Telangana urges tribunal for equitable allocation of water

HYDERABAD: Telangana senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan on Wednesday submitted the water requirements of Telangana as per the Statement of Case of Telangana before Justice Brijesh Kumars Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II. He stated that AP will not be deprived of its due share but it seeks only fair and equitable apportionment of water between the two sibling states. When Justice Brijesh Kumar enquired about how much water is going outside basin, Vaidyanathan stated that of the 512 tmcft internal arrangement made by the erstwhile AP, 323 tmcft is diverted to outside basin and only 189 tmcft is utilised inside basin. The counsel also stated that allocating 555 tmcft of the 75 percent dependable water, AP will not get affected for its inside basin utilisations. The counsel stated there were additional sources available for projects of AP and therefore, the water thus saved will be available for Telangana within the basin. For the Krishna Delta System of AP, 43.2 tmcft of water is available under the drains and 80 tmcft Godavari water from diversion through Polavaram project are available, the Telangana advocate said. Further, the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme has also been constructed by AP downstream of the Polavaram dam site, which has been serving the Krishna Delta System (KDS) since 2015. In one of the years this scheme has transferred more than 100 tmcft water per year to Krishna Delta System. It was also informed to the Tribunal that during acute deficit year of 2023-24, KDS has utilised about 125 tmcft when the inflows at Srisailam were about 145 tmcft only. Of the 125 tmcft, Pattiseema LIS contributed a transfer of about 40 tmcft to KDS, Vaidyananthan explained. Telangana counsel informed that Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) was proposed as 150 tmcft scheme to serve the Nalgonda, Warangal and Khammam districts by gravity. But the erstwhile AP did not press for allocation to this scheme before KWDT-I and rather preferred allocation to outside basin projects of Andhra. It was also brought to the notice of the KWDT-II that the Srisailam Right Bank Canal (SRBC) of AP, which proposed to serve outside basin, and Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), which proposed to serve inside basin areas, were taken up at the same time in early 1980s by issuing government orders but AP preferred to reallocate assured water of 75 percent dependability to SRBC whereas SLBC was earmarked surplus water. Later, before KWDT-II, rather than asking for dependable water for SRBC, the erstwhile AP vehemently urged allocation of water to Telugu Ganga Project which too is serving outside basin areas, the Telangana counsel said. The Tribunal will hear further arguments by the Telangana counsel from April 15 to 17.

Telangana municipal staff still serving ex-elected representatives; CDMA orders withdrawal

HYDERABAD: Even after the expiry of the term of many municipal councils and corporations in Telangana in January this year, the staff allotted to the former mayors, deputy mayors, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons in majority of the municipalities and municipal corporations are still working with them. The term of as many as 120 municipal councils and 10 municipal corporations in the state expired in January 2025, prompting the state government to appoint special officers in their place. Taking serious note of this issue, the commissioner and director of municipal administration (CDMA) issued a circular on Monday, instructing all the municipal commissioners, except from Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC), Khammam, Siddipet, Jadcherla, Nakrekal, Achampet and Kothur, to withdraw the services of the said staff immediately, if they are still continuing with the former elected representatives. It is learnt that a few hundred staff members continue to work for the former elected representatives. The CDMA warned the municipal commissioners that any deviation in this regard would lead to disciplinary action without prior notice or intimation. Additionally, the regional director of municipal administration (RDMAs) of Hyderabad and Warangal were told to obtain certificates from municipal commissioners confirming the withdrawal of the allotted staff from the former public representatives. It is worth noting that after the expiration of the term of the elected bodies, the state government appointed special officers to 130 ULBs, including 120 municipalities and 10 corporations, to ensure continuity in urban governance and public service delivery until the newly elected bodies assume office.

Pilli Raju: The man who runs marathons, catches criminals and wins medals

KHAMMAM: The wailing siren of a police vehicle and the rhythmic pounding of running shoes these are the twin soundtracks of a police constable-cum-athletes life in Khammam. At 40, Khammams Pilli Raju is a role model not only for the Telangana police but also for the youth across the state. An armed police constable under the Khammam police commissionerate, Raju has broken full, half, and ultra-marathon records at the national and international levels. This is not all; he has also won numerous medals in long-distance running and swimming. His ultimate goal is to become an Ironman a long-distance endurance race comprising a 3.86-km swim, a 180-km bicycle ride and a 42.1-km run without a break and the grueling 100-km border run. A native of Kothala village in Wyra, Raju comes from a lower-middle class background but has always aimed high. Speaking to TNIE, he says he also hopes to guide and motivate the youth towards health and fitness, as he believes many young persons take the wrong path due to a lack of proper direction. He was inspired to take up marathon running in 2016 by the then Khammam Rural ACP B Tirupathi Reddy. Over the past nine years, he has won around 300 medals in marathon events in the 21 km, 42 km and 50 km categories. Additionally, he has secured 40 medals in the annual state police sports meet over the last 15 years. Raju also won three medals in judo, wrestling and arm wrestling at the Telangana Police Sports Meet held in Karimnagar in January. Behind every record-breaking athlete, theres often an unsung hero. In Rajus case, its his wife, Subha Rani, a junior lecturer whose financial support has allowed him to run not just races but also towards his extraordinary destiny. While he runs the physical race, she runs the financial one. All my success is due to the support of my wife. She has been the strong foundation which has allowed us all, including our daughter, who is in Class 4 now, to be the best we can be and follow our dreams, the constable says. Asked about his plans, he mentions that he wants to achieve the Ironman title. International achievements Lonavala International Marathon Ultra Challenge in Pune (50 km) Medal winner among 3,000 participating athletes on February 27 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (21 km) Completed in 1 hour 45 minutes on October 20, 2024. Tata Steel Kolkata 25 km Run Finished in 2 hours 7 minutes on December 15, 2024. Tata Mumbai Marathon (42 km) Completed in 4 hours 42 minutes on January 19, 2024. NMDC Hyderabad Marathon (42 km) Finished in 4 hours 52 minutes on August 28, 2024.

Khammam collectors sweet gift to households where girl child is born

Hyderabad: Khammam district collector Mujammil Khan has introduced a new initiative titled Girl Pride, aimed at promoting the importance of girl children and encouraging positive societal attitudes toward their birth. As part of this program, district officials will visit households where a girl child is born, distribute sweet boxes, and extend congratulations to the family. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Unseasonal rains wreak havoc in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The untimely rains accompanied by hailstorms, lightning and thunderstorms wreaked havoc in the state on Friday, not only bringing down the temperatures but also causing widespread destruction of crops. Five districtsJagtial, Kumrambheem Asifabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Peddapalle and Mancherialexperienced hailstorms, while Hyderabad among other places witnessed rains and thundershowers. TGDPS reports indicated that the state recorded the highest rainfall of 54.5 MM in Serilingampally, followed by Sangareddy and Medchal-Malkajigir at 50.8 MM. A dip of 2C was observed in the temperatures. In Bhadradri Kothagudem the temperature was recorded at 38.8C, while Hyderabads maximum temperature was 36.6C. A trough/wind discontinuity runs from central Chhatisgarh and neighbourhood to interior Maharashtra and extends upto 1.5 km above mean sea level; another trough/wind discontinuity from south Chhattisgarh to South Interior Karnataka across Telangana and North Interior Karnataka at 1.5 km above mean sea level has become less marked, while one more north-south trough runs from North interior Karnataka to south Tamil Nadu at 1.5 km above mean sea level, the IMD stated on Saturday. The department forecast that the maximum temperatures are going to drop by 2-3C, thereafter a gradual rise in temperatures is expected. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) at isolated places in Adilabad, Jagtial, Karimnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda and other districts. For the next 48 hours, the city will experience a generally cloudy sky. Light to Moderate Rain or Thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are very likely to occur towards evening or night. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 35C and 19C respectively.

Telangana Budget 2025 treads fine line between welfare, development

HYDERABAD: In the face of subdued economic trends in the last fiscal, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka tried to strike a perfect balance between welfare and development while presenting a pragmatic Budget for 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 3.04 lakh crore. This is the first time that the Telangana Budget crossed the Rs 3 lakh crore mark. The government is hoping that economic activity will pick up this year. Of the total expenditure of Rs 3,04,965 crore proposed for 2025-26, the estimated revenue expenditure is Rs 2,26,982 crore and capital expenditure is Rs 36,504 crore. Though Vikramarka presented his first Budget for 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 2,91,059 crore, it was revised as Rs 2,65,934.51 crore, with the outlay being downsized by close to 9%. The finance minister proposed a 15% incremental increase of the 2025-26 Budget outlay over the revised estimates of 2024-25. Vikramarka estimated a revenue surplus of Rs 2,738.33 crore for 2025-26 and a fiscal deficit of Rs 54,009.74 crore. Ambitious outlook Though Vikramarka described the Budget as realistic, dependence on Central grants and non-tax revenues, as in previous years, makes it a bit ambitious. Sources told TNIE that the state government is expecting financial support from the Centre this year in the form of release of Rs 1,500 crore due to the Civil Supplies department. The sources also pointed out that the government decided to implement several Centrally-sponsored schemes and was expecting a more consistent flow of funds from the Centre. Officials said that due to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, economic activity had slowed down in the first year of the Congress government. The launch of new schemes also led to financial stress, they said, expressing optimism that economic activity will pick up in the next fiscal. Goal of 2025 Budget is to ensure long-term economic growth: Telangana Dy CM Bhatti Promises to keep In keeping with his governments commitment, Vikramarka proposed Rs 56,084 crore for the six guarantees and another Rs 48,000 crore for various other welfare schemes. In all, the government allocated a staggering Rs 1,04,329 crore for welfare schemes, close to half of the total estimated revenue expenditure of Rs 2,26,982.29 crore. This huge chunk of revenue expenditure will be possible only with borrowings and ways and means advances. The Budget proposed to raise loans to the tune of Rs 64,539 crore, which will take the total outstanding public debt to Rs 5,04,814 crore or 28.1% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by the end of next fiscal. Giving priority to BC, SC and ST welfare, the deputy chief minister proposed an allocation of Rs 40,232 crore for Scheduled Castes welfare,Rs 17,169 crore for Scheduled Tribes welfare and Rs 11,405 crore for Backward Classes welfare. Vikramarka said that to achieve widespread industrial growth across Telangana by 2050, the government has introduced the Mega Master Plan-2050. Telangana Budget 2025: Rs 23,373 crore outlay for irrigation sector Yuva Vikasam gets Rs 6,000 crore The core objective of this policy is to decentralise industrial development, ensuring that Hyderabad is not the sole hub of industrial progress, but that all regions of the state experience balanced and sustainable growth. He said that the government was establishing sector-specific industrial clusters across Telangana. The finance minister also allocated Rs 6,000 crore in the Budget for the newly launched Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, a youth self-employment scheme. For the state governments ambitious Future City, which will be spread over 765 sq. km across 56 villages between the Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar highways, the government allocated Rs 100 crore. In his Budget speech, Vikramarka said that in addition to Hyderabad, the government was actively developing tier-two cities such as Warangal, Nizamabad and Khammam. Warangal is being established as a hub for education, healthcare and IT, while Nizamabad and Khammam are being transformed into key centres for agriculture-based industries and manufacturing, the finance minister said. The plans presented in this Budget are not merely financial allocations but serve as roadmaps for equitable development, economic stability and social justice, the deputy chief minister said in his Budget speech.

Daily wager gets Rs 23 lakh GST demand notice in Telangana

KHAMMAM: The life of a daily wage worker, J Venkateswarlu, took an unexpected turn when he received a notice from the GST officials in Vijayawada, asking him to pay Rs 22,86,014 towards GST for doing granite business with a turnover of Rs 2 crore. Venkateswarlu, an illiterate, received the notice at his home address on March 7. It left him bewildered and distressed. The notice was issued in the name of Bhagyalaxmi Enterprises, a company registered in Vijayawada, AP, using Venkateswarlus PAN details. However, Venkateswarlu, a resident of Chandrugonda mandal headquarters in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, has nothing to do with the granite business. The notice was sent to the address linked to his PAN card which was being misused without his knowledge. Days after receiving the notice, Venkateswarlu began receiving phone calls from GST officials demanding payment. Overwhelmed and deeply shaken, he sought help from local residents. Determined to uncover the truth, Venkateswarlu and a few close associates travelled to Vijayawada to locate Bhagyalaxmi Enterprises. To their dismay, they found no trace of the company or its office. It soon became clear that Venkateswarlus PAN card had been misused by unknown individuals to register the company and conduct granite business. When he visited a MeeSeva centre to apply for a new PAN card, he was informed that a card had been previously issued in his name. With no clarity on how to proceed or whom to approach to file a complaint, Venkateswarlu felt helpless and decided to focus on his daily work to support his family. Speaking to TNIE, Venkateswarlu appealed to the government for help.

Telanganas Khammam Railway Station undergoing a 25.41 crore transformation

Khammam station which played a crucial role during British era, continued to grow importance post independence

Telangana HC halts GO 75, DCMS directors retain charge

Hyderabad: In a significant development, the Telangana High Court has issued interim orders to halt the implementation of Government Order (GO) 75, which appointed additional collectors as person-in-charge for District Cooperative Marketing Societies (DCMS) in eight districts of Telangana, excluding Khammam. The decision comes after directors of these societies from the affected districts filed separate Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Tiger Sightings Create Panic in Karimnagar, Warangal

Fresh tiger tracks were detected near Bitthupalli village and along the EklaaspurKhammampally road. Forest officials believe the tiger travelled from Mutharam to Manthani, prompting advisories for residents to stay alert and avoid late-night fieldwork.

Khammam excise official caught accepting Rs 1,500 bribe in ACB sting

This marks the ACBs sixth successful case this month.

Indian student from Telangana shot dead in US, says family members

HYDERABAD: A 26-year-old student from Telangana was allegedly found dead with bullet wounds in the US, but the circumstances leading to his death were not clear, his family members said on Wednesday. G Praveen was pursuing MS in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family was informed by US authorities on Wednesday morning (Indian time). Some friends said that Praveen's body was found with bullets, his cousin Arun told PTI. Some say Praveen was shot dead by unknown assailants at a store, but the cause of death was not known to the family, he said. Arun said Praveen called his father in the early hours of Wednesday, but the latter could not take the call as he was sleeping. Praveen's parents are in a state of shock after learning about the incident, he said. The family is native of Ranga Reddy district, neighbouring Hyderabad. The US authorities informed family members that the cause of death would be known after an autopsy. Praveen, who studied B Tech in Hyderabad, had gone to the US in 2023 to pursue MS. He visited India in December, 2024 and left for America in January this year. The family members approached MLAs and other leaders for help. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Chicago expressed deep sorrow over the death of the student Praveen Kumar. The embassy said, We are in touch with his family and the University to provide all possible support. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. We are saddened by the untimely death of Praveen Kumar Gampa, a Post-graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Consulate is in contact with Praveen's family and the University, helping them with all possible support. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are India in Chicago (@IndiainChicago) March 5, 2025 At least two Indian students from Telangana , one from Khammam in November last year and another from Hyderabad in January this year, were allegedly shot dead in the US.

Illegal mining: Telangana HC issues notices to state govt

Hyderabad: A division bench of the Telangana High Court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, issued notices to the state government, the Mines and Geology department, and other authorities in response to allegations of rampant illegal mining in Khammam district. The court directed them to file responses within four weeks. The Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Khammam Excise officers seized marijuana worth 11 crore in past year

In 2024, the Telangana Excise department seized a total of about 6,000 kilograms of marijuana, with Khammam alone accounting for 2,225 kilograms

Sripal Reddy Wins Warangal-Khammam-Nalgomda Teachers MLC Elections

Defeats incumbent Narsi Reddy after second-priority vote count; vows to strengthen education system.

HC Taken Up the PIL On Illegal Mining in Khammam District

The court had taken up a PIL based on a letter dated 23-09-2024 addressed to the Chief Justice which alleged that there was rampant illegal mining in Khammam district and that officials had become silent spectators.

Counting of votes underway for three MLC seats in Telangana

Hyderabad: The counting of votes for the Telangana Legislative Council elections to two teachers and one graduate constituency is underway on Monday. The counting of votes for the graduate constituency of Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar, the teacher constituencies of Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar, and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda began at 8 a.m. The polling for these seats was held on February 27 through ballot Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Lorry driver jumps off police station building in Khammam district, suffers hip fracture

Telangana: Cheated by live-in partner, woman hangs self, records selfie video

Hyderabad: A 24-year-old woman died by suicide by hanging in Ponnekal village of Khammam rural mandal on Saturday, March 1. Before dying, she recorded a selfie video accusing her lover of cheating after promising to marry her. In the video, Kavya Kalyani said she has been in a relationship with a dancer named Abhi, who Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Dhee Dancer Kavya Kalyan Dies by Suicide in Khammam

Dancer Kavya Kalyan found dead in Khammam; accused Abhi faces probe after her video alleges betrayal and secret marriage

Khammam: Chintakani Police Uncover Illegal Sex Determination Racket

The identity of the private doctor involved in the abortions remains undisclosed, as it hinges on the arrest of the prime accused, Chari, who is currently absconding.

MLC elections held peacefully in erstwhile Warangal

Teachers MLC elections in the Warangal, Khammam, and Nalgonda constituency were held peacefully on Thursday in the erstwhile Warangal district.

Polling underway for three MLC seats in Telangana

Hyderabad: Polling was underway for three seats of Telangana Legislative Council from teachers and graduates constituencies on Thursday. Voting commenced at 8 a.m. in the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar graduates and teachers constituencies and the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda teachers constituency. The Election Commission officials said the polling was underway in a smooth manner with no untoward incident being reported from Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Polling underway for MLC election in Telangana

The three seats are Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers' constituency

Polling for three MLC seats in Telangana on Thursday

The three seats are Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers' constituency.

Teachers MLC polls: Silence period from 4 pm today

The district collector and returning officer for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers MLC elections, Ila Tripathi, announced on Monday that election campaigns by contesting candidates and party leaders must cease after 4 pm on February 25.

Bandi Sanjay Opposes Congress Call to Avoid Paddy Cultivation

Union minister Bandi Sanjay criticizes KCR, Congress over Kaleshwaram project failure, urges voters to back BJP in Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal

POCSO case against teacher in Telanganas Siddipet for sexual harassment

Hyderabad: A teacher named Devayya, who teaches biology at a government higher secondary school in Khammampalli, Siddipet district, has been charged under the POCSO Act for inappropriate behaviour with female students. According to reports, Devayya called several students into the science lab under the pretext of conducting practicals and engaged in indecent conduct and sexual Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Student dies by suicide in private college at Khammam

A first-year Intermediate student died by suicide in her hostel room at Sri Chaitanya Junior College in Kavirajunagar early on Friday morning.

5,660 govt school students found with vision problems in Khammam

Hyderabad: A total of 5,660 students from government schools and junior colleges in Khammam district of Telangana have been diagnosed with vision defects after screenings conducted under the Rashtriya Bala Swasthya Karyakram. The screenings covered 1,89,784 students between April and October last year, with expert doctors assessing their eye health. A second round of screening Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Orders issued to seal unauthorised clinic in Khammam

Demand for establishment of Chilli Board in Khammam intensifies

4 more held for attacking Chilkur Balaji priest in Hyderabad, total arrests now 18

Hyderabad: Four more persons were arrested on Saturday, February 15 for attacking Chilkur Balaji head priest CS Rangarajan in Hyderabad. The accused were identified as G Ramadevi, A Rajyalaxmi and B Mukambika, all from Khammam district of Telangana and C Jagadish from Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh. According to Moinabad police, they were lured by the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Speeding granite truck overturns in Telangana leaving 2 dead, injuring 8

Hyderabad: A speeding truck carrying granites lost its control and overturned in Telanganas Khammam district on Friday, February 14, killing two labourers on the spot and severely injuring eight others. The accident occurred near Mudigonda on the Khammam-Kodad National Highway (NH-365A) when the minitruck, carrying polished granite slabs from Guvvalagudem village reportedly broke a wheel Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Labourer Killed in Auto, Tractor Collision

Tractor-Auto Collision in Khammam: One Killed, Seven Injured

KTR posts video criticising KCR govt

As part of the BRS' attempt to slander the government using social media, Rama Rao shared on his X account a video on the problems being faced by chilli farmers in Khammam district

Lok Sabha question reveals that Telangana lost lakhs of houses during BRS regime

Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar discloses this in reply to a question from Khammam MP Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy in the Lower House

Forest to Fantasy: New Nature Park in Khammam

Puligundala to open for public by month-end

Driver found dead at National Highway in Telanganas Khammam

Hyderabad: A 45-year-old autorickshaw driver was found dead under suspicious circumstances beside National Highway 365A in Gopavaram, Konijerla mandal of Khammam district on Saturday morning, February 8. The victim has been identified as Hatla Biksham who is a resident of Nagiligonda village in Chinthakani mandal of Khammam district. The victim reportedly left his residence on Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Centre failed to protect self respect of Indians: Congress

Congress leaders on Saturday staged a protest at the old bus stand centre in Khammam, burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump over the deportation of 104 Indians from the United States.

Train Cancellations & Diversions Due to Khammam Works

South Central Railway announces train cancellations, diversions, and rescheduling due to non-interlocking works

Notification issued for Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers MLC elections

Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers' MLC election returning officer and district collector Ila Tripathi has urged candidates and political parties to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct during the election process.

Rural children display scientific prowess at NXplorers Carnival

Smile Foundation, with the support from Shell India and in association with Govt. of Telangana, organised NX Corner Carnival in Khammam.

Woman killed as tractor overturns at Nagarjuna Sagar canal in Bonakal

Khammam: An agricultural labourer died and 10 others were injured when a tractor in which they were travelling overturned at Nagarjuna Sagar canal at Bonakal in the district on Friday morning. Yarlagadda Varamma (60), an agricultural labourer from Bonakal, died on the spot in the accident. The incident took place when 20 agricultural labourers were going to Lingala from Bonakal in a tractor for mirchi cutting work. The injured have been shifted to a hospital at Bonagal for treatment, according to police.

Two Women Crushed to Death by Boulders

Hyderabad: Two workers of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme were crushed to death after heavy boulders fell on the victims at Govardhana Giri village of Siddipet district on Thursday. Two other workers suffered injuries. The deceased were identified as K Sarojana, 45 and her daughter A Mamatha, 28, residents of Govardhanagiti village of Akkanapet mandal of Siddipet. According to police, the women were working in soil digging at Govardhanagiri village. Suddenly, two heavy boulders fell on the victims. In the mishap, mother and daughter were crushed to death. two other women suffered injuries. The locals noticed the mishap and informed the 108 medical emergency service staff. The police removed boulders from the place to recover two bodies. Police have registered cases and shifted bodies to Husnabad government hospital. Tanker drivers reflexes save girl on highway Khammam: A tanker driver's swift response averted a tragedy on the Khammam-Kodad Highway near Painampally, Nelakondapally mandal. A schoolgirl on a bicycle suddenly veered onto the highway from the service road, trying to cross at a divider. The alert driver immediately hit the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision. Startled, the girl retreated to the service road, escaping unharmed. The incident exposed safety concerns on the newly laid highway, where the absence of proper road measures and reckless driving pose risks.

TSUTF, TPTF to jointly back Narsi Reddy, Ashok

Hyderabad: The Telangana State United Teachers Federation (TSUTF) and the Telangana Progressive Teachers Federation (TPTF) have announced their support for MLC Alugubelli Narsi Reddy and former TPTF president Y. Ashok Kumar in the upcoming Teacher MLC elections on February 27. At a joint press conference held on Wednesday at the TSUTF state office, the organisations officially announced their candidates, highlighting their decades-long contribution to the teachers movement. The two organisations declared Narsi Reddy as their candidate for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda teacher constituency and Ashok Kumar for the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar teacher constituency. Narsi Reddy, elected in 2019, has worked to improve schools and colleges using constituency development funds. He has also taken steps to solve teacher and education-related issues. Ashok Kumar, a former TPTF leader, has led many protests and was actively involved in the Telangana movement with Prof. Kodandaram.

ASER 2024: Telangana Faces Foundational Learning Gaps

HYDERABAD: The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, released on Tuesday, has revealed that Telangana has achieved near-universal level enrollment for certain age groups. Only 0.5 per cent of children aged 6-14 in rural areas are not enrolled in schools. This positions it among the best-performing states in access to education. Overall, Telangana has registered 73.5 per cent average enrollment in schools in 2024 against 75.5 percent last year. This success in access contrasts with challenges in foundational learning outcomes, which remain significantly below desirable levels. Districts like Karimnagar, Medak, Nalgonda and Warangal recorded zero non-enrollment, while Adilabad had the highest rate at 1.5 per cent. Government school enrollment stood at 59.8 per cent for children in the same age group, with Adilabad leading at 73.8 per cent and Khammam at 70.4 per cent. Nizamabad reported the lowest government school enrollment at 47.9 per cent. Across India, more than 95 per cent of children aged 614 are enrolled in schools. However, challenges continued in foundational literacy and numeracy, according to the report. Among students in Classes III to V, only 18 per cent could read a Class II-level text, while 49 per cent could perform basic subtraction. In Classes VI to VIII, the report found, only 46.4 per cent of students could read a Class II text, and 34.7 per cent could do divisions. Medak consistently performed poorly, with the lowest reading and arithmetic levels across grades, while districts like Mahbubnagar and Rangareddy showed better arithmetic skills. Southern states, including Telangana, generally performed better in literacy and numeracy compared to other regions, the report said. It also said that the digital literacy showed another kind of challenge. In Telangana, 96 per cent of households reported smartphone availability, but only 78 per cent of the children could bring one to complete digital tasks and 73 per cent could use it independently. There was also a small but noticeable gap between boys and girls, with boys generally more comfortable using smartphones on their own. When given simple tasks like setting an alarm or looking up information online, the success rates were fairly high, but things changed as to safety and security. More than 80 per cent of students reported using social media, but only 67 per cent knew how to block or report a user, and just about 60 per cent could change a password. More importantly, the report reaffirmed that Telangana had been lagging behind in computers in schools and student computer usage. The availability of computers improved from 9.3 per cent (2010) to 14.1 per cent (2022) but dropped to 9.0 per cent in 2024, compared to the all-India average of 27.4 per cent of schools having computers available for children in 2024. The report found that school facilities in Telangana had improved in areas like electricity, which is available in 91.1 per cent of schools. Toilets for girls are usable in 73.7 per cent of schools and libraries are there in most of the institutions, though only 56.8 per cent of them actively engage children. Drinking water was not available in 15.8 per cent of schools and only 60.4 per cent had designated playgrounds, a broader issue across the country, where sports infrastructure has not seen much progress since 2018. Student and teacher attendance in Telangana, at 73.5 per cent and 85.5 per cent respectively, is consistent with national averages, though multi-grade classrooms remain common and pose challenges to effective learning.

BJP gears up for MLC polls

Hyderabad :Union minister and BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy convened a meeting of election coordinators at the BJP state office on Monday, ahead of the upcoming MLC elections. He said that the party must seize the first-mover advantage by taking the lead in the campaign. The BJP is optimistic about repeating its strong performance from the parliamentary elections, in which it won eight out of 17 MP seats. Party insiders believe the BJP has an edge, as Congress has not yet announced its candidates, and it remains unclear whether BRS will even contest. The party directed its cadre to focus on connecting with every voter in the two teacher council seats and the one graduate constituency. With the voter enrolment window open, the BJP plans to launch a drive to enlist new voters. The notification for the MLC elections is expected in the second or third week of February, and the elections are likely to be scheduled for the first or second week of March. The party is confident in its prospects, particularly in the two teacher constituencies, which cover Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad and Medak districts in North Telangana. These districts were strongholds for the BJP in the parliamentary elections, where the party won all four MP seats and seven out of eight MLA seats. The third graduate MLC seat is from the Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda districts. The meeting was attended by several key BJP leaders, including Union minister of state for home Bandi Sanjay, Rajya Sabha member and BJP OBC Morcha national president Dr K. Laxman, BJP Legislative Council head A.V.N. Reddy, state general secretaries G. Premendar Reddy and Kasam Venkateshwarlu, BJP state vice-president Manohar Reddy, BJP national executive member Garikapati Mohan Rao and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka incharge Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy. BJP MLAs Payal Shankar and Rama Rao Patel were also present.

Assistant engineer from Medak, ward officer from Khammam in ACB net

Tummala Seeks Info on Ineligible Beneficiaries

Khammam: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Monday urged citizens to report any instances of ineligible individuals being selected as beneficiaries of welfare schemes intended for the poor. He said that such schemes should benefit only those who are genuinely eligible. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for road works in the 15th ward of Khammam city, the minister highlighted the state government's commitment to uplifting poor families through various welfare initiatives. He stressed the importance of public participation in ensuring transparency and fairness, urging people to alert officials if they encounter irregularities. Minister Rao noted that several poll promises, including free travel for women in TGSRTC buses, Rs 500 LPG cylinders, and free electricity for domestic usage up to 200 units, have already been fulfilled by the government. Additionally, schemes such as Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Houses, new ration cards, and Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa were launched on January 26 to further support eligible families. The minister encouraged farmers to switch from traditional crops to oil palm cultivation, pointing out that the state government offers Rs 52,000 per acre to support the transition. He said that oil palm provides higher income compared to paddy, cotton, and mirchi, which have recently been affected by adverse weather and crop diseases. Highlighting the government's investment of Rs 40,000 crore in agriculture, Rao emphasised that Rythu Bharosa benefits should not be extended to uncultivated lands. He warned that allowing ineligible beneficiaries would undermine welfare and development efforts. He added that the government has allocated Rs 25,000 crore for Indiramma Houses in the first phase and Rs 10,000 crore for Rythu Bharosa.

Telangana ACB nabs two persons for accepting bribe

Hyderabad: Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) here on Monday arrested two persons including an Assistant Engineer on charges of accepting bribes in separate incidents in the State. Ch. Krishna, an Assistant Engineer at Kallakal Circle in Kallakal village in Manoharabad Mandal in Medak district, was caught by ACB when he allegedly demanded and accepted a bribe amount of Rs.20,000 from a complainant to release power supply by erecting 63KVA third-phase Distribution Transformer (DTR) under LT category III. Krishna had initially demanded a bribe amount of Rs.30,000 from the complainant, out of which he had already accepted Rs.10,000, ACB officials said. In the second incident, the ACB caught Nallanti Vinod, who is a 32nd ward officer at Sathupalli Town in Khammam district, red handed by the ACB when he allegedly demanded and accepted the bribe amount of Rs.2.500 from a complainant, to process her ration card and Indiramma house sanction applications. The ACB officials said the bribe amount was recovered from the possession of the arrested persons. They produced the two accused before the special court for ACB cases in Warangal and Nampally after which the court remanded them to judicial custody.

Khammam: Ward officer in ACB net

Khammam: Anti Corruption Bureau(ACB) sleuths have caught a ward officer in Khammam district on Monday. He demanded Rs 2,500 from a woman applicant to process ration card and sanction of Indiramma house applications. He caught red-handedly while accepting the bribe. In an another trap, Ch. Krishna, Assistant Engineer, Kallakal Circle and Village, Manoharabad Mandal, Medak District was caught by ACB Officials for demanding and accepting a bribe amount of Rs. 20,000/- from the complainant o release power supply by erecting 63KVA 3-phase DTR Under LT Category III. The Assitant Engineer had initially demanded bribe amount of Rs.30,000 from the complainant, out of which he had already accepted Rs.10,000.

Rs 22,000 Cr in Crop Loans Waived in Within a Year: Komatireddy

Khammam: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said on Sunday that the state government aims to extend welfare benefits exclusively to the poor, ensuring no eligible individual is overlooked while preventing ineligible persons from receiving assistance. During the distribution of sanction letters for four new schemes at Mallepally in Raghunadhapalem mandal, he stressed the importance of financial discipline amid funding challenges inherited from the previous BRS government. Tummala highlighted the crucial role of panchayat secretaries in the effective implementation of the sops. Meanwhile, roads and buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy showcased the governments commitment to fulfilling electoral promises by launching four new welfare schemes in Khanapur, Mudigonda mandal, Khammam district. He distributed sanction letters to beneficiaries and announced the waiver of Rs 22,000 crore in crop loans within a year. Komatireddy assured that the Congress government remains dedicated to honouring all its promises, including the distribution of fine rice to ration card holders starting from the Ugadi festival. Additionally, he noted that the Indiramma Houses scheme will significantly benefit poor families burdened by high rental costs.

Four migrant labourers killed in road mishap on NH

Warangal: A road accident on the Warangal-Khammam National Highway resulted in the deaths of four migrant labourers and left four others injured on Sunday. The incident occurred at Mamnoor in Warangal when a speeding truck carrying heavy iron poles overturned, crashing into two autorickshaws. Authorities report that the truck driver was allegedly drunk during the accident. Police nabbed him and started an investigation after registering a case against him. On receiving reports from local residents, police teams rushed to the spot to conduct rescue operations. The injured were shifted to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital for immediate medical attention, while the bodies of the four deceased were also taken to the same facility for post-mortem examinations. The victims included six migrant labourers from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, who were residing in temporary shelters in Warangal. Additionally, two auto drivers sustained injuries in the crash. District collector Satya Sharada visited the accident site to oversee the relief efforts. She directed officials to provide the best possible medical care to the injured and arranged for the transportation of the deceased to their hometowns using special vehicles. During her visit to MGM Hospital, collector Sharada interacted with the relatives of victims and extended her condolences. In response to the accident, police and municipal departments cleared the highway by removing the iron poles and the overturned truck with the help of heavy cranes.

Six killed in ghastly road accident near Warangal

Tragic road accident on Warangal-Khammam highway leaves six dead, three critically injured, lorry driver suspected of alcohol influence

Video: Seven including infant killed in accident in Telangana

Hyderabad: In a gruesome accident in Telangana, seven persons including an infant were crushed to death after iron bars fell on them. The incident occurred on Sunday, January 26, around 11 am on the Warangal-Khammam highway. According to reports, a truck laden with iron bars used for laying railway tracks tried to overtake two autorickshaws Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Telangana: 4 killed, 3 injured as iron poles fall on autorickshaws from lorry in Warangal (VIDEO)

Four people lost their lives, and three others were injured when iron poles fell from a lorry onto two autorickshaws near Mamnuru 4th Battalion on the Warangal-Khammam National Highway on Sunday.

Telangana HC insists on strict compliance while acquiring property for road widening

Hyderabad : Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court directed GHMC officials to adhere to the procedure for acquisition of immovable property by agreement, before taking action to dispossess shopowners of their properties for road widening. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Mirza Saad Hasan and eight others, who purchased shops and flats in Mawin Famous Plaza at Sriramnagar Colony, Masab Tank. The petitioners challenged the notice that was issued for handing over portions of their properties for a road-widening project from Dhana Bala Residency to Sarojini Devi Road. The judge, while hearing the case, noted the submissions of counsel for the petitioner, who argued that the impugned notice violated the legal regime under the GHMC Act. They submitted documents such as registered sale deeds and utility bills to claim ownership rights. The government pleader for GHMC assured the judge that the authorities would follow due procedure and obtain consent from property owners before proceeding with any action. The judge recorded these submissions and, while disposing of the petition, directed the GHMC to comply with the statutory requirements and act in accordance with law. The judge also restrained the corporation from dispossessing the petitioners of their properties without following legal process. Applicability of natural justice in contract: HC reserves verdict A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court has reserved a verdict in a writ appeal qua the question whether adhering to principles of natural justice can be disregarded while deciding contractual disputes between private parties and TGSRTC. The panel, comprising acting Chief Justice Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice G. Radha Rani was dealing with a writ appeal filed by Anasuya. Earlier petition was allowed by a single judge at the instance of a stall holder V.M. Sateesh, whose contract to operate a Vijaya Dairy stall at Mahbubnagar bus station by the Telangana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited was cancelled. The federation, without issuing any show-cause notice to the petitioner, cancelled the stall allotment. For violation of principles of natural justice, the single judge allowed the writ petition and set aside the proceedings. It was contended by the appellant that pursuant to cancellation of operatorship, she was allotted the stall for a period of six months. It is the case of the appellant that as held by the Supreme Court in such contractual matters where there is violation of conditions no notice needs to be given and the order of the single judge was contrary to a ruling of the apex court. However, due to interim order suspending the impugned proceedings, the appellant could not run the stall. The respondents argued that they were granted licence to work, and it cannot be termed as a contractual matter. The panel accordingly reserved its verdict. Tribals challenge eviction in Khammam Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court will hear a writ plea challenging the eviction of five farmers from their lands in Veerapuram village, Illendu mandal, Khammam district. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Mallela Krishna and four other farmers, who contended that they have lived on the land for generations. The petitioners would allege that they were recently evicted by the district forest officer of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, in violation of their fundamental rights and rights under the Forest Rights Act. Counsel for the respondent authorities argued that the land was being used for plantation purposes and that the farmers were never in possession of the land. After hearing the parties, the judge questioned the petitioners about the delay in filing the writ plea, noting that four years has elapsed since their eviction. When the petitioners explained that they were poor tribal people, the judge asked whether special rules applied to poor tribals. The judge posted the matter for further clarification and hearing. HC to hear writ on illegal school compound on agriculture land The Telangana High Court will continue to hear a writ plea concerning the alleged illegal construction of a compound wall around the MPP school in Basheer Miyan tanda. Justice T. Vinod Kumar took on file a writ plea filed by Md. Ataullah, who is challenging the construction of the wall, arguing that it encroaches upon his agricultural land situated in the tanda, Kokat village, Yalal mandal, Vikarabad district. The petitioner contended that the actions of the mandal educational officer and others were arbitrary, illegal and highhanded. Previously, the judge had instructed the respondents to conduct a survey of the entire land that spans 359 acres. However, the petitioner alleged that the authorities had failed to conduct a comprehensive survey and instead carried out a partial assessment, prompting filing of objections. During the hearing, the counsel for the unofficial respondents stated that they had not yet received a copy of the petitioners objections. Acknowledging this, the judge directed the petitioners counsel to ensure that the objections are served to the opposing party. The matter is posted after three weeks, during which time the respondents are expected to review and respond to the petitioners objections.

Flood drain works in Khammam by monsoon: Tummala

Khammam: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Friday directed officials to ensure the completion of the 249-crore flood drain system in Khammam city before the onset of monsoon. The project aims to prevent the reoccurrence of floods that submerged several areas in the previous monsoon seasons. The minister laid the foundation stone for the 3.95-crore expansion of the Ballepally-Balapet road and emphasised maintaining high-quality standards for all development works. He instructed officials to regularly inspect and monitor the quality of ongoing projects. Rao also announced 8 crore for the construction of a slaughterhouse in Khammam, with work set to begin once land is identified. Additionally, city parks will be developed with a budget of 1 crore. He was confident that Khammam would see major transformation in the next six months with these development initiatives, including improved road connectivity to thandas and remote areas in the district. The minister further stated that 30 irrigation tanks would be filled through the Manchukonda Lift Irrigation Scheme by Ugadi, ensuring better water availability for agricultural needs.

Khammam MP bats for greenfield airport in Kothagudem

Woman ends life after strangling two daughters to death in Khammam

Telangana: Woman hangs children, then herself, after husband taken away by police

Hyderabad: Unable to bear the insult of her husband being taken away by police in connection with a theft case, a woman hanged both her daughters before hanging herself to death. The incident happened in Nidanapuram village of Madhira mandal in Khammam mandal on Thursday morning. Shaikh Baji and his wife had a love marriage Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Real-Time Flood Forecasting Mooted for Dam Safety

Hyderabad: Telangana has mooted real-time monitoring of rainfall and creation of advanced modelling and forecasting systems to improve flood forecasting and create gate operation protocols for dams on the Godavari and Krishna rivers. At a meeting of the State Dam Safety Organisation on Wednesday, officials proposed a committee comprising irrigation chief engineers from Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to take the idea forward. It also said that required studies could be carried out by IIT Hyderabad or IIT Roorkee. Gate operation protocols play a vital role in dam safety, especially during floods in rivers on which the dams are built, and if faulty or incorrect protocols are followed, can result in serious damage to structures. One of the many reasons that damages occurred to the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram project in Telangana, is believed to be absence of comprehensive flood forecasting and flood data and improper gate operation protocols. The SDSO meeting also discussed a study report on Gundlavadu dam in Khammam district which, the study found, needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. A study by the former director general of the Geological Survey of India M Raju found that the long-pending problems at the small dam, which serves an ayacut of around 3,000 acres in Wazeedu mandal of Khammam district, can only be solved if it is built afresh. A new dam can be built after the foundation, and hydrological issues, among others, are studied. The new structure can be built to replace the dilapidated and ruined dam structure. For many years, farmers in the area have been complaining that even during flood seasons when the dam is filled up, the water disappears leaving nothing for those dependent on it for irrigation.

Telangana: District collector Muzammil Khan sits on floor to chat with students

Stepping beyond formalities, the District Collector of Khammam Muzammil Khan sat down on the floor with students during a visit, creating an open and approachable atmosphere for them. The interaction was marked by genuine curiosity and encouragement as the Collector listened to their aspirations and challenges. This simple yet heartfelt gesture bridged the gap between Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Protests Erupt During Grama Sabhas in Khammam

Khammam: Grama sabhas, currently being conducted across the state for selection of beneficiaries for four new welfare schemes by the government, were delayed at several places in Khammam districts due to protests by people. In Khammam district, villagers of Gattusingaram in Kusumanchi mandal tore the beneficiary list, alleging the list included names of ineligible persons. Villagers flew into heated arguments with officials at Chinthakani over missing of their names in the list. They alleged that the household survey was not conducted properly by the officials, resulting in the current mess. They, however, relented after officials assured them that they can resubmit their applications and can raise objections on the names of ineligible persons. In all, 250 grama sabhas were conducted in the district on the day and 41, 282 applications including 14,783 for Indiramma houses, 15,752 for ration cards, 1,565 for Rythu Bharosa and 9,213 for Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa were received from people. In Suryapet district, people staged protests at a grama sabha in ward no 3 of Suryapet and at Tirumalagiri.

ASER Survey Confirms Bleak Learning Outcomes

Hyderabad: In Telanganas Khammam district, only 21.5 per cent of youth aged 14-16 and 18 per cent of females aged 17- 18 can solve basic division problems, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (AESR) 2023: Beyond Basics, released last week. According to the ASER report, nationally, 43.3 per cent of 14-18 year olds can do such problems correctly. The report provides a detailed look at the educational and skill-based status of rural youth aged 14-18 in India across 28 districts of 26 states, including findings from Telanganas Khammam district. It focuses on critical educational and developmental indicators among youth aged 14-18. The findings reveal trends in enrollment skill development, gender disparities and digital inclusion. The survey was conducted across 59 villages, covering 709 youth from 689 households. When it comes to foundational skills, many youth are struggling to meet basic standards in reading, arithmetic, and English. Only 50.3 per cent of the surveyed youth could read at least a Standard II-level text, with 62.9 per cent boys and 38.6 per cent girls. Further, only around 40 percent of them could read simple sentences in English. Similarly, proficiency in basic division is low, with only 21.5 per cent of youth aged 14 to 16 and 18.0 percent of females aged 17 to 18 able to solve division problems. Further, practical skills related to daily life show mixed results. Tasks such as measuring, budgeting, and calculating repayments remain challenging for many, particularly harder measurements or financial calculations. While 47.3 per cent of youth could manage a basic budget, only 33.4 per cent could apply discounts, and 7.7 per cent of females could calculate repayment amounts. Digital access and usage paint a picture of growing but uneven adoption. About 69 per cent of youth reported access to a smartphone at home, but ownership remains low at just 32 per cent, with boys owning more than girls. Despite these challenges, many youths demonstrated familiarity with basic online tasks like finding videos, browsing for information, or using Google Maps. However, digital safety awareness, especially among girls, remains limited, with fewer knowing how to block or report inappropriate content online. The enrollment trends show a stable rate, with 66 percent of youth attending schools or colleges. However, disparities emerge with age and gender. Among 14 to 16-year-olds, the majority are enrolled in schools, while older youth aged 17 to 18 are more likely to pursue higher education. About 22 per cent of the older group, however, are not enrolled, which suggests that dropouts remain an issue.

BJP confident of winning all three MLC seats

Hyderabad: As Telangana gears up for the upcoming elections to two teachers and a graduate MLC constituencies, the BJP, which holds sway among the educated class, is making an aggressive push to woo voters. In a strategic shift, the BJP named MLC candidates well ahead of other parties on January 10. Taking a lead, the party named educationist and Peddapally resident Malka Komaraiah, who runs several educational Institutions for the teachers constituency of Karimnagar-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Medak MLC seat. Warangals Puli Sarotham Reddy, who served as general secretary of the Panchayat Raj Teachers Union (PRTU) has been fielded for the Teachers constituency of Nalgonda-Warangal- Khammam MLC seat. C. Anji Reddy, an industrialist associated with service activity with his trusts, has been named for the Graduates constituency of Karimnagar-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Medak. The tenure of the incumbent MLCs - T. Jeevan Reddy (Congress), Alugubelli Narsi Reddy (independent) and Kura Raghotham Reddy (PRTU), will end on March 29. Senior party leader and educationist P.L. Srinivas said that they are into micro management to reach out to every voter. Our expertise in holding street corner meetings is a huge advantage for us. We are confident of making a clean sweep of the three seats, Srinivas said. Komaraiah told Deccan Chronicle that the party was in a strong position as four MPs and seven MLAs represent the region, where the MLC polls are slated to be held in February. Stating that north Telangana is a part citadel, Komaraiah said that so far 27,000 members have enrolled for the teachers constituency election and the number would touch 30,000 as the Election Commission has allowed enrolment of voters till the date the notification is issued. As per the final electoral rolls for the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates constituency, the total number of voters is 3,41,313.

Man Dies in Road Mishap at Chityal

Nalgonda: A 35-year-old man, identified as K. Venkat Reddy from Bongoni Cheruvu of Chityal mandal, died on the spot in a road accident on National Highway 65 near Velminedu on Friday. According to police, Venkat Reddy was driving a tractor when a TSRTC bus from Khammam district allegedly hit it from behind. The impact caused the tractor to overturn, resulting in severe head and chest injuries to Venkat Reddy. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Police suspect the bus drivers negligence led to the accident and are investigating further.

Minister Tummala for ban on plastic in parks

Khammam : Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Friday proposed a ban on plastic items in urban parks. During an inspection of the Velugumatla urban park in Khammam with district collector Muzammil Khan, the minister emphasised the need to protect these parks from pollution, especially from plastic. He directed officials to prohibit the entry and use of plastic items in the park. Rao also urged officials to develop the Velugumatla park into a tourist destination by monsoon and suggested introducing millet-based food items in the park's canteen. The state government plans to establish similar urban parks in Kothagudem and Sathupalli, to set an example for future generations on balancing environmental protection with development, Rao said. District forest officer Sidharth Vikram Singh revealed that Velugumatla urban park spans 500 acres and is just a 10-minute drive from Khammam city. Upcoming attractions include boating, cycling facilities, and a deer park.

Annaram Dargah Urs Begins on Grand Scale in Warangal

Warangal: The three-day annual Urs of Hazrat Syed Yakubshavali Dargah at Annaram village in Parvathagiri mandal, Warangal district, started on Thursday with grandeur under the supervision of the Waqf Board. Annaram Sharif Dargah, a symbol of religious harmony, draws thousands of devotees not only from Warangal but also from neighbouring districts. Devotees gather at the shrine to seek blessings and believe their prayers are answered at this sacred site. Along with Annaram Sharif Dargah, other revered shrines in the area include the Dargahs of Yakub Baba, Gouse Pasha, Mahaboobima, Boleshawali, and Gunshawali. The festivities, held annually from January 16 to 18, feature traditional rituals. On the first day, devotees offer sandalwood, followed by Diya Aradhana (lamp worship) and an Annadanam programme on January 17. The celebrations end on January 18 with the recitation of Khatmul Quran. To ensure smooth conduct, the government sanctioned Rs 8.5 lakh through the Waqf Board for necessary arrangements. The shrine authorities have provided facilities for devotees, while the police have implemented tight security measures to prevent untoward incidents. The RTC department has also introduced special bus services from Warangal, Hanamkonda, Thorrur, Narsampet, and Khammam depots to accommodate the heavy influx of devotees attending the event.

Committed to provide irrigation to every acre: Uttam

Khammam : Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday announced the governments commitment to provide irrigation facilities to every acre of cultivable land in the state by completing pending and new irrigation projects. He was speaking at a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for the 54.27 crore Manchukonda Lift Irrigation Scheme. The scheme will irrigate 2,400 acres under 27 tanks in Raghunathapalem mandal. Highlighting the government's focus on cost-effective irrigation projects, Reddy criticised the previous BRS government for spending 1.81 lakh crore on major projects like Kaleshwaram, Palamuru-Ranga Reddy, and Sitarama, which he claimed created minimal ayacut. He alleged that despite spending 8,500 crore on the Sitarama Project, no additional land was irrigated. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka assured the public that the Manchukonda scheme would be completed by Ugadi. He emphasised the importance of creating an action plan for agriculture-based industries to complement irrigation efforts. Minister for roads and buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy added that the government would expedite the completion of ongoing irrigation projects to ensure irrigation facilities for all cultivable land in the state.

Special train between Vizag and Cherlapalli

Visakhapatnam :The East Coast Railway has decided to run special train services during Sankranthi between Visakhapatnam and Cherlapalli. Train No. 08523 Visakhapatnam-Cherlapalli special train will leave Visakhapatnam on January 14 (Tuesday) at 6.20 pm, which will reach Duvvada at 6.48pm and depart at 6.50 pm to reach Cherlapalli at 7.30 am the next day. In the return direction, Train No. 08524 Cherlapalli-Visakhapatanam special train will leave Cherlapalli on January 15 (Wednesday) at 10 am, which will reach Duvvada at 9.28 pm, and depart at 9.30 pm to reach Visakhapatnam at 10.30 pm. Duvvada. Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Nidadavolu, Tanuku, Bhimavaram Town, Akividu, Kaikalur, Gudivada, Rayanapadu, Khammam, Warangal, Kazipet, and Jangaon are stoppages between Visakhapatnam and Cherlapalli stations.

Cock fights: Betting of Rs 700 crore in Godavari districts

During Sankranti time the banned cock fights and Jallikattu resurface too. During Sankranti time the banned cock fights and Jallikattu resurface too. Kakinada :The gambling in traditional sports like cockfight, Gundata, playing of cards etc were held in a grand manner this time despite the high court ban on these games. The police conducted a series of raids on the cockfight dens but remained silent on Monday, the first day of Bhogi. The cockfights started early in the morning in erstwhile Godavari districts like Eluru, Kakinada, BR Ambedkar Konaseema, East and West in a grand manner. Last year, under the YSRC rule, the police did not allow cockfights till the afternoon of Bhogi Day. It was after exertion of strong pressure that the police allowed the game at the last minute. However, then the police did not allow Gundata tables, a pure gambling game. This year, doors have opened for all gambling games and also for dances in several places. On the first day, it is said that betting of nearly `700 crore was held, including Gundata and playing of cards amid the serving of food and liquor. This time, the police were conspicuous by their absence. The cockfights were organised in all the villages this time. Large numbers of professionals, techies, businessmen and others thronged the major cockfight grounds. Surprisingly, this year, hundreds of people came in from districts like Kurnool, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Khammam and other parts of Telangana to the cockfight grounds. They came by cars and other vehicles. The women, in particular, enjoyed the sight at the cockfight grounds and tasted various food items with enthusiasm. Several MLAs and MPs participated in the cockfight evens. Kakinada Lok Sabha member Uday Srinivas was at an event in Pithapuram and U Kothapalli areas, Mummidivaram MLA Datla Subba Raju in Mummidivaram, and Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Venkateswara Rao (Nanaji) in Karapa. According to sources, in Kakinada Rural, there was betting of `100 crore, West Godavari, East Godavari and Konaseema districts had nearly `600 crore. The big cockfight grounds were at Peda Amiram, Karapa, Gollavanithippa, Unguturu, Veeravasaram, Kamavarapukota, Kalarayinigudem, Chintalapudi, Tanuku, Muramalla, Mummidivaram, Yedurlanka and other villages. Cockfights were organised in small villages too. Notably, in some of the cockfight grounds, there was no betting. The organisers said they spent nearly `10 lakh to prepare the grounds. According to sources, there were no betting gamblers at 30 grounds. These wore a deserted look. Some of the grounds were closed by afternoon. There were clashes in some areas. The Gundata organisers did not allow betting in `100 and `200. They allowed betting beyond `500. This led to clashes between Gundata organisers and the betting lot. Clashes erupted in the cockfight grounds at Bayyannagudem in Koyyalagudem mandal. The participants and some of the organisers created flutter and beat each other with wooden logs. Some 12 persons were injured. On the second day on Tuesday, marking Sankranti, betting can be held in a grand manner.

Bhatti Promises Transparency in Welfare Schemes

Khammam: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced on Monday that beneficiaries for welfare schemes, including four new initiatives, would be selected transparently through Grama Sabhas. Flexi banners displaying the names of beneficiaries will be prominently displayed in villages to ensure accountability. Addressing officials at the Integrated District Offices Complex on the implementation of schemes like Rythu Bharosa, Indira Atmeeya Bharosa, Indiramma Houses, and Ration Cards, Bhatti highlighted the Congress governments commitment to effective welfare programme delivery. He assured that the tradition of transparency established during the governments first year would continue with the new schemes, set to launch on January 26. The Deputy CM noted that the implementation of these four schemes would place an additional financial burden of Rs 40,000 crore to Rs 45,000 crore on the state exchequer. However, he reaffirmed the governments resolve to fulfil its promises to the people, despite financial constraints. Bhatti stressed that there should be no doubts about the schemes implementation. He said the State Cabinet thoroughly discussed the guidelines for beneficiary selection and programme execution before announcing the initiatives. He added that Rythu Bharosa would also extend to farmers who received pattas under the RoFR (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act. He directed officials to conduct Grama Sabhas for the selection of beneficiaries and instructed Indiramma Committees in each village to monitor the implementation of welfare schemes as per government orders. To facilitate the process, he suggested dividing each mandal into three parts for organising Grama Sabhas, with Indiramma Committee members present at each meeting. Bhatti emphasized that the names of beneficiaries under welfare schemes should be clearly displayed on flexi banners at village centres to uphold transparency and build trust among the people.

Financial Situation Sole Criteria to Pick Sop Beneficiaries: Ponguleti

Khammam: Revenue and housing minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy reaffirmed on Monday that the Congress government prioritises financial need as the sole criterion for selecting beneficiaries of welfare schemes, distancing itself from the alleged political favouritism of previous administrations. Speaking at the inauguration of a model Indiramma house built on the premises of the tahsildar's office in Kusumanchi, the minister emphasised that the Congress government has never discriminated based on caste, religion, or political affiliation. The selection of beneficiaries is purely based on their financial condition, ensuring the benefits of welfare schemes reach all poor families in the state, he said. The minister highlighted the Congress governments commitment to poverty alleviation, citing the earlier achievements of the united Andhra Pradesh Congress government, which constructed the highest number of Indiramma houses in Telangana from 2004 to 2014. He revealed that the current Congress government aims to build 20 lakh Indiramma houses across the state within the next four years. Srinivas Reddy noted that Telangana voters had chosen the Congress for change in the 2023 elections, and the government has been working diligently to fulfill their aspirations. Despite the financial challenges inherited upon taking office, he assured that fiscal discipline was being maintained, and welfare schemes were being implemented without any compromise. Our goal is to bring smiles to the faces of the poor and ensure they lead happy lives, he added. The minister also announced the upcoming launch of four new welfare schemes on January 26, which aim to further improve the living conditions of the underprivileged. He assured that there is no cap on the issuance of ration cards, and all eligible poor families would be covered under the program. Khammam MP Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy also attended the event.

Rs.45,000 Cr being spent on four schemes in Telangana: Bhattti

Khammam: The Sankranti festival-2025 would remain in the history as the best one since the formation of Telangana, said Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. He was speaking at the review meeting on four new welfare schemes with officials and peoples representatives of undivided Khammam district on Monday. The best implementation of welfare schemes is being witnessed in Telangana in the entire country. He said that already free bus travel for women, cooking gas cylinder at Rs.500, enhancement of Rajiv Arogya Sri insurance limit to Rs.10 lakh, construction of Young India International Schools, 40 per cent hike in diet charges of hostel students, 200 per cent hike in charges of cosmetics charges, Rs.500 bonus for fine variety of paddy were being implemented by the Congress government as per assurances given by the party before elections. In addition to the welfare schemes, the government was implementing four more important schemes - Rytu Bharosa, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa, Indiramma housing and sanction of new ration cards from Sankranti, Bhatti said. The implementation of these four schemes will impose additional burden of Rs.40,000 crore to Rs.45,000 crore on the State exchequer. Irrespective of financial constraints, peoples government is going ahead with new schemes to keep its assurances given to people, he said. He explained that Rs.22,500 crore for construction of Indiramma houses, Rs.2,000 crore for Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa, Rs.19,000 crore for Rytu Bharosa will be spent. The Deputy Chief Minister asserted that no one should have any misgivings or doubts on the implementation of these new schemes. The State Cabinet made an announcement about the new schemes after a thorough discussion about guidelines for selection of beneficiaries and implementation of schemes. For all cultivable lands, an amount of Rs 12,000 per acre will be deposited into the accounts of farmers per year. The scheme will be applicable to farmers,who were given pattas under RoFR. The agriculture department will implement the Rytu Bharosa scheme as per the revenue records. Landless agriculture families, which do not own even a cent of land and have job card given under the employment guarantee scheme and have worked for at least 20 days will be eligible for Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa scheme. Bhatti said that only eligible people will be selected for issuance of ration cards and Indiramma houses. He said that though Rs.22,000 crore were credited into the accounts of farmers in a span of two months under the loan waiver as promised by the Congress - a feat nowhere witnessed in the country other than Telangana, the achievement did not get much publicity. In the wake of this experience, he instructed the officials to organise grama sabhas for four new schemes to be implemented from this month. The selection and finalisation of beneficiaries will be done in grama sabhas alone. The officials and peoples representatives will hand over the sanction certificates to the beneficiaries in these grana sabhas. Indiramma committees will supervise if the welfare schemes are being implemented as per the GO or not. He said as the role of Indiramma committees was important in implementation of welfare schemes, the committees should extensively tour in the villages. Bhatti suggested that each mandal should be divided into three parts for organising the grama sabhas. At the time of grama sabha, a good dais, microphone set, officers and Indiramma committee members should be present. The incharge Ministers approval is must for the identification of beneficiaries and list of eligible beneficiaries, he said. Bhatti said that the names of farmers who benefited under the loan waiver scheme and the amount waived should be mentioned in a flexi and displayed in the village centre for transparency. Similarly flexis with the names of beneficiaries and the amount received by them under the new schemes should be displayed through the flexis. Three big flexis related to three schemes be displayed prominently for clear visibility, he instructed the officials. He said that if district Collectors faced any issues or have any doubts regarding implementation of schemes, they should speak to the incharge Minister and seek clarification.

Drone surveillance helps Khammam police to keep cock fighting organizers at bay

Hyderabad: Surveillance stepped up by the Khammam police using drones helped them in keeping those indulging in cock fighting and playing cards in mango and palm oil farms at bay during Sankranti festival this time. Using three high-resolution drone cameras intensified surveillance in mango and palm oil farms in Sathupalli, Vemsoor and VM Banjar, among other areas bordering Krishna district and Eluru in Andhra Pradesh one week before the festival. Realizing that the police would take stern action against those indulging in cock fighting and playing cards, most of them from Khammam district left for Krishna district and Eluru to take part in cock fighting. The check posts between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh borders also prevented several people from organizing cock and sheep fights in the district. Following instructions from Khammam Commissioner Sunil Dutt, the district police enhanced surveillance using drones and if anyone was caught indulging in such activity, the police decided to initiate stern action against them. Apart from drones, special teams were also formed to check motorists on the border areas connecting Krishna district and Eluru. As a precautionary measure, the police summoned over 100, who were earlier involved in similar activity and bound them over after producing them before the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO). They were let off after obtaining an undertaking from them stating they would not indulge in cock fighting and play cards. The police said that the precautionary steps enabled them to prevent it in advance in the district.

Adivasis Elated After CM Revanth Promises to Meet Them Every 4 Months

Adilabad: Adivasis from former Adilabad district expressed their joy and relief following Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's pledge to meet with Adivasi community leaders every four months to address their issues and develop empowerment strategies. Two days ago, Adivasi representatives held a groundbreaking two-hour meeting with Chief Minister Reddy, marking the first such engagement of its kind. The Mesram clan of Adivasis invited the Chief Minister to participate in the traditional darbhar ceremony of the Nagoba Jatara. In addition to the Chief Ministers commitment, rural development minister Seethakka assured attendance at the goddess Jangu Bais Mahapuja during the Pournami festival on January 13 at Kota-Parandholi Bidwar in Kerameri mandal, Komaram Bheem district. Purka Bapurao, a member of the Jangu Bai temple committee, announced plans for a special event at the temple, which will host community leaders from neighbouring Maharashtra and Telangana. During the meeting, the Chief Minister outlined the state government's initiatives focused on improving education and healthcare for Adivasis. He also announced the allocation of funds for the development of Adivasi religious sites. Mesram Venkat Rao, the Peetadhipati of Nagoba Temple, was happy with the Chief Ministers dedication. Chief Minister Reddy promised to attend the traditional darbhar of Nagoba Jatara on January 31. It is heartening to see a Chief Minister take the time to discuss our issues in depth and commit to regular meetings, he said. Political analysts are now speculating that the Chief Minister may initiate the Congress campaign for local body elections from Adilabad, leveraging the positive sentiment among the Adivasi communities. Party insiders revealed that the Congress previously held a public meeting of the Dalitha Girijana Dandora in Indravelli under then TPCC presidents leadership. Despite winning only one MLA seat out of seven in the Adilabad Parliament Constituency and losing the MP seat in recent elections, the party remains determined. To strengthen their foothold in tribal areas, the Congress is intensifying efforts to win sarpanch, MPTC, and ZPTC positions in regions with significant Adivasi populations across the erstwhile Adilabad, Warangal, Khammam, and Karimnagar districts. Additionally, the party organised a training camp for tribal leaders at Nagarjunasagar aimed at developing leadership skills and raising awareness about constitutional rights and their protection.

Narrow escape for Revenue Minister, Bhadrachalam MLA as car tyre bursts at Tirumalayapalem in Khammam district

PURE EV Expands Footprint in Telangana

Khammam: PURE EV, one of Indias leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, today announced the opening of another showroom in Madhira, Khammam, Telangana. The strategically located showroom & Service spans an area of 2000 square feet, providing an excellent space for customers to experience the brand's advanced technology delivering best-in-class products. The new showroom will display PURE EVs complete product portfolio, addressing the increasing demand for sustainable, clean, and cost-effective transportation solutions. The inauguration was honored by distinguished dignitaries, including Smt Mallu Nandini. Chairman, Amma Foundation and other distinguished guests who appreciated the companys initiatives in advancing green mobility and contributing to the regions sustainability goals. Mr. Rohit Vadera, Co-Founder and CEO of PURE EV, expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion, saying, Driven by our commitment to innovation and sustainability, PURE EV is excited to announce the launch of a new showroom in Khammam, Telangana. This expansion allows us to further our mission of making electric mobility accessible to everyone in the region. Customers can now conveniently explore our range of high-performance electric two-wheelers, designed with sustainability and cutting-edge technology in mind. Smt Mallu Nandini, Chairman, Amma Foundation, during the inauguration said PURE EV's expansion into Khammam with a new showroom is commendable. This initiative not only brings their high performance and sustainable electric vehicles closer to the people of Telangana but also demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting the government's vision for a cleaner and greener future. By providing sustainable commute solutions, PURE EV is playing a crucial role in making this vision a reality. PURE EV today is one of the top 10 EV 2 Wheeler manufacturers in India.The company is also making progress by cutting-edge battery technology which has helped reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by an impressive 96,848 tons. As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability. PURE EV currently offers ePluto 7G MAX, ePluto 7G, ecoDryft 350, ETRANCE Neo+ and eTryst X. The company recently unveiled an ambitious growth roadmap, targeting the addition of 250 new dealerships over the next 30 months. This expansion will elevate Pure EVs network to over 320 outlets nationwide, driven by the rising demand for long-range electric scooters, motorcycles and large B2B contracts.

Electrician Electrocuted While Repairing Power Line in Santoshnagar

Hyderabad : B. Prashanth, a 26-year-old electrician, was electrocuted in Santoshnagar while repairing a 11-KV power line. Police said Prashanth, from Khammam, was employed by a contractor at SS Electricals. Police said that while the repair was taking place at two different spots within Santoshnagar, the power supply had been temporarily halted. After one of the lines was repaired, the power was allegedly restored without officials realising that Prashanth was still at work on the second spot. When Prashanth fell to the ground, residents quickly administered CPR and called the police and an ambulance. By the time Prashanth reached the hospital, he was dead. Jawaharnagar police registered a case of death under suspicious circumstances and began investigations.

Technical Glitch Interrupts Conduct of TET

Hyderabad: A technical glitch caused a major delay in the conduct of Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) at Vardhaman College, Shamshabad. The exam, scheduled to conclude at 4.30 pm, remained incomplete even at 6.30 pm. Those who accompanied the candidates, waited for hours outside the exam centre, some even had small children with them. Frustrated by the delay, they staged a protest. M. Badri, who travelled from Khammam with his wife and one-year-old child, said, We came a long way for this exam, which was supposed to be held from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. My wife hasnt come out even after 6.30 pm. We have to travel back a long distance, and now we may miss the bus where we had reserved seats. Buses running full during for the Sankranti was another worry. The exam was interrupted for over an hour due to server issues. This is such an important exam, and these kinds of problems are unacceptable. When we asked the management for an explanation, they didnt respond, so we had no choice but to protest, said Riyaaz Khan. Officials stated that the online test of 155 candidates was halted in the middle due to technical reasons. The test was resumed after resolving the problem and completed successfully.

Rabi Operations Progressing Well in Telangana

During the last rabi season, the previous government started disbursement of Rythu Bandhu amount from December 28, 2022, and covered all 70 lakh farmers by January 31, 2023. (DC) During the last rabi season, the previous government started disbursement of Rythu Bandhu amount from December 28, 2022, and covered all 70 lakh farmers by January 31, 2023. (DC) Hyderabad: With sufficient water and prediction of good weather, Rabi operations are progressing well in the state with 25.61 lakh acres sown. Excess rainfall has been recorded in 17 districts and normal rain in 16 districts. The cumulative storage in all the major reservoirs is 724.62 tmc ft as on January 8. Last year, the storage at this time was 426.35 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft). Telangana normally receives 14 per cent of its annual rainfall from the northeast monsoon (October-December), or 113.20 mm. Rainfall in the period was 86.6 mm, a deviation of minus-23.50 per cent. Overall, the rainfall received in Telangana from June 1, 2024, to January 8, 2025, was 1,049.20 mm as against the normal of 853.10 mm, an excess of 23 per cent. The groundwater level which had fallen to 10.36 metres below ground level (mbgl) in April 2024 improved to 6.72 mbgl in December. This is 0.08 mgbl above the level of last year. The state has the potential to reap a bumper harvest in the Rabi season with good water reserves. Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jangaon, Khammam, Jogulamba Gadwal and Nagarkurnool districts have witnessed maximum sowing of above 50 per cent. Maize, a major crop in the state along with other crops like jowar, black gram and groundnut have had sowing of above 75 per cent in normal cropping acreage. Paddy, another major crop along with wheat, korra (millet), cow gram, safflower and sunflower have so far been sown in less than 50 per cent by 8 January, 2025. The meteorological department is projecting above-normal rainfall over Telangana during January to March 2025. Below-normal minimum temperatures are likely over the state during January 2025.

BJP names candidates for Telangana MLC polls

Hyderabad: BJP in Telangana on Friday announced candidates for the upcoming poll for the three vacancies in the Legislative Council. Union Minister and state BJP president G Kishan Reddy announced Puli Sarotham Reddy, a teacher and activist, as the candidate from Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam Teachers constituency. Malka Komaraiah, who established educational institutions in Hyderabad and other places, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Telangana: BJP Announces Candidates for Council Elections

TS BJP president and union minister G. Kishan Reddy said the Vajpayee government had introduced many reforms, kickstarted development and welfare programmes. (File Image: Twitter) TS BJP president and union minister G. Kishan Reddy said the Vajpayee government had introduced many reforms, kickstarted development and welfare programmes. (File Image: Twitter) Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy on Friday nominated party candidates for polls to three Legislative Council seats. Puli Sharat Kumar, school assistant from Warangal and general secretary of the Panchayat Raj Teachers' Union, was fielded from the MLC teachers constituency of Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam. Malka Komaraiah of Peddapalli in Karimnagar district, chairman of the Pallavi group of institutions, was fielded from the MLC teachers constituency for Karimnagar-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Medak. Sangareddy-based entrepreneur C. Anji Reddy, who hails from Ramachandrapuram in Medak district, was fielded as the candidate from the MLC graduates constituency for Karimnagar-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Medak. His wife, Godavari Anji Reddy, is presently president of the partys Sangareddy district unit.

Agri Coops to Be Strengthened: Minister

Khammam: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao announced on Friday that the state government will strengthen agricultural cooperative societies to benefit farmers. Alongside Sathupalli MLA Matta Ragamayee, he laid the foundation stone for the Singareni Agricultural Godown near Sathupalli, a project estimated at Rs 61 lakh. Speaking at the event, the minister highlighted the governments priority for agriculture, evident in allocating one-fourth of the budget to agriculture and allied sectors. He urged officials to submit proposals for establishing new cooperative societies if farmers requested them. The government also plans to provide agricultural tools through these societies, in addition to fertilisers and storage facilities. Minister Rao noted that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had waived Rs 21,000 crore in crop loans, relieving farmers of debt. Under Rythu Bandhu, Rs 7,000 crore was disbursed to farmers last year. Despite financial challenges, the state allocated Rs 40,000 crore to agriculture in the past year and plans to spend an additional Rs 10,000 crore by March 2025. Starting January 26, Rs 10,000 crore will be deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts under the Rythu Bharosa scheme. He also announced a new crop insurance scheme to cover all crop types, ensuring compensation for crop damage or significant yield declines starting next season. MLA Matta Ragamayee emphasised that Sathupalli and Vamsooru mandals would receive irrigation facilities through the Sitarama project within a year. She mentioned that farmers earned Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre, with a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine rice varieties. She requested the minister to allocate funds for development projects in Singareni residential areas under the District Mineral Fund.

BJP announces Malka Komariah, Anji Reddy and Sarottham Reddy as candidates for MLC polls

Hyderabad: Telangana BJP here on Friday declared the names of three candidates including renowned educationist Malka Komariah and industrialist C Anji Reddy for the ensuing MLC elections in the State. Following instructions from BJP All India president Jagat Prakash Nadda, Telangana BJP State president and Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy released the list of three candidates for the MLC elections. The party announced the name of Komariah from Peddapally for MLC Teachers Constituency - Karimnagar-NizamabadAdilabad-Medak, C Anji Reddy from Sangareddy for MLC Graduates Constituency - Karimnagar-NizamabadAdilabad-Medak and Puli Sarottham Reddy of Warangal for MLC Teachers Constituency - Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam. Komaraiah hails from Peddpally in the Karimnagar district. He completed his B.E. from Osmania University. Subsequently, he established schools and has done significant work in promoting quality education at the school level. He established educational institutions in Peddapally, Nirmal and Hyderabad. Currently, he is the Chairman of Pallavi Group of Institutions Hyderabad. As an academic administrator and an educator, he has made immense contributions towards enhancing quality education. Further, with his vast experience in the domain, he has a vision for the promotion of educational architecture in Telangana. Anji Reddy, who is a BA Maths graduate, hails from Ramchandrapuram in Medak district. He has been an entrepreneur with investments in diverse areas. He has been associated with the nationalist ideology right from childhood. His wife Godavari Anji Reddy is presently the president of the BJP Sangareddy district. Anji Reddy runs SR trust for last two decades. SR trust has been actively working for providing drinking water in the villages in addition to enhancing education opportunities for the poor. Sarottham Reddy hailing from Warangal served as a school assistant for over 21 years and as a headmaster for over 10 years. He was general secretary of PRTU from 2012 to 2019. He was very active in the separate Telangana agitation as part of Teachers JAC. As a teacher and as an activist, he has done exemplary service for the resolution of long-pending teachers issues.

Bus enroute to Hyderabad collides with truck, 4 migrant workers killed

Hyderabad: Four migrant workers died in a bus accident in Telangana on the Suryapet-Khammam highway on Friday, January 10. The bus was on its way to Hyderabad from Chhattisgarh. The accident occurred at the Ailapur village in the Chivvemla mandal of the district. The bus passengers were migrant workers coming to Hyderabad to earn their Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Bhu Bharati to be enacted at the earliest: Ponguleti

Khammam: Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced on Thursday that the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights) Act will be enacted at the earliest to address existing lapses in land records. During a ceremony at the B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat, principal secretary of revenue Naveen Mittal was handed the copy of the Act, which had been signed by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, officially approving the legislation. Speaking on the occasion, minister Ponguleti directed officials to finalise the implementation modalities for the Bhu Bharati Act, emphasising that the Act had received the Governors approval. He reiterated that the state government introduced the Act to provide efficient and swift land revenue services to the public. He thanked Governor Varma for sanctioning the Act and acknowledged the contributions of Cabinet members, officials, and intellectuals who provided suggestions during its formulation. He further instructed the officials to expedite the implementation process, expressing confidence that the Bhu Bharati Act would offer a lasting solution to the states land-related issues. Highlighting the challenges faced by farmers under the previous Telangana Land Revenue Act-2020, enacted by the former BRS government, the minister criticised the lack of progress in finalising its modalities over the past three years. He accused the BRS administration of undermining the revenue system during its decade-long tenure, claiming that revenue services were monopolised by a few individuals for personal gain. Since assuming power, the Congress government has undertaken measures to decentralise revenue services to the village level. Ponguleti announced plans to appoint revenue officers in each village to ensure effective land record administration at the grassroots level. He emphasised that the state governments initiatives are aligned with the aspirations of the people, urging revenue officials to enhance the departments strength and accessibility. Concluding his remarks, minister Ponguleti reminded officials that the state governments decisions are people-centric and called on them to implement policies effectively in the field to ensure the welfare of the populace.

Sitarama project to boost irrigation in Nalgonda: Minister

Khammam: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao announced on Thursday that all 10 Assembly constituencies in the former Nalgonda district will get better irrigation facilities upon the completion of the Sitarama project, which is progressing rapidly. Accompanied by Sathupally MLA Matta Ragamayee, Rao inaugurated the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS) building and its godown in Nuthankal, Thallada mandal. During his speech, Rao said his long-standing aspiration to secure irrigation from the Godavari River for the district has been fulfilled. He said that both Sathupalli and Wyra Assembly constituencies will benefit from Godavari water through the Sitarama project within a year. Additionally, he noted that the 10 Assembly constituencies in the erstwhile Khammam district receive irrigation from Sitarama Projects, especially when water levels in the Nagarjunasagar project are low. Rao emphasised that similar to the lift irrigation schemes that utilise the left canal of NSP to serve tail-end areas, the Sitarama project was also meticulously designed to ensure comprehensive irrigation coverage. Addressing financial relief for farmers, Rao announced that the state government has waived crop loans up to 2 lakh despite ongoing financial challenges. He expressed confidence in the states ability to overcome economic hurdles, reaffirming the Congress governments commitment to fulfilling all promises to farmers, including the Rythu Bharosa initiative. Rao detailed that a crop insurance scheme will be launched from the kharif season, covering all crops. In cases of reduced yields or crop damage, insurance companies will compensate for the losses. Further, Rao encouraged farmers to transition from paddy cultivation to alternative crops to increase their income. He assured that the state government is prepared to provide godowns and agricultural tools to farmers through PACS, supporting them in adopting more profitable agricultural practices.