ITI Principal arrested

On credible information, a case of Disproportionate Assets was registered against  Yadla Satyanarayana, Principal, Govt. ITI, Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam District and on March 27, 2014 simultaneous searches were conducted at the house of      Y. Satyanarayana, his relatives and friends and at a private ITI college at Visakhapatnam City.

During the searches 5 Residential houses/flats at Visakhapatnam city worth Rs.56,71,900, 5 house plots at Visakhapatnam city Rs.49,52,930/-, Share in 2 private ITIs at Visakhapatnam city and Srikakulam district worth Rs. 20 lakhs, Promissory Note worth Rs. 40 lakhs. Gold ornaments worth about Rs.1,85,000, Silver articles worth about Rs.10,000, Bank balance of Rs.9.50 Lakhs, Cash of Rs. 3,35,000, house hold articles worth of Rs.4,23,000, 2 two wheelers worth Rs.50,000 and 2 Skoda Cars worth  Rs.20 lakhs were identified.

All worth about Rs. 2 Crores (as per documentary value) were unearthed. The Market Value is approximately about Rs. 4 Crores. Yadla Satyanarayana was arrested and sent to Judicial Remand. The case is under investigation.

Loksatta, CPI protest curbs on campaigning

The Loksatta Party and the CPI on Friday charged election officials at the constituency level with creating hurdles in legitimate political campaigning by strangely interpreting the model code of conduct.

They are planning to lead an all-party delegation to the Chief Electoral Officer tomorrow to request him to remove all such unwarranted hurdles.

Addressing a meeting held at the Loksatta Party headquarters, State party President Katari Srinivasa Rao pointed out that traditional parties have been deploying money and liquor on a large scale, even according to official data. Liquor sales, which doubled in February compared to January, are expected to treble in March. Money is being transferred online. Against such a backdrop, parties which undertake campaigning without distributing money and liquor are subjected to severe hardship because of restrictions. Constituency-level officials are removing authorized hoardings, posters and party flags and seizing vehicles. They are asked to take approval from the District Maintenance Cell for even posters and hoardings. Parties have to go round three or four police stations for using microphones and vehicles.

CPI State Secretary K. Ramakrishna recalled that the Central Election Commissioner himself has disclosed that one Lok Sabha candidate is prepared to spend Rs.100 crore and another Rs.35 crore and added that instead of preventing distribution of money and liquor, officials are obstructing legitimate campaigning.

Dokka confident about Congress winning

Ex minister Dokka Manikyavara Prasad on Friday claimed that the Congress party was strong in Seemandhra region.

He said that the success of week long bus yatra under the leadership of APCC President Dr N Raghuveera Reddy and Union Minister K Chiranjeevi has proved that the popularity of Congress remained affected due to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He said that the bus yatra has rejuvenated the party cadre in the entire Seemandhra region and Congress might return to power in the ensuing general elections.

Dokka also alleged that the leaders of upper castes were creating obstacles in the political empowerment of BCs, SCs, STs and other weaker sections.

Congress to finalise poll strategy

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-President Y Gangadhar on Friday informed that the party's strategy for the ensuing general elections would be discussed and finalised in a meeting to be held on Saturday.

Speaking to media persons at Indira Bhavan here, Gangadhar said that the meeting would be attended by all the office bearers of Districts Congress Committees, City Congress Committees and PCC. He said that leaders would discuss the methodology to be adopted to approach the voters in the forthcoming elections.

Gangadhar also informed that three aspirants from each of the 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh would be shortlisted and sent to the Congress High Command for picking up the final candidates.

He also condemned the remarks made by Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan against the Congress leaders during his meeting in Vishakhapatnam on Thursday. He expressed wondered as to how Pawan Kalyan could support the Prime Ministerial candidature of Naredra Modi. He alleged that BJP is an established communal party.

Ponnala ready for debate on Telangana formation

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Ponnala Lakshmaiah on Friday stated that he was ready for an open debate on the Telangana formation and its development.

Speaking to media persons at his residence here, Ponnala said that it was the Congress party that bifurcated Andhra Pradesh to carve out Telangana. He said that major credit for the Telangana formation goes to Congress party and its president Sonia Gandhi. He said he was ready for an open debate on the issue with any political party or leader.

In an indirect reference to Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Ponnala said that the Congress does not believe in mind games or gimmicks. Stating that the Congress was the oldest, strongest and most secular party in the country, he said his party does not required to approach other political groups for alliance. He said that the Congress party has a history of producing several top leaders who served the country.

BJP may not be with TDP - Venkaiah

BJP senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday indicated that his party might not ally with the Telugu Desam Party in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking to media persons here, Venkaiah Naidu said that the conditions for alliance proposed by the TDP were not acceptable to the BJP. He said there was no progress in about 3-4 rounds of talks held with the TDP. He said that the BJP would ally only with like-minded parties. The first condition to have an alliance with the BJP will be to accept the candidature of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the Prime Minister's post. However, he maintained that the BJP's doors were open for alliance for all like-minded parties.

Venkaiah Naidu described the Congress party's manifesto for the general elections as a bundle of lies. He alleged that Dr Manmohan Singh was proved to be the weakest Prime Minister the country ever had. While Manmohan Singh is an able personality at personal level, he discharged his duties at the directions of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He also alleged that the UPA Government has pushed the country backwards leading the people to poverty and hunger.

Komatireddy confident of re-nomination from Bhongir

Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy on Thursday expressed confidence that he would be re-nominated by the Congress party from the Bhongir seat in the ensuing general elections.

Speaking to media persons here, Komatireddy said that the party would certainly re-nominate him from the seat as he had the capability and chances of retaining the same. He said that the party would suffer a major loss if it gives ticket to other aspirants. He said his re-nomination from Bhongir would be in the interest of the party and social justice.

Komatireddy claimed that a majority of people in the constituency were in favour of his re-nomination.

Officials review security arrangements for elections

District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar along with Additional Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar, Hyderabad District Collector Mukesh Kumar Meena and other officials held a meeting on Thursday at Panwar Hall, GHMC Head Office with all the Returning Officers and corresponding Nodal Police Officers for ensuing general elections 2014 regarding District Security Plan, Law & Order sensitivity and vulnerability mapping.

Somesh Kumar directed the officials to complete the vulnerability mapping and submit the report by 31st March by duly covering 3 Cs (Caste, Communal and Criminal) as criteria which will be a balanced kind of approach.  He said that GHMC is going to develop an IT Tool in 2 days to put up all the formats and reports on online. He said that the existing 24x7 call centre for grievance redressal will be utilized for election related issues also and further stated that in 6 to 7 days an election related complaint monitoring system will also start.

The DEO has directed the Returning Officers and Police Nodal Officers to inspect all the counting halls and strong rooms jointly and send a compliance report. Responding to the request of vehicles for flying squads and static surveillance teams, the DEO said that ROs will be providing the vehicles in consultation with RTA officials and videographers as per the norms.

Anjani Kumar suggested that the localities can be treated vulnerable where curfew was imposed for maximum time when larger sections of city were under curfew. He further directed to keep the old instances of vulnerability in to account while mapping vulnerability of various locations.

Mukesh Kumar Meena has informed that the vulnerability mapping exercise has started some 6 years back for those weaker sections who are denied to vote.  He has directed to treat a location as vulnerable where more than 90% of poll has been recorded and where a single candidate receives more than 75% votes.

Raghuveera Reddy describes bus yatra a success

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr N Raghuveera Reddy on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the week-long bus yatra that he led in 13 districts of Seemandhra region.
Speaking to media persons here after the conclusion of bus yatra, Raghuveera Reddy said that bus yatra was successful and it has helped in boosting the morale of the Congress cadre. He also announced that the first list of candidates from residuary State of Andhra Pradesh would be released in the first week of April.

It may be recalled that Raghuveera, along with Union Minister K Chiranjeevi, former ministers Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, C Ramchandraiah and other leaders undertook the bus yatra in the Seemandhra region. The bus yatra, which began in Srikakulam on March 21, reached Vizianagarm the same day and later covered Visakhapatnam and East Godavari on March 22nd, West Godavari and Krishna on March 23, Guntur and Prakasam on March 24, Nellore and Chittoor on March 25, Kadapa on March 26 and Anantapur and Kurnool on Thursday.

DEO holds meeting with recognized political parties

District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar along with Hyderabad District Collector Mukesh Kumar Meena and other officials held a meeting on Thursday at Panwar Hall, GHMC Head Office with all the recognized political parties in connection with the proposed shifting of polling stations for ensuing general elections.

Somesh Kumar said that where the voters are beyond 1600 the auxiliary booths have been arranged for the ensuing elections and shifting of polling stations is proposed where the character of the building is completely changed in the last 3 to 4 months and it has been proposed to send the list of the proposed shifting of polling stations to the Election Commission of India to take up a final decision in this matter. The DEO requested the representatives of the political parties to give their suggestions so that the same can be placed before the Election Commission of India. He further stated that their main motto is to see that the process of election should be free and fair.

The DEO said the Booth Level Officers will visit house to house and will hand over the voter’s slips. The BLOs will also act as an agent in the polling stations and supporting staff will be deployed to the BLOs for assistance. For any complaints / grievances etc., they may call 24x7 Call Centre No. 21111111, he said.
The representatives of political parties requested the authorities not to change the polling stations basing on mere name, which polling stations are being utilized since 20 to 30 years and are utilized as examination centres for years together.  Responding to the query the DEO said the proposals are being sent to the Election Commission of India and ultimate decision will be taken by the ECI only. The DEO further stated that the administration is making all arrangements to ensure that all the voters who turn up before closing of polling time on polling day will cast their vote.

Mukesh Kumar Meena said that the polling stations which are inevitable for changing are proposed now as the list was finalized in December 2013 itself and the Returning Officers have personally inspected all the polling station in their Constituencies before proposing for shifting. Responding to the request of political parties for provision of separate line for Burka clad women, the Collector said the ECI has responded positively.

The Collector further said that the help desks will be provided at each polling station for the convenience of the voters to guide them. The Administration is arranging awareness programmes to increase the polling percentage at least 15% more than that of last elections.

The representatives of recognized political parties such as BSP, CPI, CPI(M), Indian National Congress and Telugu Desam Party have participated and the representatives of AIMIM have participated as special invitees.

CPI (M) announces candidates for 3 LS, 5 Assembly seats

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday released the first list of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

The list contains the names of candidates in three Lok Sabha and five Assembly segments. While Sameena will be the candidate from Khammam Lok Sabha seat, Nandyala Narasimha Reddy will contest from Nalgonda and Cherupalli Seetharamulu will be CPI-M's candidates from Bhongir seat.

Likewise S Rajaiah will be candidate from Bhadrachalam, Lingali Kamaraju from Madhira, Potineni Sudarshan from Paleru, Julakanti Ranga Reddy from Miryalguda and Pagadala Yadaiah from Ibrahimpatnam.

Telugu actor Suresh joins BJP

Telugu film actor Suresh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party here on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after joining the party in the presence of BJP's Telangana unit president G Kishan Reddy, Suresh announced that he campaign for the party as the foot soldier of "Modi Sena". He said he was impressed by the vision of BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and decided to join the party. He said that the country needs a leader like Modi who can take the country to the next level. 

Kavita predicts early 'pack up' for Pawan's Sena

Taking the war of words to another level, Telangana Jagruti president and TRS President KCR's daughter K Kavita on Wednesday condemned Jana Sena party president Pawan Kalyan for his speech during the launch of his party last week.

Speaking to media persons here, Kavita alleged that Pawan lacked both clarity and vision for his party and the people. She reiterated that demand that Pawan must tender unconditional apology to the people of Telangana. She said Pawan was giving speeches by keeping Gaddar on his left and Narendra Modi on his right side.

Kavita said that Pawan had no idea about the problems being faced by the people as he lacked touch with the ground realities. She said Pawan would not have launched his party in a star hotel if he was aware of the people's problems.

"Before elections it is makeup, after elections it will be pack up," she said while ridiculing Pawan Kalyan's party. She said Pawan's party would witness an early 'pack up' from the politics.

It may be recalled that Pawan leveled serious allegations against Kavita accusing her of misusing huge funds through the NGO that she runs. He was reacting to Kavita's demand seeking apology with the people of Telangana before launching the party. 

No difference between Naidu, Chiranjeevi: Sharmila

Asserting that YSR implemented all his pre-election promises after coming to power, YSR Congress party leader Sharmila assured that Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would also implement all his promises and re-establish the YSR welfare state after coming to power.

Addressing an impressive gathering of people at her road show in Nuziveedu of Krishna district on Wednesday, Sharmila asked people not to believe the fake promises of TDP president Chandrababu Naidu.

“Naidu is a big liar and never tired of indulging in lies and unleashing false and non-practical promises. In fact, he never remembers his promises. If there are people to listen, he doesn’t feel shy of saying he is the person who built Charminar and made the Hussain Sagar,” she said amid thunderous applause.

Coming down heavily on Union Minister Chiranjeevi, she said the actor sold out his PRP to Congress imprudently for the post of minister betraying the aspirations of people who gave him votes and seats in the elections.

Similarly, Naidu also sold out himself to Congress and supported the division of the state to save his skin from the cases betraying the aspirations of crores of Telugu people, she stated and added: “Congress dared to divide state with the support of Chandrababu. In fact, there is no difference at all between Naidu and Chiranjeevi. Both are of the same genre”.

Reiterating that YSR looked beyond regions, religions, castes and political parties and worked for the development of all sections of people during his regime, Sharmila said YSR aimed to provide irrigation water to one crore acres through Jalayagnam.

“Keeping up his promises, he provided 7-hour free power supply to farmers besides implementing crop insurance scheme and granting farm subsidies and compensation wherever necessary,” she remarked, adding that while Naidu provided loans to women and farmers at one rupee interest, YSR made them available at only 25 paise interest.

Sharmila said while the power tariff was hiked many a time during the regime of Naidu, YSR implemented all welfare schemes successfully without hiking the prices of LPG, seeds, fertilizers and power. “Lakhs of poor students also benefited from the fee reimbursement scheme implemented by YSR.”

By the time Naidu was ousted from power, the state went down from third to fifth position in development as he cut into pieces dozens of PSUs and gifted them away to his people. During YSR regime, software exports from the state went up to 14 per cent from 9 per cent, she observed.

Sharmila said the state went to dogs after the death of YSR as development took a back seat and people suffered heavily with prices of all essentials, LPG and RTC charges skyrocketing. “For Jagan Mohan Reddy, you, your development, and your welfare are important. Let us start a new chapter by making him the CM,” she appealed to people fervently.

Brahmins seek Lok Satta tickets

Representatives of the Federation of Brahmin Associations have requested Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan to give due representation to Brahmins in selection of candidates for contesting the upcoming general elections.

The representatives, led by federation Convener Dornala Krishna Murthy, pointed out that Brahmins who contributed to good governance with their talent and erudition for centuries have lost their importance these days for various reasons. Since there cannot be genuine democracy without Brahmins’ participation in the political system, due representation should be given to them for contesting elections.

Responding to their plea for grant of party tickets to contest for MLA and MP seats, Dr. JP said the Lok Satta is committed to the growth of all sections and it is not anybody’s property. The party will provide due representation to all leaders with commitment and competence.

Lok Satta Party leaders Bandaru Ramamohan Rao and Mrs. Gita Murty took part in the meeting at the party headquarters. 

Manda gives new twist to KCR's promise of Dalit CM

Nagarkurnool MP Manda Jagannadham on Tuesday gave a new twist to the earlier promise made by TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao of making a Dalit as the first Chief Minister of Telangana State.

Speaking to media persons here, Manda said that the final decision on the issue could be taken only after the elections. He tried to rubbish the allegations being leveled against KCR by the Telangana Congress leaders of him going back on the promise of Dalit CM. He said that the TRS would never tolerate any criticism against KCR.

Manda also slammed Telangana PCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah for targetting KCR. He said several Congress leaders who never participated in the statehood movement were now attacking KCR only to political mileage. He ridiculed the claim of Congress party on formation of Telangana and said that hundreds of students committed suicide due to the delay by the ruling party in announcing its decision bifurcation issue.

GHMC to launch subsidized hot meal scheme in three days

GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar has informed that the GHMC would be launching the new scheme of subsidized hot meal at Rs. 5 on pilot basis in 3 days of time in at least one centre in each Zone. The Commissioner has visited Nampally Sarai, Koti and Chintal Basthi in Khairtabad division for selection of site for the above said food scheme.

The Commissioner has informed that GHMC has allocated Rs. 11 crores in the budget for the year 2014-15. In the 1st phase 50 centres will be established with an aim to feed 300 persons in each centre totaling to a number of 15,000 persons in a day from 1st April, 2014, he said. During the implementation of pilot project of the scheme the loose ends of the scheme will be tightened and by the time of formal launching i.e., by 1st April, 2014, the scheme will be in a perfect position, the Commissioner added.

Somesh Kumar said that at the initial stages of the implementation of the scheme GHMC will seek the coordination of reputed NGOs who are working in this field and GHMC itself will look after the implementation of the scheme after due course by duly involving the local Corporators and other public representatives.

D Ronald Rose, Zonal Commissioner (Central Zone), A Shailaja, Deputy Commissioner, Cirlce-8 and other senior officials from Central Zone have participated in the visit.

Kacheguda-Mangalore Express flagged off

Secunderabad MP M Anjan Kumar Yadav flagged off Train No. 17606 Kacheguda-Mangalore Central Bi-weekly Express at an official function held at Kacheguda Railway Station here on Tuesday. Rajya Sabha MP V Hanumantha Rao, dignitaries and senior railway officials participated in the inaugural function.

Speaking on the occasion, Anjan said that the new train fulfilled the long time demand of the people to have a direct train from Hyderabad to Mangalore. Hanumnatha Rao thanked Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and his deputy Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy for their fruitful efforts in augmenting train services in this region.

Rakesh Aron, Divisional Railway Manager, Hyderabad Division, in his welcome address, said that the new train would cater to the passenger traffic bound for Mangalore and enroute. Running through 4 states viz., Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, this bi-weekly express would stop at 26 stations en-route, covering 1531 Kms in 29 hrs, he added.

The regular service of Tr. No. 17606 Kacheguda-Mangalore Central Bi-weekly Express (Tue. & Fri) will commence with effect from 28th February. In the return direction, the Train No.17605 Mangalore Central-Kacheguda Bi-weekly Express (Wed.&Sat.), on 23rd instant will commence its regular service from 26th February.

Army agrees to extend relaxation in ban on civil traffic

Considering the public sentiments and the immediate constraints highlighted by the civil authorities, the Army Establishment has sympathetically considered to grant extension of additional time in a phased manner for closure of roads to civil traffic.

A joint meeting was held between the Army, civil authorities and the Police on Monday at the Army Ordinance Centre to review the restrictions being imposed on civil traffic on the defence roads of Army Ordnance Centre and other station units.
The fresh implementation schedule will be issued shortly. In the meantime the Army authorities have called for a meeting with the Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs) of the neighboring localities to discuss the matter.

However, the Army authorities asserted that the night time restrictions on the movements of civil vehicular traffic on Army roads will continue to be enforced from Tuesday onwards from 10.00 PM to 7.30 AM, instead of 8.00 AM as announced earlier.

Over 50,000 students appear for inter practical exam

As many as 50,790 students appeared for the Practical Examinations of IPE March 2014 held at 1042 centers across the State on the 14th day on Tuesday.
Necessary arrangements were made to conduct practical exams. The Flying Squads with video cameras visited the examination centers. Examinations have been conducted smoothly and peacefully without   any untoward incident, the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) said in a press release.