona Virus in the State.

For the meeting to be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 PM in Pragati Bhavan, all district collectors, Police Commissioners, SPs are invited.

The CM urged people in the State to be on alert, as people who travelled from Indonesia to Karimnagar have tested positive for the Corona Virus.

Against this backdrop, in the Thursday meeting, preventive measures to be taken and regulations to be followed would be discussed. Since the Corona Virus is spreading through those coming from abroad, all those coming from abroad should undergo tests.

People also should be on alert and inform the authorities about those coming from abroad. People should also take measures for their personal health.

The CM has instructed the officials concerned to allow people coming from abroad to go home only after they went through the complete check up. The State government had already implementing week day and 15-day action plan to prevent spread of the virus. In the Thursday emergency and high-level meeting, some more preventive measures will be declared. It was decided to cancel meetings where there would be possibility of having more crowds.

The CM has urged the people to stay away from festivals and celebrations, which would involve group activity. The CM wanted the people to understand the measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of Corona by thus saving the State. The CM also asked the people not to gather in large numbers at one place.

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Finally, KCR fulfills his major poll promise!

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Finally, KCR fulfills his major poll promise!

Crop loan waiver up to Rs 1 lakh was the major poll promise of TRS during 2018 Assembly polls.

This played a major role in TRS retaining power for second term with a landslide majority in 2018 Assembly polls.

However, CM KCR failed to implement this promise even 15 months after coming to power resulting in severe anger among the farming community.

Finally, KCR on Tuesday issued orders for implementation of crop loan waiver scheme which will benefit over 25 lakh farmers.

The loan waiver will be implemented in four phases.

In the first phase, crop loans up to Rs 25,000 will be waived off this month at a single go.

For those having loans up to Rs 50,000, Rs 75,000 and Rs 1 lakh will be waived in remaining three phases.

This time, the TRS government will issue cheques to farmers directing unlike earlier system of crediting amount in their bank accounts.

This is aimed to derive maximum political mileage for TRS since cheques will be distributed by local MLAs in respective constituencies.

Since 103 of the 119 MLAs in Telangana Assembly are TRS members, the loan waiver will help TRS to garner the support of farmers before 2023 Assembly polls.

The scheme is expected to cost over Rs 25,000 crore to TS government.

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