Monthly Archives: June 2014

Training for NSSO Officials from Today

Records, All, Science & Technology

Guntur :

National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) Kadapa regional office director R Manohar has urged the people to cooperate with the officials by providing accurate information to them.

NSSO, the key part of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, collects information from the people through its surveys.

The information thus collected is used in development planning and policy formulation by Central and state governments.

The NSSO is conducting a nationwide survey on ‘Domestic Tourism Expenditure’, ‘Household Expenditure on Services and Durable Goods’ and ‘Household Consumer Expenditure’ from July, 2014 to June, 2015.

Information relating to Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasam and Guntur districts will be collected by the Kadapa regional office.

A training programme for sample collection officers will be held from June 16 to 19 in Guntur, according to a press release from V Bhimeswara Rao, assistant director NSSO Guntur.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com  / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / June 16th, 2014

Merged Mandals’ Maps Ready

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Records, All

Rajahmundry :

The district administration has prepared maps relating to four mandals of Bhadrachalam revenue division of Khammam district to be merged in East Godavari district.

As the Central government promulgated an ordinance relating to merge of the mandals, the district administration prepared the maps of each village and mandals. The maps will be submitted to the government shortly.

As many as four mandals of the Bhadrachalam revenue division, consisting of 123 villages, come under the purview of East Godavari district.

Out of 123 villages, 13 belong to Bhadrachalam division, 48 in Kunavaram mandal, 17 in Chintur and 45 in Vararamachandrapuram mandal.

The population of East Godavari district increases to 60 lakh with the merger of the four mandals.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com  / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / June 16th, 2014

Jet ski aquatic bikes a major attraction at Mypadu beach

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports
Jet skiing boat on Mypadu beach near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. / The Hindu
Jet skiing boat on Mypadu beach near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. / The Hindu

The charge is fixed at Rs. 250 per person for a three to four minute ride. The charge is fixed at Rs. 250 per person for a single three to four minute ride and yet there is considerable demand to the jet skies.

These days, visitors are greeted by the spectacular scenes of one or two persons riding aquatic motorbikes at the Mypadu beach in Nellore district.

The general public is being held spell-bound as this fun sport was introduced by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC). Now a joy ride on these aquatic motorbikes has become a must at this boating point.

Located nearly 24 km. from Nellore town, the Mypadu beach point has been allotted two jet ski aquatic bikes. The APTDC started offering this service keeping in mind the huge potential for attracting the fun-loving urban enthusiasts.

For the rural folks, the aquatic bikes are indeed a feast to the eyes. The visitors who come to bathe in the sea just stand watching in wonder as the AP tourism’s drivers take tourists on the bike ride against the lapping waves of the sea.

The charge is fixed at Rs. 250 per person for a single three to four minute ride and yet there is considerable demand to the jet skies.

The recreational water sport with these aquatic bikes has become commercially successful. The visitors, who stay at the AP Tourism’s Haritha hotel nearby, are making it a must to enjoy a ride on the jet ski bike.

Seeing the big scope for this, the AP Tourism officials picked up local youths and arranged specialised training. “I got training at Goa beach. There the sea is more or less smooth. Visitors drive the jet ski by themselves with expert swimmers kept available for emergencies,” said Ch. Srinu, who is hired as an aquatic bike driver by the APTDC.

As the sea is not smooth here, the riding enthusiasts are not being given a chance to ride the water bikes on their own. One has to sit and gently hold the handle while the AP Tourism’s driver rides the bike.

Officials of the AP Tourism intend to allow a few select individuals to rides these jet ski bikes once they get used to this riding habit.

The jet skies bikes are fitted with petrol engines and they have to be operated with extra care. The officials are hopeful of a greater patronage from the public going by the welcoming initial response to this recreational activity at Mypadu beach.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Nellore – January 11th, 2014

A R Anuradha is Andhra Pradesh’s first woman intelligence top cop

Leaders, Records, All
AP first woman chief, A R Anuradha. (Photo: the sen times) / Deccan Chronicle
AP first woman chief, A R Anuradha. (Photo: the sen times) / Deccan Chronicle

Hyderabad:

In a surprise move, AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has chosen a woman IPS official as his intelligence chief for the first time. Ms A.R. Anuradha a 1987 IPS official, has been appointed Additional DG (Intelligence).

Mr Naidu gave postings to five top officers: R.P. Thakur, Additional DG (Law and Order); Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, CID headl V.S.K. Kaumudi Additional DG (provision and logistics) and welfare; and N.V Surendra Babu, Additional DG Operations, Greyhounds, Octopus.

Ms Anuradha was Karimnagar DIG, Hyderabad region IG and ADGP, provisions and logistics.

Mr Thakur has worked as DCP West, Hyderabad, DIG Anantapur, IG Rayalaseema and IG Warangal. He was with legal metrology and drugs control and was director, Vigilance and Enforcement.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by DC Correspondent / June 12th, 2014

VGS-Cavallo Energy fast-tracks floating LNG terminal project off Andhra Pradesh

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Plan to commission the 3.6-mt terminal by July next year

Hyderabad :  

Krishna Godavari LNG Terminal Ltd, a joint venture between VGS Group, Cavallo Energy of the US and Belgium’s Exmar, is fast-tracking its 3.6 million tonnes (mt) floating terminal project off Kakinada coast in Andhra Pradesh.

The company is hastening the commissioning schedules, expecting a surge in demand, as the new State Government is set to take immediate measures to boost power production.

The $450-million (₹2,670-crore) project is expected to fire up a significant chunk of the gas-famished power units in the region, which are today lying idle for want of fuel.

Speedy commissioning

Set to face the first public hearing for environmental clearance later this month, the company is readying to start construction by November. It plans to commission the project by July next year.

Unlike shore-based LNG terminals, a floating facility, which will be the first-of-its-kind in India, takes relatively shorter time for commissioning, as ready-made floating storage and floating re-gasification units are available in the market.

The 5-mt Gangavaram Port LNG Terminal, being developed by Petronet LNG in neighbouring Visakhapatnam, is also looking at clearing the decks for the project at the earliest.

Boost to power production

MVSR Kamesam, Director (India Operations) of VGS Group, said the 3.6-mt terminal can fire up power projects with a capacity of 4,000 MW.

“After we add another 3.6 mt capacity in the next three to four years, a total of 8,000 MW of power can be generated,” he told Business Line.

An estimated 3,000 MW of capacity is today lying stranded in the new Andhra Pradesh for want of gas, especially after output from the KG Basin shrank.

The company intends to keep the cost of gas below $15 a unit (gas is measured in million British thermal units). “At this price, power can be produced at ₹5-5.50 a unit,” Kamesam said. Apart from the two floating units, which are being built in China for $250 million, the facility will include a mooring system to hold the LNG carriers and a sub-sea pipeline that will deliver gas to the shore.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by Amit Mitra / Hyderabad – June 11th, 2014

Visakhapatnam will be financial capital of Andhra Pradesh: Ayyanna

Business & Economy

Visakhapatnam :

The government would develop Vizag as the financial capital of the state, despite the challenges in front of it, Andhra Pradesh panchayat raj minister Ayyanna Patrudu told mediapersons here on Wednesday on his first visit to the city after being inducted into the Naidu cabinet.

Ayyanna Patrudu, who was inducted into cabinet for the fifth time, gave a call to industrialists to invest in Andhra Pradesh as the state would get uninterrupted power as has been assured by the central government. He demanded that the Union government extend the special status for another five years in addition to the promised five years.

The minister said that they would strive to set up a tribal university between Vizianagaram and Visakha for the convenience for the four districts in the north Andhra region and also promised to make an effort to ensure that Vizag becomes a pollution-free city.

Ayyanna Patrudu expressed confidence about getting a sanction of Rs 60 crore to start the functioning of Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) with a 200-bed facility. Other focus areas included making NH-16, which passes through the city a six-lane road with flyovers wherever needed.

He said the government will also aim to utilize the long coastline of Andhra Pradesh by proposing the establishment of 12 minor ports.

Responding to the resignation of Dadi Veerabadra Rao of the YSR Congress, Patrudu said anybody can join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) if they wish to serve the party. Moreover, the former TDP minister Dadi is an ardent fan of NTR and the party leaders will not have a problem working with him, he said.

Earlier, Ayyanna Patrudu visited the Simhachalam temple and offered prayers to Lord Varaha Lakshminarasimha Swamy.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / June 12th, 2014

GVMC to develop playgrounds in its limits

Sports

Sites have been allotted for taking up development of playgrounds in the Assembly constituencies that fall in GVMC limits.

The grounds will be developed by the Sports Department with the State Government funds and the District Sports Development Officer will oversee the works.

There was a demand in the general body meetings of the GVMC to develop a sports ground in each of the six zones. However, this has been changed to Assembly constituencies.

No site was available to develop the grounds in Visakhapatnam East, South and North constituencies that are located in the heart of the city. However, various stadiums are located in these constituencies.

For Bheemunipatnam, the ground will come up on a 2.5-acre site at Madhurawada and work has already begun, according to Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana.

For Visakhapatnam West, 70 cents of land was identified near Coromandel Gate and tenders called.

For Pendurti, six acres of land near Parawada police station and for Gajuwaka, five acres opposite Duvvada railway station have been identified.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – June 11th, 2014

Development of NW-4 a boon to A.P.

Business & Economy

Project expected to be environment-friendly and economical. The project has been in deep freezer for over five years, and it is high time it was taken out and implemented.

The development of National Waterway No. 4 will be a boon to the cash-strapped Andhra Pradesh. The waterway project that stretches from Kakinada to Puducherry for the transport of cargo in Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, West and East Godavari districts to the existing and developing ports is expected to be both environmental-friendly and economical.

NW4ANDHRA19jun2014

An estimated 11 million tonnes of cargo is expected to be transported through NW-4 every year.

Various canals can be linked with stretches of Krishna and Godavari rivers to form a 1,095-km waterway from Kakinada to Puducherry. This network of canals and sections of Krishna and Godavari rivers have been declared as the National Water No. 4 on November 25, 2008, and entrusted to the National Waterway Authority of India (NWAI) for development.

The project has been in deep freezer for over five years, and it is high time it was taken out and implemented.

Former Vijayawada Irrigation Circle Deputy Superintending Engineer Rajendra Prasad said the development of NW-4 would be a boon to Andhra Pradesh that required rapid development. Agriculture produce can be brought to the NW 4 through canals that are linked from interior rural areas, he said. The estimated cost of developing the National Waterway was Rs. 1,515 crore according to the prices of 2009.

According to a project prepared by the NWAI, stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers and Eluru Canal, which had the maximum cargo potential, could be taken up in the first phase. The estimated cost of Phase One of the project was Rs. 609 crore (as per 2009 prices). The cost of the second phase for the development of North and South Buckingham Canal, Commamur Canal and Kaluvelly Tank was Rs. 906 crore.

The Commamur Canal begins at Vijayawada and ends at Pedaganjam in Prakasam district. The North Buckingham Canal begins at Pedaganjam and continues as South Buckingham Canal to Puducherry. The project costs will have to be revised as for the new prices, Mr. Rajendra Prasad said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by G. Venkataraanan Rao / Vijayawada – June 11th, 2014

508 acres identified for tribal university

Education

Works pertaining to establishing a tribal university in Rampachodvaram Agency revenue division are in full swing, after the Centre has announced that a tribal university will come up in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana each.

Higher Education Department Principal Secretary asked East Godavari Collector Neetu Prasad to identify suitable land for the university with physical and social infrastructure which includes good road, rail and air connectivity, under the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. The Collector, in turn, referred the request to Rampachodavaram ITDA Project Officer Gandham Chandrudu, asking him to identify the site.

Rampachodavaram RDO was asked to submit a detailed report pertaining to the available land for the purpose, along with the required documents. The report was sent recently and the ITDA Project Officer inspected a piece of land measuring 508 acres on Tuesday. The proposed land is about 6 to 8 km away form Rampachodavaram, 49 km from Rajahmundry railway station and 37 km from Rajahmundry airport.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Rampachodavaram – June 11th, 2014

7 year-old Andhra boy plans to break skating record

Records, All, Sports
Picture for representational purpose (Photo: DC archives)
Picture for representational purpose (Photo: DC archives)

Tirupati:

A seven-year-old skater is trying to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.

Gundupalli Devisri Prasad, started skating at the local Srinivasa sports complex in Tirupati at the age of six. He is planning to enter the record books in Limbo skating.

Even though Devisri Prasad is confident of turning his dream into reality, he is on the lookout for sponsors to turn his dream into reality.

He has already won many sporting laurels on the global arena over the years.

The grim reality in terms of available resources including financial issues has come as the biggest hurdle for this 7-yr old skater who hails from a lower middle class family.

Devi’s father G.Lokanatham, a retired Junior technical officer in the Panchayat raj department and mother G.Padma, a housewife have been a pillar of support for Devi ever since he stepped into the skating rink.

‘My father is my biggest strength. He attends every single practice session of mine which goes on for 4 hours a day on a road between Sri Venkateswara university and Sri Venkateswara Vedic university without fail and instills confidence in me whenever i’m down’.

His father Lokanatham says ‘Devi is a god’s gift to us. He was born after close to three decades of our marriage and ever since he stepped into skating we have backed him despite our financial difficulties to ensure no hurdle comes between him and his dream of becoming the world’s best skater’.

Devi’s mother and foster mother G. Meena Prabha too chip in with the needed help when it comes to maintaining a good diet and other personal issues. Meanwhile the management of the ‘Silver Bells Central school’ where Devi is studying grade III have been very accommodating when it comes to re-scheduling special classes for him which he misses on account of his sporting engagements.

‘Devi is the best among the boys in his age group in the country, but he needs more training to win accolades for the nation in the international sporting events, which comes at a price’, says Devi’s trainer Mr.Prasad.

The young skater who is all set to go the distance to get a place in the Guinness book of world records is on the look out for sponsors to get closer to his dreams.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Politics / DC / by U. Sudhakar Reddy / June 19th, 2014