Exterior of Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly (Photo: PTI)
Hyderabad:
The historic first session of the AP Legislative Assembly post bifurcation will begin on Thursday. The ruling Telugu Desam is not too worried as it will be dealing with inexperienced YSR Congress legislators. Though the opposition is numerically strong, unlike in the Telangana Assembly, it has to be seen how the YSRC performs the role of the main opposition party.
The YSRC is likely to raise the issue of farm loan waiver as the government did not make a clear statement on how it is going to implement it. As farmers have already been served notices of auction of gold loans, the YSRC wants to cash in on the brewing unrest.
Following protests by the YSRC, the Assembly’s agenda was amended on Wednesday to include homage to late Allagadda MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy. Late Nandigama MLA Tangirala Prabha-kar Rao’s name was already mentioned. YSRC MLA Bhuma Nagireddy had alleged the government’s action was inhuman and partisan.
Protem speaker P. Narayanaswamy will administer the oath of office to the newly-elected MLAs. The Assembly will have 173 members and the sessions will be held in Hyderabad.
Around 1,200 police personnel from the Tela-ngana and AP will prov-ide security for the Asse-mbly. AP police DGP J.V. Ramudu said, “As the Assembly is situated in Telangana, its police will take care of security. We will give support by deploying our men.”
AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu discussed the arrangements with Mr Ramudu and legislature secretary (in-charge) K. Satyanarayana Rao.
YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who will be entering the Assem-bly for the first time as an MLA and floor leader of the YSRC Legislature Party, held discussions with his party MLAs on the strategy to be implemented in the Assembly.
Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan will address the joint sitting of the Legislative Council and Assembly on June 21.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Politics / DC / by U. Sudhakar Reddy / June 19th, 2014
D. Rama Krishna (extreme left), MD, Efftronics, addressing a press meet in Vijayawada on Friday. – Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
City-based technology company, Efftronics Systems Private Limited developed ‘Automatic Signalling System Integrity Tester’, an electronic testing system, which ensures safe running of trains. This system conducts several test cases generated by the software and there are inbuilt checks for every detail like wiring, platforms and clearances for operations of trains.
In the normal course, signal engineers conduct a thorough test before introducing any signalling system at a station. After rectifying any defects, if any, they certify its safety and introduce train operations, said D. Rama Krishna, Managing Director of Efftronics Systems, here on Friday.
“The testing in the existing practice is done manually and there is scope for errors. This apart, there is no evidence available for tests conducted and results obtained for future reference in case of any accidents,” he explained.
The Automatic Signalling System Integrity Tester was aimed at addressing such deficiencies. The system would generate several test cases and tests were conducted by embedded electronic system. The results were automatically evaluated by the software, he said.
Details pertaining to tests conducted, results obtained and defects observed are all recorded for reference of signal engineers. Over a dozen employees worked on this project for about four years. Last year, this system was tested at 24 stations in the country and 99 defects were detected at 16 stations, claimed Mr. Krishna.
Rail Business, a monthly magazine supported by Asian Railway Association and Asian Institute of Transport Development, New Delhi presented its “Product of the Year -2013” award to Efftronics.
Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar presented the award to B. Sambireddy, Chief Engineer of Efftronics at New Delhi on June 6.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – June 14th, 2014
Vaibhav Jewellers chairman-cum-managing director Mallika Manoj Grandhi said that the first chain store would be launched in the fertilizer city Kakinada on the Temple Street by Tamil Nadu Governor Konejeti Rosaiah, Thursday.
She told mediaperons here Wednesday that the largest collection of gold, platinum, diamond and silver jewellery and articles with exquisite designs would be available in the showroom.
Vaibhav Jewellery executive director Amarendra Grandhi said the designs were carefully selected from across the country to suit the tastes of customers. Quality and craftsmanship are the specialities. Gopal Automotive Services chairman-cum-managing director Ch Ravindra would light the lamp. RM Rice Mill proprietor SK Reddy and Green Field Schools director GN Rao would be the first purchasers from the ground to the first floors, he announced. Vaibhav deputy general manager (marketing) J Raghunadh and others were present.
Grandhi Ram Murthi first floated Vaibhav Textiles in 1900 at Eluru and Grandhi Bala Krishna developed it in 1937. Later in 1964, Grandhi Narendras took the mantle and diversified into Vaibhav Jewellery.
It was opened in Visakhapatnam in 1995. It has now emerged as Vaibhav Empire Private Limited. The group is providing employment to 450 persons directly.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / June 05th, 2014
Officials of the Krishna district branch of New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) on Monday distributed fuel-efficient smokeless chulhas in Veerulapadu mandal headquarters and in Jujjur village under Veerlulapadu mandal.
“Conventional firewood stoves have only 8 per cent fuel efficiency against the smokeless chulhas with 30 per cent fuel-efficiency, developed by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,” said NREDCAP Krishna district Manager K. Srinivasa Rao.
Allotted
He said of the 1,000 chulhas allotted to the Krishna district unit, 500 were given to beneficiaries in Veerulapadu mandal and another 500 in Jujjuru village.
Subsidy
The cost of each is Rs. 150. With the State extending a subsidy of Rs. 125, the beneficiaries paid only Rs. 25 per chulha, he said. MDO P. Srinivasulu, sarpanch B. Bikshali, ZPTC Sk. Md. Shahnaz Begum and MPTCs Sk. Nagul Meera and T. Veerababu were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – June 03rd, 2014
Gannavaram Airport Director B.G. Patil has an action plan ready. He will play a key role in developing the airport on par with international standards.
He has been at the forefront of the development of Gannavaram airport for the last five years. Now, the airport has reached a stage where it is poised to be transformed into an international one in the next few years, thanks to its proximity to Guntur and Vijayawada where the capital of Andhra Pradesh is likely to come up.
He will play a key role in developing the airport on par with international standards. An action plan has also been chalked out in coordination with elected representatives from the region to achieve the goal.
Meet B.G. Patil (56), a native of Bidar in Karnataka, who has been striving to develop the airport on all fronts ever since he took charge as Project In-Charge in June 2009. He supervised runway strengthening works and the construction of the taxiway and apron.
The works taken up at a cost of Rs. 50 crore were completed within the stipulated time. Installation of the landing system equipment, tower automation and surveillance systems were some other projects executed under his supervision.
As the terminal was congested, extension works were carried out for the convenience of passengers. Conveyer belts were placed for baggage loading at the arrival counter. For night landing facility, simple approach lightings were installed on both sides of the runway. “With the assistance of senior officials, we took a series of steps to develop the airport,” says Mr. Patil.
While Mr. Patil was serving as Project In-Charge, orders came from the headquarters in New Delhi in October 2012, informing that he was appointed as Director of Gannavaram airport. He is also in charge of project and maintenance works at Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam airports.
“We are striving hard to improve facilities here,” Mr. Patil says. A blueprint is being prepared in-coordination with local MPs and MLAs for developing Gannavaram into an international airport, he adds.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by M. Srinivas / Vijayawada – June 10th, 2014
Fun lovers yet to get the green signal to indulge in adventure sports on the island. A number of adventure games were introduced in the island to add to the fun element for the younger lot.
Fun-loving children, who can’t wait to chill out in the series of exotic and adventure games introduced on Bhavani Island on the river Krishna, eagerly look forward to the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Yes, there is a connection between the two. Children who throng the picturesque island with the fond hope of freaking out in the adventure zone that promises loads of fun, especially after installation of a number of fun games like ‘Jungle Gym’, wall-climbing and most importantly, the water-roller that allows fun-lovers to walk, float and roll on water in a 12-feet-long cylindrical PVC structure, are crest-fallen when they are asked to wait for some more days.
The Hindu
A number of adventure games were introduced in the island to add to the fun element for the younger lot. But elections, followed by the bifurcation, marred the smooth sail. The local AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) authorities are now waiting for the green signal from the government (which does not exist) to bring the new equipment into use.
“The fun-starved kids in this region have never had their share of entertainment. The island somehow has never delivered the promised fun and frolic. It has always disappointed visitors in some way or the other. It took years for the APTDC authorities to wake up to the tourism potential of this place and bring in games that could attract large crowds. When it was done finally, the elections and bifurcation played spoilsport,” rues Soumya, a young mother. “Driven by the exciting idea of riding a water-roller sporting a life jacket, I visited the island only to be told that the new sports have not yet been made operational,” says a disappointed Chanakya.
Besides taking up repairs to the damaged play equipment like Burma Bridge and other adventure sports, completion of the long-awaited amphitheatre and renovation of the restaurant and tree-top cottages, the Tourism Corporation authorities have introduced high rope activities, a climbing wall, a Tarzan swing and much more. Funds to the tune of Rs. 1 crore have been spent to spruce up the island but it will take some time before young fun-lovers can actually reap the benefits.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by P. Sujatha Varma / Vijayawada – June 03rd, 2014
N Chandrababu Naidu arrives for swearing-in-ceremony. (Photo: Twitter)
Vijayawada:
Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of new Andhra Pradesh at a function at Nagarjuna Nagar, 18 kms from on Sunday. Governor E S L Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chandrababu at 7:27 PM, the auspicious “muhurtam” set for the occasion.
Several Union ministers, Chief Ministers of various states and senior leaders of BJP attended the swearing-in ceremony. Naidu took oath in the name of God in Telugu amidst thunderous cheers by party workers.
Some ministers were also sworn in on the occasion. Chandrababu paid obeisance to the statue of Telugu Talli (reverential mother of Telugus) on the dais before taking oath.
Braving the blistering heat, lakhs of people attended the unprecedented grand ceremony on a sprawling 70-acre open site opposite Acharya Nagarjuna University. Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, M Venkaiah Naidu, Ananth Kumar, Kalraj Mishra, Prakash Javadekar, Nirmala Sitharaman attended the function.
Chief Ministers Parkash Singh Badal of Punjab, Manohar Parikar of Goa, Vasundhara Raje Scindia of Rajasthan, Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh, T R Zeling of Nagaland were also present along with senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and several others.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P J Kurien and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal were also present. Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and Telugu film stars Pawan Kalyan, NTR Junior and Kalyan Ram also attended the ceremony.
Art of Living guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, badminton star Pullela Gopichand, top industrialists like G Mallikarjuna Rao of GMR Group and a host of other VIPs attended the ceremony. Chandrababu’s wife Bhuvaneswari, son Lokesh, daughter-in-law Brahmani and other relatives were also present.
Earlier in the day, Naidu paid tribute at the NT Rama Rao Ghat ahead of his swearing-in ceremony. Naidu likely to announce sops for people including rise in pensions for handicapped.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief is the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh after the formation of Telangana. Earlier this week, Naidu had announced that he would work from Hyderabad, putting at rest speculation that he would open a “camp office” in Vijayawada.
Niadu also had to weather some political storms, mostly notably the exit of K Chandrasekhar Rao from the TDP and the launch of Telangana Rashtra Samiti with the only demand for bifurcation of the state.
He had to eventually give in to the separate state demand and alter the TDP’s united AP policy.
In 2009, Chandrababu would have wrested power from the Congress but for the emergence of actor Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) that cut into the anti-incumbency votes and helped Y S Rajasekhara Reddy retain power. Thus, Chandrababu was relegated to the opposition leader’s slot for a second successive term.
He faced the threat of political extinction as nobody gave TDP a chance of returning to power in 2014 in the face of a serious challenge posed by another new entrant YSR Congress of Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on the state’s political scene.
The state bifurcation came as a blessing in disguise for Chandrababu as people saw hope only in him as a tall and “experienced” leader who could recreate the magic and build the new state of AP into a well-developed province.
The 2014 election mandate in Andhra Pradesh was decisively in his favour. And, this will be by far the biggest political challenge for the shrewd campaigner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Naidu and said that the Centre is committed to extending all possible help to the people and government of Andhra Pradesh.
On Saturday, YSRC Chief Jaganmohan Reddy flayed the “pomp and show” associated with the “coronation” of N Chandrababu Naidu and said he does not want to be part of the “extravagant” swearing-in ceremony when Andhra Pradesh is in deep crisis.
Naidu’s TDP had fought the elections as BJP’s alliance, winning a majority in the assembly elections with 108 out of 175 seats. The party also won 17 seats in the Lok Sabha. TDP is also BJP’s second largest ally in Parliament.
Here are the highlights of the swearing-in ceremony:
Governor ESL Narasimhan administers oath of secrecy to Chandrababu Naidu at 7:27 pm
TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu takes oath as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
AOL Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrives at venue of swearing in ceremony of Chandrababu Naidu
N. Chinna Rajappa takes oath as minister in Chandrababu Naidu’s Cabinet
Ch. Ayyanapatrudu takes oath as minister in the Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
B. Gopalakrishna Reddy takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Devineni Umamaheswara Rao takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Dr. P. Narayana takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Paritala Sunitha takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
P. Pulla Rao takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Dr. Kamineni Srinivas of BJP takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Kamineni Srinivas takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Palle Raghunath Reddy takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Peethala Sujatha takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
K. Achannaidu takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Siddha Raghava Rao takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Kimidi Mrinalini takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Kollu Ravindra takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Ravela Kishore takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Manikyala Rao takes oath as minister in Cabinet of Chandrababu Naidu
Swearing-in ceremony concludes with national anthem
Union Home Minister Rajnanth assures total cooperation from Centre for development of Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu dedicates TDP victory in elections to Telugus
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announces that first cabinet meeting will be conducted at Visakhapatnam
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu assures that cases slapped against NGO leaders will be withdrawn
Andhra Pradesh will be developed as number 1 state if centre extends support
Naidu asks Telugus across globe to extend their help to construct Andhra Pradesh
Naidu says he has confidence that NDA government will extend fullest cooperation
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Politics / by PTI/DC / June 08th, 2014
The past glory of the Gooty fort returns if the government releases the funds required for its development as proposed two years ago. The fort which has an outer fortification is a shell-shaped one and has grand palaces for the king and queen atop the hillock.
The fort is further known for its ingenious water management by using almost 108 wells dug within the ramparts of fort walls for survival during times of war.
Currently, the fort is in a shambles for lack of funds.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has prepared a project seeking funds to the tune of Rs. 8.50 crore which proposes total preservation of the fort and improvement of tourist amenities.
Speaking to The Hindu , the Conservation Assistant of the ASI, Mr. Satyam, has said that the ASI submitted a proposal to that effect to the Ministry of Tourism in 2012. After the jungle clearance, debris from the major breaches at the entrance of the fort will be cleared and the same building material will be used to reconstruct the old fort walls, says Mr. Satyam. He has also said that all the pathways within the fort will be restored so that they can walk from the entrance of the fort to the palaces of the king and queen.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staf Reporter / Anantapur – June 07th, 2014
Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan tonight appointed Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu as the first Chief Minister of the new state of Andhra Pradesh and invited him to form the government.
A delegation of TDP legislators met the Governor at Raj Bhavan here this afternoon and handed over a letter informing about the election of Naidu as the leader of Telugu Desam Legislature Party. The legislators requested Narasimhan’s to formally invite their leader to form the government.
On his suggestion, the TDP subsequently communicated in writing details of the swearing-in ceremony to be held at 7.27 pm on June 8 at Nagarjuna Nagar, located between Vijayawada and Guntur.
Based on this, the Governor issued a warrant appointing Naidu as the Chief Minister and inviting him to form the government. The TDLP met in the temple-town of Tirupati late last night and unanimously elected Naidu as its leader.
Senior legislators Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, K E Krishna Murthy, Mandali Buddha Prasad, Dhulipalla Narendra and P Sujatha met Narasimhan this afternoon and informed him about the unanimous election. “We requested the Governor to invite Chandrababu Naidu to form the government of (new) Andhra Pradesh,” Yanamala later told reporters.
Elaborate arrangements are being made for the swearing-in ceremony as over five lakh people are expected to attend. Union ministers and chief ministers of various states are expected to attend the ceremony. Naidu has sent personal invitation letters to them, and spoken to some of them over phone, TDP sources said.
Though he has personally invited the Prime Minister Narendra Modi too, there is no confirmation about his participation.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> India / Agency: PTI / Thursday – June 07th, 2014
The Sarvotham Grandhalaya, which has a glorious history. — / PHOTO: V. RAJU / The Hindu
The more than 100-year-old Andhra Pradesh Library Association (APLA) is falling apart, thanks to bifurcation.
Ironically, the Association recently celebrated completion of 100 years of its existence, recalling the hoary past which has witnessed concerted and committed efforts of individuals from across Andhra Pradesh, both Telangana and Seemandhra region, in promoting library movement across the length and breadth of the nation.
The executive committee of the Association met recently in Hyderabad where some of its members from Telangana region expressed their desire to part ways and float their separate Association.
The meeting decided to constitute an ad hoc committee with Boyinapalli Venkata Rama Rao, the now vice-president of the APLA, and a combined meeting would be called to float the new Telangana Library Association.
“The demand for a separate Association came from that side and we did not want to disrespect it. We hope that the two organisations will work with equal enthusiasm for promotion of the principles we have so long adhered to,” Raavi Sarada, secretary of the APLA told The Hindu.
The main aim of the Association was to take the library movement into the public and to establish libraries in every village.
With changing times, a strong need was felt to set up a library in the heart of Vijayawada city and on March 30 in 1987, a library was inaugurated on Ugadi day by the then APLA secretary Pathuri Nagabhushanam and called ‘Sarvotthama Grandhalyama’, named after Mr. Nagabhushanam’s predecessor Gadicherla Harisarvottama Rao.
Since, then the library has grown in leaps and bounds and currently equipped with 22,000 books.
The library is a favourite spot for those pursuing a research in Telugu literature. The collection includes stuff on English literature, history, material on personality development and competitive exams.
The library is fully automated and served, on an average, 200 readers everyday besides providing internet, printing and photocopying services to the readers.
“Government should take note of the services rendered by libraries in disseminating and enhancing knowledge and provide financial assistance for their further improvement,” says Ms. Sarada.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / P. Sujatha Varma / Vijayawada – June 03rd, 2014
