Week long AIDS awareness campaign Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
As part of World AIDS Day being observed across the globe on December 1, the state government has drawn a campaign strategy to motivate the communities on 'Make a promise to stop AIDS' on World AIDS day programme. In this regard, Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy will administer oath to the people of the state at an event being organised at Ongole in Prakasam district on December 1. Releasing a poster on 'AIDS awareness campaign' at a press conference at secretariat here today, Minister for finance, medical and health Mr. K. Rosaiah said that the government in association with corporate sector, national and international NGOs and others has planned to organize a series of events between December 1 and 7 in connection with AIDS awareness. Keeping the state’s alarming situation in view (in respect of AIDS), it has been decided to observe the World AIDS day in the larger context of AASHA (AIDS Awareness and Sustained, Holistic Action) campaign. Several film stars will also join the programme at Ongole to create awareness, he added.
Moddu Srinu's instigator nabbed in Guntur Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
Police took Venkateswara Reddy, the prime accused in the Chandanagar explosion case, into custody and are questioning him. Joolakanti Sreenivasa Reddy, alias Moddu Srinu, acted at the behest of Venkateswara Reddy to kill High Court advocate Venkat Reddy in settling a land dispute. Sources said, "Venkateswara Reddy was caught in Guntur and brought to city. His version tallied with that of the other accused. He said that he had a dispute with Venkat Reddy and said that he did not get any land though he invested Rs 40 lakhs to buy it from ACC company." Meanwhile, three other accused Srikanth Reddy, Ravinder Reddy and G. Raju, were remanded to ju-dicial custody.
Adventists recall tales of horror Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
The students and teachers of the Seventh Day Adventist School are still in shock a day after their brush with death. The rented coach in which they were travelling overturned near a narrow curve and fell into a ditch. Diesel tanks kept near the driver's seat spilled over triggering fears of a fire breakout. "I was sitting beside the driver and got drenched in diesel," said Mr Paavan Kumar, a teacher. "It was all over the floor too. I thought the whole bus would explode". Students sitting on the sides fell over those sitting near them as the bus overturned and some were injured. "Luckily, we rushed out of the door and crossed the road to the other side," he said. "So shocked were the students by the incident that they refused to come back in a bus," he said. The teacher had a tough time persuading them. "The driver ran the bus in a very rough manner," said Sai Kumar, a class-X student. "In fact, our teacher asked him to slow down. But before that, the bus overturned".
SA minister assures to partner AP in IT plans Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
South African minister for communication Dr Ivy Matsepe Casuburri assured to explore partnership with Andhra Pradesh in replicating the best practices. Dr Casuburri who led a four-member South African delegation met Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. She said prominent e-governance projects like e-Seva, AP Broadband, e-procurement, and Jawahar Knowledge Centres were worth emulating. The Chief Minister explained the rapid strides made by the State in IT and other sectors and sought greater cooperation between AP and South Africa.
Don't misuse crop loans: CM Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy expressed concern over the misuse of crop loans by farmers, who were diverting the loans for non-agricultural purposes. Speaking at the 156th State-level Bankers' Committee meeting held at Jubilee Hall, the Chief Minister said there were several instances of farmers taking crop loans from banks at a subsidised interest rate and spending the same on other things such as performing their daughters' marriages. "Though the farmers’ need for money to get their children married is understandable, it is not correct to spend crop loans on such things. The loan money should be spent on what it has been borrowed for," he said. Dr Reddy also asked the bankers to educate farmers about proper utilisation of crop loans. He made it clear that interest rebate on crop loans would be given only to those who repaid loans on time. He said for the first time in the history of the State, the disbursement of crop loans during the kharif had exceeded the target. As against the target of Rs 8,650 crores, banks had disbursed Rs 8,661 crores. The total crop loan target during kharif and rabi this year was Rs 13,300 crores.
Committee pilgrims can carry $10,000 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
The Union government has decided to allow Haj pilgrims to carry with them $10,000 as basic travel quota. This is in addition to the 2,000 Saudi Riyals which pilgrims visiting the holy shrines in Mecca and Madina are usually allowed to carry. The decision will allow Hajis to carry as much as 39,000 Saudi Riyals, which will help them travel, eat and stay in comfort and also shop for family and friends back home. Religious relics and carpets from Saudi Arabia are very popular amongst Hajis. Many Hajis also like to give donations as charity and feed the poor. This enhanced amount of money is going to help them do that. "The new rule will come into effect from this year’s pilgrimage," says Mr Shaik Mustaq Ali Ahmad, who coordinates foreign exchange for Haj pilgrims in India. About one lakh pilgrims visit Saudi Arabia annually through the official Haj Committee and another 60,000 travel on their own with the help of private agencies.
Mukesh vows piped gas by 2008 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
Piped natural gas will no longer be a pipe dream in the State. A promise to this effect was given by Reliance Industries Limited chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at a meeting with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy here.Soon after the meeting, CMO sources told that Mr Ambani agreed to the request of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy for the supply of piped gas to at least 10 cities and towns in the Sate in the first phase. He also wanted the Reliance chief to ensure that every household gets the supply at a reasonable price so that the people of Andhra Pradesh would first get the maximum benefit out of the gas deposits discovered in the Krishna-Godavari Basin.
Coastal Andhra on alert after cyclone warning Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | Pavan
The State government put the official machinery on high alert in view of a severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts. This is the fourth time that a cyclonic storm is looming large over the State this season. The Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam late on Tuesday night said the cyclonic storm that lay over southwest Bay of Bengal had moved west northwest wards. It is now centred at about 450 km east southeast of Chennai. The system is likely to intensify further and move in a west northwesterly direction and cross north Tamil Nadu/South Andhra coast between Chennai and Machilipatnam by Thursday morning. Under its influence, rain or thundershowers are likely at many places with isolated heavy falls at one or two places from Wednesday in Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna districts.
SSC vocational exams from March 20 Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
The Director of Government Examinations, AP., has informed in a press note that the SSC/OSSC/SSC Vocational Course Public Examinations March, 2006 will be conducted from March 20 to April 2, 2006 between 9.30 am and 12 noon. The timings have been changed keeping in view the hot climate conditions during March, and the representations received from Parents, Teachers and Students. The other change made is OSSC Paper-One which is the minor among all the papers of SSC is slated on March 20, and OSSC Paper-two on third day of the Examination along with First Language Paper-two in order to avoid inconvenience to Intermediate Public Examinations and SSC Examinations.
Lawrence's Style to release in Feb Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
Choreographer turned director Lawrence's second directorial venture, Style, is now planning for February release. The film originally planned for late December release has now been postponed. Produced by Lagadapati Sridhar’s Larsco Entertainments, the film is based on fusion dance and music and it stars Prabhudeva, Raja, Kamalini Mukharjee, Charmi and Lawrence in the lead roles.
Gopika in Ramoji Rao's film Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
After her not so rosy entry, Malayalam beauty Gopika is attempting another start in Telugu. She is now acting as the female lead in the prestigious production house Media Tycoon Ramoji Rao's Usha Kiran Movies's new film that has recently begun its shoot without any fuss. This new film from the Ramoji Rao’s stable has Sharwanand as the hero. Sharwanand is presently doing a key role in forthcoming Vennela.
Venkatesh to do Mamooty's film Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
Mammotty's latest Malayalam blockbuster, Rajamanickam, is now getting remade in Telugu. Top financier and producer Singanmala Ramesh Babu has bagged the Telugu rights of Rajamanickam that is turning out to be the biggest blockbuster in Mamootthy's career now. The film has reportedly collected about Rs 3 crores in just in a few days, a record for Malayalam film. Now, the news is that hero Venkatesh has shown his keen interest in doing this film in Telugu. If all goes well, Venky will do this comic caper. Venkatesh who has always been fond of doing remakes is now currently working for V V Vinayak's Laxmi that is slated for January release. It remains to be seen whether Ramesh produces it on his own (he has produced Rajashekar's Villain) or will lease it out to some other producer.
Siddardh in Raju's film Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
Producer 'Dil'Raju is all set to produce a film with hero Siddardh. The film would be launched on December 10th. Debutant Bhaskar will direct this film. Bhaskar has been working with Dil Raju for the past four years and he has prepared a script for a year back and has been working on its screenplay with all the expenses borne by Raju. He has worked for his previous productions, Arya (directed by Sukumar) and Bhadra (directed by Boyapati Srinivas).
Balakrishna launched Devadasu's music Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
Devadasu's music was released in a style. Hero Nandamuri Balakrishna had unveiled the music, while Union minister Dasari Narayana Rao officially unveiled the Director Chowdhary's newly launched music label, Yuktha music. Devadasu sees the debut of the lead pair- Ram and Illiana and its music was officially launched at a glittering function held on Sunday (Nov 27) in Hyderabad. The entire film industry seemed present there apart from its cast and crew that include the lead pair Ram and lliana, director YVS, and music director Chakri.
Base Muslim quota on occupation: Expert Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
Eminent Muslim reservation activist Shabbir Ahmad Ansari on Sunday suggested that the Andhra Pradesh government should not file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the AP High Court judgement against five per cent reservation for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions. "Such a move can be counter-productive. Since reservations cannot be given on the basis of religion, challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order in the Supreme Court will do more harm to Muslims around the country than any good to those in the State. If the SC order goes against the community in Andhra Pradesh, Muslims in Karnataka and Kerala (these States have quotas for the community) too will lose the benefit of this reservation," he warned.
Teams formed to check school buses Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
The Hyderabad District Collector has constituted 16 teams to verify the status on the implementation of compulsory school bus rule in the city. The deadline set for the schools by the government to arrange buses for at least 50 per cent of its students expired on November 15. The teams comprising deputy inspectors and above cadre from education and revenue fields will go to every school and inspect whether the government order is being followed. By December 15, the teams have to submit their report to the District Collector Arvind Kumar. "Police cases will be booked against schools which fail to implement the compulsory school bus rule. I'm not going to divulge more information, as it would alert all such schools. You will come to know the stringent action we are going to take against the schools not following the government order, after December 15," he said.
Chief Minister Y.S. Raja-sekhar Reddy is believed to have expressed unhappiness over senior party MLA P. Janardhan Reddy keeping the controversy over Pothireddypadu head-regulator issue alive. Sources said that the Chief Minister took exception to Mr Janardhan Reddy repeatedly raising the issue even after the government clarified that widening of the head-regulator would not harm the interests of Telangana. Dr Reddy told this to PCC president K. Keshava Rao when the two met. The Chief Minister is believed to have pointed out that Mr Janardhan Reddy participated in the prolonged debate in the Assembly and expressed his views. The PCC president, sources said, told the Chief Minister not to take Mr Janardhan Reddy's observations over Pothireddypadu seriously.
17 schoolkids drown in Munneru rivulet Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
Seventeen picnicking schoolchildren of the well-known Ravindra Bharati Public School were feared drowned in the Munneru rivulet at Keesara village, about 40 km from Vijayawada on the national highway to Hyderabad. There were no teachers at the spot when the children were playing in the water and drowned. The bodies of nine children were recovered, a search is on for eight students. Most of the victims are aged between 10 and 15. The district administration has ordered the lodging of a complaint charging the school management with criminal negligence. The school had organised the vana samaradhana (picnic in the woods) on the last day of Kartika masam for about 450 students from Classes V to X. On Sunday morning, the school changed the venue to Keesara from Manasa Sarovar park in Guntur after some parents complained about the venue.
Singhvi is new AP Chief Justice Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
Justice Ganpat Singh Singhvi was sworn in as the 30th Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Governor Sushilkumar Shinde administered the oath of office to Justice Singhvi at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan. Justice Singhvi took the oath in English. He was watched by his family, including wife Ranjana, son Nikhil who studies law at the National Law School in Bangalore, and mother Suraj Singhvi. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, acting Chief Justice of the AP High Court Bilal Nazki, Assembly Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy, State ministers K Rosaiah, J. Geetha Reddy and G. Vinod, PCC president K. Kesava Rao, chief secretary T.K. Dewan, director-general of police Swaranjit Sen and High Court judges and officials attended the swearing-in-ceremony. Justice Singhvi's main area of interest is constitutional law but he has also conducted criminal cases as an amicus curiae and was elevated to the bench of the Rajasthan High Court as judge on July 20, 1990.
KCR's nephew suspended from TRS Monday, November 28, 2005 | Pavan
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi suspended its State secretary Umesh Rao, who is party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao's nephew, for "anti-party activities." The suspension was apparently done at the behest of former minister and Siddipet legislator T. Harish Rao, the other and more powerful nephew of Mr Chandrasekhar Rao. Mr Umesh Rao, a silent worker all these years, began nursing ambitions to make it big like Mr Harish Rao. He was apparently angered by Mr Harish Rao acting as de facto party president. In a bid to appease him, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao had appointed Mr Umesh Rao as party secretary recently. However, Mr Umesh Rao was not happy and was waiting for an opportunity to strike at Mr Harish Rao. On Saturday, Mr Umesh Rao in interviews to Telugu newspapers had launched a scathing attack on Mr Harish Rao, holding him responsible for the crisis in the party. Mr Umesh Rao said all those who had left the party were unhappy with Mr Harish Rao and not with the party president. He demanded that party should check Mr Harish Rao’s "dictatorial behaviour."
Assembly winter session from Dec 3 Wednesday, November 23, 2005 | Pavan
The Winter Session of the State Legislative Assembly is likely to commence from either December 3 or 5, and end on December 15. It is learnt that a tentative decision to this effect had been taken at the State Cabinet meet on November 19. Sources informed that the Cabinet had first decided to hold the winter session for seven or eight days, but after discussing at length a consensus had been arrived at the meeting to have at least 12 sittings as the Monsoon session was condensed only to six working days including three evening sittings. The House will have morning sittings only during the winter session. Cooperative elections, restrictions on free power supply, rehabilitation of the displaced under Polavaram project, deterioration of law and order in the state particularly in the twin cities including 'Modduu Seenu' episode, controversy over Pallavi's appearance before the court in burkha, second phase works pertaining to supply of Krishna waters to the twin cities, water allocation from Singoor under third phase of the programme, misuse of MPLAD funds are some of the important issues that are expected to come up for discussion during the winter session.
Desam rethinks split with BJP Wednesday, November 23, 2005 | Pavan
Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu may do a rethink on snapping his party’s alliance with the BJP in the wake of the National Democratic Alliance victory in Bihar. Senior party leaders including Mr Naidu on Tuesday welcomed the alliance’s victory and described it as a "slap on the face" of the United Progressive Alliance. The intensity of the TD’s greetings were the first hints that the party, which was flirting with the idea of a third front including the Left, may not leave the BJP after all. The TD had severed its ties with the BJP after the May 2004 defeat in State Assembly elections. The TD said it had suffered from its association with the BJP after Gujarat. Since that time, Mr Naidu began claiming that the TD had nothing to do with the NDA since it was never a part of the alliance. According to NTR Bhavan sources, now that the NDA prospects have gone up after Bihar, Mr Naidu may extend a friendly hand to the BJP, first through floor coordination with NDA partners. Pointing out that the party would remain equidistant from the UPA and the NDA.
Five arrested in fake certificates case Wednesday, November 23, 2005 | Pavan
Nalgonda police arrested five persons for trying to get two youth recruited into the Indian Army with forged nativity certificates. The police nabbed the owner of Sai Physical Coaching Centre at Dilshuknagar, a deputy mandal revenue officer of Nakrekal and an operator in the Indian Army on charges of preparing forged nativity certificates for two youth who participated in an Army recruitment rally at Nagarjuna Degree College.The arrested were identified as T. Sai Reddy, 28, owner of Sai Physical Coaching Centre at Dilshuknagar, N. Bharataiah, 57, Deputy MRO of Nakrekal, V. Venkateswarlu, 34, an operator in the Indian Army 68 field regiment and P. Butchi Babu, 18, son of Malleshwar Rao of Srikakulam district and A. Sri Ramulu, 19, son of Lakshmaiah of Prakasham district.Kattangur Mandal Revenue Officer Mohammed Naseeruddin lodged a complaint following which police made the arrests. The deputy MRO Bharataih helped the accused in getting the forged nativity certificates. The arrests were supervised by the Nalgonda superintendent of Police Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagawat.
KCR's injury may save TRS? Wednesday, November 23, 2005 | Pavan
"There is nothing permanent in politics." Union minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao fell in the bathroom of his house and sustained a fracture on his right leg on Tuesday. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and he may require a minor surgery. This accident could break the ice for a possible rapprochement in the trouble-torn the Telangana Rashtra Samiti.TRS rebel legislator Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy and others have decided to call on Mr Rao for their first meeting in about two months. Curiously Mr Satyanarayana Reddy had also met Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. But he said that they only spoke of developmental works in his Hanamkonda constituency."I came to know about his (KCR's) injury this morning. We will call on him," Mr Satyanarayana Reddy said. "KCR is our leader. We have our differences, but, when a person is injured, it is basic courtesy to call on him. We will decide on the date," he said and tellingly added.
The make-up of the new Telugu Desam (TD) State executive committee has sparked dissidence from senior leaders from the districts. TD supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu had on November 16 revamped the executive hoping to curb growing dissatisfaction following a series of routs which began with the general elections in May last year. But it appears to have boomeranged. Mr Naidu had enlarged the executive to a Congress-style 123 members. Instead of dropping discredited leaders, he only added a few known faces. He set up district coordination committees with former ministers, MPs and senior leaders to keep check increasing dissidence. Senior TD leader and former minister SV. Subba Reddy launched a scathing attack on the party leadership accusing it of neglecting young and active workers in the districts. Mr Reddy, who represents Pattikonda constituency regretted that the party leadership had not learnt from three successive defeats in the general elections, in municipal bodies elections in September and agricultural cooperative societies last month. Many leaders were unhappy over Mr Naidu’s strategy on public issues, particularly the Pothireddypadu head-regulator issue, which diverts water from the Srisailam reservoir to Rayalaseema. Leaders from Telangana and coastal Andhra have opposed the scheme, fearing water for those regions will be reduced.
Jeweller Devaki Nandan was murdered by his nephew Mukesh Kanodia, police said. The jeweller was found poisoned with cyanide in his car, and 6 kgs of gold that he was carrying was missing. Police said that Mukesh, 32, told additional commissioner, crimes, Rajeev Trivedi that he had the gold. Detective department personnel took Mukesh into custody and at his instance, raided Bhagwati Jewellers on Street No. 7 at Domalguda and recovered the stolen gold. The police raided the shop in the presence of the media and revenue divisional officer Hanumanth Reddy. Mr Trivedi said, "We did it for transparency." However, Mukesh told the media that his uncle had plotted the robbery and had perhaps committed suicide. He said Devaki Nandan had asked him to keep the gold and that he had gone to the police on his own. Family sources said Mukesh was Devaki Nandan's closest aide.
Gandhi family names are project acronyms Saturday, November 19, 2005 | Pavan
Not content with naming projects after Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the State government has now started making acronyms of Gandhi family names for new programmes. INDIRAMMA is the name for the Rs 23,000-crores three-year programme to create model villages and provide basic facilities to below poverty line families. It stands for Integrated Novel Development In Rural Areas and Model Municipal Areas. The objective is to create model villages and municipal areas, but the word ‘model’ figures after rural areas to suit the acronym. The programme was earlier known as Adarsha Gramalu. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy reviewed preparations for the implementation of the programme with ministers and senior officials.Speaking to mediapersons, rural development minister D. Srinivas and panchayat raj minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy said the Chief Minister had decided to implement the programme from April 1, 2006. In the meantime, the government would collect data and get the requisite approvals of the gram sabha.
KCR has his own Ranbir Sena : Mandadi Saturday, November 19, 2005 | Pavan
Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao has his own Ranbir Sena to silence his critics, rebel TRS legislator Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy said. "Mr Rao has groomed 30 to 40 partymen to cow down critics within the party. They are his Ranbir Sena, or say Cobras (referring to the anti-Naxal Nallatrachu, Black Cobras). Whenever we raise our voices on any issue, they try to silence us. But Mr Rao should understand that he cannot bulldoze us with such threats," Mr Reddy. Mr Reddy ruled out the rebels, seven legislators out of the TRS's 27, toeing Mr Rao's line till he stops his "authoritarian rule." "The problem is that he has a huge ego. He should stop leading a cosy life in Delhi and come back to the State to take up the cause for which the party was established. He should accept his mistakes and function in a democratic manner,” he said, adding, "He should say 'I am a changed man'."
New facility at varsity to draw foreign students Thursday, November 17, 2005 | Pavan
On International Students Day falling on November 17, here is a good news for the foreign students who wanted to study at Andhra University. The varsity will soon have a new hostel facility with international standards to attract more foreign students. Speaking to this newspaper on Wednesday, the vice-chancellor of Andhra University, Prof. L. Venugopala Reddy, said that foreign students these days are going to other universities like Pune, Bangalore and Mysore due to lack of proper hostel facilities in the university. There were more foreign students in the past compared to the present, he added. "National Assessment and Accreditation Council awarded Andhra University "A" grade. The rating will further increase if we can attract more foreign students," said the vice-chancellor. He said that the AU authorities were pooling funds and chalking out a plan for the new hostel facility. The new facility would likely be ready by the new academic year, he added. He also said no university in the State would have such an international hostel facility.
TRS dissidents, supporters clash Thursday, November 17, 2005 | Pavan
Supporters and detractors of the rebel TRS MLAs were involved in clashes here on Wednesday. A day after TRS legislator S. Babu Rao alleged that the rebel group had offered him Rs 30 lakh to revolt against party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao there was a sudden spurt in the protests against the rebel TRS MLAs. The supporters of the dissident MLAs retaliated by burning effigies of Mr Chandrasekhar Rao. Hundreds of TRS activists took out a protest rally demanding the resignation of rebel MLAs from their posts. Meanwhile in Hyderabad, the TRS withdrew its proposed agitation from November 17, following an assurance from Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy that free power would be extended to paddy also in the Rabi season.
State to free Kolleru lake of 'big fish' Thursday, November 17, 2005 | Pavan
The State government on Wednesday announced that the ongoing drive to remove enroachments at Kolleru lake is only a beginning and that it would be taken to its logical end. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy has directed principal secretary (forest and environment) Tishya Chatterjee to rush to the lake spot, make an assessment of the situation and recommend to the government an action plan for not only removing encroachments but restoring the wildlife sanctuary, most of which is encroached.A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting. Dr Rajasekhar Reddy was informed that only 20,000 acres of the 77,138 acre wildlife sanctuary were free from encroachments. With intelligence reports indicating that several benami owners had been attempting to instigate violence, the government decided to tackle the issue carefully.
Lot of scope to perform in "Shree": Tamanna Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | Pavan
I'm thrilled at the prospect of playing the female lead in Mohan Babu's film Shree, where his son Manoj plays the male lead," says the new face on the block, Tamanna, on a special visit to Tollywood to complete the shooting for Shree. The film is being produced by Lakshmi Prasanna and directed by Dasaradh. "My role demands portraying many character shades and consequently there is a lot of scope to perform well. I appreciate Mohan Babu's sincerity and dedication to his work. I feel this is a great opportunity for me to learn and grow." According to the actress, the film will be released by month end.
Suhasini and Baladitya together again Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | Pavan
Suhasini and Baladitya, the lead pair of Chantigadu, are once again coming together in Sundaraniki.. Tondarekkuva. The film is being produced by Padmini movies and will be directed by Phani Prakash. "Both Baladitya and I had good fun shooting for Jaya Madam's Chantigadu. The film gave both of us a break that we were looking for. We hope this film repeats the magic. It was great being appreciated by the public. There are a lot of lements that are similar to Chantigadu, for example, the village backdrop is the same," says Suhasini.
Mentally ill escape from hospital Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | Pavan
Eleven patients admitted to the Institute of Mental Health at Erragadda managed to escape on Monday night. The ward boys managed to catch five of them after a 20-minute chase. Six of them ran towards Erragadda main road and vanished. SR Nagar inspector B. Venkatratnam said the patients drilled an 18 inch hole in the bathroom of the jail ward and fled. "As per the law no criminal case can be registered against a mental person," the inspector said. The patients were dressed in green and white hospital uniform. At around 7.40 pm, hospital guard Narsimha spotted them escaping and informed the ward boys. The names of the patients who escaped are, P. Jitender Reddy, Nilesh, G. Devadanam, J. Shankar Rao, Vinod and Sudhakar.
Hydeabad 10K Half Marathon on November 27 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | Pavan
The inaugural edition of the Hyderabad 10K — Half-Marathon, being organised by the Hyderabad 10K Run Foundation on November 27, couldn't have asked for more. There can't be better champion sportspersons than 'master blaster' Sachin Tendulkar, tennis sensation Sania Mirza and badminton ace Pullela Gopi Chand, the latter in his capacity as one of the directors of the Foundation though, sharing the dais and pitching in for the promotion of 21-km event, the proceeds of which will go for humanitarian causes. "It gives me great pleasure to be associated with such events which promote good health and good spirit among the people," said Sachin, who is no stranger when it comes to the promotion of marathons. He helped raise Rs 30 lakhs for a charity house, 'Apna Ghar' during the Mumbai Marathon last year.
Narendra may quit cabinet Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | Pavan
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president and union minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and senior leader A. Narendra are busy working out a compromise formula to win over the dissidents in the party. TRS sources said that as per the formula, Mr Narendra would quit the union cabinet and supervise party activities in the State after taking over as working president.Mr Chandrasekhar Rao will continue to espouse the cause of separate Telangana in Delhi and will remain founder-president. TRS Lok Sabha member from Warangal, Ravindra Naik will be nominated to the union cabinet in place of Mr Narendra, the sources added. The leaders believe that this would snuff out the demand for a leadership change. However, the crisis in the party is likely to deepen with at least six more legislators reportedly planning to join the dissident camp. MP is also said to have expressed readiness to join the rebels.
Santosh Reddy rejoins TRS Saturday, November 12, 2005 | Pavan
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president and Union labour minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao resolved the crisis in the party that was almost leading to a vertical split, by burying the hatchet and revoking the expulsion of senior leader S. Santosh Reddy. Elsewhere, in Warangal, three rebel TRS MLAs — Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy, Dugyala Srinivasa Rao and Bandari Sara Rani — participated in a protest programme resenting the government's move to withdraw free power supply to the farmers who cultivate paddy as second crop in the rabi season. Another rebel MLA K. Lakshma Reddy took part in the agitation at Narsampet.
Telangana under severe cold wave Saturday, November 12, 2005 | Pavan
The Telangana region is reeling under a severe cold wave. Chilly winds from the upper reaches of the country have brought down temperatures to below normal in almost all the places of Telangana districts.The Hyderabad meteorological department officials said that the cold spell could continue for another 48 hours. Since the Telangana region is located at a higher altitude, it would bear the brunt.Hyderabad, which is located at about 531 metres above sea level, recorded 12ºC, which is below normal for this time of the year. Temperatures fell to 10ºC at Medak, while Mahbubnagar, Nizamabad and Nalgonda recorded 11ºC. The temperatures are 5ºC below normal.
India spent Rs 3cr for neem patent Saturday, November 12, 2005 | Pavan
De-patenting of neem and turmeric cost the Centre Rs 3 crore. India successfully revoked the patents on haldi (turmeric) and Basmati (rice) granted by the US Patent and Trademark Officer (US PTO) and the neem patent granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), Union minister for health and family welfare Anbumani Ra-madoss said. "We spent Rs 3 crore to depatent neem and turmeric. It is nearly impossible to obtain patents for all medicinal uses and it is extremely expensive and time consuming to fight patents granted to others," he said.Dr Ramadoss said the government had set-up the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, a original proprietary database that is fully protected under national and international laws of intellectual property rights. About 70,000 ayurvedic, 55,000 unani and 15,000 siddha formulations have been created on TKDL and translated into English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese.
Court lets CBI open Monica Bedi case Saturday, November 12, 2005 | Pavan
The special court for CBI cases at Hyderabad allowed CBI to re-investigate the Abu Salem-Monica Bedi fake passport case. They had secured passports from the Hyderabad Regional Passport Office on fake names and non-existent Kurnool addresses.The CBI had filed a petition on Friday evening requesting that the court allow them to reinvestigate the case as the accused were now available for prosecution, even though the chargesheet has been filed. The CBI informed the court that Monica Bedi would be produced at the quarters of the judge at Secunderabad.Abu Salem is named as accused number 1 in the case, followed by his second wife Sabeena Azam and Monica Bedi. Four months ago the court had issued non-bailable warrants for Salem and Bedi.The CBI filed a petition under section 178 sub-clause 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code for reopening the investigation after the chargesheet was filed.
Chittoor teacher suspended Friday, November 11, 2005 | Pavan
The municipal high school science teacher who used to summon girls and feel them up was suspended on Thursday. Chronicle had reported the misdoings of the teacher on November 9. Interestingly, officials who visited the school also transferred all the 16 teachers because they had not been maintaining a leave record. Chittoor municipal commissioner V. Rajendra Prasad suspended Ravi Chandran of the Gandlapalli municipal high school on the instructions of district collector S.S. Rawat. School students, whose previous complaints against the teachers had evoked no action, thanked Mr Prasad. District educational officer M. Rama Lingam visited the school on Wednesday to ascertain the functioning of the school. He said he had been instructed to inspect all the municipal schools. He said that the long tenures of teachers in the same school had introduced an element of laxity.
Children Film Festival from Nov 14th at Hyderabad Friday, November 11, 2005 | Pavan
For the first time, the children’s film festival from November 14 will screen a movie for visually challenged children that they can 'see'.Katt Katt Kad Kaddu directed by Jayashree Kanal will be an audio-described movie.CFSI chief executive office Satish Pendharkar told this correspondent that the dialogues of this 90-minute Hindi movie had been framed in such a way that viewers can follow the movie without having to watch the visuals.Over 20 children from Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands will participa-te in the 7-day festival. In all, 173 films will be screened in different cinema halls in the city. The inaugural film will be Chhutkan Ki Mahabharat by Sankalp Meshram, which won the best children's feature film at this year's national awards. CFSI chairperson Nafisa Ali told that the she met Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy to push the construction of the building for Children's Film Society, Hyderabad, with state-of-the-art facilities.
YSR puts ration card for LPG rule on hold Friday, November 11, 2005 | Pavan
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy put back indefinitely the government proposal to insist on ration cards for LPG cylinders.Dr Reddy told mediapersons that the government would not insist on ration cards for supply of LPG cylinders without first mobilising people’s opinion on the issue.He told mediapersons that it was only a suggestion made by some officials and the State government had yet not taken any decision on it. "We will not take any decision that will affect the common man, particularly women. We will first complete the distribution of ration cards and review the gas supply next year. After mobilising public opinion we will take a decision," he said.On November 8, agriculture and civil supplies minister N. Raghuveera Reddy told: "We have decided to make ration cards a must for supply of gas cylinders." The reason was to prevent misuse of LPG by commercial units
Girls accuse teacher of harassment Wednesday, November 9, 2005 | Pavan
Students of the Gandlapalli municipal high school here have alleged that their science teacher has been harassing girls for the last six months. This comes barely a week after a headmaster in a Visakhapatnam district school was suspended for allegedly taking pictures of girl students with his camera on his mobile phone. Some parents of some girls had complained to the school headmaster, district education officer, Chittoor municipal commissioner and district collector three months ago. When no action was forthcoming, they spoke to the media. Class X students Akshara and Malini (names changed) alleged that their science teacher Ravi Chandran used to tease them. "He used to call us to his room to correct assignments and touch us." He threatened the girls not to complain to their parents. One student left the school due to the harassment, the girls said.
CM meets Governor, sparks off rejig talk Wednesday, November 9, 2005 | Pavan
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy met Governor Sushilkumar Shinde on Tuesday, triggering speculation of a possible expansion of the State Cabinet in a couple of days.The Chief Minister’s Office, a prime source of news, "leaked" information about a possible Cabinet expansion. Congress legislators anyway are talking about an expansion, and the sudden meeting of YSR with the Governor lent credence to the speculation. Also, Dr Reddy had previously indicated that he would ex-pand his Cabinet after municipal and cooperative elections.The recent comment by Khairatabad legislator P. Janardhan Reddy demanding revival of the deputy chief minister’s post for Telangana was also said to be made as a pressure tactic.But once the story began to take a life of its own, the CMO switched off the excitement. Dr Reddy met the Governor to explain the implications of the High Court’s judgement striking down reservations for Mu-slims and the government’s decision to move the Supreme Court, CMO sources said.
TD blames Cong for quashing of Muslim Reservations Tuesday, November 8, 2005 | Pavan
The Opposition blamed the Congress government for the quashing of the Muslim Reservation Act by the AP High Court and demanded that it take legal steps to ensure that the minority community gets the benefit of quota in government jobs and educational institutions.The Telugu Desam alleged that the Congress government knew beforehand that the Act would not stand legal scrutiny. "The Congress rushed through the Act for the sake of Muslim votes in municipal elections. The government did not heed the Opposition advice," TD politburo member S.M. Laljan Basha said."The party had been cheating minorities since Independence. It has always used Muslims as a vote bank," he said. TD senior leader M.V. Mysoora Reddy said the government should take the Opposition into confidence to ensure that Muslims get reservations.
Muslim reservations unconstitutional: HC Tuesday, November 8, 2005 | Pavan
A five-member constitutional bench of the AP High Court on Monday struck down the law providing five per cent reservations to Muslims in public employment and educational institutions. The constitutional bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Bilal Nazki, Justice G. Raghuram, Justice V.V.S. Rao, Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice R. Subash Reddy unanimously declared that the action of the State in providing reservation to Muslims as a community was unconstitutio-nal, ultra vires and unsustainable.The bench said that the report of the Backward Classes Commission, based on which the State had provided the reservations, was unscientific. The court gave three weeks for the government to move the Supreme Court. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajase-khar Reddy said the government would appeal the verdict. This is the second time the court has struck down reservations for Muslims. On September 21, 2004, the High Court had struck down government order 33 of July 12, 2004. The court had held that the GO was ultra vires and that the State government had not consulted the BC Commission before providing reservation.The State government duly set up a BC Commission headed by retired High Court judge Dalva Subramaniyam. Based on its report, the government promulgated two ordinances, No. 8 and No. 13, providing reservations for Muslims while excluding the creamy layer. The AP Assembly later enacted AP Reservation of Seats Act or Act 21 of 2005, replacing Ordinance 8.
YS gets a dose of bitter medicine from Jairam Monday, November 7, 2005 | Pavan
Congress’ Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said some districts in the State had the worst record in health care. The surprising observation on his party-ruled government came in the presence of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy at an interaction between World Bank officials and self-help groups (SHGs). Mr Ramesh also said that elected representatives were ignoring the implementation of government schemes in the State. The reason for Mr Ramesh's candid observations: He was not aware that the media was invited to cover the session.Mr Ramesh said that while there was no system to deliver health care in the country, the situation was bad in the State and worse in Adilabad, Warangal and Khammam districts where his MP local area development funds are being spent. Health care is available only on paper, he said. Mr Ramesh suggested that the SHGs should be entrusted with the maintenance of primary health centres. The Congress MP was reacting to an observation made by World Bank South Asia director Praful Patel. He narrated the instance of a donor who showed off a new hospital he had funded in a village. "He wanted me to convey to the Chief Minister that there are no doctors and that the government should immediately appoint doctors," he said. Mr Patel also expressed concern over people giving low priority to health and said the focus should be on improving women's health.
5,000 mosques duck Wakf properties list Monday, November 7, 2005 | Pavan
About 5,000 Muslim institutions have refused to register with the State Wakf Board, leaving their properties open to misuse and their funds unrecorded. Section 36 of the Wakf Act 1995 makes it mandatory for management committees of mosques, dargahs, chillas and other Muslim institutions to obtain registration with the State Wakf Board. The survey commissionerate of wakfs, which is carrying out the second survey of wakf institutions in the State after five decades, has noticed that many Muslim bodies that came into existence after the first survey have not registered with the Wakf Board. The violation was more pronounced in Kurnool, Nellore, Prakasam, Medak and Hyderabad districts. Hyderabad alone has about 400 unregistered bodies. In the absence of properties not being registered as wakf, the Landgrab Court and the AP Wakf Tribunal would not entertain cases of encroachments. The government would not pay compensation in case land is acquired from such institutions. It will also give scope for management committees of unregistered bodies to resort to corrupt practices. The Board will lose revenue as every registered property has to pay six per cent of its income towards the wakf fund.
Ghajini Sunday, November 6, 2005 | Pavan
Cast: Surya, Asin, Nayanatara, Pradeep Rawat, and others Music: Harris Jayaraj Presented by: Allu Aravind Story, screenplay and directed by: A R Murugudoss > Surya starrer, Tamil blockbuster, Ghajini, dubbed into Telugu with the same name is paisa vasool film. Packed with slick narration, very fine performances by the lead pair Surya and Asin, high technical values, Ghajini offers terrific entertainment in commercials film style. What makes Ghajini a class apart from the regular revenge dramas is its stylish presentation by the most promising director A R Murugudoss. Though the basic plot is 'lifted' from Hollywood flick, Memento and romantic scenes resemble to that of Muralikrishnudu, Murgudoss makes it a very good entertainer using hero Surya's 'handsome looks and performance skills' to the advantage of its story. And its technical values are far superior to the standard of south Indian films. This is the right example of a terrific blend of right content and technical values.
Sri releases on Nov 26th Sunday, November 6, 2005 | Pavan
Hero Manoj's current film, Sri, is getting ready for release on November 26th release. The film's music scored by Sandeep Chowtha is to releae this week. Directed by Dasarath, Sri also stars Mohan Babu in a key role. He has just finished shooting for the film. Sri is produced by Mohan Babu. A new girl Tamanna has paired up with Manoj in this action thriller.
A song on Balakrishna, Sada in RFC Sunday, November 6, 2005 | Pavan
Hero Balakrishna’s current film is progressing briskly. The film is currently being shot in Hyderabad. A song is to be shot on hero Balakrishna and main heroine Sada next week in a specially erected set at Ramoji Film City. Sada is shooting for the first time with Balakrishna. Another sexy heroine, Tanushree Dutta has roped in to play the second role and she will resume soon shoot.
"Jai Chiranjeeva" audio on 12th, confirmed Sunday, November 6, 2005 | Pavan
Megastar's fans can rejoice now. Chiranjeevi's Jai Chiranjeeva’s music is finally hitting the markets on November 12th with a bang. This big budgeted extravaganza has finished its talkie. Adtiya Music, which acquired the rights of the film for a whopping amount, is making all plans to release it in big way. There will be a big function to be held on the eve of music release that will be aired on a private Television channel.
Free power to formers to continue: YS Sunday, November 6, 2005 | Pavan
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy on Saturday defended his decision to discourage cultivation of paddy in water-deficient areas, even as he gets ready to face an Opposition onslaught over his decision to add 'conditional clauses' to his free power scheme. Dr Reddy told the AP Congress committee executive meeting here that the government had decided to discourage paddy cultivation to check excessive exploitation of groundwater. Such steps were taken even by the previous TD government, he explained. He ruled out using force against farmers who disobeyed the order.
Another TRS MLA joins rebel forces Sunday, November 6, 2005 | Pavan
Another TRS legislator joined the rebels on Saturday even as the party leadership tried to quell dissidence. Mudhole legislator Narayana Rao Patel joined the rebel bandwagon, taking to six the number of MLAs who have questioned party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao's "authoritarian rule." Also on Saturday, Sanga-reddy legislator T. Jayapra-kash Reddy who had spoken out against "family rule" by Mr Rao met Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy amid speculation that he would join the Congress. Mr Patel held a press conference at Adilabad and expressed dissatisfaction over the "undemocratic" practices of Mr Chandrasek-har Rao. Asked if he would quit TRS to join Mr Santosh Reddy, who has been expel-led by the TRS, he simply said, "let me decide." After day-long efforts to appease the four Warangal legislators who had come out against the TRS leadership, Mr Rao and Mr A. Narendra held a joint press conference to announce that there was no crisis in the party and it was only a media creation. They warned that they would intensify the separate Telangana movement to the level of the 1969 Telangana agitation which witnessed largescale violence.
PUP meet on November 9 Saturday, November 5, 2005 | Pavan
The Public Undertakings committee meeting will be held on November 9, in Committee hall, at Assembly building. The committee will review the functioning and activities of the AP state industrial Infrastructure Corporation at 11 am. At 12 Noon, the Committee will have a comprehensive review of AP State civil supplies corporation for the year 1993-94, examine of left over audit paras contained in the report of the Comptroller and Audit General of India (Commercial) for the year 2002-03 pertaining to AP State Civil Supplies Corporation and the audit paras contained in the report of the comptroller and auditor general of India (commercial) for the year 1992-93 pertaining to erstwhile Essential Commodities Corporation Limited (ESCOM).
Headmaster accused of molesting girl students Saturday, November 5, 2005 | Pavan
Angry parents and village elders demanded action against a headmaster of a government school who made sexual overtures to a Class IX girl student. It also emerged that he had allegedly made similar demands of several other students.Headmaster Indraganti Subramanyam, a bachelor who is due to retire in seven months, allegedly showed vulgar photos to student Vasanthi (name changed) with his camera-enabled cellphone and tried to entice her. Vasanthi complained to her parents that Mr Subramanyam had asked her to come to his house and showed her the picture of a nude couple on his camera phone. "He told me that we could pose like the couple, and that it will be very nice. He said, 'I will show you heaven, let us go to Visakhapatnam, spend some days there and get married. In any case if I die you will get my pension'," Vasanthi said. On Thursday, her father, an AP Transco employee, went to the school with other parents and village elders to question the headmaster. To their surprise, other students came forward and said that they had also been harassed by him.
Fourt TRS MLAs came out against KCR Saturday, November 5, 2005 | Pavan
Four TRS legislators and two party leaders from Warangal district came out against party chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday, publicly criticising his gag order and expressing support for rebel ex-minister S. Santosh Reddy.In a joint statement, they said Mr Chandrasekhar Rao was "undemocratic and feudalistic" and "vindictive" and that he ran the party like his "personal fiefdom." The legislators are Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy, Dugyala Srinivasa Rao, K. Laxma Reddy, B. Shara Rani and the leaders, State secretaries Kola Janardhan and R. Amarender Reddy. The legislators came out in the open hours after AP Congress president K. Keshava Rao told the media that at least a dozen TRS legislators were dissatisfied with the party leadership. He said that the TRS was breaking up not because of the Congress but due to the "utter failure" of the leadership.
Endless wait for Gulf migrant Thursday, November 3, 2005 | Pavan
The evil designs of the errant Gulf agents continue to devastate poor families of victimised migrant labourers in Sircilla division. In a latest testimony to this havoc, an impoverished woman of Gopalraopalle village in Sircilla mandal has been spending sleepless nights along with her two grown-up children in anticipation of the arrival of her husband who went missing under mysterious circumstances in Saudi Arabia over a year ago. Aluri Padma, 37, has been waiting in agony for the safe return of her husband Aluri Kasaiah, 41, who left for Saudi Arabia in March, 2004 in search of greener postures at the behest of one of his close relatives. Unable to earn livelihood in his village due to severe drought conditions in 2004, Kasaiah embarked on the journey to Gulf with the money borrowed from the local moneylenders along with one Ram Reddy of Marupaka in Vemulawada mandal.
Adilabad tops in missing cases Thursday, November 3, 2005 | Pavan
Adilabad district may be topping the State in missing cases reported over the last few years. According to official sources, 582 missing cases were reported from 1996 to October 2005 in the district. Missing cases have assumed importance following the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s observations against the State police who failed to trace some persons after Habeas Corpus petitions were filed in the court. The Singareni coal belt area reported more missing cases in the district. Police said youth embracing Naxalism could be one of the reasons for this. The police feel that missing cases are also reported when youngsters elope, labourers migrate and some desert their families. Police said that parents of missing people do not inform them about the return of their kin. There are a few cases in which they failed to trace missing persons and closed the files. Nearly 409 missing persons have been traced till now, while the whereabouts of 173 are yet not yet known.
The light-weight artificial limb developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) of Hyderabad has given a new lease of life to a polio-stricken Kenyan. Mr Richard of Kenya was delighted at the 'customised' limb made for him by a team of doctors headed by Dr Narendranath and Dr Rajendra Kumar of the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims).Although the artificial limbs, manufactured on a large scale by Nims, have helped hundreds of children in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, this is the first time it is being fitted on a patient from outside the country. The doctors took three days to 'customise' the floor reaction orthosis calipers for Mr Richard at a cost of Rs 1,000. "I feel very comfortable," said an elated Mr Richard, who was stricken with polio when he was three years old. "Earlier, I used wear heavier calipers. I have no words to thank the doctors at Nims," the Kenyan told mediapersons.
