Switch to: తెలుగు
Home Tags Telangana

Phone Tapping: Centre was aware of Interception

Telugu360
-
0
Phone Tapping: Centre was aware of Interception

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another eminent advocate Venugopal appeared for Andhra Pradesh.

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

Naidu keen on wresting Warangal and Sanathangar

Telugu360
-
0
Naidu keen on wresting Warangal and Sanathangar

Notwithstanding the setback he has suffered in recent cash-for-vote (CFV) scam, AP CM Chandrababu Naidu is determined to take on ruling TRS in byelections to Warangal Lok Sabha and Sanathnagar Assembly constituencies. He asked the Telangana TDP leaders to get ready to face challenge and prove that TDP was the real alternative to TRS in new state. Warangal bypoll is necessitated by the resignation of Kadiam Srihari, who joined TRS cabinet, Santhanagar is sure to go to polls once the mystery  of resignation  by Talasani Srinvasa Yadava is resolved by the High Court.

In the backdrop of Congress’ heightened preparations for bypolls and the talk of Meira Kumar’s likely condidature from Warangal, on Wednesday,Naidu had summoned available Telangana leaders L Ramana, Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy, Aravind Kumar Goud and Krishna Yadav to his residence. He asked them to organize T-TDP general body meeting to discuss the strategy for Warangal byelection. Tentatively the meeting is scheduled on August 12. Naidu will also participate in the meeting. Naidu thinks that anti-incumbency in Telangana has been on the rise and KCR’s broken promises such as failure to come to the rescue of farmers, power shortage, steps like Osmania Hospital shifting, resentment among the students etc are enough to pull the rug under the feet of KCR in elections. As part of the strategy for elections, TDP leaders will up the ante against the TRS government by staging dharnas and organizing meetings regularly across the state including capital Hyderabad.

AP CM Naidu

Naidu discussed the elections to Sananthnagar and GHMC with city leaders Sayanna, Maganti Gopinath, Praash Goud, and Arikepudi Gandhi.

Aware that T-CM KCR would bank on the alleged involvement of Naidu in CFV to beat TDP in elections, the AP CM is readying the aresenal  to neutralize it by raising proven phone-tapping by TS government which he says illegal. While Telangana ACB has not conclusively demonstrated the role of Naidu, the  telephone-tapping by TS government is established truth. The cellular operators, who tapped the phone, in a petition in Supreme Court admitted to the tapping of phones. Later Supreme Court directed these companies to part with the call data in a sealed cover and furnish it to the trial court in Vijayawada. Now, the TRS government categorically informed to Hyderabad High Court that it did bug the phones, but was done lawfully. So Naidu wants to use this admission as a poll plank.

 

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.

Boon or Bane: Cong mulls over fielding Meira from Warangal

Telugu360
-
0
Boon or Bane: Cong mulls over fielding Meira from Warangal

Congress is in dilemma over the selection of the candidate for Warangal parliamentary byelection.  The signals from 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi indicate that Congress is mulling over fielding former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar as the party’s candidate. But, it is unlikely to go  down well with the T-Congress.  Since Warangal is SC reserved constituency, Congress high command feels,  a national leader like Meira Kumar would give a tough fight to TRS nominee. Many in the party feel that local candidate alone would fare well than  imported Meira Kumar.

Logic behind Meira’s candidature

Party sources say Meira Kumar has many positive points. One, she chaired the Lok Sabha session when the house was debating the AP Reorganization Bill-2014. The argument is that she had ably controlled the house which otherwise would have had Lok Sabha derailed  leading to adjournment. It may be recalled that the bill was passed in unprecedented uproar amid the sprinkling of pepper spray by Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal (Vijayawada). The House was locked from outside and live telecast was discontinued. And the Bill was passed. Congress wants to show the high drama as the Meira Kumar’s support for Telangana and Telangana people should also reciprocate the gesture by casting their vote in her favor.  The second reason they are citing is her pedigree. She is the daughter of Babu Jagjivamn Ram, one of the greatest dalit leaders.  In 2014 she contested from Bihar’s Sasaram  and lost.

Some leaders see this as not a wise decision. Fielding local candidate banking on growing anti-incumbency against TRS government would be the right strategy, they say.

“This is not the right time to express gratitude to Meira Kumar. This election is politically very significant for the party as Congress has been fighting against TRS’ corruption. Winning the Warangal seat will enthuse the party cadre to work hard  to win the 2019 elections. The party has to think of fielding a local  candidate who has better chances of winning the seat,” said a senior leader.

However, TPCC working president Bhatti Vikramarkha Mallu told Telugu 360 that no final decision had been taken on the party candidate.

“Election is  too far away. The name of Meira Kumar is media’s speculation. The party will take a decision on the candidate after several rounds of talks in the party,” he said.

As the Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted the resignation of TRS member Kadiam Srihari, who was inducted into T-cabinet, election commission is expected to set the process in motion any time.  Congress is also planning to bring Rahul Gandhi to Warangal next month to address a rally and  to officially launch the election campaign.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Points in Section 8 of AP Reorganization Act- 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

It’s official, AP Govt Phones Tapped on TS Request

Telugu360
-
0
It’s official, AP Govt Phones Tapped on TS Request

In major embarrassment to Telangana government, three telecom operators informed the Supreme Court that they had tapped certain numbers from Andhra Pradesh in May-June 2015  as per the instruction from TS.

The tapping was done by Airtel, Idea and Reliance companies.

These companies admitted to this before the Apex Court, in a petition filed by Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), the representative body of cellular operators.

Supreme Court, in turn, directed these companies to part with information in a sealed cover within a week and give this to trial court in Vijayawada. The direction is a victory of sorts to Andhra Pradesh, which wants to use  the charge of Telephone tapping by Telangana government to neutralize the T State’s threat to implicate chief minister Chandrababu Naidu in cash-for-vote scam.

This is expected to intensify the war of words between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

In the meantime, union home minister Rajanath Singh reportedly dashed off a letter to the states in conflict asking them to keep the centre posted with the problems arising between them such as telephone tapping.

Rajnath Singh

Because the implementation of the AP Reorganization Act-2014 is the responsibility of union ministry of home affairs (MoHA). The MoHA took the extraordinary step of writing to warring states as the telephone tapping and seeking the information thus tapped involves the issues of national security.

The petitioner, COAI said, “During the period from May 2015 to June 2015, the law enforcement agencies of the state of Telangana directed petitioners (Airtel, Idea and Reliance) to carry out lawful interception of certain phone numbers under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act. The petitioners, who were bound under law, accordingly complied with the said orders. But they do not have access to the content of the said lawful interception. However, the said lawful interception has resulted in political storm in both the states.”

A probe by Andhra Pradesh  into cash-for-vote scam in which T-TDP MLA Revanth Reddy was caught red-handed while giving money to nominated MLA Stephenson in connection with MLC elections, revealed that certain phones of Andhra Pradesh government functionaries had been tapped. State then set up special investigative team (SIT) to investigate into the telephone tapping by TS which found that certain phones had been tapped.

Then, AP took legal recourse to get the call data from the Telecom operators. The Telangana government, however, had warned that disclosure of call data would be considered a violation of Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Indian Telegraph Act, 1995, by the operators. Telangana argues that telecom service providers are not supposed to entertain requests by anybody to furnish data, which is confidential in nature, and pertaining to lawful interceptions of telephone communication undertaken by law enforcement agencies falling within the jurisdiction of Telangana to police officers and individuals of other state who have no jurisdiction over the territory of Telangana state.

Informing the Apex court how they had been pressurized, with a request form AP for data, and a warning from Telangana against the three service provides sought the advice of the Union home ministry and Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

The DoT on the other hand on June 30, 2015 the DoT said, “the matter has been referred to the Government of India for legal examination as it related to lawful interception and monitoring that has bearing on national security.“

But with a court in Vijayawada directing the three companies to part with the information in a sealed cover by July 24, they moved the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The Supreme Court upon hearing the prayer of the three service providers directed them to furnish information sought by AP  to the magistrate concerned  in a sealed cover and directed the trial court to preserve it for a month so that petitioners could move Hyderabad High Court.

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.

HC Notice to T-Speaker on Defections

Telugu360
-
0
HC Notice to T-Speaker on Defections

Hyderabad High Court put Telangana Speaker S Madhusudanachary on notice that he should respond to the court notice with regard to the petitions filed seeking disqualification of defected MLAs. Court gave the speaker two-week time to respond.

Congress and YSR Congress filed these petitions seeking directions to speaker to disqualify their party MLAs who defected to TRS.

The bench comprising acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale and Justice S V Bhatt, issued the notice to the Speaker who was charged by the petitioners with taking inordinate time in deciding on their pleas.
Dharam Reddh, Teegeal Krishna Reddy,Talasani Srinivasa Yadav(TDP), K Kanakaiah (Congress), Madan Lal (YSRC) are among those who defected to TRS.

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 Caught up in Munnuru Kapu Triangle

Telugu360
-
0
KCR Caught up in Munnuru Kapu Triangle

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is caught up in Munnuru Kapu Triangle.He sprang a surprise yesterday giving rise to a thick political speculation among watcher of T-politics. KCR paid a visit to the residence of D Srinivas, former PCC president,who defected to TRS on July 8. What transpired between Chandranna and Seenanna, though kept under wraps, is being thickly speculated in the state.

KCR drove down to Srinivas’s house  reportedly to place his predicament in accommodating the latter in the party or government level because he foresees problems from other Munnuru Kapus. He said to have discussed possible solutions for tricky Munnuru Kapu  Problem.

The problem is D Srinivas is a Munnuru Kapu leader. If he is sent to Delhi as a Rajya Sabha member it would create caste imbalance in the party as  already an equally strong  Munnuru Kapu is there occupying an important position. He is the most talkative and articulate K Keshava Rao, also a former PCC president. Rao, is not only a Rajya Sabha member but also the secretary-general of the party. Sending a second Munnurku Kapu to Delhi’s Rajya Sabha would displease Rao.

KK

Srinivas can’t be appointed as the special representative in Telangana Bhavan either as the post is already occupied by S Venugopalachary. Chary can’t be replaced.

Now, D Srinivas has to be accommodated some where at state level and this also likely to engender a problem of intra-Mnnuru Kapu rivalry. By rewarding Srinvas with an important position either in the party or in the government , KCR is certain to  face the risk of being branded as pro-Munnuru Kapu, one. It would disappoint leaders from other backward communities. Two, it would  miff  Konda Surekha, another Munnuru Kapu MLA from Warangal district.

KCR inviting Konda Surekha into TRS

On the day Konda Surekha joined TRS from YSRC  before 2014 elections, Chandrasekhar Rao showered praises on Surekha and announced to the thunderous applause from the public that she would be inducted into cabinet as woman and child welfare minister. Surekha is Padma Sali by birth and married to Konda Murali, Munnuru Kapu. Politically, Surekha is as stronger and influential in politics as any other leader, including D Srinivas in the state politics. She was a minister in YSR Cabiinet.

One year into the term of the present Assembly, KCR has not fulfilled his promise given to Surekha even though no woman has been appointed minister in his cabinet. Accommodating Srinivas ignoring Surkha may be taken by the latter as insult. The chances of Surekha leaving the party can’t be ruled out. If she is pressed to wall, Congress is ready to roll out red carpet to Surekha, who won  Warangal East Assembly seat by defeating Basawaraju Saraiah of Congress in 2014. If Surekha were to leave the party, she would  damage the image of TRS in the eyes of public  and people are bound to think that all is not well within the ruling party.

Can KCR afford to rehabilitate D Srinivas  in the government and invite the wrath of Surekha? KCR is said to have discussed these problems with  D Srinivas and asked some time to find a way out.Anything can happen in politics, after all politics is a game of possibilities.

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

TS is flush with funds- Etala to Congress

Telugu360
-
0
TS is flush with funds- Etala to Congress

Everything is  hunky-dory and  and Telangana state is a thriving economy, said TRS government in response to Congress alarm that the TS was slipping into financial crisis.

T- government  responded to the Congress’ pricking criticism that  CM’s lack experience in the administration was resulting in wastage of money and a  fund crunch was affecting the welfare activities.

Painting a rosy picture of economy, finance minister Etala Rajender said the state had collected a whopping Rs 25,970 crore in the first four months of fiscal year 2015-16 and this amounted to 33.5 pc of total estimated revenue target of Rs 77,581 crore. The area where the state was lagging was regularization of encroached lands, he said in reaction to Congress leader Shabbir Ali’s yesterdays comments.

Rajender, however, reeled out tons of statistics but failed to answer specific question as to why the state government had not notified the thousands jobs  to facilitate recruitment of youth and was it not out of fear that it would further widen the revenue shortfall.

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 warns Naidu of Retaliation

Telugu360
-
0
KCR warns Naidu of Retaliation

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said he would not tolerate anybody insulting Telangana community.

“One can insult me. But, I won’t tolerate anybody who insults my state and  Telangana community,” he said in a meeting organized on the occasion of birth anniversary of poet Dasarathi.

The warning was directed against his Andhra counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu who said recently that it was NT Ramarao who taught  Hyderabadis to get up early in the morning. The remark created strong resentment among the people of Telangana. KCR used the occasion to warn Naidu that such comments would not be tolerated. He said his government would react to the comments suitably soon. KCR advised Naidu to mind his business. “You better concentrate on the development of your state and the capital. We will appreciate. Talk sense. This type of comments will not be taken lying down,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Shabbir Ali blames KCR for T-financial crisis

Telugu360
-
0
Shabbir Ali blames KCR for T-financial crisis

Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has accused Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao of turning Telangana from richest to a bankrupt State.

Addressing media at Gandhi Bhavan here on Wednesday, Shabbir Ali claimed that the State not only lacks funds to spend on welfare and development schemes, but it is also unable to pay salaries and pensions on time. The notifications for 25,000 jobs, which KCR promised to issue in July, too have been delayed due to financial crisis.

“The financial constraints have also delayed the issue of job notifications as recruitment of 25,000 staff will increase the salary bill by Rs. 900 crore. The State’s salary bill has already increased by Rs. 7,000 crore from Rs. 18,400 crore at the time of formation of Telangana to nearly Rs. 25,000 crore now. “Only eight days are left in July and nothing has been done to issue job notifications,” he said.

At the time of formation of Telangana on June 2, 2014, Shabbir Ali said, the State was considered rich with a revenue surplus of Rs. 7,500 crore. However, in the last 14 months, the situation has reversed and now the State Government is struggling hard to borrow at least Rs. 5,000 crore to pay salaries, pension and clear crop loan waiver dues, he added.

“While presenting the first budget of Rs. 100,637 crore on November 5, 2014, finance minister Etala claimed that the State will have a revenue surplus of Rs. 301.02 crore. However, the State Government spent only about Rs.60,000 crore in 2014-15. Similarly, in his second budget presented on March 11 this year, Etala stated that the budget of Rs. Rs. 115,689 crore for 2015-16 will have a revenue surplus of Rs. 531 crore,” Shabbi Ali said  showing a video clipping of the Chief Minister KCR’s statement made in Assembly wherein he claimed that Telangana is the second richest State after Gujarat.

“The Congress leader pointed out that the State Government has recently borrowed Rs. 1400 crore from the open market for 10 years @ 8% interest by participating in the State Development Fund auctions held by RBI,: he said.

He said the State Government immediately needs at least Rs. 5,000 crore to clear salaries (Rs. 2,000 Cr), pensions (Rs. 800 Cr) and dues of second installment of crop loan waiver amount (Rs. 2250 Cr). He also claimed that the State Government did not fully release Rs. 2,200 crore, which it sanctioned towards dues of second installment of crop loan waiver.

He blamed KCR’s inexperience, mismanagement and maladministration were primarily responsible for the present crisis.

 

 

 

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

TS should finance institution-building in AP

Telugu360
-
0
TS should finance institution-building in AP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonalu: Festival of Sound and Fury begins in Hyd

Telugu360
-
0
Bonalu: Festival of Sound and Fury begins in Hyd

Bonalu, the Telangana’s colorful festival has been set in motion on Sunday officially. This festival begins on the first Sunday of Ashada Masam (July-August) of every year. This year, the festival took off yesterday( July 19) to a fiery start of sounds and songs in Langar Houz Mahankali Temple and the procession of devotee surged  to the historic fort of Golkonda in the afternoon. The festival will comes to an end on August 9. The unique festival is celebrated only in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Women draped in colorful sarees and teenage girls in lahenga-voni, carried on their head the bonam, a pot containing sacred food, and offered it to Shakti (Mother goddess). Offering Thottelu, small colorful paper towers, to the goddess is important feature of the festival. Telangana ministers Nayani Narasimha Reddy and Padma Rao offered the traditional clothes to the Goddess at Langer Houz. Then the procession called Ghatam, started to the deafening sounds of tappetlu and rhythmic dances by youth and reached the inner gate of Golconda fort in the evening. Bonalu venue is Jagadambika Ammavaru temple in the fort.The stables at the fort have been converted into community kitchens and feasts.

Under the neem trees near Golconda animals have been sacrificed in large number. After the formation of the state, the festival is enjoying the state patronage. Till recently, the festival was left to the people.  Now, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wants to symbolize the festival with Telangana culture.Formation of separate T-state has lent new fervor to the festival. Songs praising the goddess rent the air everywhere and youth danced to these tunes as if they were possessed.

The Golconda celebration will be followed by Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad, Balkmapet Yellamma temple in Balkampet on Second Sunday, and on the third Sunday, the festival will go to the Pochamma and Katta Mysamma temple near Chilkalaguda and the Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in Old City, Hyderabad.

The ritual consists of an offering of food (bonam)made to the Goddess by women which is later shared by the family and friends as ‘prasad.’ The festival is a month long affair and includes colorful processions and community feasts.

Bonam consists of cooked rice, jaggery, curd and other dishes and is always brought in the earthen pots, which are decorated with white, red and yellow ochres, to be offered to the Goddesses in the temples. The pot with a lamp atop, are covered with neem twigs which again people believe embody the spirit of goddess. The processions are led by Potharaju, the brother of mother goddess. A well-built man plays the role of Potharaju in the procession. Rangam is another crucial and final event in which a woman perform the Oracle. Goddess possesses a woman and would  foretell how the life in year ahead would be.

 

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.

It’s ‘Andhrollu’ Again

Telugu360
-
0
It’s ‘Andhrollu’ Again

Telangana Chief minister  K Chandrasekhar Ro raised ‘Andhra’ bogey again.

This time round, it was municipal workers’ strike that became the arena of sentiments politics. KCR pulls out the ‘Andhra’ specter whenever there is trouble and thinks T- sentiment is the best tool to hit upon  his enemies in the region.

On the day, when GHMC employees called off their strike following the announcement of hike of salaries, on Friday, KCR in his inimical style blamed ‘Andhrollu” for the 12-day long strike of municipal workers across the Telangana. The municipal sanitary workers have been on strike in both Telangana and Andhra for about 2 weeks  demanding pay hike. In stead of raising wages of employees across the state, KCR announced  a 47 per cent hike only to GHMC employees. The employees in districts are left out. They are continuing their strike.

Talking on the occasion of GHMC bodies calling off their strike, he said some useless unions were misleading the employees and were responsible for the strike. ” Employees have been misled” he said to the employees who came to him to thank for giving a hike in their salaries.

“There are some Andhra leaders behind the workers’ strike.,” the CM declared asking them not fall prey to such designs. He assured them that the government would construct 1000 GHMC 2BHK houses for the employees every year and would be allotted on priority basis.

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 Relents, Bandh not Called Off

Telugu360
-
0
KCR Relents, Bandh not Called Off

In an unusual decision chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao made a climb-down from his stubborn position on the demand of hiking the salaries municipal sanitary  workers. After a 13 day-long strike,  late Thursday night, he agreed to their demand and announced that municipal  workers’ salary would be hiked to Rs 12,500 and that of drivers to Rs 15,000. But, the hike is limited to Great Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) employees only.

KCR has been forced to take the decision, though partial, following the bandh call given by nine Left parties and support extended to it by all political parties across spectrum. For the first time, all political parties in the state, including YSR Congress and BJP, also joined chorus in spite of the fact that the bandh call is given by Left parties.

Realizing that his obstinate position was leading to a rare unity among the opposition parties and prospects of success of state-wide bandh ,  KCR chose to hike the salaries.  This led to late-night announcement that salaries of the municipal workers were being hiked. As per the announcement the salaries of sanitary worker would be hiked from Rs 8,500 to Rs 12,500 and that of drivers from Rs 10,200 to Rs 15,00 which amount to a hike of 47 per cent.

The Left parties, however, made it clear that the bandh would be observed as announced.The leaders of these parties, who met after the CM’s announcement, denounced that the government’s decision was incomplete. They said hike was confined to the GHMC employees only and ignored the municipal employees in the municipalities and corporations across the state. They said the government was resorting to arm-twisting to split the striking employees.

“CM KCR is anti-worker. Government should accept all demands of municipal employees. The bandh will continues,
the leaders told media after the meeting.

In the meantime, YSR Congress MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy also announced the support of his party to the Friday’s bandh.

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 launches first bus producing unit in TS

Telugu360
-
0
KCR launches first bus producing unit in TS

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday inaugurated an Rs.300 crore bus manufacturing plant in Medak district.

Set up by Deccan Auto Limited, the plant, which is located at Kodakachani village about 45 KM from state capital, has the capacity to manufacture about 3000 buses per year. Situated in 75 acre-plot, the first phase of the unit is constructed in 18 acres land with a carpet area of 2, 00,000 sft. Company officials said the capacity would be doubled in a year. The company has the employment potential of about 5000 jobs.

Deccan Auto is established with a technical support from Chinese auto major, Jhongtong, which exports  vehicles to more than 30 countries worldwide.

Company chairman M.S.R.V. Prasad said the facility would serve both domestic and export markets in Asia and Africa.

Speaking on the occasion, Chandrasekhar Rao said the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) would acquire buses from Deccan Auto. He said the state is committed to make power available round-the-clock to the industrial units.

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.

Naga Sadhus to Electrify T-Godavari Pushkarlu

Telugu360
-
0
Naga Sadhus to Electrify T-Godavari Pushkarlu

In an effort to enhance the sacredness of the event and impart Kumbha Mela stature to the Godavari Pushkaralu, Telangana government is inviting huge number of Sadhus from Himalayas to state during Pushkaralu that are set to commence from July 14. It is for the first time that the Sadhus are participating en masse in Pushkaralu. Normally, they are seen only at Kumbha Mela.

State government is making elaborate arrangements to make Godavari another ritual destination for the Sadhus, who live in Himalayan shrines and caves. These Sadhus are invited to take a holy dip in River Godavari at Bhadrachalam, Khammam district.

The state government is expecting about 1500 Sadhus to visit Pushkara Ghat at Bhadrachalam. According to N Sivasankar, Endowments Secretary, the Telangana government has released Rs 1.50 crore to provide amenities to Sadhus. Government is making special arrangements for their stay in the outskirts of temple-town Bhadrachalam.

If the Sadhus feel happy, they spread the word among other Sadhus and their visit to Godavari would be a regular pilgrimage.

Endowments minister Allola Indrakaran Reddy said Naga Sadhus had already met him and R& B minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, who is from Khammam district discussed about their participation.  He said Sadhus would partake in Pushkaralu and perform special pujas.

Few words about Naga Sadhus: Incidentally, the Naga Sadhus are Shaivite saints and reside in Himalayas. Except on the occasions like Kumbha Mela, they seldom visit world outside. Godavari Pushkaralu is going to be their second occasion to present themselves to people of India. Holding trishul (trident), the Sadhus smear their bodies with  vibhudhi (ash) and sport thick coils of matted hair like Lord Shiva. Even in Himalayan winter, they live naked.

It is not yet known yet what rituals they are going to perform at Bhadrachalam ghat. Their activities are set to become special attraction of T-Godavari Pushkaralu

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 Unwell , Cancels Tours

Telugu360
-
0

Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao is indisposed. So, on the advice of doctors, he said to have put off his two-day visit to the districts of Khammam and Warangal. This the second time he fell ill in recent past, the first being on the day when governor ESL Narasimhan hosted a dinner to Rashtrapati Pranab Mukherjee. He skipped citing indisposition.

Sources in the TCMO said he was running slight fever and had been advised rest.

Chief Minister Rao is scheduled to take part in Green Telangana program “TelanganakuHaritha Haram” in the two districts to plant saplings. He was to visit Khammam helicopter Thursday and reach Warangal by night. He was scheduled to inaugurate Warangal Press Club today.

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

TS Govt, ICRISAT Launch Digital Agriculture Initiatives

Telugu360
-
0
TS Govt, ICRISAT Launch Digital Agriculture Initiatives

The Government of Telangana and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have joined hands to implement Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based knowledge sharing platforms and other agricultural innovation initiatives, to improve productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers of Telangana state. This collaboration was launched during the Digital Telangana Week.

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications,Government of Telangana;Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of Telangana and ICRISAT today in Hyderabad. The MoU was signed by Shri C Parthasarathi, Secretary, Agriculture, Shri JayeshRanjan, Secretary, Information Technology, and ICRISAT Director General Dr David Bergvinson in the presence of Shri Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Agricultureand Shri K T Rama Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology &PanchyathiRaj, Government of Telangana.

The partnership will explore areas of collaboration in the area of Digital Agriculture along the Agriculture Value Chain  and explore the possibilities of ICRISAT playing an active role in the ‘T Hub’ (incubator being launched by the Government of Telangana).

The partnership will help launch innovative digital platforms that aim to revitalize information dissemination in rural areas, expert systems for providing real time advisories and better access to market information by smallholder farmers.

“ICRISAT has been at the forefront of using the latest technology to benefit smallholder farmers of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Digital Agriculture initiative will allow information to be precisely targeted to individual farmers. This will help farmers to access agricultural related information and keep themselves up-to-date with market related information, which gives them an opportunity to sell their produce at the fair prices, thus putting them on the path to prosperity,” said Dr David Bergvinson, ICRISAT Director General, while explaining the proposed activities under the Digital Agriculture initiative.

“Access to timely information and knowledge can be a great leveller and help millions of farmers in Telangana to improve their yields, incomes and resilience since they can now make informed choices about good farming practices,” said Shri K T Ramarao,Minister for Information Technology during the agreement signing.

Shri Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture felt that it is very appropriate to launch the digital agriculture activities at a time when use of digital gadgets on raise in rural areas.

The outcome of the collaboration will be to enable the Government to create new economic opportunities for rural populations through digital agriculture and enable consumers to create direct linkages to the farmers thus leading to cost savings and ensure quality.

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.

The Problem of Being Pawan Kalyan

Jinka Nagaraju
-
0
The Problem of Being Pawan Kalyan

Life in reel world is easy. One need not break one’s head to figure out who is a hero or a villain. Heroes are extremely benevolent while Villains vile- always conspire, kill, rob, and booze as if they have nothing to do in life. They live like two different subspecies of Homo Sapiens-Homo Heroicus and Homo Villainus. Like the Neanderthals, villainus is overpowered and eliminated by Heroicus. The problem with real life is tad confusing. Here, heroes and villains are indistinguishable. They look alike in every aspect of life- in dressing, talking, loving, hating, abusing, cheating people, amassing wealth etc. You will never know who is a villain. One’s villain is another’s hero and vice versa. Today’s hero is tomorrow’s villain. This region’s villain is hero in the other region. Sometimes villains are resurrected as heroes and heroes are condemned to dustbin. Ordinary people are subjected to extreme anxiety in figuring out a hero or a villain. They fail and vote to somebody thinking he is a hero only to repent later.

Some time back, Chiranjeevi stepped into this real world as Homo Heroicus of tinsel world. He thought he would kill with a single stroke the Homo Villainus and become “Captain Andhra Pradesh”. He could not succeeded and quickly realized  that he was only a movie Heroicus. So, peeled off his costume and returned to his elements only to find that fighting in real life is not remunerative. So he joined Congress and which rewarded him with a glittering gift of post of union minister which can’t be bought with any amount of money.

Chirajneevi’s brother Pawan Kalyan, another member of Homo Heroicus, unmindful of the fate of his brother, stepped into real life battle, straight from the sets, amid too much background war cries and mobilized fan-army. He was a bit wiser in not entering fray in 2014. Why?  He can’t dream of becoming “Captain Andhra Pradesh.” Because the state was about to be divided. He tapped key ‘ wait and watch’. So, that he could enter as Homo Heroicus if 2014 election throws split verdict. Unfortunately for him, Andhra and Telangana gave a clear verdict to TDP and TRS respectively. Now he is not wanted in successor states. If he were to carve out some space, he has to figure out who is a villain in two states and declare war against the Homo Villainus. Like his brother he gave up war before it is fought and settled for a compromise for peace of mind. This was what he did in the press conference he addressed last Sunday. The press conference was lacking in many things- clarity, direction and politics. It clearly shows Pawan is beating a retreat for his early position Homo Heroicus in movie land . Why?

French Social Psychologist Sergi Moscovici talks of Social Representations. Social representation is the meaning you develop to negotiate with the society. Each person possesses multiple representations. Depending upon the context, one representation becomes pronounced collapsing all others. It is difficult to strike a balance, this was exactly Pawan Kalyan did in the press conference and failed. Pawan Kalyan is a bundle of contradictory social representations. He is caught in the web of these representations. To become a political leader, he has to disentangle himself from this web and come out with one clear social representation. Given his predicament it is impossible. For example he has Kapu, Andhra, Telugu movie star and Hyderabadi social representations. If he attacks Naidu’s TDP government, it would be immediately construed as an attack on Kammas by Kapus- which is not advisable now. If he attacks KCR’s TRS government, he would dubbed as Andhra settler and physical attacks not ruled out.  If he questions phone tapping and supports section 8 being an Andhra his identity as a resident of Hyderabad would be in jeopardy. He can’t back Andhra farmers in capital zone nor can he bite TDP.  Similarly, he can’t criticize Telangana government and survive in Hyderabad. He beat a hasty retreat by advising both parties restraint. He did not touch cash-for-vote stating sub judice as it has two sides of Andhra and Telangana. Remaining as Pawan Kalyan, the movie star, is the best bet for the time being as he needs the support of both AP and TS fans. He chose a middle path and bought  peace with both sides. Probably this press conference might be end of the road for Pawan’s political dreams.

 

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.

Cong. demands Assembly session on Pranahita-Chevella

Jinka Nagaraju
-
0
Cong. demands Assembly session on Pranahita-Chevella

Mohammed Ali Shabbir,leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council, has demanded that the State Government convene a special session of Assembly and Legislative Council to take a final decision on Pranahita-Chevella project.

The project was planned to irrigate 16.4 lakh acres in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Medak, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts.

Shabbir Ali accused Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao of delaying the project only with political motives. He said the Pranahita-Chevella had all clearances from the Centre and all disputes with Maharashtra had already been resolved.

“The project report was prepared by the WAPCO and several teams of experts have given their nod. So far, nearly Rs. 10,000 crore have been spent and even the land acquisition process is over. The previous UPA Government was  almost on verge of  declaring  Pranahita-Chevella as national project.”he said alleging that instead of simply executing the project, KCR was searching for reasons to delay the project

 

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

1...128129130131Page 129 of 131

TRENDING

Latest

css.php
[X] Close
[X] Close