Monday, July 24, 2006
Hyderabad City News july 25th,2006
Don’t weaken RTI Act: Info chief
Hyderabad, July 24: Chief information commissioner (CIC) of India Wajahat Habibullah cautioned people against attempts to weaken the Right to Information (RTI) Act.The RTI Act was aimed at benefitting all citizens and the principal stakeholder in its implementation was none other than the citizenry. Weakening the Act will be akin to weakening ourselves,” he pointed out.
Inaugurating a workshop on the RTI Act organised by the Academic Staff College of University of Hyderabad, Mr Habibullah, however, said he did not want to talk about the proposed amendment to the Act. Last month, the Union cabinet cleared an amendment taking “notings on files” out of the Act’s purview. This is to be placed before Parliament.
The CIC felt that the RTI Act would bring about a ‘transparency revolution’ in the functioning of the government provided it was implemented sincerely. NGOs and media should take up the task of spreading awareness about it, he said. Mr Habibullah described the Official Secrets Act, 1923, as the “most undemocratic legislation” and said that the RTI Act had powers to override it.
State chief information commissioner C.D. Arha, delivering the keynote address, underscored the need for changing the mindset of the officials to make the RTI Act more useful and effective. Dr Seyed E. Hasnain, vice-chancellor of University of Hyderabad, presided over the inaugural session.
Auction of Huda plots stayed
Hyderabad, July 24: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has stayed the auction of plots near Hitech City by Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda). Justice P.S. Narayana stalled the auction of plots in Izzathnagar and Serilingampally on writ petitions filed by N. Rami Reddy and others challenging the Huda’s decision.
The petitioners contended that the Huda was proceeding with the auction without even having valid title deeds. They added that despite their having purchased the lands, Huda tried to acquire them by issuing notices to the original owners who had already sold them.
Our correspondent adds that Huda chairman D. Sudheer Reddy clarified that the Izzathnagar plots do not belong to Huda at all. “The lands belong to the revenue department. It was the State government which had asked us to auction the plots of Izzathnagar. We are just acting as the facilitators,” Mr Reddy said.The Huda chief said that the government directed them to transfer all the money which will come from the auction of Kokapet lands.
HC nod for BE admissions
A division bench of the High Court vacated the stay on admissions to engineering courses for the current academic year. Chief Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice G.V. Seethapathy permitted the admission process to go on.
The bench, however, made it clear that the admissions would be subject to the HC decision on writ petitions filed challenging GO 53. Representatives of minority colleges had challenged the State government’s decision to regulate allotment of students to the minority institutions for engineering courses. Earlier, the bench had permitted the counselling to go on but instructed that the admissions be not finalised.
The division bench also admitted a writ filed challenging GO 272 which gives discretion to the managements of unaided minority medical colleges to fill up medical seats. A writ filed by the Minority Rights Protection Committee contended that managements were selling away the seats for huge amounts. They argued that the action of the government was contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court.
SEC warned of contempt
The High Court directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to dispose of 275 applications of persons seeking inclusion of their names as voters list within 48 hours or face contempt proceedings. A division bench said this while dealing with a writ petition pointing out that the SEC had not responded to the appeals of voters of Kondapet mandal in Prakasam district for inclusion in electoral rolls for gram panchayat polls.
Huda to build Rs 6-lakh flats
Hyderabad, July 24: Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda) is planning to build 4,000 apartments in four regions of the city to cater to middle-class families.The project is to help persons with monthly incomes ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 to fulfil their dreams of owning a house at an affordable rate.
The apartments will come up at Shamshabad, Sahebnagar, Medchal, and Nallagandla and will cost from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 7 lakh.Huda chairman D. Sudheer Reddy said that guidelines were being formulated to ensure that the allotment was free of controversy.
Procedures for filing applications will be finalised by August/September. Beneficiaries will be selected by drawing of lots in October.Only people who have stayed in a particular area of the city for the last 10 years would be eligible to apply. “We have selected plots in four areas so that people living in all parts of the city can have access,” said Mr Sudheer Reddy.
Huda is planning to construct the apartments in one-and-a-half years. Beneficiaries would not be charged for the cost of the land, they would only have to pay the cost of construction.
Drug racket busted, 2 held
Hyderabad, July 24: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials se-ized Rs 1.27 crore worth of Dextropropoxyphene drug, which has to be sold only to licensed pharma companies, and arrested two persons under Narcotics Act.
The accused, Bishnoi, 60, managing director of Hygrow Chemicals and Pharma Tech at IDA Bollarum and Sathyanarayana Raju, 44, the company’s production manager were selling the drug to Delhi based unlicensed companies which allegedly prepare tablets and sell to drug rackets. DRI additional director general P. Babu said that 250 kgs of drug worth Rs 7.5 lakh were seized at New Delhi airport.
Rain brings cheer to Bonalu
Hyderabad, July 24: The traditional Bonalu procession in the old city passed off peacefully on Monday evening with the immersion of Mahankali ghatams carried by the devotees to Nayapul Musi river from Lal Darwaza.
Rains in parts of the old city added to the faith of the devotees that whenever the ghatams are taken for immersion on the concluding day, the path is cleansed by the Goddess herself in the form of rains or drizzle.
The old city reverberated with the chants of “Jai Mahankali Maataki” as thousands of residents lined up the Lal Darwaza-Nayapul procession route to watch the colourful convoy of ghatams, dances and the elaborate ornamentation of the elephant and camels.
The procession started at around 4 pm. Led by the ornamental elephant belonging to the Akkanna Madanna temple of Haribowli, the procession was received by minister for tourism J. Geeta Reddy and Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav at Charminar.
Cut baggage to avoid stampede, Hajis advised
Hyderabad, July 24: Heavy luggage is proving to be a threat to the lives of Indians performing Haj, if the number of Indian pilgrims killed during the “stoning of the devil” ritual in Saudi Arabia is any indication. After a thorough analysis of the reasons for the death of pilgrims every year, Saudi authorities have noted that most of the pilgrims who had died in the stampede were carrying heavy luggage with them when the mishap took place.
Indian Hajis usually carry heavy luggage consisting of groceries, dried meat and utensils with them for the Haj to avoid purchasing things from Saudi Arabia. Though arrangements for food are made on a massive scale in the holy cities of Mecca and Madina, Indians prefer to cook their own food. The real trouble starts when Hajis shift along with their luggage to open grounds outside Mecca for the mandatory Haj rituals including the symbolic “stoning of the devil”.
In view of the expert report, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah Dr Ausaf Saeed has said: “We are advising Hajis to carry not more than the stipulated 45 kgs of luggage for the Haj 2006-II. It is better if the Hajis do not carry food items with them. This will reduce the burden.” As many as 1426 pilgrims died in stampede during 1990 Haj, 244 in 2004 and 345 in 2006-I Haj earlier this year. Of these 345 Hajis, 62 were from India.
KCR begins his holy visits
Hyderabad, July 24: Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president and Union labour minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday sought divine help for his movement for a separate State by offering special prayers at the famous Hazrat Syed Shah Jahangir Peer Dargah.Mr Chandrasekhar Rao left Hyderabad at 3.30 pm along with his wife and reached the dargah near Kothur village in Mahbubnagar district at about 5 pm.
TRS leaders G. Vijayarama Rao, Nayani Nar-asimha Reddy, Dr K. Nagesh, A. Chandrasekhar, C. Lakshma Reddy, Umakanth, and Rehman accompanied him. Conspicuous by his absence was senior leader A. Narendra, who does not have the habit of visiting dargahs because of his past affiliation with the RSS.
Sporting a shamla on his head and carrying a dhatti, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao went into the dargah to offer prayers. TRS activists shouted, “Jai Telangana,” as the TRS president came out of the dargah. Mr Chandrasekhar Rao did not speak to the media.
Two end lives due to HIV stigma
Hyderabad, July 24: Former IAS officer J.C. Mohanty, who quit his job to take up social service in his home State of Orissa, said he had no plans to enter politics.In a chat with mediapersons, Mr Mohanty said he did not want to launch a political party or join an existing outfit.
“Who will listen to me if I join politics?” he asked. “I will end up like any other politician. I am not interested in that.” He said his main objective was to educate the people of Orissa and make them realise their potential.
“People and officials are pessimistic about the State’s future,” he said. “I want to tell them that they can change their own fate.” Mr Mohanty said that he would take the help of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), intellectuals and officials to fulfil his dream. As part of his efforts, he would tour all parts of Orissa and talk to NGOs, students and other stakeholders to discuss steps to improve the economic standards of people, he added.His prime focus would be agriculture and allied sectors which were the worst-hit in the last four decades.
“Official figures state that 10 out of 30 districts in Orissa have 87 per cent people below the poverty line,” he said. Agriculture sector recorded negative growth and per capita income from agriculture became very meagre. “My experiences in Andhra Pradesh would be of immense help in Orissa,” Mr Mohanty said.
Maoists leader had more security than Jana Reddy
Hyderabad, July 24: Mystery still surrounds the enc-ounter killing of top Maoist leader Madhav, who had more security cover than the State’s home minister. At least 15 trained Maoi-sts guard him with carbines and pistols all the time and a patrol team always checks places which he visits in advance.
Moreover, the CPI (Maoist) State Committee Secretary is usually armed to the teeth and is never known to travel without his AK-47. He is so ca-reful that he would not ev-en touch food unless the person who brought it ate it first.
Police, however, claimed that his gunning down only displayed the upper hand they have got over Maoists. “Two of our men were injured. This proves that there was a real fight,” said an official of Special Intelligence Branch.A senior police official said that the operation was meticulously planned for 15 days. “We know the topography of Nallamala better than Maoists,” he said. “Our men are also trained well in guerrilla warfare.”
Police said they had prior information that Madhav was meeting two other lea-ders, Sudharshan and Jeevan, to discuss party issues. “This time, most his security cover consisted mostly of women cadre and they did not retaliate quickly,” said the police officer.
Director-General of Poli-ce Swaranjit Sen said that police conducted a combing operation in Nallamala on the basis of a tip off. He added that Maoists were in a state of confusion. “I won’t call it as a victory but it is one more step in curbing violence,” he said. “Allegations made against the police are false.” He said that police had no information on internal rivalry among Maoists.
2 naxals were from city
Hyderabad, July 24: Two of the women naxals killed in Sunday’s enco-unter were from the city.The parents of Susheela, member of Nallamala forest division committee and convener of Chaitanya Mahila Mandali stay at Dilsukhnagar. The residence of Shyamala, personal security guard of slain State Maoist chief Madhav, is at Alwal.
Susheela graduated from Priyadarshini College at Nampally and was working for a woman’s organisation. Her father Krishnaiah works in a private company in the city. Her mother Prabhavati said “Police took her life. the government will be dethroned.” She said she had last seen Susheela two years ago.Shyamala’s father Pentaiah said, “A day before her marriage she left home and joined the movement. She told us that she was working as a nurse.”
Mahender Reddy is Secunderabad Club vice-prez
Hyderabad, July 24: Mr Mahender Reddy was elected vice-president of Secunderabad Club here on Monday. Mr Shashidhar, Mr Nitin Jaiswal and Mr Ramdas were elected committee members.
Hyderabad, July 24: Chief information commissioner (CIC) of India Wajahat Habibullah cautioned people against attempts to weaken the Right to Information (RTI) Act.The RTI Act was aimed at benefitting all citizens and the principal stakeholder in its implementation was none other than the citizenry. Weakening the Act will be akin to weakening ourselves,” he pointed out.
Inaugurating a workshop on the RTI Act organised by the Academic Staff College of University of Hyderabad, Mr Habibullah, however, said he did not want to talk about the proposed amendment to the Act. Last month, the Union cabinet cleared an amendment taking “notings on files” out of the Act’s purview. This is to be placed before Parliament.
The CIC felt that the RTI Act would bring about a ‘transparency revolution’ in the functioning of the government provided it was implemented sincerely. NGOs and media should take up the task of spreading awareness about it, he said. Mr Habibullah described the Official Secrets Act, 1923, as the “most undemocratic legislation” and said that the RTI Act had powers to override it.
State chief information commissioner C.D. Arha, delivering the keynote address, underscored the need for changing the mindset of the officials to make the RTI Act more useful and effective. Dr Seyed E. Hasnain, vice-chancellor of University of Hyderabad, presided over the inaugural session.
Auction of Huda plots stayed
Hyderabad, July 24: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has stayed the auction of plots near Hitech City by Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda). Justice P.S. Narayana stalled the auction of plots in Izzathnagar and Serilingampally on writ petitions filed by N. Rami Reddy and others challenging the Huda’s decision.
The petitioners contended that the Huda was proceeding with the auction without even having valid title deeds. They added that despite their having purchased the lands, Huda tried to acquire them by issuing notices to the original owners who had already sold them.
Our correspondent adds that Huda chairman D. Sudheer Reddy clarified that the Izzathnagar plots do not belong to Huda at all. “The lands belong to the revenue department. It was the State government which had asked us to auction the plots of Izzathnagar. We are just acting as the facilitators,” Mr Reddy said.The Huda chief said that the government directed them to transfer all the money which will come from the auction of Kokapet lands.
HC nod for BE admissions
A division bench of the High Court vacated the stay on admissions to engineering courses for the current academic year. Chief Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice G.V. Seethapathy permitted the admission process to go on.
The bench, however, made it clear that the admissions would be subject to the HC decision on writ petitions filed challenging GO 53. Representatives of minority colleges had challenged the State government’s decision to regulate allotment of students to the minority institutions for engineering courses. Earlier, the bench had permitted the counselling to go on but instructed that the admissions be not finalised.
The division bench also admitted a writ filed challenging GO 272 which gives discretion to the managements of unaided minority medical colleges to fill up medical seats. A writ filed by the Minority Rights Protection Committee contended that managements were selling away the seats for huge amounts. They argued that the action of the government was contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court.
SEC warned of contempt
The High Court directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to dispose of 275 applications of persons seeking inclusion of their names as voters list within 48 hours or face contempt proceedings. A division bench said this while dealing with a writ petition pointing out that the SEC had not responded to the appeals of voters of Kondapet mandal in Prakasam district for inclusion in electoral rolls for gram panchayat polls.
Huda to build Rs 6-lakh flats
Hyderabad, July 24: Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda) is planning to build 4,000 apartments in four regions of the city to cater to middle-class families.The project is to help persons with monthly incomes ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 to fulfil their dreams of owning a house at an affordable rate.
The apartments will come up at Shamshabad, Sahebnagar, Medchal, and Nallagandla and will cost from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 7 lakh.Huda chairman D. Sudheer Reddy said that guidelines were being formulated to ensure that the allotment was free of controversy.
Procedures for filing applications will be finalised by August/September. Beneficiaries will be selected by drawing of lots in October.Only people who have stayed in a particular area of the city for the last 10 years would be eligible to apply. “We have selected plots in four areas so that people living in all parts of the city can have access,” said Mr Sudheer Reddy.
Huda is planning to construct the apartments in one-and-a-half years. Beneficiaries would not be charged for the cost of the land, they would only have to pay the cost of construction.
Drug racket busted, 2 held
Hyderabad, July 24: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials se-ized Rs 1.27 crore worth of Dextropropoxyphene drug, which has to be sold only to licensed pharma companies, and arrested two persons under Narcotics Act.
The accused, Bishnoi, 60, managing director of Hygrow Chemicals and Pharma Tech at IDA Bollarum and Sathyanarayana Raju, 44, the company’s production manager were selling the drug to Delhi based unlicensed companies which allegedly prepare tablets and sell to drug rackets. DRI additional director general P. Babu said that 250 kgs of drug worth Rs 7.5 lakh were seized at New Delhi airport.
Rain brings cheer to Bonalu
Hyderabad, July 24: The traditional Bonalu procession in the old city passed off peacefully on Monday evening with the immersion of Mahankali ghatams carried by the devotees to Nayapul Musi river from Lal Darwaza.
Rains in parts of the old city added to the faith of the devotees that whenever the ghatams are taken for immersion on the concluding day, the path is cleansed by the Goddess herself in the form of rains or drizzle.
The old city reverberated with the chants of “Jai Mahankali Maataki” as thousands of residents lined up the Lal Darwaza-Nayapul procession route to watch the colourful convoy of ghatams, dances and the elaborate ornamentation of the elephant and camels.
The procession started at around 4 pm. Led by the ornamental elephant belonging to the Akkanna Madanna temple of Haribowli, the procession was received by minister for tourism J. Geeta Reddy and Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav at Charminar.
Cut baggage to avoid stampede, Hajis advised
Hyderabad, July 24: Heavy luggage is proving to be a threat to the lives of Indians performing Haj, if the number of Indian pilgrims killed during the “stoning of the devil” ritual in Saudi Arabia is any indication. After a thorough analysis of the reasons for the death of pilgrims every year, Saudi authorities have noted that most of the pilgrims who had died in the stampede were carrying heavy luggage with them when the mishap took place.
Indian Hajis usually carry heavy luggage consisting of groceries, dried meat and utensils with them for the Haj to avoid purchasing things from Saudi Arabia. Though arrangements for food are made on a massive scale in the holy cities of Mecca and Madina, Indians prefer to cook their own food. The real trouble starts when Hajis shift along with their luggage to open grounds outside Mecca for the mandatory Haj rituals including the symbolic “stoning of the devil”.
In view of the expert report, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah Dr Ausaf Saeed has said: “We are advising Hajis to carry not more than the stipulated 45 kgs of luggage for the Haj 2006-II. It is better if the Hajis do not carry food items with them. This will reduce the burden.” As many as 1426 pilgrims died in stampede during 1990 Haj, 244 in 2004 and 345 in 2006-I Haj earlier this year. Of these 345 Hajis, 62 were from India.
KCR begins his holy visits
Hyderabad, July 24: Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president and Union labour minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday sought divine help for his movement for a separate State by offering special prayers at the famous Hazrat Syed Shah Jahangir Peer Dargah.Mr Chandrasekhar Rao left Hyderabad at 3.30 pm along with his wife and reached the dargah near Kothur village in Mahbubnagar district at about 5 pm.
TRS leaders G. Vijayarama Rao, Nayani Nar-asimha Reddy, Dr K. Nagesh, A. Chandrasekhar, C. Lakshma Reddy, Umakanth, and Rehman accompanied him. Conspicuous by his absence was senior leader A. Narendra, who does not have the habit of visiting dargahs because of his past affiliation with the RSS.
Sporting a shamla on his head and carrying a dhatti, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao went into the dargah to offer prayers. TRS activists shouted, “Jai Telangana,” as the TRS president came out of the dargah. Mr Chandrasekhar Rao did not speak to the media.
Two end lives due to HIV stigma
Hyderabad, July 24: Former IAS officer J.C. Mohanty, who quit his job to take up social service in his home State of Orissa, said he had no plans to enter politics.In a chat with mediapersons, Mr Mohanty said he did not want to launch a political party or join an existing outfit.
“Who will listen to me if I join politics?” he asked. “I will end up like any other politician. I am not interested in that.” He said his main objective was to educate the people of Orissa and make them realise their potential.
“People and officials are pessimistic about the State’s future,” he said. “I want to tell them that they can change their own fate.” Mr Mohanty said that he would take the help of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), intellectuals and officials to fulfil his dream. As part of his efforts, he would tour all parts of Orissa and talk to NGOs, students and other stakeholders to discuss steps to improve the economic standards of people, he added.His prime focus would be agriculture and allied sectors which were the worst-hit in the last four decades.
“Official figures state that 10 out of 30 districts in Orissa have 87 per cent people below the poverty line,” he said. Agriculture sector recorded negative growth and per capita income from agriculture became very meagre. “My experiences in Andhra Pradesh would be of immense help in Orissa,” Mr Mohanty said.
Maoists leader had more security than Jana Reddy
Hyderabad, July 24: Mystery still surrounds the enc-ounter killing of top Maoist leader Madhav, who had more security cover than the State’s home minister. At least 15 trained Maoi-sts guard him with carbines and pistols all the time and a patrol team always checks places which he visits in advance.
Moreover, the CPI (Maoist) State Committee Secretary is usually armed to the teeth and is never known to travel without his AK-47. He is so ca-reful that he would not ev-en touch food unless the person who brought it ate it first.
Police, however, claimed that his gunning down only displayed the upper hand they have got over Maoists. “Two of our men were injured. This proves that there was a real fight,” said an official of Special Intelligence Branch.A senior police official said that the operation was meticulously planned for 15 days. “We know the topography of Nallamala better than Maoists,” he said. “Our men are also trained well in guerrilla warfare.”
Police said they had prior information that Madhav was meeting two other lea-ders, Sudharshan and Jeevan, to discuss party issues. “This time, most his security cover consisted mostly of women cadre and they did not retaliate quickly,” said the police officer.
Director-General of Poli-ce Swaranjit Sen said that police conducted a combing operation in Nallamala on the basis of a tip off. He added that Maoists were in a state of confusion. “I won’t call it as a victory but it is one more step in curbing violence,” he said. “Allegations made against the police are false.” He said that police had no information on internal rivalry among Maoists.
2 naxals were from city
Hyderabad, July 24: Two of the women naxals killed in Sunday’s enco-unter were from the city.The parents of Susheela, member of Nallamala forest division committee and convener of Chaitanya Mahila Mandali stay at Dilsukhnagar. The residence of Shyamala, personal security guard of slain State Maoist chief Madhav, is at Alwal.
Susheela graduated from Priyadarshini College at Nampally and was working for a woman’s organisation. Her father Krishnaiah works in a private company in the city. Her mother Prabhavati said “Police took her life. the government will be dethroned.” She said she had last seen Susheela two years ago.Shyamala’s father Pentaiah said, “A day before her marriage she left home and joined the movement. She told us that she was working as a nurse.”
Mahender Reddy is Secunderabad Club vice-prez
Hyderabad, July 24: Mr Mahender Reddy was elected vice-president of Secunderabad Club here on Monday. Mr Shashidhar, Mr Nitin Jaiswal and Mr Ramdas were elected committee members.
