Maharashtra government on Tuesday withdrew all cases against Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu. Nanded District Collector Ajay Ghulane filed an affidavit in a local court on Tuesday afternoon withdrawing all cases against Naidu and his 65 supporters.
Naidu was released in the evening but remained defiant saying he would again visit the Babhali dam site. He also accused Maharashtra Police of arresting him illegally.
""I don't know why they have dropped the cases. We were in Andhra, the police especially the SP and IG told us that we are going to shift Babhali and that's how they took us to Maharashtra border. Then they took us to IGI campus, they kept us there for 24 hours. Finally, they produced us before the magistrate on certain cases. Magistrate insisted us to take bail on personal bond. We told him that we didn't commit any crime. We were in Andhra, there is no jurisdiction for Maharashtra Police to take us. They treated us very badly," said Naidu.
SHRILL PITCH: Police in Hyderabad detain activists of Left parties protesting against the Bhabli dam project across River Godavari.
"Again, we are going to fight, we are not going anywhere. They have beaten all my MPs, MLAs," added Naidu.
TDP Spokesperson MV Mysoora Reddy claimed that false cases were registered against Naidu and other TDP activists.
"We have been stating this since the beginning that false cases were registered against our leader and the delegation. But our agitation will continue. Our demand is still the same. We are not violating any law or taking law in our own hands," said Reddy.
Earlier in the day Naidu and his supporters were forcibly shifted from Dharmabad in Nanded district to the Aurangabad Central Jail. Naidu had on Monday rejected a magistrate's suggestion to seek bail and return to Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu and TDP members were forcibly put into buses and driven away amid tight security as police lathicharged a crowd protesting their presence in Dharmabad.
The Maharashtra town has been tense after Naidu and his supporters, including TDP MPs and legislators, were arrested on Friday when they tried to proceed towards the Babhali dam, which they allege Maharashtra is building illegally and would deprive Andhra Pradesh of its due share of Godavari waters.
The leaders, including Naidu, had entered Dharmabad town to protest against the Babhali dam on the Godavari River on Friday.
Showing posts with label ap news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ap news. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Governor's law & order take on T ruffling feathers
Barely three days into his new assignment as part-time governor of Andhra Pradesh, E S L Narasimhan seems to have begun ruffling feathers with his perception of the T-problem. Telangana leaders who have met the governor are upset “because he gives the impression that he views the Telangana stir as a purely law and order issue and not a political problem.”
This is even as chief minister K Rosaiah and his cabinet colleagues are mighty miffed over the ‘pro-active role’ being taken by the governor to tackle the situation when a duly-elected government led by a chief minister and his council of ministers are in place.
This is even as chief minister K Rosaiah and his cabinet colleagues are mighty miffed over the ‘pro-active role’ being taken by the governor to tackle the situation when a duly-elected government led by a chief minister and his council of ministers are in place.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Rayalaseema leaders flay desecration of Potti Sriramulu statue by TRS
Legislators T.G. Venkatesh, Katasani Rambhupal Reddy and Mayor S. Raghurami Reddy paid tributes to founder of Andhra Pradesh State Potti Sriramulu by anointing the statue with milk in old city on Thursday.
The leaders organised the programme in protest against the desecration of the statue of Potti Sriramulu by TRS activists in Telangana.
They said Potti Sriramulu was a great source of inspiration for the people of Telugu-speaking region.
For that matter, he did not work against the interests of any group, especially Telengana.
They said the TRS leaders developed intolerance without any valid reason against the leaders of yesteryears. They wondered how Potti Sriramulu harmed the interests of Telangana or any other region of the State.
Congress leader S.V. Mohan Reddy, Deputy Mayor Abdul Razak and others were present.
KURNOOL,KURNOOL News
The leaders organised the programme in protest against the desecration of the statue of Potti Sriramulu by TRS activists in Telangana.
They said Potti Sriramulu was a great source of inspiration for the people of Telugu-speaking region.
For that matter, he did not work against the interests of any group, especially Telengana.
They said the TRS leaders developed intolerance without any valid reason against the leaders of yesteryears. They wondered how Potti Sriramulu harmed the interests of Telangana or any other region of the State.
Congress leader S.V. Mohan Reddy, Deputy Mayor Abdul Razak and others were present.
KURNOOL,KURNOOL News
Monday, November 16, 2009
6 infants die in faulty incubators
Six infants died at the Old Government Hospital in Vijayawada on Sunday following failure of incubators.
The issue came to light at 9.30 pm on Sunday after the death of the sixth baby, who was born on Saturday night in the hospital.
The doctors and hospital staff did not reveal the reasons for the five other deaths that occurred earlier in the day till late on Sunday evening. The issue came to light when the parents of the sixth baby, Ms Durga Bhavani and Mr Adinarayana, raised a commotion and alleged that their baby died due to the negligence of the doctors.
Ms Padma, the grandmother, alleged that the doctors were responsible for the death. The relatives and family members protested on the hospital premises. The details of the five children who died during the day are not known. The hospital superintendent, Dr H.B. Lal, said a probe will be ordered into the deaths. He said the sixth baby was a neo-natal case suffering from some ailment.
The death of the six babies once again highlighted the negligence and the poor facility at the old hospital. After the construction of the New Government Hospital, the authorities began neglecting the old hospital.
There are 11 incubators at the Old Government Hospital of which only four are working. The authorities apparently tried to hush up the cases since morning by send away the parents of the dead infants. Four infants occupy the functioning incubators.
The legislators, Ms Devineni Uma, and Mr Malladi Vishnu, visited the hospital and consoled the victims. The police officials too rushed to the hospital but no case has been registered so far.
The issue came to light at 9.30 pm on Sunday after the death of the sixth baby, who was born on Saturday night in the hospital.
The doctors and hospital staff did not reveal the reasons for the five other deaths that occurred earlier in the day till late on Sunday evening. The issue came to light when the parents of the sixth baby, Ms Durga Bhavani and Mr Adinarayana, raised a commotion and alleged that their baby died due to the negligence of the doctors.
Ms Padma, the grandmother, alleged that the doctors were responsible for the death. The relatives and family members protested on the hospital premises. The details of the five children who died during the day are not known. The hospital superintendent, Dr H.B. Lal, said a probe will be ordered into the deaths. He said the sixth baby was a neo-natal case suffering from some ailment.
The death of the six babies once again highlighted the negligence and the poor facility at the old hospital. After the construction of the New Government Hospital, the authorities began neglecting the old hospital.
There are 11 incubators at the Old Government Hospital of which only four are working. The authorities apparently tried to hush up the cases since morning by send away the parents of the dead infants. Four infants occupy the functioning incubators.
The legislators, Ms Devineni Uma, and Mr Malladi Vishnu, visited the hospital and consoled the victims. The police officials too rushed to the hospital but no case has been registered so far.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Fund crunch hits Jalayagnam
The financial crunch being faced by the Andhra Pradesh government has slowed the implementation of the irrigation projects taken under its ambitious Jalayagnam programme. Several works have been delayed or stopped temporarily by contractors, pending clearance of their bills for the works they had completed.
As on Monday, the amount payable to the contractors against the bills submitted for the works done reached a whopping Rs. 4,300 crore. In the light of this, questions are being raised in some quarters whether the government will be able to meet its commitments towards irrigation sector for which a budget of Rs. 17,800 crore was provided in the budget.
This is because, it has released only Rs. 7,000 crore to this sector for the eight months of the fiscal so far and only four months are left to pump in the balance Rs. 10,800 crore.
Worse fears are being expressed about the government capacity to fulfil the Rs. 1.03 lakh crore budget it had presented in the Assembly for 2009-10. The achievement was hardly 78 per cent under the Rs. one lakh-crore budget similarly adopted for 2008-09.
Slump in market
Sources in the government attributed the slowdown mainly to lack of revenue accruals to Commercial Taxes and Stamps & Registrations Departments due to the slump in the consumer and real estates markets respectively. The Registration Department is hardly getting Rs. 100 crore as against its monthly target of Rs. 250 crore. The accruals of the Commercial Taxes Department nosedived to Rs. 1,900 a month (target Rs. 2,500).
The Transport, Excise and Mines & Geology departments are faring better but they will not be able to make up the loss of other departments.
As on Monday, the amount payable to the contractors against the bills submitted for the works done reached a whopping Rs. 4,300 crore. In the light of this, questions are being raised in some quarters whether the government will be able to meet its commitments towards irrigation sector for which a budget of Rs. 17,800 crore was provided in the budget.
This is because, it has released only Rs. 7,000 crore to this sector for the eight months of the fiscal so far and only four months are left to pump in the balance Rs. 10,800 crore.
Worse fears are being expressed about the government capacity to fulfil the Rs. 1.03 lakh crore budget it had presented in the Assembly for 2009-10. The achievement was hardly 78 per cent under the Rs. one lakh-crore budget similarly adopted for 2008-09.
Slump in market
Sources in the government attributed the slowdown mainly to lack of revenue accruals to Commercial Taxes and Stamps & Registrations Departments due to the slump in the consumer and real estates markets respectively. The Registration Department is hardly getting Rs. 100 crore as against its monthly target of Rs. 250 crore. The accruals of the Commercial Taxes Department nosedived to Rs. 1,900 a month (target Rs. 2,500).
The Transport, Excise and Mines & Geology departments are faring better but they will not be able to make up the loss of other departments.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Yadav asks CAT to get back his post
The former director-general of police, Mr S.S.P. Yadav, on Friday approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) challenging the promotion and posting of Mr R.R. Girish Kumar as the DGP.
Mr Yadav, who was transferred to the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) as its managing director, challenged the order and a memo issued by the state government claiming that they were illegal.
He contended that Mr Kumar was illegally promoted as DGP in the apex scale. He requested the CAT to direct the state government to restore his position as head of the police force. Mr Yadav contended that Mr Kumar’s posting as DGP of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in 2007 was illegal because he was only an additional DG at that time.
He had surpassed four DG-rank IPS officers who were senior to him and all of them were kept in ex-cadre posts, Mr Yadav said. As per the rules, only a DG-rank officer should hold the cadre post of director general, ACB, because it is one of the only two DG-cadre posts in the state. The other DG-cadre post is that of the DGP itself, he added in his petition.
Explaining the norms to maintain cadre strength of the IPS officers in the state , he said the total number of DGP-grade posts in the state should not exceed four.
For creating a fifth DGt, the Centre has to accord permission. No such permission has been accorded to the state by the Centre so far. While mentioning the proceedings of the selection committee, Mr Yadav said the committee recorded a finding that Mr Kumar’s promotion as DGP was illegal because it did not have the Centre’s nod. He urged the CAT to call for the records of the selection committee.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
School is no longer the same
It was a picture of desolation that greeted the students of Prakashnagar Government High School in the old town of Kurnool on Monday. The students came back to slushy classrooms and a muddy ground filled with wet, shapeless books.
Incidentally, the school was one of the first to get hit by the rampaging river.
“Most of our students are from poor families and parents are wondering how to send their children back to school as they no longer have books,” says Naheeda Khan, headmistress.
The aftermath of the floods is reflected in the low strength in over 60 municipal schools in old town which was hit hard. With many families having lost everything, going back to school is the last thing on the minds of many children.
“We lost everything including jewellery that was kept aside for my sister’s marriage. I can’t go back to school now. I will have to go to work somewhere and earn money,” says Sheikh, a 13-year-old resident of Jammichettu.
Over 1,000 students of 60 government and aided schools have been badly hit, estimates T. Venkat Reddy, member of United Teachers Federation. “There are chances of parents migrating to other places and this may reflect in a drop in the student strength,” he says. Many like Dinesh, an eighth-standard student, will head to other cities to start life afresh. “My parents can’t afford to send me to an English medium school now,” says this lanky teenager, whose parents ran a tiffin centre.
Farooq Basha, headmaster of Umair Arabic High School says that least 30 per cent of the 800-odd students of his school would drop out.
Though the District Education Officer is replacing the lost books, it’s the tenth standard students who need urgent help. “We hope someone comes forth and donates question banks to them,” says a teacher.
Private schools too are struggling to bring their schools back to normalcy. “We are doing our level best to bring the school to normalcy,” says Usha Rani, correspondent, Verma High School.
K. Madhavi Latha, principal, Sri Lakshmi High School, hopes the government and other publishers would come forward and provide books for the students.
“I can’t expect all the parents to buy books as many can no longer afford it,” she says.
Incidentally, the school was one of the first to get hit by the rampaging river.
“Most of our students are from poor families and parents are wondering how to send their children back to school as they no longer have books,” says Naheeda Khan, headmistress.
The aftermath of the floods is reflected in the low strength in over 60 municipal schools in old town which was hit hard. With many families having lost everything, going back to school is the last thing on the minds of many children.
Over 1,000 students of 60 government and aided schools have been badly hit, estimates T. Venkat Reddy, member of United Teachers Federation. “There are chances of parents migrating to other places and this may reflect in a drop in the student strength,” he says. Many like Dinesh, an eighth-standard student, will head to other cities to start life afresh. “My parents can’t afford to send me to an English medium school now,” says this lanky teenager, whose parents ran a tiffin centre.
Farooq Basha, headmaster of Umair Arabic High School says that least 30 per cent of the 800-odd students of his school would drop out.
Though the District Education Officer is replacing the lost books, it’s the tenth standard students who need urgent help. “We hope someone comes forth and donates question banks to them,” says a teacher.
Private schools too are struggling to bring their schools back to normalcy. “We are doing our level best to bring the school to normalcy,” says Usha Rani, correspondent, Verma High School.
K. Madhavi Latha, principal, Sri Lakshmi High School, hopes the government and other publishers would come forward and provide books for the students.
“I can’t expect all the parents to buy books as many can no longer afford it,” she says.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Cong MP : Y.S.Jagan has 150 MLAs support
As the war of words goes on about the leadership issue in Congress, Anakapalli MP Sabbam Hari said nearly 150 party MLAs are with Jaganmohan Reddy. “The high command is very much aware of this fact,” he said.
He said some seniors in the party and a section of the media were creating confusion among the cadre. He said the MLAs and ministers have high regard for chief minister Rosaiah. “But they are very much clear on the leadership as they want Jagan to be made the CM,” he asserted.
He said political stalemate continues to prevail in the state after the demise of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. He hoped the high command would take a proper decision and anoint Jagan as CM.
AP CM, ap news, ap politics, ys jagan, YSR News,
He said some seniors in the party and a section of the media were creating confusion among the cadre. He said the MLAs and ministers have high regard for chief minister Rosaiah. “But they are very much clear on the leadership as they want Jagan to be made the CM,” he asserted.
He said political stalemate continues to prevail in the state after the demise of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. He hoped the high command would take a proper decision and anoint Jagan as CM.
AP CM, ap news, ap politics, ys jagan, YSR News,
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Vijayawada faces worst flood in 100 years
The heaviest flood in over a hundred years hit the Prakasam barrage on Krishna river threatening several villages downstream even as people of Vijayawada city clung on to a faint hope on Monday.
The toll in the heavy rains and rampaging floods in the state rose to 52. The Krishna was all furious as a record 11.03 lakh cusecs of floodwater reached Prakasam barrage. However, there was no threat to human lives as 2.5 lakh people of Krishna and Guntur districts have already been shifted to relief camps.
The situation in lanka villages — island villages where the Krishna meets the Bay of Bengal — however was grim as more than 50,000 people were trapped in floodwaters. Many colonies along the left bank of the Krishna in Vijayawada city submerged as the water level touched 6 feet in the evening. "The situation will remain grim till Wednesday as the flood discharge at Prakasam barrage will continue to be around 11 lakh cusecs," an official said.
With nearly 11 lakh cusecs of water in the swollen Krishna cascading from the Prakasam barrage, there was a concern on the ability of the flood banks to withstand the fierce pounding by the swirling river. However, engineers have assured the public that the flood banks were designed to take 11 lakh cusecs of water and that they have strengthened the weak points in the flood banks. This is the heaviest flood in more than 106 years as the previous record was 10.30 lakh cusecs in 1903, irrigation authorities said.
The water level touched 21.9 feet as all the 72 sluice gates were lifted to let out the execess waters. The discharge from Nagarjunasagar is expected to remain constant (10.17 lakh cusecs) at least for the next 24 hours and the outflow from Prakasam barrage will be around 10.87 lakh cusecs. With the floods receding in Kurnool and Mahbubnagar, water management at Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar and Prakasam barrage are being done in tandem to minimise the losses downstream, irrigation officials said.
The gates at Almatti have been closed and the inflows into Srisailam came down to 5.38 lakh cusecs while the outflow was 10 lakh cusecs on Monday. In view of the improvement in the situation, the engineers have decided to lower the level of the gates and close the emergency gate.
Chief minister K Rosaiah said a review of the damage to the Srisailam right bank power house with 770 MW generation capacity was being assessed. "Once the floods recede completely, a team of experts will be constituted to examine the damage the irrigation projects might have suffered due to the heavy flooding," he said.
CM Rosaiah has urged the Centre to consider it as a national calamity and provide Rs 6,000 crore for relief work. In a letter to PM Manmohan Singh, Rosaiah said the damages in the floods was to the tune of Rs 12,225 crore. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi undertook an aerial survery of the flood-ravaged areas.
Of the 52 deaths, Kurnool district accounted for 28 deaths, 17 died in Mahbubnagar, Krishna and Nalgonda reported three each and Guntur one. The Pulichintala project under construction on the Krishna was completely submerged. Sources said 719 minor irrigation tanks were damaged.
floods, Krishna and Guntur districts, Andhra Pradesh, Prakasam Barrage, Vijayawada Karnataka
The toll in the heavy rains and rampaging floods in the state rose to 52. The Krishna was all furious as a record 11.03 lakh cusecs of floodwater reached Prakasam barrage. However, there was no threat to human lives as 2.5 lakh people of Krishna and Guntur districts have already been shifted to relief camps.
The situation in lanka villages — island villages where the Krishna meets the Bay of Bengal — however was grim as more than 50,000 people were trapped in floodwaters. Many colonies along the left bank of the Krishna in Vijayawada city submerged as the water level touched 6 feet in the evening. "The situation will remain grim till Wednesday as the flood discharge at Prakasam barrage will continue to be around 11 lakh cusecs," an official said.
With nearly 11 lakh cusecs of water in the swollen Krishna cascading from the Prakasam barrage, there was a concern on the ability of the flood banks to withstand the fierce pounding by the swirling river. However, engineers have assured the public that the flood banks were designed to take 11 lakh cusecs of water and that they have strengthened the weak points in the flood banks. This is the heaviest flood in more than 106 years as the previous record was 10.30 lakh cusecs in 1903, irrigation authorities said.
The water level touched 21.9 feet as all the 72 sluice gates were lifted to let out the execess waters. The discharge from Nagarjunasagar is expected to remain constant (10.17 lakh cusecs) at least for the next 24 hours and the outflow from Prakasam barrage will be around 10.87 lakh cusecs. With the floods receding in Kurnool and Mahbubnagar, water management at Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar and Prakasam barrage are being done in tandem to minimise the losses downstream, irrigation officials said.
The gates at Almatti have been closed and the inflows into Srisailam came down to 5.38 lakh cusecs while the outflow was 10 lakh cusecs on Monday. In view of the improvement in the situation, the engineers have decided to lower the level of the gates and close the emergency gate.
Chief minister K Rosaiah said a review of the damage to the Srisailam right bank power house with 770 MW generation capacity was being assessed. "Once the floods recede completely, a team of experts will be constituted to examine the damage the irrigation projects might have suffered due to the heavy flooding," he said.
CM Rosaiah has urged the Centre to consider it as a national calamity and provide Rs 6,000 crore for relief work. In a letter to PM Manmohan Singh, Rosaiah said the damages in the floods was to the tune of Rs 12,225 crore. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi undertook an aerial survery of the flood-ravaged areas.
Of the 52 deaths, Kurnool district accounted for 28 deaths, 17 died in Mahbubnagar, Krishna and Nalgonda reported three each and Guntur one. The Pulichintala project under construction on the Krishna was completely submerged. Sources said 719 minor irrigation tanks were damaged.
floods, Krishna and Guntur districts, Andhra Pradesh, Prakasam Barrage, Vijayawada Karnataka
Monday, September 21, 2009
Crime against girls: experts for stringent law
Expressing concern over the burgeoning “love-related” violence, MLCs Chukka Ramaiah and K. Nageshwar have asked the Government to study the problem from the social and psychological angles apart from dealing it with a firm hand legally.
At a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Ramaiah said the series of such incidents in recent times was disturbing and said the problem should be studied comprehensively involving sociologists, psychologists, legal professionals and the police. This time-bound committee’s report should be put up for public discussion and taken seriously in order to prevent such attacks. Stating that classroom atmosphere is disconnected with society, he said colleges need to engage students and provide other means like sports, extra-curricular activities, literary activities and social issues to channelise their energies. There is a need to change the mindset of students to deal with such issues effectively. Referring to teachers indulging in indecent activities, he pointed out that there could be nothing low in the life of a teacher than losing the confidence of students.
He said the production, sale, distribution and transportation of acid should be strictly regulated. He reminded that West Bengal had banned easy availability of acid and similar steps should be taken here also.
Prof. Nageshwar said there was a strong co-relation between such heinous acts and portrayal of “love” in vulgar form in films. He said that the film and television industry should observe self-regulation or else they are bound to incur the wrath of the society given the growing crime. He said education in colleges had become a torture with focus only on the “success rate” .
Non-bailable offence
He felt attacks by spurned lovers should be treated as non-bailable offences as the softer side of law was encouraging a feeling among culprits that they could go scot-free. Fast tracks courts should be established to try these cases.
Madhusudhan Reddy, general secretary, Government Junior Lecturers Association, said they were planning to conduct seminars in all the districts to sensitise students on such issues. Juluri Gowrishanker, president, Ramaiah Vidya Peetham said television channels were glamourising crimeand they would mobilise people to put pressure on the channels to do away with such tendency.
At a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Ramaiah said the series of such incidents in recent times was disturbing and said the problem should be studied comprehensively involving sociologists, psychologists, legal professionals and the police. This time-bound committee’s report should be put up for public discussion and taken seriously in order to prevent such attacks. Stating that classroom atmosphere is disconnected with society, he said colleges need to engage students and provide other means like sports, extra-curricular activities, literary activities and social issues to channelise their energies. There is a need to change the mindset of students to deal with such issues effectively. Referring to teachers indulging in indecent activities, he pointed out that there could be nothing low in the life of a teacher than losing the confidence of students.
He said the production, sale, distribution and transportation of acid should be strictly regulated. He reminded that West Bengal had banned easy availability of acid and similar steps should be taken here also.
Prof. Nageshwar said there was a strong co-relation between such heinous acts and portrayal of “love” in vulgar form in films. He said that the film and television industry should observe self-regulation or else they are bound to incur the wrath of the society given the growing crime. He said education in colleges had become a torture with focus only on the “success rate” .
Non-bailable offence
He felt attacks by spurned lovers should be treated as non-bailable offences as the softer side of law was encouraging a feeling among culprits that they could go scot-free. Fast tracks courts should be established to try these cases.
Madhusudhan Reddy, general secretary, Government Junior Lecturers Association, said they were planning to conduct seminars in all the districts to sensitise students on such issues. Juluri Gowrishanker, president, Ramaiah Vidya Peetham said television channels were glamourising crimeand they would mobilise people to put pressure on the channels to do away with such tendency.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
APSRTC charges extra fare during festive season
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and private bus operators are fleecing passengers by collecting hefty charges on the pretext of special buses being operated during the festival season.
The APSRTC, which will be running around 1,770 special buses between September 18 and 28 to clear the extra rush of passengers, has decided to collect 50 per cent additional fare from the passengers.
The corporation has hiked extra fare that was collected from passengers during the festival season from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, saying that “occupancy ratio of seats is less during return journey”.
“We can understand if private operators collect extra fare during festive season. But the APSRTC, which is a state unit is also cheating the public. The government need to take some
serious action against it,” said A.V.R. Kumar, an employee in a pharmaceutical company.
serious action against it,” said A.V.R. Kumar, an employee in a pharmaceutical company.
When contacted, Mr S. Ravindra Babu, regional manager (APSRTC) of Ranga Reddy Region, said, “The government has permitted the APSRTC to charge extra during festive season. RTC does not charge extra on normal days.”
This boosts up the morale of private operators to charge almost double the fare. For instance, the luxury bus fare from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam on normal days is Rs 400. But it is likely to shoot up to Rs 700 to Rs 800 on September 26 and 27 as many people will visit their hometowns to celebrate Dasara.
Meanwhile, South Central Railway, has decided to run 300 special trains in September and October to ferry the extra rush of passengers. It will operate special trains from Hyderabad to Howrah, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Mumbai, Patna, Bikaner and other places.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Parents die as stalker attacks girl with knife
A stalker attacked a teenaged girl with a knife and stabbed to death both her parents when they tried to protect her. The girl, Anusha, 16, suffered a stab wound on her neck.
The incident occurred at Lalitanagar of Rajah-mundry in East Godavari at around 8 pm on Thursday. Anusha is the eldest of the three daughters of Mr Narla Srinu, 37, an autorickshaw driver, and Mrs Satyavathi, 35, a housewife. The stalker, Matta Rajesh Kumar, 18, who works for a courier agency, had been harassing her for the last six months.
Though she spurned his advances and pleaded with him not to trouble her, Rajesh continued to harass her.
Unable to bear the teasing, Anusha lodged a complaint with the three town police station on May 28. The police arrested Rajesh on eve teasing charges and he spent four days in prison. But he came out on bail and continued to harass Anusha.
On Thursday, at about 8 pm, he jumped the wall of Anusha’s house, barged into her bathroom, whipped out a knife and attacked her. The terrified girl screamed even as Rajesh stabbed her on the neck. Her mother, Mrs Sathayavathi, flung herself between the assailant and her daughter. An angry Rajesh then stabbed her several times, wounding her heavily.
Anusha’s father, Mr Srinu, also rushed in hearing the commotion. Rajesh then turned towards him and stabbed him several times. As blood gushed out, he ran away from the spot. A wounded Anusha alerted neighbours who immediately summoned the 108 ambulance which shifted Sathyavathi to the Government General Hospital which was nearly five kilometres away. But she was dead by the time the ambulance reached the hospital.
The hapless and wounded girl took her heavily-bleeding father to the GGH in an autorickshaw. There was nobody to help her. But he too succumbed to his injuries as doctors tried to give him emergency treatment. Anusha was admitted in the hospital and is said to be out of danger. However, she had not been told about her parents’ death.
“Rajesh has been troubling me for a long time and had threatened to kill my father and molest my mother if I did not marry him,” said the injured girl. “I want him to be hanged publicly as a lesson for others.”
“She sustained a knife wound on the neck but her condition is stable at present,” said the GGH chief medical officer Dr Nagesh. Several women’s groups arrived at the GGH and sharply condemned the incident. “The boy should be hanged publicly for this heinous act,” said the AICC member, Ms Jakkampudi Vijayalakshmi.
The East Godavari superintendent of police, Mr Y. Nagireddy, said police had earlier arrested the boy on charges of eve teasing but was given bail by the court. “It would be best to conduct speedy trials and award punishments in eve teasing cases so that such offences do not take place,” he said.
“Rajesh’s parents admonished him and tried to prevent him from teasing the girl but he did not listen to them,” said a neighbour, Mr K. Ramana Murthy. “After police arrested him, his family was also forced to vacate the house in which they were staying.”
The incident occurred at Lalitanagar of Rajah-mundry in East Godavari at around 8 pm on Thursday. Anusha is the eldest of the three daughters of Mr Narla Srinu, 37, an autorickshaw driver, and Mrs Satyavathi, 35, a housewife. The stalker, Matta Rajesh Kumar, 18, who works for a courier agency, had been harassing her for the last six months.
Though she spurned his advances and pleaded with him not to trouble her, Rajesh continued to harass her.
Unable to bear the teasing, Anusha lodged a complaint with the three town police station on May 28. The police arrested Rajesh on eve teasing charges and he spent four days in prison. But he came out on bail and continued to harass Anusha.
On Thursday, at about 8 pm, he jumped the wall of Anusha’s house, barged into her bathroom, whipped out a knife and attacked her. The terrified girl screamed even as Rajesh stabbed her on the neck. Her mother, Mrs Sathayavathi, flung herself between the assailant and her daughter. An angry Rajesh then stabbed her several times, wounding her heavily.
Anusha’s father, Mr Srinu, also rushed in hearing the commotion. Rajesh then turned towards him and stabbed him several times. As blood gushed out, he ran away from the spot. A wounded Anusha alerted neighbours who immediately summoned the 108 ambulance which shifted Sathyavathi to the Government General Hospital which was nearly five kilometres away. But she was dead by the time the ambulance reached the hospital.
The hapless and wounded girl took her heavily-bleeding father to the GGH in an autorickshaw. There was nobody to help her. But he too succumbed to his injuries as doctors tried to give him emergency treatment. Anusha was admitted in the hospital and is said to be out of danger. However, she had not been told about her parents’ death.
“Rajesh has been troubling me for a long time and had threatened to kill my father and molest my mother if I did not marry him,” said the injured girl. “I want him to be hanged publicly as a lesson for others.”
“She sustained a knife wound on the neck but her condition is stable at present,” said the GGH chief medical officer Dr Nagesh. Several women’s groups arrived at the GGH and sharply condemned the incident. “The boy should be hanged publicly for this heinous act,” said the AICC member, Ms Jakkampudi Vijayalakshmi.
The East Godavari superintendent of police, Mr Y. Nagireddy, said police had earlier arrested the boy on charges of eve teasing but was given bail by the court. “It would be best to conduct speedy trials and award punishments in eve teasing cases so that such offences do not take place,” he said.
“Rajesh’s parents admonished him and tried to prevent him from teasing the girl but he did not listen to them,” said a neighbour, Mr K. Ramana Murthy. “After police arrested him, his family was also forced to vacate the house in which they were staying.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Behind The Scene: KVP balloon punctured
Rajya Sabha member K V P Ramachandra Rao appears to have realised that without his friend late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, he is nothing in New Delhi.
When YSR was alive, KVP used to accompany him to Delhi on political visits and he was being treated with respect by the people in the AICC. But once YSR is dead, the leaders have started ignoring him.
Though AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and others had given him respect in the initial days of YSR’s death, because of the attachment he had, but once he started lobbying for Jagan, they suspected that KVP has his own interests.
That was when they punctured his balloon. The kind of treatment KVP got in his first visit to Delhi was not seen in his second visit. He met a few leaders, but they told him that it was better he stop lobbying for Jagan, since Sonia would know everything. KVP had to return empty handed!
When YSR was alive, KVP used to accompany him to Delhi on political visits and he was being treated with respect by the people in the AICC. But once YSR is dead, the leaders have started ignoring him.
Though AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and others had given him respect in the initial days of YSR’s death, because of the attachment he had, but once he started lobbying for Jagan, they suspected that KVP has his own interests.
That was when they punctured his balloon. The kind of treatment KVP got in his first visit to Delhi was not seen in his second visit. He met a few leaders, but they told him that it was better he stop lobbying for Jagan, since Sonia would know everything. KVP had to return empty handed!
Rajasekhar in and as Rajasekhar Reddy
Paying his tribute to the late Chief Minister, director Puri Jaganath has decided to direct a film on Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. The film is titled Rajasekhar Reddy.
Tollywood actor, Rajasekhar, who is also co-producing the film, will play the lead. The filmmakers said that they would start shooting for the movie after three months of extensive research on the YSR’s life.
They would also seek Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for inputs among the close circles of Dr. YSR.
“We are taking extreme care in making this film. I feel very lucky to do this character. The story will cover the political career, family and other aspects of the chief minister’s life. We will carry out research and get the director to meet all the friends and family members of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy to ensure the story is close to his real life” said actor Rajasekhar.
“As we wanted a star director to take up this project, we contacted Puri Jaganath and he readily agreed. This movie will be on par with Iruvar, Gandhi and Nayakudu” said Jeevitha Rajasekhar, actor-turned-politician.
AP CM, ap news, ap politics, YSR News,
Tollywood actor, Rajasekhar, who is also co-producing the film, will play the lead. The filmmakers said that they would start shooting for the movie after three months of extensive research on the YSR’s life.
They would also seek Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for inputs among the close circles of Dr. YSR.
“We are taking extreme care in making this film. I feel very lucky to do this character. The story will cover the political career, family and other aspects of the chief minister’s life. We will carry out research and get the director to meet all the friends and family members of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy to ensure the story is close to his real life” said actor Rajasekhar.
“As we wanted a star director to take up this project, we contacted Puri Jaganath and he readily agreed. This movie will be on par with Iruvar, Gandhi and Nayakudu” said Jeevitha Rajasekhar, actor-turned-politician.
AP CM, ap news, ap politics, YSR News,
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Congress in no hurry to pick new leader in Andhra
Amid indications that he may have to play his role as chief trouble-shooter for Congress, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee suggested that the party would wait for the emotional upsurge over Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's sudden death to subside before taking a decision on the leadership issue.
With YSR loyalists pressing for Jaganmohan Reddy to be made chief minister in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress leader is careful about being non-commital on the sensitive issue by not ruling out any probablity. He fended off questions on whether Jagan could be a chief ministerial nominee.
Speaking on the issue at an interaction with women journalists at IWPC on Friday, Mukherjee, said, "It is not a major issue. It is unfortunate that Andhra Pradesh has lost a tall leader and chief minister... there is an emotional upsurge there... and I do hope that it will be possible for the leadership to find a way out for CLP to choose their next leader. It may take longer but it will be resolved. Nothing has been decided yet."
The party does not want to take a decision in a hurry as it admits the "emotional upsurge" needs to ebb before taking a final call on the situation. The party is also keen to allow MLAs to decide on who will be the chief minister, an exercise which will see a party emissary seeking the view of the legislators.
While the situation may be complicated, central party leaders are hoping that the matter can be resolved within a week and not drag on for more.
Congress seems to have adopted a two-pronged strategy by trying to persuade Jagan to accept the party high command's decision while sounding tough about Rosaiah continuing as CM.
"There is nothing called a caretaker chief minister - a CM is a CM," party spokesman Manish Tiwari told reporters. Asked about the possibility of a new CM being inducted, he pointed out that "there is a chief minister and a Cabinet which has taken oath".
With YSR loyalists pressing for Jaganmohan Reddy to be made chief minister in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress leader is careful about being non-commital on the sensitive issue by not ruling out any probablity. He fended off questions on whether Jagan could be a chief ministerial nominee.
Speaking on the issue at an interaction with women journalists at IWPC on Friday, Mukherjee, said, "It is not a major issue. It is unfortunate that Andhra Pradesh has lost a tall leader and chief minister... there is an emotional upsurge there... and I do hope that it will be possible for the leadership to find a way out for CLP to choose their next leader. It may take longer but it will be resolved. Nothing has been decided yet."
The party does not want to take a decision in a hurry as it admits the "emotional upsurge" needs to ebb before taking a final call on the situation. The party is also keen to allow MLAs to decide on who will be the chief minister, an exercise which will see a party emissary seeking the view of the legislators.
While the situation may be complicated, central party leaders are hoping that the matter can be resolved within a week and not drag on for more.
Congress seems to have adopted a two-pronged strategy by trying to persuade Jagan to accept the party high command's decision while sounding tough about Rosaiah continuing as CM.
"There is nothing called a caretaker chief minister - a CM is a CM," party spokesman Manish Tiwari told reporters. Asked about the possibility of a new CM being inducted, he pointed out that "there is a chief minister and a Cabinet which has taken oath".
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Ministers refuse to attend CM meets
Certain ministers in the state Cabinet are openly defying and snubbing the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, but he has decided to bide his time and keep quiet for the time being.
Two ministers, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy (agriculture) and Mr Jupalli Krishna Rao (civil supplies minister), did not attend important meetings convened by Mr Rosaiah despite the Chief Minister’s office informing them beforehand.
These two, along with Ms Konda Surekha and Mr P. Ramachandra Reddy, had initially refused to take the oath afresh. Mr Raghuveera Reddy attended a condolence meeting in his district on Tuesday but skipped the meeting on release of water for the second crop under Nagarjunasagar dam.
On Wednesday, Mr Rao also missed a crucial meeting on prices of essential commodities. The commissioner of the department also skipped the meeting without prior notice. A thoroughly embarrassed Mr Rosaiah had to conclude the meeting in 10 minutes with available officials.
In another meeting, the health minister, Mr Danam Nagender, kept the CM waiting for 20 minutes. In the last Cabinet meeting, two ministers told Mr Rosaiah that he would come back to his old portfolio soon enough. The veteran leader just smiled.
Meanwhile, Mr Rosaiah will not clear important files until he gets a nod from the high command.
Two ministers, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy (agriculture) and Mr Jupalli Krishna Rao (civil supplies minister), did not attend important meetings convened by Mr Rosaiah despite the Chief Minister’s office informing them beforehand.
These two, along with Ms Konda Surekha and Mr P. Ramachandra Reddy, had initially refused to take the oath afresh. Mr Raghuveera Reddy attended a condolence meeting in his district on Tuesday but skipped the meeting on release of water for the second crop under Nagarjunasagar dam.
On Wednesday, Mr Rao also missed a crucial meeting on prices of essential commodities. The commissioner of the department also skipped the meeting without prior notice. A thoroughly embarrassed Mr Rosaiah had to conclude the meeting in 10 minutes with available officials.
In another meeting, the health minister, Mr Danam Nagender, kept the CM waiting for 20 minutes. In the last Cabinet meeting, two ministers told Mr Rosaiah that he would come back to his old portfolio soon enough. The veteran leader just smiled.
Meanwhile, Mr Rosaiah will not clear important files until he gets a nod from the high command.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
New Andhra Pradesh Cabinet to be sworn in
Ending three days of confusion, ministers of the erstwhile Cabinet of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy will be sworn in afresh on Sunday but it was not clear as to how many will actually take oath of office.
They will be sworn in at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad.
This was decided by Governor ND Tiwari, who after consulting legal experts, felt that they would have to take oath afresh to fulfil a constitutional requirement following swearing-in of new Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah on Thursday.
With some of the ministers saying that they were not ready to serve under anyone else other than Rajasekhara Reddy's son Jaganmohan, it is unclear as to how many of the 34 ministers will actually take oath.
Former ministers like P Ramachandra Reddy, J Krishna Rao and Syed Ahmadullah have stated that they were only willing to work as ministers under Jaganmohan.
It may be recalled that there has been a lot of confusion over the status of the ministers who served under Rajasekhara Reddy before his death in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
Legal experts contended that the ministers were required to take oath of office afresh since a new chief minister had taken over.
Rosaiah himself wrote to the Governor on the issue as he wanted to clear the air. The Governor, in turn, asked state Chief Secretary P Ramakanth Reddy to explain the legal and constitutional position in this regard.
Accordingly, the chief secretary and state advocate general Seetarama Murthy met the Governor late Saturday night and reportedly conveyed to him that the ministers were required to take oath once again.
Official sources said legal and constitutional experts in New Delhi were also consulted.
"Since a controversy has arisen over the status of ministers, the concluding view was that it would be better to administer fresh oath of office to them so as to avoid any constitutional violation," a top-ranking official in the General Administration Department said.
"Accordingly, the ministers of the erstwhile Cabinet will be administered the oath of office once again," he said.
They will be sworn in at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad.
This was decided by Governor ND Tiwari, who after consulting legal experts, felt that they would have to take oath afresh to fulfil a constitutional requirement following swearing-in of new Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah on Thursday.
With some of the ministers saying that they were not ready to serve under anyone else other than Rajasekhara Reddy's son Jaganmohan, it is unclear as to how many of the 34 ministers will actually take oath.
Former ministers like P Ramachandra Reddy, J Krishna Rao and Syed Ahmadullah have stated that they were only willing to work as ministers under Jaganmohan.
It may be recalled that there has been a lot of confusion over the status of the ministers who served under Rajasekhara Reddy before his death in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
Legal experts contended that the ministers were required to take oath of office afresh since a new chief minister had taken over.
Rosaiah himself wrote to the Governor on the issue as he wanted to clear the air. The Governor, in turn, asked state Chief Secretary P Ramakanth Reddy to explain the legal and constitutional position in this regard.
Accordingly, the chief secretary and state advocate general Seetarama Murthy met the Governor late Saturday night and reportedly conveyed to him that the ministers were required to take oath once again.
Official sources said legal and constitutional experts in New Delhi were also consulted.
"Since a controversy has arisen over the status of ministers, the concluding view was that it would be better to administer fresh oath of office to them so as to avoid any constitutional violation," a top-ranking official in the General Administration Department said.
"Accordingly, the ministers of the erstwhile Cabinet will be administered the oath of office once again," he said.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Cabinet behind Jagan, awaits nod from Sonia
The Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, has reportedly not made up her mind on who should be the successor of the late Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, and is keeping her options open.
Even during her visit to Hyderabad to pay homage to YSR on Friday morning she did not give any hints on who would be his heir though she spent some time in the company of Congress leaders supporting the candidature of Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of the late Chief Minister.
Obviously, Mrs Gandhi wants more time to take a decision and this was evident from her political secretary, Mr Ahmed Patel’s comment that the Congress Legislature Party meeting could take place only after the seven-day state mourning.
The new Chief Minister, Mr Rosaiah, also told some mediapersons on Friday that he had no objection to Mr Jagan being elevated to the top post, provided the party high command cleared his name.
Sources said the Congress leadership was keenly watching the scenario in Andhra Pradesh. At this juncture, it intends to continue with Mr Rosaiah till the CLP meeting gets over.
Apart from the demand from majority of Congress leaders, the youth factor could also swing the decision in favour of Mr Jagan, who had been touring the state and campaigning for the party during the elections. Some feel he could be groomed to take over in a few months.
Though the ministers of the YSR cabinet had decided to step up pressure on the high command in favour of Mr Jagan, they dropped the idea of handing over a memorandum to Mrs Gandhi during her trip. They may visit Delhi and meet her personally to raise this demand in the next few days.
However, a final decision could possibly be tricky, as the Congress would want someone who can carry on the YSR legacy politically.
“We also want a leader who can contain the resurgence of the regional outfits such as the Telugu Desam and Praja Rajyam and separatist forces like the TRS,” said a Congress functionary. “Also, YSR had virtually demolished factionalism within the organisation.”
Though a section of leaders spoke of Mr Rosaiah’s abilities as an administrator, his non-controversial image and his socialist credentials, they also talked of his “lack of mass appeal.”
Other names, which have been doing the rounds are that of the union ministers, Mr Jaipal Reddy, Ms D. Purandeswari, Mr Pallam Raju and Mr D. Srinivas. Mr K.V. P. Ramachandra Rao, a close associate of YSR, could also play a key role in the succession game.
Even during her visit to Hyderabad to pay homage to YSR on Friday morning she did not give any hints on who would be his heir though she spent some time in the company of Congress leaders supporting the candidature of Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of the late Chief Minister.
Obviously, Mrs Gandhi wants more time to take a decision and this was evident from her political secretary, Mr Ahmed Patel’s comment that the Congress Legislature Party meeting could take place only after the seven-day state mourning.
The new Chief Minister, Mr Rosaiah, also told some mediapersons on Friday that he had no objection to Mr Jagan being elevated to the top post, provided the party high command cleared his name.
Sources said the Congress leadership was keenly watching the scenario in Andhra Pradesh. At this juncture, it intends to continue with Mr Rosaiah till the CLP meeting gets over.
Apart from the demand from majority of Congress leaders, the youth factor could also swing the decision in favour of Mr Jagan, who had been touring the state and campaigning for the party during the elections. Some feel he could be groomed to take over in a few months.
Though the ministers of the YSR cabinet had decided to step up pressure on the high command in favour of Mr Jagan, they dropped the idea of handing over a memorandum to Mrs Gandhi during her trip. They may visit Delhi and meet her personally to raise this demand in the next few days.
However, a final decision could possibly be tricky, as the Congress would want someone who can carry on the YSR legacy politically.
“We also want a leader who can contain the resurgence of the regional outfits such as the Telugu Desam and Praja Rajyam and separatist forces like the TRS,” said a Congress functionary. “Also, YSR had virtually demolished factionalism within the organisation.”
Though a section of leaders spoke of Mr Rosaiah’s abilities as an administrator, his non-controversial image and his socialist credentials, they also talked of his “lack of mass appeal.”
Other names, which have been doing the rounds are that of the union ministers, Mr Jaipal Reddy, Ms D. Purandeswari, Mr Pallam Raju and Mr D. Srinivas. Mr K.V. P. Ramachandra Rao, a close associate of YSR, could also play a key role in the succession game.
Jagan camp plays sentiment card, claims support of 148 MLAs
The post-YSR succession story might have got complicated with the dead chief minister's loyalists likely to shift their campaign for installing his son Jagan Mohan Reddy to Delhi and the party high command not keen to be hustled into taking what will be a crucial political call.
Perhaps with the objective of allowing emotions to subside, the party high command has taken the position that it will deal with the succession issue only after the mourning period ends even as it keenly assesses the situation in the state. The momentum to make Jagan the CM has not ebbed so far, and Congress is keeping a wary eye on developments.
By swiftly swearing-in veteran K Rosaiah, the leadership has certainly bought itself some time and going by the look of things, the 77-year-old leader could have to hold fort for a while till the Congress leadership sorts out the claims in the state in the wake of a large power vacuum caused by the death of YSR.
The Congress leadership is genuinely desirous of keeping the interests of YSR's family in mind given the tragic nature of his demise and proximity to 10, Janpath, but it is wary of an impression being created that it was served a fait accompli. It is also keen that the Andhra Pradesh unit does not break down into warring factions as was often the scene before the late CM consolidated his hold on power after 2004.
The charge of the YSR brigade is, however, likely to create a ticklish situation as it will inevitably have the shades of a "state versus Centre" conflict. This could mean the high command has to accommodate Jagan Reddy even as it hunts for an acceptable face. This dilemma is acute as there is no clear choice in sight.
Factions who were opposed to YSR and shut out of the scene completely were quick to claim that the campaign for Jagan was being "stage-managed" by persons, including a Rajya Sabha MP, close to the dead leader. They said no "senior" MP was keen to associate with the campaign. But one of them did agree that there was no other easily identifiable choice and that younger MLAs and MPs had veered towards the son.
Congress leadership is also thinking hard of the consequences of putting a young Jagan Reddy in the CM's chair. He may find out that he has bitten rather more than anticipated while others ran the show. In the circumstances, it would be useful to persevere with Rosaiah till it was possible to arrive at a calmer decision.
The visit of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the bereaved family, besides a clutch of central leaders, shows that the show of solidarity with the family could help deal with the succession issue.
Sources said the leadership was still to apply its mind to the issue but the two emissaries on the ground, Union ministers and AICC leaders Prithviraj Chavan and Veerappa Moily, have gained a sense of the mood after YSR's exit from the scene. The preparations will be made accordingly.
Congress is looking for a blend of seniority and loyalty, a combination which goes against Jagan Reddy. It has sought to downplay the campaign in favour of his installation as CM in Hyderabad, calling it an "emotional outburst" to avoid having to take a serious look against it.
That the Centre does not take a favourable view of the Jagan-as-CM campaign came out when AICC spokesman Shakeel Ahmed on Friday called it a "moment of tragedy and mourning" while advising "there should not be any politics on it".
With few genuine replacements at hand, insiders don't rule out giving a more than "interim arrangement" form to Rosaiah. Sources said a failure to find an acceptable face could see the old hand hang on to the hot seat. His hailing from a "neutral" Vaishya caste outside the contending Reddy and Kamma communities is seen as a soothing factor on the volatile turf.
There is always the option of accommodating Jagan Reddy at the Centre, something he may not be averse to in his bid to consolidate his father's political legacy. The young son has both the family's political and business interests to protect.
With the iron hand of YSR gone, the fear of rival lobbies reviving is bound to play on the minds of the leadership. While it is seen as an effective way of cancelling out the pro-Jagan lobby, there are concerns if a future leader would be able to ensure that the state unit remained united behind the new CM.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
YSR’s chopper was dusted off from hangar
The Bell-430 helicopter, which Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy took to fly to Chittoor district on Wednesday, was virtually dusted off from a hangar at the Begumpet airport here.
It was exactly one year ago that the State government acquired a brand new AgustaWestland AW-139 helicopter from the company’s main facility in Italy for Rs. 58 crore. But, Dr. Reddy had no option other than using the Bell-430 as the AgustaWestland helicopter was recently sent for overhaul after having been in operation for one full year.
The Bell-430, purchased from the U.S. for Rs. 26 crore, was found inadequate as it lacked night-landing facility and often required repairs and overhaul. On Wednesday, it was flown by a new pilot in place of the Chief Minister’s regular pilot who was drawn from the Indian Air Force.
The Bell helicopter was transferred to the A.P. Aviation Corporation, constituted recently to undertake commercial operations of helicopters, and ever since it had been confined to the hangar.
The AgustaWestland was brought to New Delhi first by a Russian cargo aircraft in August last year and flown to Hyderabad on September 15 after trials.
YSR Missing,Andhra CM Missing,AP CM Missing, Nallamala Forest, YSR Reddy Missing, Rajasekhara Reddy Missing, Andhra Pradesh News,Andhra Pradesh CM Missing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Missing, YSR News, AP Chief Minister Missing, YSR Chopper Missing, YSR Helicopter Missing
Courtesy:Hindu
It was exactly one year ago that the State government acquired a brand new AgustaWestland AW-139 helicopter from the company’s main facility in Italy for Rs. 58 crore. But, Dr. Reddy had no option other than using the Bell-430 as the AgustaWestland helicopter was recently sent for overhaul after having been in operation for one full year.
The Bell-430, purchased from the U.S. for Rs. 26 crore, was found inadequate as it lacked night-landing facility and often required repairs and overhaul. On Wednesday, it was flown by a new pilot in place of the Chief Minister’s regular pilot who was drawn from the Indian Air Force.
The Bell helicopter was transferred to the A.P. Aviation Corporation, constituted recently to undertake commercial operations of helicopters, and ever since it had been confined to the hangar.
The AgustaWestland was brought to New Delhi first by a Russian cargo aircraft in August last year and flown to Hyderabad on September 15 after trials.
YSR Missing,Andhra CM Missing,AP CM Missing, Nallamala Forest, YSR Reddy Missing, Rajasekhara Reddy Missing, Andhra Pradesh News,Andhra Pradesh CM Missing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Missing, YSR News, AP Chief Minister Missing, YSR Chopper Missing, YSR Helicopter Missing
Courtesy:Hindu
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