Saturday, July 22, 2006
Andhrapradesh Regional News July 23rd,2006
Byreddy threatens stir on RDS
Kadapa, July 22: The State government has done gross injustice to the farmers of Kurnool-Cuddapah canal by closing the sluices of Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme following pressure from Telangana leaders, former legislator from Nandikotkur Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy said. He said that an apolitical agitation would be launched on a massive scale with the farmers of K-C canal in protest against the closure of RDS sluices.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr Byreddy said that the State government has deployed huge police forces to close 19 sluices thereby affecting the interests of K-C canal farmers. The move would force K-C canal farmers to forgo the rabi crop completely, he said.
“While the water from RDS is to be distributed in the ratio of 30:10 among the Rayalaseema and Telangana districts, the government, owing to pressure from Telangana leaders, is increasing the share to the region,” the former MLA said. He said that while legislative committee appointed in 1991 recommended against the closure of RDS sluices, the present committee which has Telangana legislators as members recommended for closure of sluices.
The government is blindly implementing the panel recommendations, Mr Byreddy alleged. He said that the closure of sluices would benefit Karnataka and not Telangana. The land which doesn’t come under the ayacut region in Karnataka would receive water with the closure of sluices, he said.
Karnataka is illegally using water to irrigate 50,000 acre under the ayacut region against the stipulated 5,800 acre, he alleged. He said that seminars would be held at Kurnool, Manthralayam, Kadapa and Nandyal towns from August 10 to create awareness among the farmers of Kurnool and Kadapa districts on the issue.
Kurnool excise official in ACB net
Kurnool, July 22: Anti-Corruption Bureau sleuths conducted simultaneous searches at the houses of district excise assistant superintendent Chennupati Venkateswarlu at Kurnool and Gannavaram village in Guntur district and unearthed Rs 1.5 crore worth assets.
The ACB sleuths led by ACB, Vijayawada region DSP Mahipal Reddy conducted raids from morning to afternoon and seized cash deposit certificates worth Rs 20 lakh from various banks, documents pertaining to a house and a plot in Hyderabad, two shops in Guntur, two plots in Warangal and 18.5 acre land in Macharla and Rs 1 lakh worth jewellery. Venkateswarlu joined the excise department as sub-inspector in 1985.
Based on the complaint that the excise assistant superintendent possesses properties disproportionate to his known sources of income, the ACB sleuths conducted the raids, DSP Mahipal Reddy said. The excise official would be produced before special judge for ACB cases, he said. He The DSP added that investigation is on to recover the actual documents of the properties.
Tunga receives heavy inflows
Kurnool, July 22: Thungabhadra dam received huge inflows of floodwaters due to heavy rains in catchments areas in Karnataka. Water level in the reservoir reached 1,627 feet while the storage level reached 87 tmc ft by Saturday evening.
The reservoir received an inflow of 55,000 cusecs of water while 7,653 cusecs is released. Dam officials said that the reservoir would reach its maximum storage level if the present inflows continue for another four days.
Gates would be opened if the dam reaches it maximum storage capacity, officials said. The officials issued warnings to the catchments areas following heavy inflows of floodwaters into Tungabhadra river.
Meanwhile, inflows into Srisailam reservoir which decreased on Friday picked up on Saturday. Officials said that the reservoir received an inflow of one lakh cusecs on Saturday. The present water level in the reservoir is 857.70 and the storage capacity 141.512 tmc feet.
Governor launches Vedic varsity
Tirupati, July 22: State governor Rameswar Thakur called upon the scientists to explore the possibility for conducting a combined research on Vedas and science.
Speaking at a function after inaugurating the Vedic University at Tirumala on Saturday, he predicted supremacy for Vedas in the future. Pointing to the relationship between the Vedas and gods, he said that the Vedas were a treasure of the country.
He commended the move to establish Vedic University for the first time in the country at the abode of Lord Venkateswara. The governor had expressed the need for serious research in Sanskrit language, which is a medium for Vedas while referring to the recognition the ancient language was gaining all over the world.
He said that the responsibility of the Veda pundits and Sanskrit scholars was doubled following the establishment of the Vedic University. He said that late Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao had also favoured the imparting of Veda education.
Referring to TTD proposals to set up the university in 1992 and subsequent delay in establishing the university, he said that he had suggested to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams executive officer A.P.V.N. Sarma to send proposals of the Veda University during his previous visit to Tirumala.
He said that TTD has allotted Rs 35 lakhs in the first phase for the university. At present five courses would be introduced in the university. The courses include Rugveda, Krishna yajurveda, Sukla Yazurveda, Vykhasana Agamasasthra and Apasthambha prayoga. Rastriya Sanskrit Peetam officials have felicitated the governor on the occasion.
Thakur calls for research on Vedas
Tirupati, July 22: State governor Rameswar Thakur called upon the scientists to explore the possibility for conducting a combined research on Vedas and science. Speaking at a function after inaugurating the Vedic University at Tirumala on Saturday, he predicted upper hand for Vedas in the future. Pointing to the relationship bet-ween the Vedas and gods, he said that the Vedas were a treasure of the country.
He commended the move to establish Vedic University for the first time in the country at the abode of Lord Venkateswara. The governor had expressed the need for serious research in Sanskrit language, which is a medium for Vedas while referring to the recognition the ancient language was gaining all over the world.
He said that the responsibility of the Veda pundits and Sanskrit scholars was doubled following the establishment of the Vedic University. He said that late Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao had also favoured the imparting of Veda education.
Referring to TTD proposals to set up the university in 1992 and subsequent delay in establishing the university, he said that he had suggested to TTD EO A.P.V.N. Sarma to send proposals of the Veda University during his previous visit to Tirumala. He said that TTD has allocated Rs 35 lakhs in the first phase for the university.
Online railway tickets
Chittoor, July 22: Unreserved ticket online system was formally launched at Chittoor railway station on Friday night. Pakala assistant divisional engineer B.S. Burgoti inaugurated the facility. Passengers can buy the tickets 72 hours before their journey.
This would facilitate the passengers to avoid standing in the queue at the last minute. The passengers can buy the return ticket three days before and no additional fee is charged for the feature, railway officials said.
Banks neglect Yuvashakti
Nellore, July 22: Senior officials of the Self-employment and Training Department have denied allegations that irregularities took place in selecting beneficiaries for the Rajiv Yuvasakthi programme. However, they maintained silence when questioned about the interference of legislators in identifying groups as well as individual beneficiaries.
The officials admitted that they were facing problems in convincing banks to release their share. SETNEL chief executive officer Prasad claimed that they have achieved 61 per cent target in the implementation of the Rajiv Yuvasakthi scheme.
He said that they have prepared an action plan to establish 2,136 small-scale units at a cost of Rs 21.36 lakhs to benefit 3,560 youth, both individual and groups during 2005-06. Mr Prasad said that 79.4 per cent of the target was already sanctioned and 78.4 per cent was released.
He said that entrepreneur development programme is being conducted under the auspices of the youth services welfare wing for 335 entrepreneurs in industry, business and service fields. In addition to this, skill development training is being offered to 283 beneficiaries in computers and in other trades, he added.
In a bid to encourage the youth, the department has sanctioned Rs 10.50 lakhs to establish gymnasiums in rural areas, Mr Prasad noted. With regard to target for 2006-07, he said that 2,928 units have been planned to benefit 3,784 youth at an outlay of Rs 25.02 crores.
Banks lukewarm to Yuvashakti
Nellore, July 22: Senior officials of the Self-employment and Training Department have denied allegations that irregularities took place in selecting beneficiaries for the Rajiv Yuvasakthi programme.
However, they maintained silence when questioned about the interference of legislators in identifying groups as well as individual beneficiaries. The officials admitted that they were facing problems in convincing the banks to release their share.
SETNEL chief executive officer Prasad claimed that they have achieved 61 per cent target in the implementation of the Rajiv Yuvasakthi scheme. He said that they have prepared an action plan to establish 2,136 small-scale units at a cost of Rs 21.36 lakhs to benefit 3,560 youth, both individual and groups during 2005-06. Mr Prasad said that 79.4 per cent of the target was already sanctioned and 78.4 per cent was released.
He said that entrepreneur development programme is being conducted under the auspices of the youth services welfare wing for 335 entrepreneurs in industry, business and service fields. In addition to this, skill development training is being offered to 283 beneficiaries in computers and in other trades, he added.
In a bid to encourage the youth, the department has sanctioned Rs 10.50 lakhs to establish gymnasiums in rural areas, Mr Prasad noted. With regard to target for 2006-07, he said that 2,928 units have been planned to benefit 3,784 youth at an outlay of Rs 25.02 crores.
The mandal committees have already completed the exercise of selecting the candidates and the district level committee approval is awaited, the CEO said. The department also allotted Rs 60 lakhs during the current financial year to provide self-employment training to 2,200 youth belonging to the district. The training programmes include, call centre executive training, computer training and security guards among others, Mr Prasad added.
Poll code halts MLA funds
Kakinada, July 22: The successive elections to the local bodies affected the release of Assembly constituency development funds in East Godavari district. All the 21 MLAs in the district were allocated Rs 50 lakhs each earlier.
The MLAs were allocated funds on the same lines as MP Lads. This year the government raised the ACD amount to Rs 1 crore each from the existing Rs 50 lakhs. According to sources, Rs 16 crores was sanctioned for the district.
However, the funds were lying with the district treasury authorities in view of the poll code. The MLA s who wished to withdraw funds had to wait till the completion of the panchayat polls. The panchayat polls are being conducted in three phases in the district on July 29, August 2 and August 6.
For the already received letters of allocation, officials are in a dilemma whether to release the funds or wait till the completion of panchayat polls. It is learnt that there are some proposals from the MLAs which are pending even before the starting of ZP poll code. Immediately after the completion of ZP polls the election code for the panchayat polls came into force.
Sources said that the officials would release funds as per the allocations of the MLAs in the two corporations of Kakinada and Rajahmundry where there is no election code. The election code affected the starting of drinking water schemes in some Assembly constituencies with the ACD funds because of the election code.
According to sources, the officials propose to release the funds only after August 6 soon after the completion of the final phase of the panchayat polls to avoid controversy over the issue.
HC for details of girl’s plight
Rajahmundry, July 22: National ST Commision has responded on the plight of a tribal girl Tabitha and sought details of the girl from the district collector. According to District Legal Services Authority member Balaji Prasad Pande, Tabitha was born at a hamlet, Edtha-manuguda under Kurupalam mandal in Vizianagaram district.
Her physical characteristics resemble an ape. The girl is the fourth daughter of a tribal, Mangadu. The girl never wears a dress and her acts resemble that of an ape.
Her parents bound her with ropes in their house thinking that she might run away from home. When the issue came to light through media reports, DLSA member Pande submitted a representation to the Chief Justice of High Court and the National ST Commission seeking their intervention.
Pande said the High Court asked for more details about the girl from the Vizianagaram district collector to be sent through the State Legal Services Authority.
Mandal chiefs take oath
Rajahmundry, July 22: The elected mandal presidents and vice-presidents took oath of office in the 47 mandals out of the total 58 mandals in East Godavari and 46 mandals in West Godavari district on Saturday.
There was jubilation all around with the new members taking oath of office and reaffirming their commitment for the development of their region. In East Godavari district, the MPPs and vice-presidents took oath of office from Tallerevu, Karapa, Kakinada rural, Samalkot, Pedapudi, Pithapuram, Gollaprolu, U. Kot-hapalli, Prathipadu, Yeles-waram, Sankavaram, Peddapuram, Kirlampudi, Jagg-ampeta, Gandepalli, Tuni, Thondangi, Kotananduru, Addateegala, Rajavommangi, Y. Ramavaram and other mandals.
Soon after assuming charge, Mamidikuduru MPP Pilli Bhrataveni said that she would work to provide better administration in the mandal to sort out various pending issues.
At Razole, MPP Kadali Muthyalu and vice-president Bonthu Srinivasa Rao took oath. In the general body meet held later, they assured to provide better services to people.
At Mandapeta, MPP Nag-ireddy Rambabu and vice-president Udatha Prabha-kara Rao took oath. Later, the MPPs and MPTCs enquired about the developmental works in the mandal.
In West Godavari district, Zilla Parishad CEO Kondaiah Sastry said that there was no trouble from any mandal. At Penumantra, Kasani Vijaya Prasad took oath as MPP while T. Sujatha took oath as vice-president. Spe-aking on the occasion, the MPP assured to develop the mandal as a modal one.
At Undi, K. Satyanarayana took oath as MPP while V. Samudramurthy took oath as vice-president. The MPPs and vice-presidents also enquired as to what were the welfare schemes that have to be taken up.
Weeding begins at Kolleru
Bhimavaram, July 22: In an attempt to prevent flooding of agricultural fields with the water from Koll-eru, the district administration has taken up removal of weeds from the Kolleru lake allowing water to flow to sea through Upputeru.
The removal of weeds from the lake water will cost Rs 10 lakhs. Water from various canals and rivulets flow into the Kolleru lake. If the lake water was not allowed to flow into the sea through Upputeru, it will flood the agricultural fields causing damage to the crops. The Kolleru water had inundated several thousand acres of farm land during last kharif.
Eight new parks in Warangal
Warangal, July 22: A total of eight new public parks will come up soon in the city to give the much required lung space for the citizens. The proposed parks will be developed and handed over to the local resident committees so as to ensure their better maintenance and proper use.
City mayor E. Swarna told this correspondent that four parks each in Warangal and Hanamkonda area would come up as part of the new greenery project. The parks would be developed from the existing open spaces in different areas and the greenery would be improved in them before handing them over to the local resident committees.
In order to prevent any encroachments on to the public parks’ areas, compound walls would also be constructed to give them a permanent shape. She said that the residents associations in Revenue Colony, Postal Colony and at Children’s Park in Balasamudram came forward to participate in the maintenance of public parks in their respective areas.
Asked about why there was not even a single new park planned in Kazipet area, Ms Swarna said that there was no sufficient open space available for the development of parks and added that efforts were on to identify the suitable land.
Earlier, municipal commissioner Smita Sabharwal said that the play equipment in the famous Hanamkonda Public Gardens would be improved and all new play material would be procured so as to make the park more meaningful for the children’s day out.
Similarly, the efforts were on to ensure safe pathways for joggers in the public parks and suitable tracks would be prepared for the morning walkers. The Mayor and the Commissioner in a surprise early morning inspection at the public gardens had interacted with the morning walkers.
Man commits suicide
Nizamabad, July 22: A couple attempted suicide here on Saturday by consuming pesticide over the alleged harassment by a circle-inspector. The husband, S. Harikrishna, died, while the wife, Rajamani, survived.
According to sources the couple have been visiting Dichpally police station since Wednesday for interrogation in a case relating to the murder of a tailor, Sudhakar, on June 20.
The couple, who attended the interrogation on Friday, consumed pesticide on Saturday. Their son, who slept in the other room rushed to the bedroom, after hearing his mother’s cry. His father died on the spot, while he shifted his mother to hospital, where she was saved.
In a statement, Rajamani said that they were forced to take this extreme step due to the harassment of Dichpally circle-inspector Bhoomaiah. “The inspector has been mentally harassing us and used vulgar language about my appearance while interrogating us,” Rajamani said. “Unable to bear the harassment of the inspector, we had decided to commit suicide,” the victim said.
Official letters must be in Telugu
Warangal, July 22: The Official Language Commission on Saturday directed the officials to return the official letters written in English. Reviewing the implementation of Telugu in four districts — Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda, and Khammam — at a regional level review meet here, the commission chief A.B.K. Prasad said that it should be mandatory to use Telugu in all official correspondence.
“All the letters that come in English should be promptly sent back,” he added. He expressed dissatisfaction over the police department, which is still registering cases in English, and resulting in confusion among the victims. The education department has also got a specific directive not to permit more English medium schools and in every school, Telugu should be one of the subjects.
Responding to a query, Mr Prasad said that the commission had already taken up with the private television channels to improve language of their anchors and instruct them not to speak broken Telugu wilfully. The commission chief stated that the budget proposals in the Assembly would be introduced in Telugu so as to promote the use of Telugu in the legislative house.
Giving details about the implementation Telugu, he said that all the names in the attendance register should be written in Telugu and all the internal records should also be maintained in the official language. The veteran journalist stated that it was high time that there should be all-round awareness on the need to use mother tongue.
Notorious inter-State criminal in police net
Karimnagar, July 22: A notorious inter-State criminal landed in the police dragnet at Rayapatnam in Dharmapuri mandal on Saturday. Rayapatnam-based Ramdeni Ramshankar, 40, an accused in several cases under Dharmapuri police station limits, was arrested by the police at his native place in the morning.
He came to Rayapatnam to terrorise the villagers and install his mother Rambhai as the sarpanch of the village. However, acting on specific information the police detained him during a search operation near the village.
According to sources, Ramshankar went into exile several years ago after committing a series of offences including road robberies in both Karimnagar and Adilabad districts. Ramshankar fled to Mumbai in 1992 after narrowly escaping from an encounter.
One of his accomplices died in the exchange of fire with the police at Kannepalli village in Adilabad district. He allegedly murdered a person of his native mandal in Mumbai in the same year and subsequently convicted by the court.
Meanwhile, speaking to newsmen in Dharmapuri, the CI Ravinder Reddy said that Ramshankar was involved in four road robberies under the Dharmapuri police station limits.
Focus on houses for poor
Vijayawada, July 22: The District collector Navin Mittal on Saturday directed the municipal commissioners from the district to ensure that the housing programmes for the urban poor were properly implemented.
Speaking at a meeting of the municipal commissioners from Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and the municipalities of Machilipatnam, Pedana, Nuzvid, Gudivada and Jaggaiahpet, the district collector wanted them to change the designs of the houses in the urban areas to suit the changing needs of the beneficiaries.
He asked the commissioners to prepare a proposal for the number of houses required in their jurisdiction and send it to the district administration. He said that the administration would forward it to the government and get the schemes launched in the municipal areas.
The collector also instructed the commissioners to find out the availability of land for the housing scheme in the urban areas. He said houses would be multi-storyed in the Municipal Corporation limits, while they would be three-storyed in the towns. Lands are to be acquired accordingly, he said and wanted the commissioners to do it on priority basis.
Municipal commissioner N. Gulzar, joint collector S. Suresh Kumar, Housing Corporation district manager N. Siva Rao, district chief planning officer Ramudu, Housing Board deputy engineers K. Subrahmanyeswara Rao, Srinivasa Rao, Seshu Babu and Ramesh were present at the meeting.
Rs 200 cr to set up welfare hostels
Machilipatnam, July 22: Commissioner for social welfare R.M. Gonela on Saturday said that integrated hostels would be set up in the State at a cost of Rs 200 crores with Hudco funds shortly. Speaking to mediapersons, he said Rs 100 crores was released towards pre-metric scholarship arrears out of Rs 128 crores and the balance would be released during August.
Mr Gonela said that scholaships would also be released to the students of para-medical colleges. Steps are being taken to improve conditions in the social welfare hostels, he said and added that rules are being implemented to observe quality in meals provided in the hostels.
The commissioner said that Rs 400 crores was allocated for providing house sites to the poor in rural areas under Indiramma sch-eme and 4.17 lakh beneficiaries were identified.
CPI to fight for powers to civic bodies
Vijayawada, July 22: The CPI city unit has decided to launch an agitation against the State government seeking funds and powers for the Municipal Corporation.
The CPI leadership had been up in arms against the successive State governments for neglect of the local bodies, particularly denial of powers and funds as enshrined in the 74th constitutional amendment. Veteran CPI leader and former mayor T. Venkat-eswara Rao had on several occasions rallied the Left parties against the government seeking more powers.
He recently wrote an open letter to the State government seeking immediate release of 10, 11 and 12 fin-ance commission funds which are due for the Municipal Corporation. In affirmation of the party’s stand on local bodies, the CPI city leadership resolved to launch the agitation from August 4 and finally lay siege to the Mun-icipal Corporation office on August 7.
The party would conduct relay hunger strike at the Tummalapalli Kalakshetr-am for three days before taking out a march to the VMC office on August 7. City unit in-charge secretary P. Surya Rao said that the party would highlight the pending issues relating to the VMC and mount pressure on the government to release funds.
RPF blacklists 3 firms
Visakhapatnam, July 22: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) blacklisted three firms involved in offences relating to railway property. The blacklisted companies would not be allowed to take part in railway scrap auctioning and other business dealings with the railways.
The RPF officials are also taking steps to blacklist some more firms and are gathering background information, past history and track record of the companies. There are about 20 firms doing business with the East Coast Railway, which has three divisions — Waltair, Khurda and Sambalpur. The East Coast Railway headquarters is in Bubhaneswar.
The scrap business runs into crores of rupees in the Waltair division alone and the blacklisted firms would not only lose a chance to deal with the East Coast Railway but also with other railway divisions in the country.
The RPF has circulated the details of these tainted firms to all other railway divisions in the country. The RPF at the Waltair division is the first one to have started the process and got it approved from the higher-ups.
“If someone is involved in any railway property offence and had a bad track record, how can railways deal with such firms? So we took action and blacklisted those firms,” senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, Munawar Khursheed, told this correspondent.
The blacklisted firms are — M/s Agrasen Trading of Howrah, Rithika Steel Traders of Rourkela and Santosh Steel Enterprises of Nagpur. Speaking on the offences committed by some people in connivance with the RPF personnel, Mr Khursheed said that they would not spare any one. Recently, the RPF arrested an ASI and three other railway employees in various cases, Mr Khursheed added.
Emulate China in reforms: Ramaiah
Visakhapatnam, July 22: Educationist Chukka Ramaiah said that the country should follow in the footsteps of China and speed up economic reforms for the overall development people.
Speaking at a seminar on “Globalisation, Higher Education and Challenges,” organised by the Students Federation of India here, Mr Ramaiah said that India should also give importance to the higher studies as was done by China for the growth of the country.
“If India diverts its research towards the manufacturing sector, there would be tremendous growth in the country and the nation would immensely progress,” he added. Mr Ramaiah said that education should help students in developing their personality.
“Mere holding of exams periodically is not imparting education but infusing knowledge for the overall development of students is necessary,” Ramaiah said. He said that teachers should help students in realising their potential and achieve success.
Mr Ramaiah said that there were many social problems in the society, retarding the development of the country and added that unequal distribution of wealth among various sections of people was another main reason for the tardy progress of the nation. Andhra University vice-chancellor Prof. L. Venugopal Reddy also spoke on the occasion.
Varsity student drowns in sea
Visakhapatnam, July 22: Siva Kumar, a second year engineering student of the Andhra University Engineering College, drowned in the sea near the Vuda park beach here on Saturday.
According to sources, the incident occurred when Siva Kumar along with seven other students was sitting on the rocks near the lighthouse. Suddenly a high wave took two students, including Sivakumar, of the group into the sea.
While the other student managed to swim back to the shore, Siva Kumar, a resident of Kancharapalem, went missing. Efforts are on to retrieve his body. Siva Kumar was a day scholar and the other seven students are staying in the AU hostel. The police registered a case and had taken up investigation
Kadapa, July 22: The State government has done gross injustice to the farmers of Kurnool-Cuddapah canal by closing the sluices of Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme following pressure from Telangana leaders, former legislator from Nandikotkur Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy said. He said that an apolitical agitation would be launched on a massive scale with the farmers of K-C canal in protest against the closure of RDS sluices.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr Byreddy said that the State government has deployed huge police forces to close 19 sluices thereby affecting the interests of K-C canal farmers. The move would force K-C canal farmers to forgo the rabi crop completely, he said.
“While the water from RDS is to be distributed in the ratio of 30:10 among the Rayalaseema and Telangana districts, the government, owing to pressure from Telangana leaders, is increasing the share to the region,” the former MLA said. He said that while legislative committee appointed in 1991 recommended against the closure of RDS sluices, the present committee which has Telangana legislators as members recommended for closure of sluices.
The government is blindly implementing the panel recommendations, Mr Byreddy alleged. He said that the closure of sluices would benefit Karnataka and not Telangana. The land which doesn’t come under the ayacut region in Karnataka would receive water with the closure of sluices, he said.
Karnataka is illegally using water to irrigate 50,000 acre under the ayacut region against the stipulated 5,800 acre, he alleged. He said that seminars would be held at Kurnool, Manthralayam, Kadapa and Nandyal towns from August 10 to create awareness among the farmers of Kurnool and Kadapa districts on the issue.
Kurnool excise official in ACB net
Kurnool, July 22: Anti-Corruption Bureau sleuths conducted simultaneous searches at the houses of district excise assistant superintendent Chennupati Venkateswarlu at Kurnool and Gannavaram village in Guntur district and unearthed Rs 1.5 crore worth assets.
The ACB sleuths led by ACB, Vijayawada region DSP Mahipal Reddy conducted raids from morning to afternoon and seized cash deposit certificates worth Rs 20 lakh from various banks, documents pertaining to a house and a plot in Hyderabad, two shops in Guntur, two plots in Warangal and 18.5 acre land in Macharla and Rs 1 lakh worth jewellery. Venkateswarlu joined the excise department as sub-inspector in 1985.
Based on the complaint that the excise assistant superintendent possesses properties disproportionate to his known sources of income, the ACB sleuths conducted the raids, DSP Mahipal Reddy said. The excise official would be produced before special judge for ACB cases, he said. He The DSP added that investigation is on to recover the actual documents of the properties.
Tunga receives heavy inflows
Kurnool, July 22: Thungabhadra dam received huge inflows of floodwaters due to heavy rains in catchments areas in Karnataka. Water level in the reservoir reached 1,627 feet while the storage level reached 87 tmc ft by Saturday evening.
The reservoir received an inflow of 55,000 cusecs of water while 7,653 cusecs is released. Dam officials said that the reservoir would reach its maximum storage level if the present inflows continue for another four days.
Gates would be opened if the dam reaches it maximum storage capacity, officials said. The officials issued warnings to the catchments areas following heavy inflows of floodwaters into Tungabhadra river.
Meanwhile, inflows into Srisailam reservoir which decreased on Friday picked up on Saturday. Officials said that the reservoir received an inflow of one lakh cusecs on Saturday. The present water level in the reservoir is 857.70 and the storage capacity 141.512 tmc feet.
Governor launches Vedic varsity
Tirupati, July 22: State governor Rameswar Thakur called upon the scientists to explore the possibility for conducting a combined research on Vedas and science.
Speaking at a function after inaugurating the Vedic University at Tirumala on Saturday, he predicted supremacy for Vedas in the future. Pointing to the relationship between the Vedas and gods, he said that the Vedas were a treasure of the country.
He commended the move to establish Vedic University for the first time in the country at the abode of Lord Venkateswara. The governor had expressed the need for serious research in Sanskrit language, which is a medium for Vedas while referring to the recognition the ancient language was gaining all over the world.
He said that the responsibility of the Veda pundits and Sanskrit scholars was doubled following the establishment of the Vedic University. He said that late Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao had also favoured the imparting of Veda education.
Referring to TTD proposals to set up the university in 1992 and subsequent delay in establishing the university, he said that he had suggested to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams executive officer A.P.V.N. Sarma to send proposals of the Veda University during his previous visit to Tirumala.
He said that TTD has allotted Rs 35 lakhs in the first phase for the university. At present five courses would be introduced in the university. The courses include Rugveda, Krishna yajurveda, Sukla Yazurveda, Vykhasana Agamasasthra and Apasthambha prayoga. Rastriya Sanskrit Peetam officials have felicitated the governor on the occasion.
Thakur calls for research on Vedas
Tirupati, July 22: State governor Rameswar Thakur called upon the scientists to explore the possibility for conducting a combined research on Vedas and science. Speaking at a function after inaugurating the Vedic University at Tirumala on Saturday, he predicted upper hand for Vedas in the future. Pointing to the relationship bet-ween the Vedas and gods, he said that the Vedas were a treasure of the country.
He commended the move to establish Vedic University for the first time in the country at the abode of Lord Venkateswara. The governor had expressed the need for serious research in Sanskrit language, which is a medium for Vedas while referring to the recognition the ancient language was gaining all over the world.
He said that the responsibility of the Veda pundits and Sanskrit scholars was doubled following the establishment of the Vedic University. He said that late Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao had also favoured the imparting of Veda education.
Referring to TTD proposals to set up the university in 1992 and subsequent delay in establishing the university, he said that he had suggested to TTD EO A.P.V.N. Sarma to send proposals of the Veda University during his previous visit to Tirumala. He said that TTD has allocated Rs 35 lakhs in the first phase for the university.
Online railway tickets
Chittoor, July 22: Unreserved ticket online system was formally launched at Chittoor railway station on Friday night. Pakala assistant divisional engineer B.S. Burgoti inaugurated the facility. Passengers can buy the tickets 72 hours before their journey.
This would facilitate the passengers to avoid standing in the queue at the last minute. The passengers can buy the return ticket three days before and no additional fee is charged for the feature, railway officials said.
Banks neglect Yuvashakti
Nellore, July 22: Senior officials of the Self-employment and Training Department have denied allegations that irregularities took place in selecting beneficiaries for the Rajiv Yuvasakthi programme. However, they maintained silence when questioned about the interference of legislators in identifying groups as well as individual beneficiaries.
The officials admitted that they were facing problems in convincing banks to release their share. SETNEL chief executive officer Prasad claimed that they have achieved 61 per cent target in the implementation of the Rajiv Yuvasakthi scheme.
He said that they have prepared an action plan to establish 2,136 small-scale units at a cost of Rs 21.36 lakhs to benefit 3,560 youth, both individual and groups during 2005-06. Mr Prasad said that 79.4 per cent of the target was already sanctioned and 78.4 per cent was released.
He said that entrepreneur development programme is being conducted under the auspices of the youth services welfare wing for 335 entrepreneurs in industry, business and service fields. In addition to this, skill development training is being offered to 283 beneficiaries in computers and in other trades, he added.
In a bid to encourage the youth, the department has sanctioned Rs 10.50 lakhs to establish gymnasiums in rural areas, Mr Prasad noted. With regard to target for 2006-07, he said that 2,928 units have been planned to benefit 3,784 youth at an outlay of Rs 25.02 crores.
Banks lukewarm to Yuvashakti
Nellore, July 22: Senior officials of the Self-employment and Training Department have denied allegations that irregularities took place in selecting beneficiaries for the Rajiv Yuvasakthi programme.
However, they maintained silence when questioned about the interference of legislators in identifying groups as well as individual beneficiaries. The officials admitted that they were facing problems in convincing the banks to release their share.
SETNEL chief executive officer Prasad claimed that they have achieved 61 per cent target in the implementation of the Rajiv Yuvasakthi scheme. He said that they have prepared an action plan to establish 2,136 small-scale units at a cost of Rs 21.36 lakhs to benefit 3,560 youth, both individual and groups during 2005-06. Mr Prasad said that 79.4 per cent of the target was already sanctioned and 78.4 per cent was released.
He said that entrepreneur development programme is being conducted under the auspices of the youth services welfare wing for 335 entrepreneurs in industry, business and service fields. In addition to this, skill development training is being offered to 283 beneficiaries in computers and in other trades, he added.
In a bid to encourage the youth, the department has sanctioned Rs 10.50 lakhs to establish gymnasiums in rural areas, Mr Prasad noted. With regard to target for 2006-07, he said that 2,928 units have been planned to benefit 3,784 youth at an outlay of Rs 25.02 crores.
The mandal committees have already completed the exercise of selecting the candidates and the district level committee approval is awaited, the CEO said. The department also allotted Rs 60 lakhs during the current financial year to provide self-employment training to 2,200 youth belonging to the district. The training programmes include, call centre executive training, computer training and security guards among others, Mr Prasad added.
Poll code halts MLA funds
Kakinada, July 22: The successive elections to the local bodies affected the release of Assembly constituency development funds in East Godavari district. All the 21 MLAs in the district were allocated Rs 50 lakhs each earlier.
The MLAs were allocated funds on the same lines as MP Lads. This year the government raised the ACD amount to Rs 1 crore each from the existing Rs 50 lakhs. According to sources, Rs 16 crores was sanctioned for the district.
However, the funds were lying with the district treasury authorities in view of the poll code. The MLA s who wished to withdraw funds had to wait till the completion of the panchayat polls. The panchayat polls are being conducted in three phases in the district on July 29, August 2 and August 6.
For the already received letters of allocation, officials are in a dilemma whether to release the funds or wait till the completion of panchayat polls. It is learnt that there are some proposals from the MLAs which are pending even before the starting of ZP poll code. Immediately after the completion of ZP polls the election code for the panchayat polls came into force.
Sources said that the officials would release funds as per the allocations of the MLAs in the two corporations of Kakinada and Rajahmundry where there is no election code. The election code affected the starting of drinking water schemes in some Assembly constituencies with the ACD funds because of the election code.
According to sources, the officials propose to release the funds only after August 6 soon after the completion of the final phase of the panchayat polls to avoid controversy over the issue.
HC for details of girl’s plight
Rajahmundry, July 22: National ST Commision has responded on the plight of a tribal girl Tabitha and sought details of the girl from the district collector. According to District Legal Services Authority member Balaji Prasad Pande, Tabitha was born at a hamlet, Edtha-manuguda under Kurupalam mandal in Vizianagaram district.
Her physical characteristics resemble an ape. The girl is the fourth daughter of a tribal, Mangadu. The girl never wears a dress and her acts resemble that of an ape.
Her parents bound her with ropes in their house thinking that she might run away from home. When the issue came to light through media reports, DLSA member Pande submitted a representation to the Chief Justice of High Court and the National ST Commission seeking their intervention.
Pande said the High Court asked for more details about the girl from the Vizianagaram district collector to be sent through the State Legal Services Authority.
Mandal chiefs take oath
Rajahmundry, July 22: The elected mandal presidents and vice-presidents took oath of office in the 47 mandals out of the total 58 mandals in East Godavari and 46 mandals in West Godavari district on Saturday.
There was jubilation all around with the new members taking oath of office and reaffirming their commitment for the development of their region. In East Godavari district, the MPPs and vice-presidents took oath of office from Tallerevu, Karapa, Kakinada rural, Samalkot, Pedapudi, Pithapuram, Gollaprolu, U. Kot-hapalli, Prathipadu, Yeles-waram, Sankavaram, Peddapuram, Kirlampudi, Jagg-ampeta, Gandepalli, Tuni, Thondangi, Kotananduru, Addateegala, Rajavommangi, Y. Ramavaram and other mandals.
Soon after assuming charge, Mamidikuduru MPP Pilli Bhrataveni said that she would work to provide better administration in the mandal to sort out various pending issues.
At Razole, MPP Kadali Muthyalu and vice-president Bonthu Srinivasa Rao took oath. In the general body meet held later, they assured to provide better services to people.
At Mandapeta, MPP Nag-ireddy Rambabu and vice-president Udatha Prabha-kara Rao took oath. Later, the MPPs and MPTCs enquired about the developmental works in the mandal.
In West Godavari district, Zilla Parishad CEO Kondaiah Sastry said that there was no trouble from any mandal. At Penumantra, Kasani Vijaya Prasad took oath as MPP while T. Sujatha took oath as vice-president. Spe-aking on the occasion, the MPP assured to develop the mandal as a modal one.
At Undi, K. Satyanarayana took oath as MPP while V. Samudramurthy took oath as vice-president. The MPPs and vice-presidents also enquired as to what were the welfare schemes that have to be taken up.
Weeding begins at Kolleru
Bhimavaram, July 22: In an attempt to prevent flooding of agricultural fields with the water from Koll-eru, the district administration has taken up removal of weeds from the Kolleru lake allowing water to flow to sea through Upputeru.
The removal of weeds from the lake water will cost Rs 10 lakhs. Water from various canals and rivulets flow into the Kolleru lake. If the lake water was not allowed to flow into the sea through Upputeru, it will flood the agricultural fields causing damage to the crops. The Kolleru water had inundated several thousand acres of farm land during last kharif.
Eight new parks in Warangal
Warangal, July 22: A total of eight new public parks will come up soon in the city to give the much required lung space for the citizens. The proposed parks will be developed and handed over to the local resident committees so as to ensure their better maintenance and proper use.
City mayor E. Swarna told this correspondent that four parks each in Warangal and Hanamkonda area would come up as part of the new greenery project. The parks would be developed from the existing open spaces in different areas and the greenery would be improved in them before handing them over to the local resident committees.
In order to prevent any encroachments on to the public parks’ areas, compound walls would also be constructed to give them a permanent shape. She said that the residents associations in Revenue Colony, Postal Colony and at Children’s Park in Balasamudram came forward to participate in the maintenance of public parks in their respective areas.
Asked about why there was not even a single new park planned in Kazipet area, Ms Swarna said that there was no sufficient open space available for the development of parks and added that efforts were on to identify the suitable land.
Earlier, municipal commissioner Smita Sabharwal said that the play equipment in the famous Hanamkonda Public Gardens would be improved and all new play material would be procured so as to make the park more meaningful for the children’s day out.
Similarly, the efforts were on to ensure safe pathways for joggers in the public parks and suitable tracks would be prepared for the morning walkers. The Mayor and the Commissioner in a surprise early morning inspection at the public gardens had interacted with the morning walkers.
Man commits suicide
Nizamabad, July 22: A couple attempted suicide here on Saturday by consuming pesticide over the alleged harassment by a circle-inspector. The husband, S. Harikrishna, died, while the wife, Rajamani, survived.
According to sources the couple have been visiting Dichpally police station since Wednesday for interrogation in a case relating to the murder of a tailor, Sudhakar, on June 20.
The couple, who attended the interrogation on Friday, consumed pesticide on Saturday. Their son, who slept in the other room rushed to the bedroom, after hearing his mother’s cry. His father died on the spot, while he shifted his mother to hospital, where she was saved.
In a statement, Rajamani said that they were forced to take this extreme step due to the harassment of Dichpally circle-inspector Bhoomaiah. “The inspector has been mentally harassing us and used vulgar language about my appearance while interrogating us,” Rajamani said. “Unable to bear the harassment of the inspector, we had decided to commit suicide,” the victim said.
Official letters must be in Telugu
Warangal, July 22: The Official Language Commission on Saturday directed the officials to return the official letters written in English. Reviewing the implementation of Telugu in four districts — Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda, and Khammam — at a regional level review meet here, the commission chief A.B.K. Prasad said that it should be mandatory to use Telugu in all official correspondence.
“All the letters that come in English should be promptly sent back,” he added. He expressed dissatisfaction over the police department, which is still registering cases in English, and resulting in confusion among the victims. The education department has also got a specific directive not to permit more English medium schools and in every school, Telugu should be one of the subjects.
Responding to a query, Mr Prasad said that the commission had already taken up with the private television channels to improve language of their anchors and instruct them not to speak broken Telugu wilfully. The commission chief stated that the budget proposals in the Assembly would be introduced in Telugu so as to promote the use of Telugu in the legislative house.
Giving details about the implementation Telugu, he said that all the names in the attendance register should be written in Telugu and all the internal records should also be maintained in the official language. The veteran journalist stated that it was high time that there should be all-round awareness on the need to use mother tongue.
Notorious inter-State criminal in police net
Karimnagar, July 22: A notorious inter-State criminal landed in the police dragnet at Rayapatnam in Dharmapuri mandal on Saturday. Rayapatnam-based Ramdeni Ramshankar, 40, an accused in several cases under Dharmapuri police station limits, was arrested by the police at his native place in the morning.
He came to Rayapatnam to terrorise the villagers and install his mother Rambhai as the sarpanch of the village. However, acting on specific information the police detained him during a search operation near the village.
According to sources, Ramshankar went into exile several years ago after committing a series of offences including road robberies in both Karimnagar and Adilabad districts. Ramshankar fled to Mumbai in 1992 after narrowly escaping from an encounter.
One of his accomplices died in the exchange of fire with the police at Kannepalli village in Adilabad district. He allegedly murdered a person of his native mandal in Mumbai in the same year and subsequently convicted by the court.
Meanwhile, speaking to newsmen in Dharmapuri, the CI Ravinder Reddy said that Ramshankar was involved in four road robberies under the Dharmapuri police station limits.
Focus on houses for poor
Vijayawada, July 22: The District collector Navin Mittal on Saturday directed the municipal commissioners from the district to ensure that the housing programmes for the urban poor were properly implemented.
Speaking at a meeting of the municipal commissioners from Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and the municipalities of Machilipatnam, Pedana, Nuzvid, Gudivada and Jaggaiahpet, the district collector wanted them to change the designs of the houses in the urban areas to suit the changing needs of the beneficiaries.
He asked the commissioners to prepare a proposal for the number of houses required in their jurisdiction and send it to the district administration. He said that the administration would forward it to the government and get the schemes launched in the municipal areas.
The collector also instructed the commissioners to find out the availability of land for the housing scheme in the urban areas. He said houses would be multi-storyed in the Municipal Corporation limits, while they would be three-storyed in the towns. Lands are to be acquired accordingly, he said and wanted the commissioners to do it on priority basis.
Municipal commissioner N. Gulzar, joint collector S. Suresh Kumar, Housing Corporation district manager N. Siva Rao, district chief planning officer Ramudu, Housing Board deputy engineers K. Subrahmanyeswara Rao, Srinivasa Rao, Seshu Babu and Ramesh were present at the meeting.
Rs 200 cr to set up welfare hostels
Machilipatnam, July 22: Commissioner for social welfare R.M. Gonela on Saturday said that integrated hostels would be set up in the State at a cost of Rs 200 crores with Hudco funds shortly. Speaking to mediapersons, he said Rs 100 crores was released towards pre-metric scholarship arrears out of Rs 128 crores and the balance would be released during August.
Mr Gonela said that scholaships would also be released to the students of para-medical colleges. Steps are being taken to improve conditions in the social welfare hostels, he said and added that rules are being implemented to observe quality in meals provided in the hostels.
The commissioner said that Rs 400 crores was allocated for providing house sites to the poor in rural areas under Indiramma sch-eme and 4.17 lakh beneficiaries were identified.
CPI to fight for powers to civic bodies
Vijayawada, July 22: The CPI city unit has decided to launch an agitation against the State government seeking funds and powers for the Municipal Corporation.
The CPI leadership had been up in arms against the successive State governments for neglect of the local bodies, particularly denial of powers and funds as enshrined in the 74th constitutional amendment. Veteran CPI leader and former mayor T. Venkat-eswara Rao had on several occasions rallied the Left parties against the government seeking more powers.
He recently wrote an open letter to the State government seeking immediate release of 10, 11 and 12 fin-ance commission funds which are due for the Municipal Corporation. In affirmation of the party’s stand on local bodies, the CPI city leadership resolved to launch the agitation from August 4 and finally lay siege to the Mun-icipal Corporation office on August 7.
The party would conduct relay hunger strike at the Tummalapalli Kalakshetr-am for three days before taking out a march to the VMC office on August 7. City unit in-charge secretary P. Surya Rao said that the party would highlight the pending issues relating to the VMC and mount pressure on the government to release funds.
RPF blacklists 3 firms
Visakhapatnam, July 22: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) blacklisted three firms involved in offences relating to railway property. The blacklisted companies would not be allowed to take part in railway scrap auctioning and other business dealings with the railways.
The RPF officials are also taking steps to blacklist some more firms and are gathering background information, past history and track record of the companies. There are about 20 firms doing business with the East Coast Railway, which has three divisions — Waltair, Khurda and Sambalpur. The East Coast Railway headquarters is in Bubhaneswar.
The scrap business runs into crores of rupees in the Waltair division alone and the blacklisted firms would not only lose a chance to deal with the East Coast Railway but also with other railway divisions in the country.
The RPF has circulated the details of these tainted firms to all other railway divisions in the country. The RPF at the Waltair division is the first one to have started the process and got it approved from the higher-ups.
“If someone is involved in any railway property offence and had a bad track record, how can railways deal with such firms? So we took action and blacklisted those firms,” senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, Munawar Khursheed, told this correspondent.
The blacklisted firms are — M/s Agrasen Trading of Howrah, Rithika Steel Traders of Rourkela and Santosh Steel Enterprises of Nagpur. Speaking on the offences committed by some people in connivance with the RPF personnel, Mr Khursheed said that they would not spare any one. Recently, the RPF arrested an ASI and three other railway employees in various cases, Mr Khursheed added.
Emulate China in reforms: Ramaiah
Visakhapatnam, July 22: Educationist Chukka Ramaiah said that the country should follow in the footsteps of China and speed up economic reforms for the overall development people.
Speaking at a seminar on “Globalisation, Higher Education and Challenges,” organised by the Students Federation of India here, Mr Ramaiah said that India should also give importance to the higher studies as was done by China for the growth of the country.
“If India diverts its research towards the manufacturing sector, there would be tremendous growth in the country and the nation would immensely progress,” he added. Mr Ramaiah said that education should help students in developing their personality.
“Mere holding of exams periodically is not imparting education but infusing knowledge for the overall development of students is necessary,” Ramaiah said. He said that teachers should help students in realising their potential and achieve success.
Mr Ramaiah said that there were many social problems in the society, retarding the development of the country and added that unequal distribution of wealth among various sections of people was another main reason for the tardy progress of the nation. Andhra University vice-chancellor Prof. L. Venugopal Reddy also spoke on the occasion.
Varsity student drowns in sea
Visakhapatnam, July 22: Siva Kumar, a second year engineering student of the Andhra University Engineering College, drowned in the sea near the Vuda park beach here on Saturday.
According to sources, the incident occurred when Siva Kumar along with seven other students was sitting on the rocks near the lighthouse. Suddenly a high wave took two students, including Sivakumar, of the group into the sea.
While the other student managed to swim back to the shore, Siva Kumar, a resident of Kancharapalem, went missing. Efforts are on to retrieve his body. Siva Kumar was a day scholar and the other seven students are staying in the AU hostel. The police registered a case and had taken up investigation
