Centre clears Rs 1050 Cr for city’s drinking water projects

The Central Sanctioning Monitoring Committee (CSMC) on Tuesday cleared Rs 1050.80 crore to Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) for five major water supply projects.

The funds were sanctioned to HMWSSB under the Transition Phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The decision to this effect was taken during the CSMC’s meeting held at New Delhi on Tuesday.
The CSMC cleared Rs 58.198 crore for Water Supply Distribution Network for Patancheru Municipal Circle of GHMC; Rs 78.89 Crore for Water Supply Distribution Network for Ramachandrapuram Municipal Circle; Rs 365.17 Water Supply Distribution Network for L.B.Nagar Municipal Circle; Rs 439.51 crore for Comprehensive Water Supply Scheme for Serilingampally Circle and Rs 109.039 crore for Laying of 1800 mm dia MS pipeline from Osman Sagar Reservoir to Asifnagar Water Treatment Plant in place of existing water conduit.

These projects are proposed to be implemented in a period of two years. On implementation of the above proposals in the GHMC Circles, the expected outcome includes creation of required storages capacity in the project area; supplies would be ensured through reservoirs; Reliable and stabilized water supply at the customer convenience; Equitable supply in the distribution network; Unserved areas would be covered with piped water supply; Improvement of pressures in the network serving the tail end customers; Reduction of UFW by replacement of old pipelines and better service delivery.

The Meeting was attended by Principal Secretary (MA&UD) Sameer Sharma, HMWSSB Managing Director J Syamala Rao, along with the technical team headed by M.Satyanarayana, ENC & Director (Projects), M Konda Reddy, CGM(E), PCC-III and B Shivaraj, GM(E), PDn.VII, HMWSSB.

People’s Movement demands repeal of UAPA

The People’s Movement Against UAPA on Tuesday opposed the amendments made to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Addressing a press conference here, Movement’s Convener Kamal Farooqui described the amendments to UAPA as a serious blow to the basic tenets of fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution. “Many a youth hailing from Muslim, Sikh, Dalit and Adivasi communities are languishing in different jails in India under UAPA. The former repressive laws like TADA and POTA were withdrawn when people protested against the severe and drastic misuse of the law and human rights activists and social activists demanded their repeal,” he said.
Kamal Farooqui reminded that Narasimha Rao Government allowed TADA to lapse and UPA Government withdrew POTA as the alliance had promised before the General Election. “Unfortunately amendments to UAPA in 2008 and 2012 have annulled such efforts and today we have the most draconian general law in force and that too without a sunset clause usually coming with special security legislations,” he alleged.     

Stating that the object of amendments to UAPA was to combat terrorism, he alleged that the law was targeted against people involved in raising legitimate protest and democratic resistance. “Most people put in jail under the act are poor Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis,” he pointed out.
Demanding repeal of UAPA, Kamal Farooqui said that the People’s Conference Against UAPA would organize a protest meeting in New Delhi on March 5 to highlight the demands including treating accused as innocent till proved guilty in court of law; No  accused  individual  should  be  kept  indefinitely  in  jail; Bail  is  the  rule  and  jail  is  an  exception; Release  under- trial  prisoners  on  bail; Prevent  illegal  arrests and provide  compensation  to  victims.
He said that the Amendments made to UAPA in 2004, 2008 and 2012 contain provisions that mirror earlier counterterrorism legislation. The previous governments had allowed those laws to lapse, or repealed them, because they had led to serious human rights violations, he alleged.

KCR asks PM to hasten fixing T-formation Day

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to fix the appointed day or formation day of Telangana at the earliest.
KCR, along with other TRS leaders, called on the Prime Minister on Tuesday and thanked him for his support in passing the Telangana Bill in both the House of Parliament. He also submitted a memorandum demanding some sops for the speedy development of Telangana State. The demands include setting up of an Indian Institute of Management and a branch of All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Telangana. He also sought special category status for the new State.

The TRS chief also requested the Prime Minister to declare Pranahita-Chevella project as a National Project. He also wanted the Centre to allocate additional electricity from the central pool to Telangana for at least three years. He also sought adequate gas allocation for gas-based electricity projects in the region.

Youth Congress to launch "Telangana Vijay Yatra"

The All India Youth Congress will conduct "Telangana Vijay Yatra" from March 2.

Speaking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday, All India Youth Congress Secretary and AP Incharge Shahabuddin and State President Vamshi Chandra Reddy informed that the 15-day long padayatra would cover a distance of 300 kilometres. It would cover as many as 20 Assembly segments in eight Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana region.

The "Telangana Vijaya Sabha" will cover Warangal, Bhongir, Malkajgiri, Hyderabad, Chevella, Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar and Secunderabad Lok Sabha segments. The padayatra will begin from Warangal and would culminate into a public meeting "Telangana Vijay Sabha" in Secunderabad. They said that the padayatra was being organised as a thanksgiving to AICC President Sonia Gandhi for ensuring realisation of 60-year-old dream of Telangana State. Further, the "Telangana Vijay Yatra" would be a tribute to over 1100 people who sacrificed their lives for the statehood cause.

A delegation of Youth Congress would also call on AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday to thank him for ensuring passing of Telangana Bill in the Parliament.
Shahabuddin also said that the Youth Congress would play an active role in re-establishing the Congress party in Seemandhra region.

Sonia Gandhi to decide Seemandhra's capital

Former Minister JC Diwakar Reddy on Tuesday advised the Seemandhra leaders to stop fighting over the issue of new capital of Seemandhra region.
Speaking to media persons in the Assembly premises here, Diwakar Reddy said that ongoing debate among the Seemandhra leaders over new capital would be futile as the final decision in this regard would be taken only by AICC President Sonia Gandhi. He said that the Congress president enjoys triggering disputes among the Seemandhra leaders and she was doing the same over the issue of new capital.
Diwakar Reddy, however, said that Macherla in Guntur district would be most ideal place for the new capital for Seemandhra.
When asked about the efforts to form new government in the State, he said that there would be no gain or loss due to the new government although some pending files could get cleared.

He also said that he would announce his future plans after the issuing of notification for the next general elections.

Dattatreyya reiterates BJP's support

BJP National Vice-President Bandaru Dattatreyya on Sunday reiterated that his party would support the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in the Parliament.
Addressing a press conference here, Dattatreyya said that there was no change in the stand of BJP on Telangana issue and it would support the Bill in the Parliament. However, he accused the Congress party of creating obstacles in the formation of Telangana Bill. He alleged that the Congress party was responsible for the unruly incidents in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. He said that violent behaviour of the Congress MPs was aimed at obstructing the introduction and clearance of Telangana Bill in both the Houses of Parliament.

Dattatreyya said that the pepper spraying act by Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal brought disgrace to the world’s largest democracy. He also condemned the other MPs who were defending the actions of Lagadapati and other MPs.

The BJP leader also questioned the continuance of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on his post. He asked as to why the Congress party did not dismiss Kiran Kumar Reddy despite his involvement in anti-Telangana activities.

Jeevan Reddy condemns TDP chief over T-issue

Former minister T Jeevan Reddy on Sunday strongly condemned TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu for making alleged derogatory remarks against AICC president Sonia Gandhi.

Speaking to media persons in the Assembly premises here, Jeevan Reddy said that Naidu's speech during Praja Garjana meeting in Tadepallegudem of West Godavari has exposed him real stand on Telangana. He called the TDP chief as the real betrayer of Telangana and asked him to speak out his mind. He said Naidu's clarification on Telangana issue would be helpful in conducting a healthy debate on Telangana Bill in the Parliament.
Speaking about the incidents of violence in Lok Sabha during the tabling of Telangana Bill, he said that the behaviour of Seemandhra MPs in the House was worst than the attack carried out by Afzal Guru.

Shabbir Ali threatens to slap Naidu

PCC Vice-President and MLC Mohammad Ali Shabbir on Sunday threatened to slap TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu for latter's criticism on AICC President Sonia Gandhi by referring to her as “Sonia Godse”.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Legislature Party office here, Shabbir Ali strongly condemned Chandrababu Naidu for crititicising Sonia Gandhi on the Telangana issue. "People of Telangana will beat up Naidu and pluck his tongue for making derogatory remarks against Sonia Gandhi. We are not reacting violently as we believe in democracy and non-violence," he said.

Shabbir Ali said that Naidu should look at his own history before commenting anything about the Congress party. "He began his political career in the Congress party, became a MLA and then minister. He switched loyalties and joined TDP. But he maintained his character of betrayal and back-stabbed NTR to become the Chief Minister. Now he betrayed Telangana people by going back on his stand on the statehood promise," he said.

The former minister said that Naidu had a poll tie-up with the TRS in 2009 elections which promised Telangana in 100 days. In the recent past, he gave three letters of support for Telangana. However, he betrayed the people by taking a U-turn on his stand.

Shabbir Ali said that the Seemandhra leaders were trying to create a fake movement in favour of united Andhra Pradesh using money power. Accusing them of cheating the people of their own region, he said that Telangana leaders would fight for the justice of Seemandhra people after the formation of Telangana State.

He also accused Bharatiya Janata Party of changing its stand on Telangana issue.

Telangana Bill will be passed next week: Palwai

Congress MP Palwai Govardhan Reddy claimed that Telangana will be a reality next week.
Speaking to media persons here, Palwai said that the Telangana Bill would be passed in Lok Sabha on February 18 and in Rajya Sabha the next day. Therefore, the process of formation of Telangana State would be completed next week.

Palwai also demanded life ban on expelled Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal and TDP MP Venugopal Reddy for their unruly behaviour in the Lok Sabha during the introduction of Telangana Bill on Thursday. Further, he said that the TDP MPs from the both the regions attacked each other in Parliament and the party was wrongly blaming the Congress MPs from Telangana region.

The Rajya Sabha MP also condemned Cheif Minsiter N Kiran Kumar Reddy's continuance in power. He alleged that Kiran Kumar Reddy was clearing the controversial files to earn money. He asked the officials to be cautious with the Chief Minister and remember the fate of some officials who supported Jagan Mohan Reddy. He said that the Telangana Government would order a probe against Kiran Kumar Reddy and he would land in jail for his decisions.

Samaikhyandhra fever for Chiranjeevi

Union Minister K Chiranjeevi faced the heat of pro-united Andhra Pradesh activists when they tried to block his convoy in Kambalacheruvu of East Godavari district here on Sunday.

The Samaikhyandhra activists raised slogans against the minister accusing him of being a mute spectator to the process of division of Andhra Pradesh. The angry protests demanded his immediate resignation from the posts. They confronted the police personnel who tried to prevent them from going close to the minister's car.

Police use mild force to disperse the protestors and cleared the minister's convoy.

Bifurcation Bill is a let-down: Dr. JP

The Union Cabinet has displayed neither competence and capacity nor seriousness and sincerity in addressing the problems being triggered by its decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, charged Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here on Saturday.

Addressing a media conference, Dr. JP said the Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation Bill cleared by the Union Cabinet along with amendments on February 7 is a total disappointment. It has singularly failed to adopt the specific, constructive and practicable solutions offered by the Lok Satta Party in its representations.  The Union Cabinet has let down people as also their representatives by going back on its promise to incorporate provisions that ensure a bright future for all Telugu speaking people.

Dr. JP said the Bill has not addressed the huge revenue deficit the residuary Andhra Pradesh will face consequent to Hyderabad city becoming part of Telangana. While Hyderabad city enjoys a revenue surplus of Rs.13,000 crore, the residuary Andhra Pradesh has a deficit of Rs.7000 crore going by 2012-13 data. The deficit is expected to shoot up to more than Rs.10000 crore in 2014-15. The Union Government which has caused the problem because of its decision to bifurcate the State is duty bound to provide a solution too. If the Union Government is serious, it should  earmark funds for at least a decade from the Consolidated Fund of India to the residuary Andhra Pradesh towards meeting its deficit and make a beginning by making allocation in the Vote on Account budget to be introduced in Parliament soon.

The Lok Satta, he recalled, had suggested that backward Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra regions be treated on par with Special Category States and extended all excise duty and corporate income tax exemptions and provided other incentives like investment and freight subsidies to promote industrialization.

Dr. JP said that the incentives given to Special Category States could be extended to backward regions through a simple executive order. But no such commitment is made in the law.

The Center should concede the demand of people of Kurnool and Ananthapur districts for their merger with Telangana State and assuage their fears over river waters etc. The Center has rightly chosen not to merge Bhadrachalam town with residuary Andhra Pradesh complying with people’s wishes. Why does it not extend the same logic and concede the near unanimous demand of Kurnool and Anantapur people and their representatives?

Dr. JP pointed out that there has been no firm commitment from the Center on improving infrastructure facilities in Andhra Pradesh. It has promised to merely examine or consider all the suggestions relating to development of Ramayapatnam and other ports, establishment of steel plants, building of a Visakhapatnam-Chennai industrial corridor, creation of Visakhapatnam railway zone residuary Andhra Pradesh, development of Metro Rail facilities in Visakhapatnam and Guntur-Tenali-Vijayawada areas, and the establishment of a green field oil refinery.

The Bill cleared by the Union Government is again silent on amending the Constitution to provide safety and security of people in Hyderabad hailing from other region. It has not incorporated even suggestions made by the State Governor. It merely entrusts the Governor with law and order responsibilities in Hyderabad, which is constitutionally questionable.

The only two demands of Lok Satta incorporated in the Bill are transferring in submission areas of Polavaram project is residual AP, and ensuring execution of surplus water defendant projects in Rayalaseema and Telangana regions.

Dr JP emphasized that the AP Reorganization Bill should incorporate key provisions to address the legitimate concerns of Telugu people.

Dr. JP disclosed he is in touch with MPs from the State as also top BJP leaders on ensuring that the Bill addresses all the problems raised by the Lok Satta.

Lok Satta leaders M. Satyanarayana, P. Sivaji and I. Anantalakshmi took part in the media conference.

BJP fires on CM for power cuts

Bharatiya Janata Party national Vice-President Bandaru Dattatreyya on Saturday slammed the State Government for imposing power cuts.

Dattatreyya siad,"Summer is yet to arrive, but the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s government has given much bigger sun stroke to the people of Andhra Pradesh. The government wants to take excuse on name of Rabi crop for power cuts but Congress government forgetting there own electoral promise of supplying uninterrupted power for seven hours to farmers."

He even said that there were plenty of rains this season, but the government has failed to utilize the rain water and generate the required power to address the increasing demand.He added, "There are many complaints from farmers on low voltage supply due to which the motors are getting burnt very often. In addition, the diesel prices are also increasing every month which is also and additional burden on farmers."

The BJP leader said that the Government has recently increased electricity charges up to Rs 3,200 crores on the people of Andhra Pradesh in the name of increasing power generations. But it failed to utilize the gas resources and getting state share allocated to the state of Andhra Pradesh from Centre. The State Government is trying to give false information that additional 30 MHz power will be generated. But there is no sign of it with these power cuts, he said.

Dattatreyya said that the power cuts have left no option for the small scale industries but close down. There is complete collapse of governance in state and it is going towards jungle raj, he said.

"The Chief Minister is only interested his own politics rather than govern ring the state Government has announced two hours power cut in cities, 4 hours in municipalities and 8 hours in mandal head quarters," he said while demanding the government to fulfill its promise of supplying quality and uninterrupted power.

Botsa defends three candidates in RS polls

PCC President Botsa Satyanarayana on Saturday defended the Congress party's decision to filed only three candidates for the six Rajya Sabha seats that went to polls on Friday.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan here, Botsa said that only three candidates were fielded to eliminate the possibilities of horse-trading by the candidates. He said that the party too the decision in view of the strength of different political parties in the Assembly. He said the fourth official candidates by the Congress party could have lead to corrupt practices and horse trading. Therefore, by fielding only three candidates, the Congress party ensured free and fair elections.

Botsa dismissed the allegations leveled by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu of matching fixing between the Congress and TRS. He alleged that Naidu was good at such practices and therefore, the TDP chief accuses all others of indulging in match-fixing for political gains.

The PCC chief also informed that Congress High Command would take a decision on the possible action against senior MLA Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao for casting rejection vote in the Rajya Sabha polls. He said a report in this regard has already been sent to the High Command.

Subbarami Reddy to contest from Vizag

Rajya Sabha MP T Subbirami Reddy on Saturday announced that he would contest the next Lok Sabha polls from Visakhapatnam seat.

In a conference held at Gandhi Bhavan, Subbirami Reddy said that he was aspiring to contest the next Lok Sabha election from Visakhapatnam constituency. And he was nominated by the party as a candidate for Rajya Sabha elections. Abiding the decision of the Congress High Command, he said he contested the Rajya Sabha polls.He expressed his strong desire to contest from Visakhapatnam seat.

Subbirami Reddy thanked AICC President Sonia Gandhi, Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Congress MLAs who voted for him during the Rajya Sabha elections. 

Security beefed up in Adilabad after communal clashes

A minimum of dozen people were injured in isolated cases of attacks and sporadic incidents of communal violence in Mudhool of Adilabad district on Saturday morning.

As per the sources,communal clashes broke out after some unidentified miscreants dumped an animal's carcasses near a place of worship triggering violent protests. The locals gathered in large numbers and resorted to stone pelting and slogan shouting. The tension escalated and soon spread to other areas. Some miscreants then started attacking innocent passersby.

The district police came into action and large number of security personnel has been deployed across Mudhool and other communally sensitive localities of Adilabad district. Additional forces have been summoned from adjoining mandals. Patrolling has also been intensified and security around places of worship has been beefed up. Police registered a case and began investigation.

VRO Dulmitta Village Maddur Warangal in ACB Net

Village Revenue Officer O/o Revenue Department, Dulmitta (V), Maddur (M), Warangal District was caught red handed by the ACB officials at about 3.30 P.M on Feb 7 at his office, when he demanded and accepted an amount of Rs.15,000  (Rupees  Fifteen Thousand only) as bribe  from the complainant,  for doing an official favour  i.e. “ to process the mutation files of the purchased land of the complainant’s  son and his nephew”.

Bribe amount of Rs.15,000 was recovered from him.  The Accused Officer has been arrested and will be produced before the Honorable IInd Additional Special Judge for SPE & ACB Cases, Hyderabad. 

Prohibition and Excise Superintendent Adilabad district in ACB Net

Prohibition and Excise Superintendent, O/o. Prohibition and Excise Department, Adilabad District was caught red handed by the ACB officials on Feb 7 at 2.30 PM at his office, when he demanded and accepted an amount of Rs.30,000 (Rupees Thirty Thousand only) as bribe  from the complainant,  for doing an official favour  i.e. “ Not to harrest the wine shop owner and overlook the Excise Act Rules and Regulations”.

Bribe amount of Rs.30,000 was recovered from him.  The Accused Officer has been arrested and will be produced before the Honourable IInd Additional Special Judge for SPE & ACB Cases, Hyderabad. 

Municipal Engineer Sadashivapet Medak in ACB net

Municipal Engineer, O/o. Sadashivpet Municipality, Medak District was  caught red handed by the A.C.B. officials at about  12.20 hours on Feb 7  in  his office premises, when he demanded and accepted an amount of Rs. 30,000 (Rupees thirty thousand only) as bribe from the complainant for doing an official favour i.e. “for record the M.Book & to get it sanctioned the bills ”.

Bribe amount of Rs.30,000 was recovered. The Accused Officer has been arrested and will be produced before the Honorable Ist Additional Special Judge for SPE & ACB Cases, Hyderabad.

e-Passports to be issued from next year: CPO

Chief Passport Officer Muktesh K Pardeshi on Friday announced that the new generation electronic passport, which aims to secure the data and curb the menace of fake passports, are likely to be introduced by next year.

Addressing a press conference here, Pardeshi said that the Task Force, which was set up to study the e-Passport project, held discussions with all concerned department. Therefore, the e-passports may be issued to the new applicants from next year. The proposed e-passport will be a plastic card embedded with an electronic chip containing all the details of the passport holder, including biometric information, besides a digital signature of the passport issuing authority.

The CPO informed that in 2013, the Government of India has issued close to 85 lakh passports and other related documents globally and recorded a growth of 14-15% over 2012, wherein 73.6 lakh passports were issued. "Going by this trend, we are expecting to cross the one-crore mark in issuance of passports annually by the end of 2014 calendar year or by early 2015,” he said.

Regional Passport Officer (RPO) K Srikar Reddy said the trial for hand-held devices (palm-top computers) for police constables, enabling online police verification at citizens’ doorstep is presently on in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh and now it is contemplated to start it on a pilot basis under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate in Hyderabad and later to other parts of the state and country.

Hyderabad tops the list of RPOs in terms of the number of applications processed and services rendered at 6.4 lakh and 6.3 lakh, respectively, with 8.9% of total passport services in the country, Reddy said.

He added that Visakhapatnam, with 11 days, tops the list of RPOs on time taken in police verification. Country’s second Passport Seva Laghu Kendras (Mini PSKs) will be inaugurated on Saturday in Karimnagar district, he said.

Srikar Reddy also informed that the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has proposed to develop a new building complex at the existing Hyderabad office at a cost of Rs 30 crore. 

Legislators want Khammam to remain with Telangana

The legislators and public representatives hailing from Khammam district on Friday requested the Centre to keep Khammam with Telangana after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

In seperate memorandums sent to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the leaders including Minister Ramreddy Venkat Reddy, Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, TDP MLA Tummala Nageswara Rao and others said that not a single piece of land of Khammam district should be alienated to Seemandhra.

The memorandums were also signed by MLAs K Satyavathi, Rega Kantha Rao, Veggala Mitrasena, SAndra Venkata Veeraiah, Banoth Chandravati, K Sambasiva Rao and Abbaih Vooke and MLCs Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, Potla Nageshwara Rao and B Lakshmi Narayana.

They said that they were not opposed to Polavaram as National Project. However, they said that there should be minimum replaced of the population and meager submerging areas. Stating that for the long centuries, the Tribal population of Khammam has been habituated culturally, traditionally with Telangana, they said that the construction of Polavaram project would merge six mandals, 205 Gram Panchayats, 70 hamlets affecting a minimum of 2.5 lakh tribal population.

They requested that the Polavaram project construction may be modified with six barrages to reduce minimum loss and damage. Further, the affected people may be provided maximum RR package, they demanded.

Further, "The Seetarama Chandra Swamy Temple" at Bhadrachalam was built in the year 1674 by Gopanna alias Bhakta Ramdas, the then Tahasildar of Abul Hasan Taneshah, the VII and last king of Qutub Shahi Dynasty and maintained by Asaf Jahi Rulers and continuously it has been with Telangana (except for a short span of three years which was with Kakinada, later it retained with Khammam from November 1959).