Rich tribute paid to ‘Mahakavi' Sri Sri

Poet Sri Sri's daughters Manjula, Mala and Mangala, with Kalyana Rao and Vara Vara Rao
HYDERABAD: The birth centenary of ‘Mahakavi' Sri Sri aka Srirangam Srinivasa Rao was celebrated with fanfare in city on Friday with his fans going all out to relive the poet/writer's extraordinary literary works.
A series of programmes were held in different parts of the State too. Abhyudaya Rachayitala Sangham (Arasam) organised a programme on Tank Bund here, where floral tributes were paid at the statue of the popular poet. The 31st re-print of his epic-work ‘Mahaprasthanam' was released on the occasion. Praja Natya Mandali organised another fete in Ravindra Bharati.
Speakers at different programmes recalled how Sri Sri transformed into the first modern Telugu poet, whose writings reflected the contemporary issues confronting the day-to-day to life of common man. They also referred to how ‘Mahaprasthanam', an anthology of poems published in 1950, rocked the Telugu literary world.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah led the State in paying tributes at a function in Jubilee Hall here to the outstanding poet terming him as one of the top litterateurs of 20 {+t} {+h} century. He referred to the exceptional talent of the popular writer, who penned his first poem at the age of eight years. Recalling the sensational ‘Mahaprasthanam', Mr. Rosaiah said the epic work brought name and fame to Sri Sri leading to the title of ‘Mahakavi'. Much to the surprise and delight of the audience, the Chief Minister recited a portion of the popular work.
He said the poem ‘Maro Prapancham, Maro Prapancham' inspired lakhs of people. This was evident from the fact that ‘Mahaprasthanam' had gone for over 30 re-prints. The Chief Minister also spoke about lyrics penned by Sri Sri for Telugu films. Later Mr. Rosaiah released a compilation of ‘Sri Sri Prathana Thriyam'. Praja Rajyam President K. Chiranjeevi also graced the occasion. Sri K.R.K.M. Memorial Academy of Fine Arts Mahakavi gave away Sri Sri awards here.

Polavaram: TDP faults petition by Congress MPs

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam Party has found fault with the Telangana Congress MPs' action in petitioning Prime Minister Manmohan Singh against Polavaram project.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, TDP leaders -- Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, G. Butchaiah Choudary and Umareddy Venkateswarlu -- said it was unfortunate that the ruling party MPs were playing politics by linking Polavaram which got all the clearances with securing national project status for Pranahita-Chevella.
While making it clear that TDP favoured projects for all regions, the action of these MPs was against the interests of the State and people, they said. They were also critical of the TRS for toeing the same line as that of these MPs and opposing Polavaram.
Criticise KCR
Replying to questions, they said it was wrong on the part of TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao to continue to hold threats of civil war over Telangana. The TRS president should not forget that violence had no place in democracy and that he was bound by the Constitution.
When media persons pointed out their own party leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy too said violence would be inevitable, they said even these comments as well as the harsh language used by Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal too were condemnable.
They, however, claimed that Mr. Janardhan Reddy had issued a clarification saying his comments were misinterpreted.
Seed Bill
Mr. Venkateswarlu said the party would launch a struggle against the Seed Bill as well as the penal provisions of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill, both of which exposed the anti-farmer attitude of the Central government.

Rosaiah launches YSR scheme

ANANTAPUR, April 25: The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, visited Anantapur district as part of his two- day programme and inaugurated the Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy drinking water scheme constructed at an outlay of Rs 46.5 crores in Rayadurg on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that Rayadurg would be developed as an industrial corridor. Responding to the minister for agriculture, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy’s plea to expedite works of the Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project works, Mr Rosaiah assured that balancing reservoirs of the projects such as Chagallu and Jidipalle would be completed by August this year.
After formally launching the scheme, he declared that it was being named as Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy drinking water scheme. The Chief Minister recalled his proximity to local Congress leaders, especially Anantapur MP A. Venkatarami Reddy’s father, the late A. Venkat Reddy. He said that the ongoing Praja Patham programme was a success except for some protests in the Telangana districts.
Earlier, Mr Raghuveera Reddy said that Mr Rosaiah had played a key role in sanctioning the Indian Institute of Science Technology in Anantapur district.
The minister for municipal administration, Mr Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, the minister for minor irrigation, Ms Sunitha Laxma Reddy, MP Anantha Venka-tarami Reddy, whip S. Sailajanath, ZP chairperson T. Kavitha, local MLA Ramachandra Reddy, local municipal chairman Upendra, district collector B. Janardhan Reddy and others were present.

Tribals thirst for a pot of water

MISERY CONTINUES: Tribal women of Kotha Tanda in Nalgonda district are forced to trek long distances in the searing heat to fetch drinking water.
Kotha Tanda (NALGONDA DT.): Despite their proximity to Krishna River, several tribal hamlets in Nereducherla mandal are reeling under acute scarcity of drinking water ahead of the summer.
Tribals living at Kotha Tanda under Jan Pahad gram panchayat limits where they were re-settled after displacement by the construction of the Nagarjunasagar project nearly four decades ago, are still awaiting a lasting solution to their recurring drinking water woes.
Depletion
Over 350 tribals are gripped by drinking water shortage mainly due to depletion of groundwater which is their only source of drinking water. The low yield from the existing borewell of the gram panchayat and erratic power supply has made the Elevated Level Service Reservoir in the hamlet virtually defunct.
“We have given up our ancestral lands for the Nagarjunasagar project, the lifeline of the State,” said Ramavath Saida, an elderly resident of Kotha Tanda. “Now, we are forced to fetch water from far off places. Often, we are at the mercy of the owners of agriculture wells due to water scarcity,” he said.
We spend hours to draw water either from the hand pump in the village or the wells at distant places,” bemoaned Ravi Naik, the sarpanch of neighbouring Bette Tanda.
‘Piped water'
“The Over Head Service Reservoir built last year has served little purpose due to inadequate water supply.
The old tank (Cistern) is unable to meet the drinking water needs of over 1,400 population of the hamlet,” he said.
“The government should implement a piped water supply scheme to find a permanent solution to our water problems,” he said.
New borewells
When contacted, Dy. Executive Engineer (RWS), Huzurnagar sub-division, P Venkat Reddy told The Hindu that new borewells were dug -- one at Kotha Tanda and Bette Tanda -- to augment drinking water supply. “Efforts are underway to lay pipelines and bring the newly drilled borewells into use,” he said.
A proposal for providing Krishna water to 55 habitations in the mandal at an estimated cost of Rs. 27.5 crore has been submitted to the government for approval, he added.

Chiru's Polavaram yatra from May 5

HYDERABAD: Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi will undertake Polavaram Sadhana Yatra by bus from May 5 to 16 to build pressure on State and Central governments to resume construction of the project and declare it as national project.
The tour will commence from Antarvedi in East Godavari district and conclude with a public meeting at Polavaram either on May 16 or 18 after covering Visakhapatnam, West Godavai, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts. The party will take up the issue of implementation of improved relief and rehabilitation package for people of about 250 villages in Khammam district who are likely to be displaced with submergence.
A meeting of party leaders chaired by Mr. Chiranjeevi was held here on Sunday where the tour programme was chalked out. Jyothula Nehru, former MLA, was chosen as the president of Polavaram Sadhana Committee.
Briefing media persons, Mr. Nehru and K. Vidyadhara Rao stated that Mr. Chiranjeevi would meet farmers and explain them about the necessity of Polavaram project during the tour. Cost of the project was just Rs. 125 crore in 1946 and it went up to Rs. 600 crore when the then Chief Minister T. Anjaiah laid foundation stone for it along with Jurala. Now, the cost was estimated to be Rs. 14,000 crore, they said.

All set for Praja Patham launch

HYDERABAD: The stage is all set for the launch of Praja Patham, the month-long mass contact programme aimed at taking administration to the doorstep of people, on Monday, amid a call for its boycott by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS). Separately, the TDP has asked its cadre to confront the Congress leaders for the government's failures.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah will formally kickstart the programme at Katarivaripalem in Vetapalem mandal of Prakasam district, setting the tone for officials to work out on the spot solutions addressing the immediate needs of the people.
Praja Pratham was a brainchild of the late YSR who wanted elected representatives to go to the people during the difficult summer months and redress their grievances pertaining to drinking water and Arogyasri and other health related services.
The Chief Minister has instructed the Finance department officials to release sufficient funds for attending to the grievances of “emergency nature.
He asked Ministers, MLAs and MLCs to be present in their respective areas and ensure that people took maximum advantage of presence of officials in their midst, rather than delivering long winding speeches and making lofty claims.
Advance teams had to be deployed by the district authorities to ascertain the issues that are likely to come up during the programme and efforts made to ensure that grievances of immediate urgency were attended to on the spot, said Mr. Rosaiah.

Rosaiah for road safety panel

K. Rosaiah
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has favoured constitution of a Road Safety Coordination Panel comprising senior officials from the departments concerned to chalk out steps to bring down the road accidents in the State.
Expressing serious concern over the rising number of fatalities due to road accidents, Mr. Rosaiah at a review meeting with Transport Minister S. Vijayarama Raju, Commissioner, Transport, Raymond Peter and other officials on Sunday said: “There is a spurt in the road accidents in which precious lives are lost. I want all the departments concerned like traffic, police, roads and buildings to work in close coordination and to bring down the number of accidents.”
Review meeting
He will shortly hold a high-level review meeting with ministers and senior officials and follow it up with interaction with the district officials, highway patrolling police and other departments. He wanted road rules like the lane system, driving regulations and parking to be strictly implemented while highway patrolling should be further intensified.
Mr. Rosaiah lamented that in 10 major road accidents this month in Nalgonda, Kurnool, Khammam, Nizamabad, Nellore and Warangal districts about 43 people lost their lives. The latest was the ghastly mishap in Mydukur in Kadapa on Saturday that claimed nine lives.
The Chief Minister directed that the District Collectors to regularly hold District Road Safety Committee meetings and take immediate steps to identify accident prone areas and take remedial measures.

Jagan braves heat, continues yatra

REACHING OUT:Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy after unveiling the statue of his father at Palvancha in Khammam district
PALVANCHA ( Khammam dt): Undeterred by the pro-Telangana cry, blistering heat and strong gales that he encountered while criss-crossing the tribal pockets of Khammam district, Kadapa MP Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy continued to reach out to people with his consoling message for the second day on Wednesday.
With crowds gathering in large numbers to receive him, it appeared to be more than a mere Odarpu Yatra. Though he was deliberately silent about it, the talk of partymen and loyalists accompanying him was all about future leadership. Bolstered by the response, they announced him as their hope after his father Y. S. Rakasekhara Reddy and the crowds responded with approving cheers and whistles.
Rousing welcome
His day started with paying floral tributes to B. R. Ambedkar at his statue in Palvancha thus marking his birth anniversary. He had darshan of Lord Venkateswara at an old temple in the town before proceeding to Pullaigudem to call on the family of Edavalli Srinivas, who died of stroke in the wake of the death of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. He struggled to control his emotions while consoling Srinivas family members. He was accorded a rousing welcome by thousands of partymen at Punukula village, a km away from the Kothagudem thermal power station (KTPS).
Patient listening
He gave a patient listening to the village people and assured them of his support for the treatment of a physically-challenged child from a poor family.
The crowds kept swelling on the roads at Palvancha as he returned for unveiling the statue of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. DCC president Vanama Venkateswara Rao and former minster Konda Surekha who addressed gathering declared that the young leader as the future of the State.
Roadshow
Minister for Cooperation R. Venkata Reddy and Government Chief Whip Bhatti Vikramarka also joined him in unveiling of the statue. Braving the sweltering heat, the crowds continued to following him. The yatra turned into a roadshow as people gathered in large numbers at every village en route to Sathupalli and forced him to stop the convoy and come out of his vehicle. He unveiled a number of statues of his father in Chandrugonda, Mulkalpali and Tekulapalli mandals.
He was greeted by large number of women at villages such as Bhaskarapuram colony, Yatakulakunta, Charlapalli and Kistaram. He visited the Harihara Kshetram at Annapureddipale and received blessings from the priests. At places he sounded apologetic for not being able to spend much time with the crowds as he had many more families to meet and console in the district as part of his hectic programme in the district.

Chief Minister takes a dig at Opposition

MAHABUBNAGAR: Chief Minister K. Rosaiah appealed to the opposition parties to play a constructive role and asked them to give suggestions to government if they found any lapses in implementation of various developmental and welfare schemes.
The Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting at Shadnagar town in the district on Wednesday after launching the fifth phase of land distribution to landless poor. The district administration has made arrangements to distribute over 1408 acres of land to 981 landless poor in 20 mandals in the district.
The Chief Minister said that some political parties were criticising the policies of their government for mere criticism sake. “If there are any lapses in the welfare schemes, kindly give suggestions to rectify. But do not criticise” he said.
Mr. Rosaiah said that the State government topped in implementing the NREGP compared to other States and added that it would maintain this position in the current fiscal too. He said the government was giving utmost priority to mitigate the drinking water crisis in the summer. MLAs had been empowered to sanction funds up to Rs.25 lakhs for providing drinking water from their constituency development fund.
He said the government was purchasing power at the rate of Rs.12 per unit to provide seven hours power to farm sector. Mr. Rosaiah said even though the prices of rice were escalating year after year since last five years, the State government was helping the poor by providing them rice at Rs.2 Kg.
Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao said that patta and land right certificates were also being given to women under land distribution scheme so as to empower them. Shadnagar MLA C. Pratap Reddy presided over the function. MP from Nagarkurnool M. Jagannath, district Collector M. Purushotham Reddy and Joint Collector Chiranjeevulu also spoke.
Earlier, the Chief Minister garlanded the statue of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar besides unveiling a plaque to mark the inauguration of tahasil office buildings of Kothur and Keshampet mandals and 33/11 K.V power stations of Nandigama, Gantlavelly and Uttarasipally villages.

Jayaprada still undecided on returning to TDP

Jayaprada
HYDERABAD: Film star and Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament Jayaprada has not taken a final decision on returning to the Telugu Desam Party fold.
Sources close to her said she was not in a hurry and was in the process of weighing the political options before her.
A day after media speculation about her joining the Telugu Desam Party, Ms. Jayaprada is said to be discussing her political future with her close friends.
In a way, she is facing a dilemma. If she joins the Telugu Desam Party now, it could attract the anti-defection law and she could also lose her Lok Sabha membership from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh.
RS seat
Sources said she was bargaining for a Rajya Sabha membership as the Telugu Desam Party has enough strength in the Assembly to return two Rajya Sabha members. Elections to six Rajya Sabha seats from the State are due over the next two months.
She had made this clear to Telugu Desam Party leaders who are in touch with her. But the party president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, though keen on her return, was strongly against accepting such conditions. He is believed to have told senior leaders that she should first return to the party fold and leave such decisions to the party.
Few options?
When contacted, these leaders admitted that she was keen on a Rajya Sabha seat but expressed confidence that she would indeed return with options for her drying up and her mentor, Amar Singh, looking more inclined towards joining the Congress.

HMDA plans to free Hussainsagar of pollutants

Cleansing act: Water hyacinth and trash being removed from Hussainsagar on Monday. —
HYDERABAD: The long awaited plan to cleanse Hussainsagar of its pollution that has been accumulating over the decades looks at addressing some major concerns in the coming months.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), which has been involved with the Hussainsagar and Catchment Area Improvement Project, taken up with assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), hopes to be able to complete and commission five Interception and Diversion (I&D) structures by the mid-year. The locations of these structures include the points of Fatehnagar, Necklace Road and Picket.
Four of these I&D structures aimed at stopping and diverting the pollutants flowing into the lake are being set up by the HMDA while the fifth one is taken up by Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB). “These will be ready by June-July and once diversion is in place properly, that much of sewage inflow is reduced,” says HMDA Member (Environment), Sunil Kumar Gupta.
Sewage treatment
Three sewage treatment plants of 30 million litres per day (MLD), 20 MLD and 5 MLD capacities too are scheduled to be completed and commissioned this year. Another component for cleaning the nearly 4.8 square km lake with a 14 km perimeter has been to set up sewage lines.
The HMDA along with consultants have studied the nalas from mouth-to-end and worked out the zones with sediments that need to be taken care of. Also, the officials are trying to go for suction method for dredging. “We are trying to ensure that the lake bed is not disturbed while dredging and instead looking at a method to suck the sediments, which are of high nutritive values and can be used after drying for our green areas,” he says.
Once these measures are in place, no sewage would then flow into the lake and Mr. Gupta added that only treated water would be allowed and that too as required to maintain the hydrological balance of Hussainsagar.

Jagan's yatra put off by a day in Khammam

Anxious wait: Minister for Cooperation and Labour and Employment R. Venkat Reddy addressing the crowd who were waiting for the Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy at Gangaram Village in Khammam District. MLC P.Sudhakar Reddy is also seen.
SATHUPALLI: The Odarpu Yatra of Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy was delayed by a day in Khammam district. As per the given schedule, he was expected to reach Gangaram village in Sathupalli Assembly constituency by Sunday night. But because of the overwhelming response he has been receiving all along, he had extended his programme by a day in the neighbouring West Godavari district. He is likely to enter into Khammam district some time in the midnight on Monday.
His Yatra in Khammam will commence only on Tuesday morning.
The Minister for Cooperation, R. Venkata Reddy who was among a host of leaders and party functionaries on a day-long wait at Gangaram village for Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy, said the Yatra, which was to conclude on April 14 as per the original schedule, would be extended by a day in Khammam district. He exuded confidence that the Yatra would be an overwhelming success in Khammam district as well.
He stated that people were eager to receive him and give their intimate account of their association with the leadership of his father and former chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy.
People were looking forward to the young leader with fond hope that he would carry forward the crusade launched by his father for the upliftment of the downtrodden. Thousands of party workers and followers who reached Gangaram village in the early hours on Monday were on a long-wait. Braving harsh sun, they preferred to spend the time on the roadside. Party leaders including, the Government chief whip, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and the AICC Secretary and MLC, P . Sudhakar Reddy had addressed. The entire village of Gangaram had been wrapped in banners. Huge cutouts of Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy greeted the crowds.
The supporters of Y.S. Jagan were found busy distributing water packets for quenching the thirst of people on long wait. Youths took out motorcycle rallies on the occasion.

Andhra bridge comes up in five hours!

A concrete block for the road under bridge being put in place by a giant crane on Saturday.
ADILABAD: Building bridges has invariably been time consuming, but this one on a railway line was laid in under five hours, without causing any dislocation of running of trains.
A 16-metre wide road under bridge (RUB) was put into place under the BG line connecting Adilabad with Pimplakuti on Saturday in such a quick time.
The site of the bridge is located close to the Ganesh mandir by the side of NH 7. This structure with a four-metre wide passage was constructed for the convenience of residents of Mahalaxmiwada and Chilkuri Laxminagar for gaining access to Adilabad town.
A five-hour ‘line break' was taken soon after the Nandigram Express crossed the site.
The rails were removed to make way for excavating the ramp to clear a portion roughly five metres in length. It took just over one hour to accomplish this job including dumping cement concrete dry mix to act as basement for the bridge.
The actual structure of the bridge consists of six square blocks each measuring 4x4 metres and weighing about 45 tonnes. These blocks were moved into respective position by two huge cranes that consumed another two hours. The gaps on either side of the blocks were closed and the rails were refitted in the remaining time. About 70 officials, labourers, operators and technicians were deployed for the task.
This is the second RUB after the one at Bhoraj on the same line to be constructed in this fashion. Two more near Gimma in Jainad mandal and one at Kosai in Talamadugu mandal will be laid shortly, according to South Central Railway officials.

Praja Rajyam abuzz with activity after long gap

Hogging the limelight: Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi with Firoz Khan, the newly-appointed president of the party's Greater Hyderabad unit,
HYDERABAD: After a lull for about three months, the Praja Rajyam party headquarters here was abuzz with activity on Saturday with the announcement of party committees for its Greater Hyderabad unit. It wore a festive look with the party activists gathering in large numbers and celebrating the occasion.
The activity brought back the elusive smile on the face of party president K. Chiranjeevi, as except some intermittent activities like agitation on electricity problems the party was almost pushed into a slumber after the Telangana movement picked up in December last and the party had taken pro-united AP stand.
Speaking after announcing the 120-member jumbo committee for Greater Hyderabad, Mr. Chiranjeevi said: “We never though we have so much strength in Hyderabad, particularly after the discouraging Assembly and municipal election results.” Irrespective of its strength, the party is committed to take up issues concerning people, he said with enthusiasm.
Firoz Khan was named the president of party's Greater Hyderabad unit. The committees of women's wing of Mahila Rajyam and youth wing Yuva Rajyam were also announced. Hyderabad has many civic problems like sanitation, drinking water, bad roads, pollution and problem of garbage dumping and the Greater Hyderabad committee would take up all such issues and would try to resolve them by exerting pressure on the government.
On the management of garbage dumping, Mr. Chiranjeevi said the government had given contract only to one firm, Ramky, making it difficult to manage the problem efficiently.
He suggested engaging more contractors to ease the work burden citing the example of Mumbai, where five contractors were engaged. The PR president reiterated confidence that the party would reach its goal one day with the support they still enjoyed among people.

A.P. Ministers seek separate Telangana

United they stand: TDP delegation led by Yerran Naidu (third from left) giving a report to Srikrishna panel Member-Secretary V. K. Duggal (fourth from left) on Telangana issue in New Delhi on Saturday.
NEW DELHI: A group of three Ministers from ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh, who claimed to represent the Telangana Ministers in the Cabinet, told the B.N. Srikrishna Committee that only a separate Telangana “will set right the socio-economic and cultural inequalities and injustices suffered by the Telangana people for over five decades under the onslaught of Andhra rulers”.
The Ministers – D. Sridhar Babu (Higher Education), elected from Manthani, J. Krishna Rao (Food), Kollapur and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy (Information Technology), Nalgonda – in a memorandum titled “the perception of the common man of Telangana” said small States helped the people/representatives to govern their regions with greater level of participation. This would give better governance.
The present scenario in Telangana was not an overnight development and was a culmination of the feelings of distress, deprivation and disillusionment of the people of the region with the continued legacy of neglect and step-motherly treatment by the successive government controlled by the other regional counterparts.
The Minsters alleged that the cultural imperialism of the other regional counterparts had dealt a severe blow to the self-respect of the Telangana people resulting in complete emotional chasm and discord up to the grassroots level. “The damage is irreversible and irreparable and any attempt to the contrary will only accentuate the problem and further divide the deep-rooted malaise between the regions,” they warned. TDP leaders led by K. Yerran Naidu and U. Venkateswarlu and MLC D. Veerabhadra Rao, in their memorandum, opposed division of the State “at any cost” and also wanted the issue to be considered as a national issue and sought a countrywide debate.
Another set of TDP MLAs under the banner “TDP legislature forum for united AP” and led by P. Kesav gave another memorandum opposing creation of Telangana and pointed out that the region was given more funds.
They wanted the government to come out with statistics on the amount spent for Telangana development so far.
Meanwhile, Committee member-secretary V.K. Duggal said there was no question of further extension for receiving petitions from stakeholders beyond Saturday (April 10) and the Committee had enough material to go into the Terms of Reference (ToR).
He said the Congress, AIMIM and CPI (M) had sought some time to present their views which the Committee had accepted.

Jagan calls on Rosaiah

HYDERABAD:Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, son of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, called on Chief Minister K. Rosaiah at the latter's camp office on Tuesday night, putting an end to speculation over their alleged differences.
It was after a gap of close to four months that Mr. Jagan came face to face with the Chief Minister. He was accompanied by Advisor to Government (Public Affairs) K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, a close aide of the late Rajasekhara Reddy. His meeting with Mr. Rosaiah comes ahead of his ‘Vodarpu' (Consoling) programme to call on the families of persons who died or committed suicide on hearing the death of Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash last September. The Kadapa MP is stated to have briefed him about his proposed tour from April 9.
Sources said the meeting was significant as several Ministers who were close followers of Rajasekhara Reddy were worried about their continuation in the Cabinet. Mr. Jagan could take up the issue with the Chief Minister.
In a related development, the APCC was gearing up to hold the maiden meeting of the reconstituted Coordination committee headed by AICC general secretary M. Veerappa Moily at Gandhi Bhavan.
According to sources, Mr. Moily would arrive in the city at 7.45 a.m. and attend the marriage of Home Minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy's son Karthik Reddy. Later, he would proceed to Gandhi Bhavan to attend the coordination committee meeting.
 

KCR flayed for remarks on Naidu

HYDERABAD: Deputy Leader of TDLP Nagam Janardhan Reddy has suggested Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and its president K. Chandrasekhar Rao to stop criticising Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its president N. Chandrababu Naidu as it will not help the Telangana movement in any way.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday he said neither the TDP nor Mr. Naidu had changed their stance on Telangana issue and the party had not taken back its letter given to Pranab Mukherjee committee supporting Telangana. Besides, Mr. Naidu had never spoken against Telangana.
It was Mr. Naidu who had insisted on the government adopting a resolution in the Assembly on Hyderabad as sixth zone for employment issue after pacifying the sentiments of party legislators from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
The TRS president's repeated criticism of Mr. Naidu would make it clear that it was the only agenda the former had and also smacks of his match-fixing with Congress.
At a separate press conference, party leader T. Srinivas Yadav sought to know whether Mr. Rao had participated in any movement for Babli, Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, Pranahita-Chevella, Gulf victims and development of Telangana.
He dared the TRS to attack Congress as it was the ruling party that could either give or deny Telangana and not the TDP.
The Telangana movement had picked up with the sacrifices of students and not due to the ‘fasting drama' of Mr. Rao, Mr. Yadav noted. Further, he criticised Mr. Rao for making the 10 party legislators scapegoats by making them resign their seats. By doing so, he had also stifled the voice of Telangana in the Assembly.

HMDA proposes to construct satellite towns

HYDERABAD: In its budget proposals for 2010-2011, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has planned satellite towns along the growth corridor, decided to offer incentives for green buildings and develop a Medtech Valley for medical devices at Jawaharnagar.
Among others, proposals that came up at the executive committee meeting of the HMDA also include residential development on 83 acres at Miyapur and an International Business Hub and Financial District (Phase-2) at Tellapur. Also figuring in the list of proposed land development for the year, are IT/ITES SEZ at Kokapet and logistics hubs at Pedda Amberpet.
Under the Planning wing, the budget proposals make a mention about Extended Area Master Plan for 4,900 sq. km. that is projected as triggering growth and development of townships and urban agriculture. Environmental protection by way of green belts and water bodies and creation of open space zones finds its way to what the HMDA appended to its to-do list for the year.
Engineering works worth Rs.387 crore make it to the HMDA list and the works proposed include completion of Hitec City flyover by May and the ROB at Kukatpally by September this year. It also looks at completing two roads, P1 and P7, in HADA area while taking care of approach roads for the Medtech Valley, finishing ramps for the PVNR Expressway and providing what it plans as major infrastructure facilities at Miyapur, Tellapur and Kokapet.
On the Outer Ring Road project front, the HMDA looks at making the eight-lane carriage way from Gachibowli to Pedda Amberpet operational by June and commencing works for phase 2 between Shamirpet and Pedda Amberpet. This prestigious project will also get central lighting with an outlay of Rs.30 crore and greenery development between Gachibowli and Shamshabad for a stretch of 22 km. With an outlay of Rs.200 crore, the HMDA propose to implement Intelligent Transport System too on the project.

Plan panel proposals bode ill for ryots, poor: TDP

HYDERABAD: Polit Bureau member of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Tuesday observed that recent statements and directions of the Planning Commission and proposals of Eleventh Five Year Plan were indicative of letting down agriculture sector and the poor by cutting subsidies. It was a bad news for the poor and majority people in the country indeed, he said.
The former Finance Minister also found fault with the ruling party leaders including Ministers for criticising the CAG report. It was a constitutional body and its reports would be binding on any government. The government should give explanation to people on the remarks of CAG, he suggested.
Addressing a press conference here, he mentioned that subsidies during 2009-10 amounted to Rs. 1.9 lakh crore, while the same was proposed to be reduced by about 50 per cent as per the budget estimates.
The constant increase in oil prices would also have a cascading effect on other prices, but the government appeared to have no plans to control and bring down the prices, he felt.
He attributed the abnormal increase in the food prices during the last one year to slashing of about Rs. 55,000 crore subsidy on fertilisers. The resultant increase in input costs and lack of government control on hoarding and black marketing had led to heavy price rise, Mr. Ramakrishnudu alleged.
As per a government report the percentage of poverty was 27.5 in the country, but Vijay Tendulkar Committee appointed by it had put it at 37.2 per cent. In spite of huge population still being below poverty line, the government decision to cut the subsidies was unfathomable, he noted. He mentioned that the Planning Commission had recognised that poverty in the State had come down when TDP had implemented welfare schemes like subsidised rice and housing.
However, the present panel led by economist M.S. Ahluwalia had suggested the State government either to reform or scrap most of the welfare schemes as they had failed to have a positive impact on poverty.

Rosaiah favours new development agenda

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on Monday said a concerted effort from all quarters was required to ensure that the State did not suffer energy shortages.
Addressing members of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FAPCCI), he said that for the economy to grow at 12 per cent per annum, an 18 per cent increase in power generation was essential, in tune with the recommendations of the Rakesh Mohan Committee.
Private investments
This called for massive mobilisation of resources from private investments, he told the gathering at FAPCCI's 92nd annual function, before giving away awards to entrepreneurs. “I would like to chart out a new development agenda for the State to transform and modernise the economy in about a decade and I seek your support in this endeavour,” he said.
Stating that agriculture continued to be the mainstay for 67 per cent of the State's population, Mr. Rosaiah said that apart from initiatives taken to improve the lot of the rural people, the ambitious irrigation programme ‘Jalayagnam' was being given the highest priority.
FAPCCI president K. Harishchandra Prasad said that in a few years, less than 30 per cent of the State's population would rely on farming as a source of income.
The food processing industry had the potential of engaging a huge chunk of rural populationAvailability of power, land and water supply was important for coordinated growth. Power was a vital catalyst for development and it was in this area that the State had a problem, he said. The ever-growing gap between demand and supply was a concern that needed to be addressed, he said.
Earlier, FAPCCI's Immediate Past president Suraj Prasad Agarwal welcomed the gathering while senior vice-president Shekhar Agarwal proposed a vote of thanks. The award winners were introduced by Awards Committee Chairman Atluri Subba Rao.

Naidu launches TDP membership drive

Taking stock:Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu exchanging views with party leaders at his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad on Monday. -
HYDERABAD: Describing the TDP as a “28-year-old youthful party” in contrast to the 125-year-old Congress, its president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, renewed his membership and formally launched the drive to enrol new members into the party here on Monday.
Speaking to the media, he launched a scathing attack on the ruling party saying it had failed in protecting river water rights and in implementing welfare measures.
While the city remained peaceful when the TDP was in power, communal riots had broken out under Congress rule.
Talks tough
Asking party functionaries to expedite the membership drive, he said that leaders who neglect the enrolment process would not be spared, while those who work efficiently would be accorded importance in the party.
He wanted priority to be given in enrolling youth, women and weaker sections.
Mr. Naidu urged party cadres to work in close rapport with the people and solve their problems.
Workshops
He warned that stringent action would be taken if groups were encouraged. In a bid to develop effective leadership, he said that training workshops would be organised for 15,000 area in-charges.
There would be recognition to those who work as Parliament, Assembly constituency and area in-charges even if they happen to be State-level leaders. He termed as “bankruptcy” the call given by leaders of some parties to obstruct the TDP's membership drive.

Special focus on development of SC/STs: Geeta Reddy

SANGAREDDY: Information Minister J. Geeta Reddy said special focus will be laid on the development of SC/STs in the State.
Addressing a gathering after participating in the birth anniversary celebrations of Babu Jagjivan Ram held here on Monday, Ms. Geeta Reddy said that the efforts made by the government are yielding results and the attendance of students from these sections has substantially increased in the district.
Stating that one integrated hostel is being maintained in each constituency, the Minister said that out of the Rs. 2.6 crore allocated to ‘Sankshemabata', introduced by late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Rs. 1.45 crore was already released and 72 works were completed. Informing that Rs. 20,000 in rural areas and Rs. 30,000 in urban areas are being extended for construction of houses by SCs and STs under Indiramma scheme, Ms. Geeta Reddy said that this would help them to have a permanent shelter. The person to head SC, ST Commission should be finalised shortly, she added.
The Minister directed the In-charge collector T. Vijayakumar to see that ‘Prajapatham,' aimed at addressing the problems in summer, should commence from Dalit bastis.
In-charge Collector T. Vijaya Kumar, MLA T. Jayaprakash Reddy, ZP Chairman M. Balaiah and others participated in the programme.
Floral tributes
Karimnagar Staff Reporter adds: Minister for Higher Education D. Sridhar Babu vowed to take measures for the installation of bronze statue of Babu Jagjivan Ram in Karimnagar. Speaking after paying floral tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram, he also said that he would write to the State government for naming the government headquarters hospital and the RTC bus station complex in memory of Babu Jagjivan Ram. He also lauded the services of Jagjivan Ram for the upliftment of downtrodden community. Peddapalli MP G Vivekanand, Karimnagar MP Ponnam Prabhakar, Collector G.D. Aruna, Joint Collector Ch. Vijay Mohan, Mayor D. Shankar, ZP chairman A. Laxman Kumar, legislators L. Ramana, S. Devaiah, A. Mohan, G. Kamalakar, Ch. Vijayaramana Rao, S. Satyanarayana, MLC N. Laxman Rao and others garlanded the statue of Jagjivan Ram and paid floral tributes.

Hectic activity awaits Congress this week

HYDERABAD: The Congress party may witness some hectic activity in the next few days with the maiden meeting of the reconstituted AP Congress Coordination Committee headed by AICC general secretary M. Veerappa Moily scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
The meeting is significant as it comes in the wake of disturbances witnessed during the last four months in support of separate Telangana and against it.
APCC president D. Srinivas is convenor of the committee while Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Tourism Minister J. Geeta Reddy, former Ministers K. Jana Reddy and Md Ali Shabbir, and MPs - K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, K. Sambasiva Rao and Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy are members.
The coordination committee meeting is also attracting attention as Chief Minister and Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy will meet for the first time after the widening gulf between them and against the backdrop of a perception in the latter's camp that YSR loyalists may be dropped in the proposed reshuffle.
A memorial meeting for former Deputy Chief Minister Koneru Ranga Rao in Vijayawada last week saw the two leaders arriving at the venue separately.
Sources said efforts are on by a section of party leaders to bridge the differences between the two leaders.
They said there was a possibility of a meeting between them on Tuesday itself but there was no clarity about the timing since the Chief Minister will be away in Gadwal and Mr. Jagan in Pulivendula.
Recently, a group of Congress MLAs from Kadapa met Mr. Rosaiah and impressed upon him the need to clear any ‘misgivings' he may have about Mr. Jagan.
Those in the Jagan camp maintain that some leaders aspiring to get a break in the proposed reshuffle were creating rift between the two leaders.
However, ahead of the Chief Minister's visit to New Delhi on April 8, Congress MLAs started rallying behind Mr. Rosaiah. A case in point is the alacrity with which some Ministers and MLAs hit out at the TDP leaders for levelling allegations against Mr. Rosaiah.
Tour from April 9
Meanwhile, the much awaited tour of Mr Jaganmohan Reddy to call on the families of those who died or ended their lives after the tragic death of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy last year in a helicopter crash will commence from West Godavari district on April 9.
Ahead of his programme, he will call on Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and APCC president D. Srinivas on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Going by the name of ‘Vodarpu' (consoling), Mr. Jagan will kick off his tour from the district headquarter town of Eluru on April 9 and cover Ungaturu, Undi and Bhimavaram Assembly constituencies.
On April 10, he will tour Narsapur, Palakollu, Achanta, Tanuku and Tadepalligudem. On the last day, he will cover Kovvur, Polavaram and Chintalapudi segments.

Telugu Desam targeting KCR: Harish Rao

SANGAREDDY: Former MLA T. Harish Rao alleged that the Telugu Desam (TDP) has been targeting TRS president K. Chandrasekhar with ulterior motives under the guidance of the party president N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Asking why Chandrasekhar Rao became a target of TDP leaders from the region and wondered whether it was just because he prepared himself to sacrifice his life for the cause of Telangana.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Mr. Harish Rao said that TDPP leader Nama Nageswara Rao, TDLP deputy leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy and MLA E. Dayakar Rao has been attacking Chandrasekhar Rao for the past four days with an intension to throw mud on him.
“People had already understood the sincerity of the political parties and who resigned to the elected posts and who are sticking to them. Had TDP leaders been committed for the Telangana cause, why they did not resign?'' he asked.
He said that the formation of separate Telangana State, which was almost made possible with the fast taken up by Chandrasekhar Rao, has been put on back burner because the TDP had changed its decision on resignations.
He said that the pressure on the ruling party had been increase if the opposition MLAs had also resigned from the elected posts.
“Congress will prove or perish from the region by its act on Telangana. Let the TDP clarify its stand on Telangana. Will the party want to survive in Telangana?” he asked.
Finds fault
Finding fault with Janardhan Reddy's comments on TRS resignations, the former MLA said that they had resigned only after taking a decision in the joint action committee (JAC) and in fact waited for one more day for the decision of the TDP leaders.
Former MLA M. Padma Devender Reddy, former MLC R. Satyanarayana and party district president M. Raghunandana Rao were also present.

MLAs want drinking water problem to be solved

SANGAREDDY: The public representatives in the district said that they could not move in villages if the drinking water problem was not addressed immediately. They asked the district administration to take all the required steps.
The special review meeting held at Sangareddy on Wednesday became the venue for pouring out the problems in their respective constituencies and the apathy of the administration.
The meeting was presided over by Zilla Parishat chairman M. Balaiah and reviewed by Information Minister J. Geeta Reddy and Minor Irrigation Minister V. Sunitha Lakshma Reddy.
MLAs P. Kishta Reddy, Ch. Muthyam Reddy and T. Nandeeswar Goud said that the drinking water problem was serious and it could become severe in future. They also pointed at the lack of coordination between Irrigation and Rural Water Supply Departments blaming that it was leading to crisis. Mr. Kishta Reddy demanded that Singoor water should not be released to irrigation purpose till the rainfall commences. “Singoor is meeting the drinking water requirements in many constituencies in addition to Hyderabad. Unless water release to irrigation was stopped it is not possible to meet the demand,” he said. The MLAs also expressed concern over power shortage. Ms. Geeta Reddy directed the officials to implement Water, Land and Tree Act without compromise when Muthyam Reddy pointed out about digging borewells without prescribed gap has been leading to problems. Police was deployed to prevent untoward incidents.