Lokesh confirms use of Red Book

VIJAYAWADA: In what could become a sensational revelation, Andhra Pradesh minister for education, IT and electronics Nara Lokesh confirmed the use of Red Book, in which he reportedly noted down the names of officials and YSRC leaders who allegedly had harassed the TDP cadre and people. On the last day of Assembly sessions here on Friday, talking to reporters in the Assembly lobby, Lokesh said he had the Red Book with him and recalled talking about it in more than 90 public meetings. He said that he would abide by his statement that the names of all the wrongdoers would be included in the Red Book and they would be punished according to the law. Minister Lokesh claimed even before the opening of the Red Book, the YSRC leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had gone to Delhi and made a fuss. He said recently his Red Book has become popular in the national media. Lokesh said that YSRC won 11 seats as Jagan Mohan Reddy held two media conferences in the last five years, and interestingly he held five media conferences in one month. He said if Jagan Mohan Reddy comes to the assembly, they will treat him with respect and explain the facts in a way that makes sense. Minister Lokesh said the alliance leaders would not use foul words or disrespect the family members of the YSRC leader. The five-day session of the AP Assembly concluded here on Friday. AP Legislative Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu declared sine die (adjournment until next time) for the assembly. Similarly, in the AP Legislative Council, Chairman K. Moshen Raju declared sine die of the Council.

CM Naidu announces Rs 3000 relief for each family affected in flood-hit districts

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced immediate relief of Rs 3,000 for each family whose house was inundated in the floods due to heavy rains in the flood-hit five districts. Approximately 1.06 lakh acres were inundated by floodwaters in East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Eluru, and parts of Alluri Sitarama Raju districts, the Chief Minister said during a discussion on floods in the Godavari delta region. He directed Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu and Minister for Home and Disaster Management Vangalapudi Anitha to visit the affected areas, oversee the relief measures and assess the damage. Naidu will be visiting New Delhi to participate in the Niti Aayog meeting. Recalling how his government had come to the rescue of the people during the Hudhud and Titli cyclones, Naidu assured all possible help from the government to the victims. Aid will be provided beyond the stipulated norms, he said. The two ministers will be accompanied by ministers of the respective districts and peoples representatives, who will provide details of the loss and the amount of input subsidy needed. Preliminary estimates put the loss of paddy transplantation at 4,317 acres, maize at 3,160 acres, and cotton at 960 acres. The extent may increase once the complete enumeration of crop loss is done, he said, adding that in the East Godavari district alone, 273 acres are inundated. Earlier, Anitha said from July 19 to 25, the State received 69.6 mm of rain against a normal rainfall of 42.9 mm, with an average rainfall of 26.7 mm. Eluru received the highest rainfall of 98.5 mm on July 19. She added that heavy rains in upper catchment areas resulted in floods in the Godavari River, affecting six Godavari delta districts, and four more districts Srikakulam, Anakapalle, NTR, and Krishna were also affected by heavy rains. A total of 526 villages in 96 mandals were affected, and 230 villages were inundated. Four people lost their lives, and 75,123 people were affected by rains and floods. A total of 82 relief camps were set up to provide relief to 13,277 people, and 271 medical camps are still functioning, she explained. She said 824.69 km of R&B roads and 717.9 km of Panchayat Raj Roads were affected, and 20 culverts were damaged. She said NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed, along with revenue, energy, and health department officials. It was unfortunate that in the previous regime, disaster also happened to the disaster department. Due to non-clearance of bills, the early warning system became defunct, she said, stressing the need to strengthen the department.

AP Dy CM Pawan urges to take up debate on diversion of Panchayat funds

VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan felt that a detailed debate over the diversion of funds from Panchayats should be taken up as it has led to scarcity of funds to improve the rural landscape and usher in gram swaraj which has been the dream of Mahatma Gandhi. Asserting that steps will be taken to strengthen Panchayats by releasing funds, he assured to realise Gram Swaraj (Village self-rule), dream of Mahatma Gandhi. Replying to a question in the AP Legislative Assembly on Friday, Pawan Kalyan, who holds the portfolio of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, said that the 14th and 15th Finance Commission grant to the tune of Rs 8,283.92 crore was released by the Centre and the State had given Rs 7,587.64 crore to the Gram Panchayats during the same period. Not satisfied with the reply, MLA Koona Ravi Kumar and others spoke about diversion of funds meant for panchayats by the previous government. Admitting that there were irregularities and fund diversions, he said the issue would be discussed in detail in the House. Though funds were deposited into the accounts, the Panchayats were not in a position to withdraw them and could not take up basic functions like maintenance of sanitation. Monthly remuneration was not paid to sanitation workers which resulted in over 21,000 sanitation workers staying away from work in many Gram Panchayats. Still an amount of Rs 103 crore is payable to over 23,000 sanitation workers who are continuing their work. In the absence of the required number of sanitation workers, garbage is piled up in the villages causing health hazards, he said. Further, the life of 3.54 crore rural people who constitute 71% of State population was impacted badly due to the poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water and defunct street lights due to stoppage of Finance Commission grants to Gram Panchayats, he observed.

CM Naidu attacks previous YSR regime, says it burdened AP with Rs. 9.74 lakh crore of debt

VIJAYAWADA: The economy of Andhra Pradesh has derailed, and the State has been burdened with Rs 9,74,556 crore debt during the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government, said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu while presenting a white paper on State Finances in the Legislative Assembly on Friday. The last of the seven white papers released by the TDP-led NDA government to expose the failures of the previous YSRC regime on various fronts, explained how the State was pushed into a per capita debt of Rs 1,44,336, posing a challenging task to the present dispensation. Naidu began his presentation by explaining how the State was left in dire straits following the irrational bifurcation, and the five-year struggle to bring it back on the right track by attracting investments from across the world. At length, he explained the States growth story from 2014 to 2019 with emphasis on infrastructure development, industrial growth and peoples welfare. The highest-ever expenditure of Rs 48,000 crore was made on the irrigation sector. He highlighted how the state stood first in the country for four of the five years of the NDA regime (2014-19) in Ease of Doing Business, provision of skill training to eight lakh people, allotment of 14,213 acres of land to 1,945 industrial units, and marquee companies Kia Motors, Hero Motors, Asian Paints, Isuzu Motors, Apollo Tyres, Foxconn, etc starting commercial production in the State. Andhra Pradesh was made a power surplus State by 2019 from 22.5 MU deficit per day in 2014. However, all the growth efforts came to naught after the change of guard in the State in 2019, and the following five years scripted the destruction of the States economy, he said, and added that there was a decline of growth in agriculture and service sectors. Elaborating on the misgovernance of the previous dispensation, the Chief Minister said the power cost increased due to short-term purchases, and as a result, there was an additional burden of Rs 12,250 crore. There was a loss of Rs 7,000 crore due to illegal sand mining, and a Rs 5 crore penalty due to mangroves destruction. Cancellation of contracts in Amaravati, Polavaram and the energy sector had resulted in a loss of investors confidence. The inefficient governance led to Rs 1.29 lakh crore loss in power sector. As for Polavaram, Rs 45,000 crore loss was incurred due to the delay in creating ayacut, Rs 4,900 crore loss due to damages and repairs, and Rs 3,000 crore loss due to delay in hydel power generation. No major new industry/infrastructure project was taken up in the State during the previous regime. Central schemes funds, including State share of Rs 6,600 crore were not released, he elaborated. DBT schemes were supposed to increase wealth in the hands of people. However, the per capita income growth had declined during the previous regime. DBT expenditure led to an increase in borrowings. This has increased per capita debt, he pointed out. Naidu also highlighted the diversion of funds from the States institutional bodies to the AP State Financial Services Corporation Ltd, the mortgage of government-owned properties for securing bank loans, the diversion of local body funds / employee savings / CSS matching grants, spending beyond means by the YSRC government during 2019-24, diversion of taxes through APSBCL and APSDC, sacrificing future revenue of 15 years by diverting ARET (Additional Retail Excise Tax), diversion of local body funds and employee savings. The Chief Minister said a total of 24,988 cases were filed against the finance department and the liabilities payable due to court orders were Rs 3,542 crore. A huge number of contempt cases with personal appearances and arrest warrants against senior officials resulted in systematic humiliation and demoralised administration, he added. Capital Spending reduced by 60% in the last five years, vis a vis 2014-19. Departments, such as transport, Roads & Buildings, and Water Resources, that undertake substantial capital works were left critically short of funds to carry out relevant development works. In short, the financial crisis has brought Andhra Pradesh to a grinding halt, and left it in a vicious circle of debt trap, the Chief Minister said, and urged the members of the House and people of the State to cooperate in overcoming the financial crisis and rising up to the challenge to put the State back on track of development.

Jagan hits out at TDP government over budget, says CM Naidu not in a position to fulfill poll promises

VIJAYAWADA: YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday alleged that the TDP-led NDA government was not presenting the full Budget even after 52 days of forming government as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was not in a position to fulfil his poll promises. On a day when the Chief Minister presented a white paper on finances of the State in the Assembly, Jagan held a marathon press meet where he spoke for nearly two-and-a-half hours about the white papers released by the government. Terming the white papers introduced by Naidu completely false and a part of diversion politics, Jagan opined, Whenever a new government takes charge, it introduces a budget for the remaining months. However, Naidu did not table the Budget as he would have had to show allocations for the promises announced before the elections. Instead, he opted to extend the vote-on-account Budget because he is not in a position to fulfil those promises. On State debts, he said Naidu had initially claimed before the elections that the debt was Rs 14 lakh crore, but later revised it to Rs 10 lakh crore in the Governors speech. However, as of June this year, the actual government debt stands at Rs 5,18,708 crore. When Naidu left office (in 2019), the debt was Rs 2,71,798 crore. It was Rs 1,18,051 crore at the time of the States bifurcation, he pointed out. Sand is being sold at higher rates now: Ex-CM Referring to government guarantees, the former chief minister noted that the debt when Naidu left office was Rs 50,000 crore and increased to Rs 1,06,000 crore under the YSRC regime. Total State liabilities were Rs 1,53,347 crore when Naidu took office in 2014, which increased to Rs 4,08,710 crore by the time he left, recording a 21.63% surge. On the other hand, debts under YSRC government increased to Rs 7,48,000 crore, which is a 12.90% spike. Therefore, it is evident whose tenure saw a higher increase in debt, Jagan said. Praising the Central Economic Surveys positive assessment of APs financial situation during his tenure, the YSRC chief made a mention of the details presented in Rajya Sabha in response to a question which said the State debt stood at Rs 4,85,491 crore for 2023-24. Jagan recalled that when his government assumed power, there was only Rs 100 crore in the treasury, yet they successfully introduced a regular Budget and announced a calendar for each scheme in the manifesto. A total sum of Rs 2.70 lakh crore was deposited in the accounts of the beneficiaries through DBT under various welfare schemes as scheduled. In contrast, Naidu will introduce a vote-on-account Budget, despite having around Rs 7,000 crore in the treasury as of June 12 when he assumed power, he said. Criticising the current governments sand policy, the YSRC chief said sand was being sold at a cost of Rs 375 per tonne through a transparent system under the previous regime, generating an annual revenue of Rs 765 crore. He alleged that although Naidus government has been promoting sand as a free commodity, it is actually being supplied at higher rates than during YSRCs tenure. Jagan noted that the Mines and Geology Departments revenue increased from Rs 2,200 crore in 2018-2019 to Rs 4,000 crore by the end of YSRCs term in 2023-24. Similarly, the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporations (APMDC) revenue surged to Rs 3,200 crore by 2023-24 from Rs 400 crore in 2018-19, he added. Questioning the government on the status of the implementation of its Super Six promises, the YSRC chief lashed out at Naidu for not implementing them yet. He pointed out that during his governments tenure, benefits under schemes like Amma Vodi and zero-interest loans for SHGs were effectively provided. Reacting to the issue pertaining to the burning of files at the RDO office in Madanapalle, Jagan charged the government with trying to implicate YSRC leaders Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and PV Midhun Reddy in the case. The issue was raked up to divert peoples attention from the murder in Vinukonda, he alleged. Later, Jagan shot off a letter to Governor S Abdul Nazeer, stating that there were some distorted facts in his address. Naidu in touch with Cong via Revanth Asked if the YSRC was trying to get closer to INDIA bloc, Jagan said he had invited all parties to take part in his Delhi protest. Accusing Naidu of keeping in touch with Congress via TG CM Revanth Reddy, Jagan said leaders from most parties, except Congress, supported him

CM Naidu Promises Aid to Rain-Hit Farmers; Ministers to Report on Districts

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has said the government will provide all possible support to the people and farmers affected by the recent heavy rains and floods in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the assembly on Friday, he said the people of East and West Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada and Eluru districts along with ASR district were affected by the floods. Some 4,317 acres of crop was damaged and 1.06 lakh acres of paddy saplings submerged in the floods. Agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu and home minister Vangalapudi Anitha would visit the flood-affected areas. The Chief Minister suggested that ministers of the respective districts should collect and submit the details of the damage in their areas to him. Naidu said 3,160 acres of maize and 960 acres of cotton were damaged in the floods All these damage estimates are just preliminary and the loss will increase further when the officials visit the fields. In East Godavari district, 273 acres of crops remained submerged in water and it was the responsibility of the government to support the people in case of a natural calamity, he stressed. In the past, the TD government helped the people when the Hudhud and Titli cyclones created havoc in the state. We will provide assistance to all those who have lost their dear ones or property due to the calamities in these five districts. The CM said 25kg rice, 1kg dal, 1 litre palm oil, 1kg potatoes and 1kg onions would be supplied to every family affected by the floods. We will provide a financial assistance of `3,000 per family to all those who are staying in the rehabilitation centres where the floodwater inundated their houses. I thought of visiting the flood-affected districts but due to the NITI Aayog meeting, this is not possible. Naidu said the government will take the responsibility of supporting the farmers after the ministers submitted the reports. We will see how much input subsidy can be given to farmers, and what should be done for them to recover their losses. These are times when the efficiency of the government as well as its generosity will be measured, he noted.

AP development minister asks municipal officials to speed up Anna Canteen construction

VIJAYAWADA: Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana instructed the new municipal commissioners to speed up the construction of Anna Canteens. He conducted a review meeting with the newly appointed eight municipal commissioners, along with Director of Municipal Administration Hari Narayana, TIDCO Managing Director Sai Kanth, and Swachh Andhra Corporation MD Gandham Chandrudu, at the Secretariat on Friday. They discussed development activities within the municipal corporation limits in the State. During the meeting, Narayana instructed officials to focus on developing parks, central dividers, filling potholes, removing silt from drains and removing all flex boards from central dividers, as they pose a road hazard. He emphasised on ensuring the provision of safe drinking water and maintaining water quality tests to prevent vector-borne diseases. Additionally, he instructed the commissioners to enhance animal birth control programmes for stray dogs. Narayana also discussed town planning issues and the construction of TIDCO houses, urging the officials to take measures to avoid any public complaints regarding town planning.

Dalit welfare schemes withdrawn by YSRCP government will be relaunched: Minister

Dalits treated unfairly during the five-year rule of the YSRCP, alleges Social Welfare Minister Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy

Jagan writes to AP governor over 'distortions of facts'

VIJAYAWADA: Former chief minister and YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote a letter here on Friday to Governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer about the distortion of facts in the Governor's address to the joint session of the AP Legislature on 22nd July, 2024. The address is prepared by the state government and read out by the governor with or without changes. Jagan Mohan Reddy said, (There are) certain distortion of facts and misinformation contained in the Governor's address as prepared by the Telugu Desam-led alliance government. It pained me to learn that instead of using the forum to present facts to the state and the governments vision for the progress of the state, the new government reduced the governor's address into a tissue of lies by making baseless allegations against the previous government. Jagan Mohan Reddy said, It was alleged that the debt and liabilities of the state grew sharply. It is necessary to remind the TD government that during their term between 2014 and 2019, the state government debt grew at a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 18.15 per cent. Against that, the debt during the period 2019 to 2024 grew only at a CAGR of 13.80 per cent. At the time of the formation of the TD government in 2014, the AP governments debt was Rs. 1,18,051 crore. By the time of the formation of the YSRC government in 2019, the debt had increased to Rs. 2,71,798 crore, it rising to 130 per cent and the same has increased to Rs. 5,18, 708 crore by the time of the formation of the TD Government in 2024, translating to a growth of only 90 per cent. Therefore, the allegation that the debt has more than doubled during the period of the YSRC government is untrue, Jagan Mohan Reddy made clear to the Governor.

Andhra HC adjourns Jagans plea for LoP status to July 30

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the petition filed by YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy seeking directions to the Assembly Speaker and the Secretary-General to accord him the Leader of Opposition (LoP) status as per law, to July 30. When the petition came up for hearing before Justice C Ravi, Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas said Jagans petition had no maintainability. He said he would personally argue the case, and sought an adjournment. Conceding his request, the case hearing was adjourned. In his petition, Jagan stated that the Speaker was silent on according him the LoP status. Legislative Affairs Minister Payyavula Keshav had already responded to the matter, indicating that they decided against it, he said. Stressing that there is a need for an opposition leader in the Assembly to raise public issues, Jagan sought LoP status. He urged the High Court not to allow the discretionary powers of the Speaker in the case and to apply constitutional provisions. The YSRC chief accused the State government of denying him the status of LoP intentionally to mute the voice of the people.

Naidu counters Jagan on political vendetta charge

The Chief Minister demanded that Mr. Jagan produce the FIRs of there were vendetta cases filed against the YSRCP leaders

AP Indian Medical Association president urges government to take steps to ensure safety of doctors

VIJAYAWADA: Violence against doctors is an alarming issue that threatens the integrity of our healthcare system, said Indian Medical Association - Andhra Pradesh (IMA-AP) President Dr M Jayachandra Naidu. Speaking at a press conference at IMA Hall in Vijayawada on Friday, he urged the government to take immediate and stringent measures to ensure the safety and security of medial professionals. He highlighted the increasing violence against doctors and healthcare workers, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive policies and protective legislation. Dr Naidu underscored the indispensable role of doctors in nation-building, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where many sacrificed their lives. We, the doctors of this country, are facing difficult times in practising our profession due to the atmosphere of fear and mistrust in our hospitals. The violence on doctors and hospitals has reached epidemic proportions and is a national shame, he stated. He called for the enactment of a Central law on violence against doctors, citing the inadequacy of existing State legislations. The Union government had previously initiated a bill on this issue, which was put up for public comments, but it is yet to be introduced in the Parliament. A Central law would provide a stronger deterrent against such acts. Protecting our healthcare professionals is not just about safeguarding individuals but ensuring uninterrupted and quality medical care for all, he added. IMA-AP General Secretary Dr P Phanidhar echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for legislative action to protect doctors from criminal prosecution. Mindless criminal prosecution has resulted in harassment of doctors and the practice of defensive medicine. There is a legitimate case for exempting the professional service of doctors from criminal prosecution, said Dr Phanidhar. He elaborated on the controversial nature of criminal liability in cases of medical negligence, highlighting the importance of mens rea, or the intent to cause harm, in establishing such liability. The IMA-AP demands that in the absence of mens rea, doctors should only be held accountable under civil law, not criminal law. Ensuring the safety of doctors is not just a professional obligation but a moral imperative. We stand united in our demand for a safer working environment, he said. The IMA-AP calls upon the government to enact a Central law on violence against doctors and hospitals. It urges the government to amend Section 106.1 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) legislation and enforce Section 26 in cases of alleged medical negligence, distinguishing between genuine medical accidents and negligence to protect doctors from unwarranted prosecution.

Jagan dismisses White Papers as false propaganda

The States total liabilities were 7,48,612 crore as on June 2024, as against 4,08,710 in 2019 when the TDP government demitted office, asserts the former Chief Minister; TDP government solely responsible for damage suffered to Polavaram project, he alleges

Naidu spreading lies through white papers, says Y.S. Jagan

Vijayawada : Former Chief Minister and YSRC President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the Chandrababu Naidu government for not presenting a full budget for Andhra Pradesh, raising serious questions about the direction in which the state is heading. Speaking to the media, he slammed the Telugu Desam government for presenting only a vote on account budget even after 52 days of coming into power. The former CM charged that Chandrababu lacks the courage to present a regular budget. If he presented a regular budget, he would need to allocate funds for the deceptive promises made before the elections. He doesnt intend to implement those schemes sincerely, he remarked. Jagan Mohan Reddy came down heavily on Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the Telugu Desam-led coalition government for spreading false propaganda under the guise of White Papers in the state. He pointed to Naidu claiming before the elections that the state debt is 14 lakh crore. After the election results, he said it is 10 lakh crore. In reality, as of June this year, the actual government debt stands at 5,18,708 crore, the former chief minister underlined. Elaborating, he explained that the total state liabilities had been 1,53,347 crore when Chandrababu Naidu first took office as CM in AP. The liabilities increased by 21.63 per cent to 4,08,710 crore by the time Naidu left. He maintained that under YSRC government, the debt increased to 7,48,000 crore, which amounts to 12.90 per cent. It is evident whose tenure saw a higher increase in debt. Moreover, during its rule of five years, the YSRC government directly transferred 2.70 lakh crore to beneficiaries through DBT schemes, Jagan Mohan Reddy clarified. He went on to charge that the state has become unsafe for women, with 12 rape cases reported in the past 45 days. Refuting allegations of TD with regard to Polavaram, he pointed out that the project works had not been carried out systematically during the TDs previous tenure. This led to the diaphragm wall getting destroyed due to heavy floods. Reacting to allegations pertaining to liquor policy, the former CM said the YSRC government did not grant new permits to any distilleries or approve any new liquor brands. He mentioned that the YSRC government effectively implemented phased liquor control, taking several measures, including reducing the number of liquor shops from 4,380 during the TD government to 2,934, cancelling 4,380 permit rooms attached to each wine shop and closing down over 43,000 belt shops that operated indiscriminately.

Grand finale of The Hindus Our State Our Taste contest to be held in Vijayawada on July 27

Six finalists will take part in a live cooking session and the winner will be crowned as Master Chef of Andhra Pradesh

Grand finale of The Hindus Our State Our Taste contest to be held in Vijayawada on July 27 - The Hindu

Grand finale of The Hindus Our State Our Taste contest to be held in Vijayawada on July 27 The Hindu

Andhra Pradesh to Probe Lapses in Amma Vodi Scheme: Lokesh

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government will order a probe into lapses during implementation of the Amma Vodi scheme, human resources development minister Nara Lokesh announced in the State Legislative Council on Friday during the Question Hour while replying to queries raised by members. Listing out a series of lapses in implementation of Amma Vodi, he pointed out that the number of students admitted to government schools had come down between 202122 and 202324 by nearly 7.90 lakh while the expenditure had gone up by Rs 253 crore. Lokesh reminded that the amount spent on each student for implementation of Vidya Kanuka had registered an increase year on year Rs 1,530 crore in 202021, Rs 1,707 crore in 202122; Rs 2,029 in 202223 and Rs 2,700 in 202324. He found fault with shoes offered to students not being of size and substandard school bag. He assured students to provide the option of replacing the shoes. He said officers have been asked to come up with a good pattern of colours for school bags and belts, though not the yellow colour of the Telugu Desam.. The minister maintained that bilingual textbooks offered to students had in fact added to the weight being carried by students than providing any benefit. We are making efforts to make government schools better than private ones. We will continue Vidya Kanuka, while modalities for Talliki Vandanam scheme are being formulated, he informed the members. Replying to a query on the number of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts in polytechnic, junior, degree colleges and universities and proposals to fill them, Lokesh said the government will come up with an academic calendar. He assured that efforts will be made to fill up vacancies in universities and provide the minimum time scale. He disclosed that he had met Governor S. Abdul Nazeer regarding recruitment in universities. The issue has also been taken up with the Advocate General, as an earlier notification to recruit 3,200 assistant professors in universities had ended up in legal tangles. The minister said a girl student from IIIT, Nuzvid, had tagged him in a message that the food served during lunch had not been good. I asked the official concerned to look into the issue. By the time the dinner got served, the food had improved, he stated. Lokesh said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked him to improve the ranking of AP universities, with assurance to provide whatever is needed to achieve it. We are committed to work in that direction, he underlined. The minister said he has asked officials of IT and electronics department to provide incentives to those companies that provide employment, instead of just investing in Andhra Pradesh.

AP committed to built Polavaram dam at 45.72 metre height, says minister

Telugu Desam MLA from Palacole Nimmala Ramanaidu and five other TD leaders were taken into preventive custody by police at Palacole in West Godavari on Wednesday.(Image:DC) Telugu Desam MLA from Palacole Nimmala Ramanaidu and five other TD leaders were taken into preventive custody by police at Palacole in West Godavari on Wednesday.(Image:DC) VIJAYAWADA: State Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has asserted that the alliance government is committed to retain the original design of Polavaram dam and its height at 45.72 metres during the project implementation. In reply to queries in the Legislative Council on Friday, the minister said the YSR Congress government had written a letter to the Centre, seeking to reduce the dams height to 41.15 metre, with a view to diverting the funds for other purposes. This would have affected the project and transformed the project into a barrage, he said. The minister alleged that by reducing the dam height, the Jagan-led government tried to divert nearly 10,000 to 15,000 crore from the project fund. It tried to reduce the estimated cost of the project to Rs 30,000 crore from the estimated Rs 55,000 crore, he said. The present state government is considering the execution of Polavaram project and providing relief to the project-affected families as a top priority, he said.

Andhra Pradesh: Jagan pushed AP into debt trap, alleges MLA

Vijayawada: Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy has said former chief minister and YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has drowned Andhra Pradesh in debt. Jagan Mohan Reddy will go down in history as the worst chief minister for pushing AP into a record debt trap of over Rs 12 lakh crore, he said. The legislator claimed that a rough analysis of various government departments showed that the state owed a debt of around Rs 10 lakh crore. Additionally, there were around Rs 2 lakh crore in outstanding bills to be paid to contractors for the different works they executed during the YSRC rule, he said. While rough estimates published in the White Paper on the AP Finance records a whopping Rs 12 lakh crore, numerous pending bills which need to be uploaded online will add up to the states debt, he stated. Addressing the media on Friday, Sudheer Reddy said, Excluding the assembly complex, Jagan Reddy mortgaged the majority of the government properties to banks. Meanwhile, Rajamahendravaram MLA Adireddy Vasu said the state government has been striving to restore normalcy in the state after it was transformed into the crime and canja capital in the last five years.

Andhra Minister Promises Tough Action Against Ganja Gangs

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government would act tough against the cultivation, sale and transport of ganja. Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha stated in reply to queries in the legislative council here on Friday that ganja was having an adverse impact on youths, who increasingly got addicted to drugs and resorting to violence. The crime rate rose and several educated jobless educated youth committed suicide in recent times, she said. Several tribal youths were languishing in jails vis-a-vis crimes linked to use of narcotic substances, she said. The minister called for a close vigil in educational institutions and hostels via surprise raids and made the teachers responsible and accountable for their students use of ganja in the colleges/hostels. She informed the council that 33 kingpins of ganja rackets were arrested and felt the need to keep a close vigil on those who were out on bail to curb ganja by all means. She laid stress to take up a special drive to control the cultivation, sale and transport of ganja. Quoting instances of ganja getting door-delivered in disguise through courier services, she said the menace was deep-rooted. A narcotics task force would be set up with a toll-free number to deal with ganja. She said 1,745 educated unemployed youths committed suicide fearing trouble from their family members as they were addicted to ganja. The last government created a new entity called Special Enforcement Bureau to deal with ganja as one of its priorities but it was not given the authority to bookcases. Ganja, she said, was being cultivated in about 15,000 acres in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari. Some politicians are involved in its cultivation. We will set up de-addiction centres for the benefit of youths to overcome their addiction and lead a normal life, the minister added.

TD MLA Alleges Peddireddy Got Sub-collectors Office Torched

Vijayawada: Telugu Desam MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy from Sarvepalli on Friday disclosed that investigation agencies probing the fire incident that gutted thousands of files in Madanapalle sub-collectors office have found former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and his gang responsible for the arson. Speaking to reporters at the assembly media point on Friday, Somireddy alleged that the government office had been set afire deliberately to burn files related to land grabbing and irregularities committed by Peddireddy, then YSRC ministers and MLAs. They have destroyed all the evidence related to their irregularities committed in Thamballapalle, Piler and Madanapalle areas, Somireddy charged. He maintained that the gravity of the issue is such that special chief secretary (Revenue) R.P. Sisodia has been assigned to receive grievance petitions from people victimised by the land mafia during the previous YSRC regime in Chittoor district. Somireddy reiterated that Peddireddy and his cronies grabbed lands assigned to the downtrodden and weaker sections at throwaway prices. However, the actual value ranged between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore in the open market. He alleged the YSRC leaders registered these lands in their names through the Power of Attorney Act enacted by the previous YSRC regime to provide permanent rights over assigned lands allotted to the poor under the Bhu Hakku scheme. To escape their ill deeds, while one (Peddireddy) organised an arson attack on the Madanapalle sub-collectors office, another (Kakani) stole files from the courts premises, the Sarvepalli MLA remarked. He criticised the former chief minister and YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy saying the latter has abstained from the assembly session and fled to New Delhi.

SCR Cancels 37 trains due to third line works

Hyderabad: South Central Railway (SCR) announced the cancellation and diversion of various trains due to pre-non-interlocking and non-interlocking works for commissioning of third line between Vijayawada and New West Block hut over Vijayawada division. Cancelled services include daily trains 12713 Vijayawada - Secunderabad (Satavahana Superfast Express), 17201Guntur- Secunderabad (Golconda Express) from August 5 to 10.

CM Naidu says last five years of darker than 'Emergency', talks about atrocities under YSR government

VIJAYAWADA: Terming the previous five -year term of former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as darker than emergency, with law and order being mocked at and police being used to settle political scores, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said a special wing would be formed to check the hostile social media posts. The previous YSRC government rewarded the police who toed its line and those who did not were punished to set an example and drive the message down the line, he said while presenting a white paper on the law and order and ganja during 2019-24. In his methodical and elaborate narration in the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Naidu dealt with the various atrocities committed during the past five years which reversed the good work done by his government between 2014 and 2019. However, all such efforts have come to naught during 2019-24 when the very democratic values were taken hostage for political benefits. A dangerous trend of using police force to control the four pillars of democracy-- Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Media was unleashed. Police officers who colluded with YSRCP leaders were rewarded with focal postings bypassing merit and seniority. Police officers were used in committing illegal activities failing which they were kept in VR (vacancy reserve) for long periods, he said. Naidu explained at length the harassment and cases foisted against him and Pawan Kalyan and cited incidents where stones were pelted, and wrongful detention at airports, hotels, etc. He said 17 criminal cases were registered against him and three against Pawan. He listed out criminal cases, and arrests of TDP leaders in the last five years including 66 criminal cases foisted against JC Prabhakar Reddy. He said 18 cases were filed against former speaker Kodela Sivaprasad Rao forcing him to commit suicide. Most astonishingly, SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) cases were booked against SC leader Vangalapudi Anitha for visiting to console a rape victim in Pulivendula, he said and added everyone is aware of what happened to former MP Raghu Rama Krishna Raju. Regretting that 250 SCs and STs besides 2,027 women were brutally murdered in these five years in various parts of the State, the Chief Minister said that the murder of YS Vivekananda Reddy, the paternal uncle of the Pulivendula MLA, Jagan Mohan Reddy, has been dramatised beyond anyone s ima g inat i on and comprehension. Regretting that the TDP activist, Tota Chandraiah, was hacked to death, Naidu mentioned how Chandraiah sacrificed his life for the sake of TDP by refusing to say Jai Jagan. He pointed out several such incidents in his nearly hour long power point presentation. He announced that reforms will be introduced in the entire police setup and awareness will be created among the people on new Criminal Laws. By utilising the latest technology, drug and ganja abuse will be controlled. Expressing concern over the damaging and adverse posts on social media, Naidu said a special wing will be formed to regulate social media and warned of the sternest action against anyone posting adverse comments, especially on women. The Chief Minister began his presentation emphasising how the TDP government and post-state bifurcation NDA government have maintained law and order effectively standing as an example for other States. Naidu said from 2014 to 2019, murders have come down by 15 %, rioting by 51 %, Kidnapping and abductions by 16 %, hurts by 11 %, assaults by 20 %, and robbery by 25 %. He said post state bifurcation, they effectively adopted technology in crime control and maintenance of law and order. We strengthened police infrastructure and installed 14,770 CC TV cameras with ANPR, Red Light Violation detection, and Facial Recognition System, which has resulted in a 25% increase in crime detection. Body Worn Cameras have decreased complaints of police misconduct, increasing transparency and accountability, and public trust. Locked House Monitoring System (LHMS) has significantly reduced house burglaries. Mobile Command and Control Centres and Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) have helped in bet ter pol icing, he elaborated. Responding positively to the suggestion of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for an extended season on the Law or Order and how best to make the police department more transparent, accountable, and a model system for the entire country, he said it would be held during the next Assembly session.

AP Home Minister Anitha fires at Jagan for not attending Assembly session, asks to submit victim details

VIJAYAWADA: The State Ministers launched an all-out attack against YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for organising a dharna in the national capital alleging lawlessness in the State. While replying to a question by YSRC legislators about the attacks on party leaders and symphathisers in the AP Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha sought to know why Jagan, who left for Delhi citing law and order disturbances in the State, did not attend the Assembly Session when the government released a white paper on the same issue. She wanted Jagan to give the details of the 36 persons, who he claimed to have done to death because of political vendetta. Observing that Jagan organised a photo exhibition on the violence in the State in Delhi only to tarnish the image of the state, she accused him of conspiring to stop the flow of investments into the State. She said a few sporadic incidents occurred from June 12 to July 23 and 42 criminal cases have been booked against the followers of TDP. Similarly, 37 criminal cases were registered against the TDP followers for attacks on the leaders and followers of YSRC, the Home Minister said. She invited Jagan to attend the Assembly session and said enquiry will be initiated once getting the details. On the other hand, Legislative Affairs Minister Payyavula Keshav observed that the intention of Jagan behind going to Delhi was to align with the INDI Alliance.

AP Development Minister Ponguru Narayana urges for probe into TDR bond irregularities

VIJAYAWADA: Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana said that stern action would be taken against all those involved in the large scale irregularities that took place in the issuance of TDR bonds. Replying to a question, he said a departmental inquiry and a probe by Anti-Corruption Bureau (AC B) would also be ordered into the irregularities. A total of 3,301 TDR bonds were issued in 48 Urban Local Bodies and Urban Development Authorities during 2019-24 and irregularities were reported, he told the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday. In Tanuku alone, a scam to a tune of Rs 691.43 crore came to light where TDR bonds were issued at an inflated rate. As against the price of Rs 4,500 per square yard, TDR bonds were issued at the rate of Rs 22,000 per square yard and location was shifted to about 1.4 kms away from the actual site. The actual cost of bonds were worth Rs 63.24 crore but they were issued for a whopping Rs 754.67 crore. This resulted in a scam of Rs 691.43 crore, he pointed out. Three officials were suspended in this connection. AC B probe is underway. Similar irregularities were brought to the notice of the government from Visakhapatnam, Guntur and Tirupati. MLA Arimilli Radhakrishna urged Narayana to take action against former minister Karunuri Nageswara Rao, who is the mastermind behind the bonds scam in Tanuku.

AP agriculture minister fires at former YSR government for cheating farmers

VIJAYAWADA: The previous YSRC government had cheated farmers in the name of a government insurance scheme, said Minister for Agriculture K Atchannaidu. In response to a query from members in the Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Council on Thursday, the minister stated that while the previous NDA government implemented an effective insurance scheme between 2016 and 2019, the YSRC government, which came to power in 2019, rendered the crop insurance scheme defunct. He noted that due to the negligence of the YSRC in paying insurance premiums, farmers have suffered significantly. As the opposition, we strongly opposed the YSRC governments approach to crop insurance. However, our objections and suggestions were ignored, he said. Atchannaidu explained that the previous government paid a premium for only one crop season, leading to farmer losses. They announced the setting up of a government insurance company, but farmers were not covered under insurance. Later, the YSRC government claimed they did not get permission from the Centre to set up the insurance company. It has not paid Rs 1,287 crore to insurance companies, resulting in losses for the farmers, he explained. Taking into account the farmers plight, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu constituted a cabinet sub-committee, including the agriculture minister, finance minister, and civil supplies minister, to devise a better insurance policy for farmers. This Kharif season, we will continue with the old insurance scheme, and from Rabi onwards, a new crop insurance policy will be implemented, he said. Atchannaidu praised Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for his efforts before the elections in assisting the families of tenant farmers who died by suicide. Pawan has helped those families by extending financial support from his own pocket. On the other hand, the previous government, with its Tenant Farmer Act of 2019, denied help to them, he said.

NCDC assistance to Andhra cooperative societies rise to Rs 13,280.13 crore in two years

VIJAYAWADA: The financial assistance in the form of loans and grants by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to cooperative societies and federations across Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a sharp jump of around 370% in the last two years. The financial assistance provided by the NCDC to the cooperative societies/federations went up from Rs 2,831.59 crore in 2021- 22 to Rs 13,280.13 crore in 2023-24. There are 17,675 registered cooperative societies in Andhra Pradesh as per the data available on the National Cooperative Database (NCD) portal, Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question raised by YSRC MP Parimal Nathwani. The Union Minister also stated that the NCDC provides financial assistance to cooperatives societies/federations across the country. As per the information received from the NCDC, in the last three years, the total amount disbursed as loan is Rs 1,34,670.90 crore, while the total amount disbursed as grants is Rs 1,200.04 crore, said the minister. According to the statement of the minister, to strengthen PACS, a project for computerisation of functional PAC S with a total financial outlay of Rs 2,516 crore has been approved by the Government of India, which entails bringing all functional PACS in the country onto a common ERP based national software, linking them with NA BARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Cooperative Central Banks (DCCBs). A total of 67,009 PACS from 30 States/UTs have been sanctioned under the project. The hardware has been procured by 28 States/UTs. A total of 25,674 PACS have been onboarded on ERP software and 15,207 PACS have gone live, said the minister. As per the statement, the GoI share amounting to Rs 654.22 crore was released to 29 States/ UTs in the years 2022-23, 2023- 24 and 2024-25 for procurement of hardware, digitisation, and setting up of support system. Nathwani wanted to know about the number of co-operative societies registered in the country, the steps taken by the government for revitalising, bringing transparency, modernising, creating competitiveness and capacity building of societies and the financial assistance provided by the government for capacity expansion of these societies after the formation of a separate ministry for it.

AP social welfare minister urges for upliftment of Dalits

VIJAYAWADA: Social Welfare Minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy said the government will revive all the schemes intended for the economic upliftment of Dalits. Speaking during the Question Hour in the AP Legislative Assembly on Thursday, he said the previous YSRC regime cancelled 27 schemes intended for welfare of SCs. They included the economic development schemes (bank linked schemes), land purchase scheme, land development scheme (SCs), minor irrigation (SCs), Skill Development Training Programme for SC Youth, NTR Vidyonnathi, Best Available Schools, Skill Upgradation Programme (SCs), Book Bank (SCs), and other schemes. He informed the House that the revival of the disbanded schemes is under active consideration of the State government. The backlog posts were not filled during the previous YSRC regime and the Rule of Reservation was not implemented properly, he said.

Sharmila urges CM to rescue flood-hit farmers in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: APCC chief YS Sharmila wrote a letter to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu drawing his attention to the plight of flood-hit farmers in the State, and stressing the need for immediate desilting of drains and canals. She said the coastal districts have been severely affected by last weeks heavy rainfall. This, coupled with an outdated and inadequate drainage system, has resulted in flooding of agricultural fields, causing irreparable crop damage. It is disappointing to note that neither your Cabinet colleagues nor the local MLA s or MPs have been seen addressing the plight of the farmers in the affected areas. This contrasts with the frequent promises made by your government, she said. The Congress urges the CM to treat this situation as a State emergency. We request the deployment of teams to assess the crop damage and the prompt announcement and disbursement of adequate compensation to the farmers. The previous government failed to address poor drainage problem, neglecting desilting and canal repairs, and diverting funds intended for these purposes. We request you to allocate funds and direct the officials to desilt drains and repair canals, Sharmila added.

Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corp. bags two awards for innovation

VIJAYAWADA: Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd (APTRANSCO) bagged two prestigious awards at the Southern India level. The South Govtech Symposium Award was received in the Digital Transformation Excellence category for the Joint Meter Reading (JMR) Application developed by APTRANSCOs IT Wing. Additionally, APTRANSCO was honoured with the IT Innovation Award for its creative steps in developing and implementing a demand forecasting model based on cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) by the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) of APTRANSCO. The awards were presented to APTRANSCO officials by representatives of the Governance Now South Gov-Tech Symposium at a ceremony held in Hyderabad on Wednesday night. Special Chief Secretary Energy and APTRANSCO CMD K Vijayanand, along with MD Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) KVN Chakradhar Babu and JMD HR & Admin/APTRANSCO Kirthi Chekuri, congratulated the IT/Telecom team of APTRANSCO and the State Load Dispatch Centre for their achievements. Vijayanand encouraged officials to maintain their sustained efforts in operational excellence within the power sector, guided by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, and to aim for more awards for power utilities in the future. The implementation of the JMR application has enabled the AP Power Co-ordination Committee (APPCC) to eliminate Late Payment Surcharges (LPS) and receive rebates on invoice bills due to reduced delays. Typically, the surcharges amount to around 15% of the invoices total amount, with a rebate of around 1%. With an annual invoice processing of approximately `50,000 crore, it is estimated that the APPCC benefits by around `750 crore through the JMR online application, Vijayanand explained. Congratulating the officials on winning the innovation award for the AI-based forecasting model, the special chief secretary noted that the Andhra Pradesh State Load Despatch Centre (APSLDC) has proactively developed and implemented an innovative forecasting model using AI to enhance the precision and reliability of power demand forecasts, ensuring a more responsive and adaptive approach to the ever-changing dynamics of electricity consumption. I am happy to share that this innovation is the first of its kind among power utilities in the country. This AI model has surpassed the traditional manual forecasting approach previously used at the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), he added.

Andhra Cabinet approves construction of new diaphragm wall for Polavaram project

VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat on Thursday, gave its approval for the construction of a new diaphragm wall for the Polavaram Irrigation Project. At the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi on July 27, the State government will put forward the proposal for the construction of the new diaphragm wall for the Polavaram project. As the resolution of the Cabinet is mandatory to place a proposal before NITI Aayog, the emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers was held to give its nod for the construction of new diaphragm wall. After the end of the fourth day proceedings of the AP Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues reached the Secretariat to attend the meeting. It may be recalled here that while releasing a white paper on the Polavaram project last month, the Chief Minister made it clear that only due the imprudent decisions of his predecessor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the diaphragm wall got damaged completely. Phase-1 of Polavaram scheduled to be completed by March 2026: Min The previous regime had constituted an expert committee, which confirmed that the diaphragm wall was damaged. The committee also said it needs Rs 2,000 crore to take up the diaphragm wall repairs. The diaphragm wall was constructed at a cost of Rs 400 crore, and with the cost of raw materials escalating, about Rs 2,000 crore is needed to take up the repair works. The Godavari floods during the previous monsoon season had caused huge pits near the diaphragm wall of the Polavaram project in the river bed. After mulling over whether to take up the repairs or construct a new one, the government has decided to go for a new one, and the same was approved in the Cabine t meeting. Another resolution hailing the Centre for giving priority to AP in the recent Union Budget was also approved by the Cabinet. The Centre assured Rs 15,000 crore financial assistance to Amaravati, apart from speeding up the construction of Polavaram project. Meanwhile, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil, in a written reply to a question raised by TDP MPs Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and GM Harish Balayogi in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, informed that as per the assessed new timelines, phase-1 of the Polavaram project, i.e., water storage up to the minimum draw down level of EL 41.15 m, is scheduled to be completed by March 2026. The Jal Shakti Minister said the Polavaram Project Authority awarded the third party evaluation of the project to II T Hyderabad in August 2021. As per the report submitted by II T Hyderabad in November 2021, change of construction agency, slow progress in land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement, and the Covid 19 pandemic were identified to be the key reasons for the delay in the project, he said.

Implementation of new schemes seems 'difficult' as Andhra receipts fall short by Rs 11,685 crore

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh is staring at a severe financial crisis so much so that there is a staggering gap of Rs 1,46,909 crore between revenues from all sources and the total expenditure as on date. The State government will present a white paper on State finances in the Assembly on Friday, laying bare the critical fiscal situation. It is learnt that as per the white paper, the State governments essential expenditure covering salaries and pensions, welfare pensions, debt servicing, Arogyasri, mid-day meal scheme, power subsidy and administrative expenses among others amount to Rs 2,50,825 crore while the total receipts comprising States own revenues (Rs 90,270 crore), tax devolutions (Rs 49,365 crore), capital receipts including public debt, and Central assistance to State plans comes to around Rs 2,39,140 crore. It means the State receipts fall short of Rs 11,685 crore to meet just essential expenditure. On the other hand, a whopping Rs 1,13,244 crore dues are outstanding to vendors and schemes and Rs 21,980 crore to employees. Given this situation, well-placed sources informed TNIE that there is hardly any fiscal scope for implementation of new schemes in the financial year 2024-25. Asked about the States debt burden, the source explained that as of June 12 this year it is a little over Rs 9.7 lakh crore, including government debt of Rs 4.38 lakh crore, and corporation debt of Rs 2.48 lakh crore. The debt was Rs 3.75 lakh crore at the end of March 2019. According to the sources, the white paper will draw comparison between the YSRC stint in power between 2019-2024 and the TDP regime from 2014-2019. It seems the per capita income growth decreased from 12.9% per cent to 9.7 per cent in the last five years. Now, govt may not be able to present full-fledged budget During the same period, the per capita debt increased from Rs 74,790 to Rs 1,44,336 while inflation also shot up to 6.2 per cent from 4.5. Similarly, the capital expenditure dropped to 22.54 per cent from 59. The situation is scary, the sources said, if one were to consider the fact that the States own revenues will have to go only for salaries, pensions, and other employee related liabilities. In short, the State is depending on borrowings and grants to meet even committed expenditure. The ruling NDA government will come out all guns blazing in the Assembly against the YSRC for the precarious financial condition. The upshot of all this is that the State government is unlikely to be able to present a fullfledged budget at this juncture. Informed sources said in a departure from tradition, the government may defer it by a couple of months.

Builders happy with fund allocation for Amarvati capital development, say will help stimulate growth

VIJAYAWADA: Realtors and builders in Andhra Pradesh have welcomed the Union Budget, which they said is positive and augurs well for the state in general and the housing sector in particular. They said Rs 15,000 crore for the Amaravati capital development has sent positive vibes, and the real estate value not just in the capital villages, but in the region as a whole has increased. The realtors and builders, who left the state in search of better opportunities, are steadily returning now. Builders and developers are of the view that affordable housing, focus on industrial and urban infrastructure will help stimulate growth in real estate, and investors will find more opportunities. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI) members opined that the reduction of capital gains tax on real estate properties from 20 per cent to 12.5 per cent is expected to stimulate investment in the real estate sector, boost real estate transactions, and improve returns for investors. They observed that the removal of indexation benefits for calculating capital gains tax on real estate will not affect properties held before 2001. These properties will continue to enjoy the indexation benefits. The indexation benefits for properties held before 2001 allow the valuation of these properties to be adjusted for inflation up to 2001 while calculating capital gains tax. The announcements of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding the housing sector and other budget decisions are economic boosters, more so for our State. The PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) 2.0 which focuses on affordable housing for the urban poor and middle class is good news for those in the real estate sector, said Subash Bose of CREDAI AP Chapter Amarnath of NAREDCO said the Union Budget has created a positive ambiance for the growth in the real estate sector. Since the change of the guard in the State, the real estate business has picked up momentum, more so in the capital region. In the core capital region, the value has quadrupled after the elections. Now with Rs 15,000 crore funding for the State, the value of the land in the region may increase further, he opined. Ramesh Ankineedu, a builder, who left the State five years ago, has returned two months back and sees a positive change in the real estate sector now. In the last 40 odd days, the land value in Vijayawada and Guntur has increased by some 20 per cent to 30 per cent, and further growth is expected. There is also momentum in the clearance of inventory, and the sales of flats and plots have gained pace, he said.

Naidu to attend Niti Aayog meeting tomorrow

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met his council of ministers at the secretariat in Velagapudi on Thursday ahead of the Niti Aayog meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. Naidu and his cabinet ministers discussed the Polavaram project and other important issues to be put before the Niti Aayog. The AP Cabinet also passed a resolution appreciating the central government for giving priority to Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget 202425. The Chief Minister will leave for Delhi on Friday night to attend the Niti Aayog meeting the next day. Naidu is expected to mainly raise the issue of Polavaram, in particular construction of a new diaphragm wall for the dam.

Marine Products Export Development Authority Applauds Union Budget 2024

Vijayawada: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has applauded the announcements made in the Union Budget 2024 that it said, are set to significantly enhance India's aquaculture and seafood export sectors. MPEDA chairman DV Swamy said here on Thursday that the budget included a range of strategic steps aimed at bolstering the competitiveness of India's marine products sector, with a special focus on shrimp production and export. He said the government has promised to provide substantial financial support to establish a network of nucleus breeding centres (NBCs) for shrimp broodstock. This initiative is anticipated to drastically reduce India's reliance on imported broodstock, potentially saving the industry up to Rs 150 crore annually. Hatchery operators are expected to benefit significantly from the budget proposals, with a projected savings of 50 per cent on broodstock costs. He stated that approximately one lakh farmers will benefit from a 30 per cent reduction in shrimp seed costs. NABARD will play a crucial role in facilitating the financing for shrimp farming, processing and export, he said. He said this intervention was designed to cover 80 per cent of the project costs for farmers, accompanied by an interest subvention of up to 3 per cent. A total of 639 export processing units are expected to benefit from enhanced access to infrastructure development funds, enabling them to improve and expand their facilities through assistance from NABARD.

Ragging at SSN College: NCC group commander warns of strict action

Vijayawada: NCC Group Commander SM Chandra Sekhar has warned of strict action against students and institutions that deviate from the core values of the National Cadet Corps. He released a statement on Thursday in the context of the ragging at SSN college. The commander said NCC was a disciplined organisation and stressed that this should remain so. It taught core values to the students like nation-building, youth development and empowerment, he said. As for the video clip that went viral, he said the Palnadu district police took up the case suo moto and this was now under investigation. Some final-year degree students subjected their juniors to ragging by beating them up with sticks at SSN College in the guise of providing them training for NCC on Feb 2 and this tainted the image of the college.

APSHCL new managing director assumed charge

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh State Housing Corporation Limited (APSHCL) managing director (MD) P. Raja Babu took charge at the corporation headquarters at Gurunanak Colony in Vijayawada on Thursday. He was transferred and posted as housing corporation MD from the skill development corporation MD recently. Soon after assuming the office, Raja Babu met housing corporation special chief secretary Ajay Jain on a courtesy call. Later, he convened a meeting with key officials in the corporation and enquired about the ongoing schemes and projects.

Changes in AP police department on the cards

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said he would effect changes in policing in the state as the YSRC government completely destroyed the system in the state, adding that 17 cases had been filed whimsically against him by the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government. The Chief Minister released a White Paper in the state Assembly on Thursday the fourth in a series. There had been no cases against me in the past except for the Babli case. Seven cases were filed against Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan in the last five years, he noted. Naidu asserted that the NDA government would restore peace and security in the state and take steps towards a crime-free society. He said, The first thing any government should do in a democracy is to save people's lives and secure their properties. For the past five years, peace and security has been undermined. He affirmed, Our government will maintain peace and security and without any political considerations. Everyone should respect the law. He said, Between 2014 and 2019, the steps we took to maintain law and order have reduced murders by 15 per cent, riots by 51 per cent and kidnappings by 16 per cent. We have reduced assaults by 20 per cent, harassment by 11 per cent and robberies by 25 per cent. We have installed 14,770 automatic CC cameras in the state. We had introduced the automatic fingerprint identification system and reduced crimes. Naidu continued, When we were in the Opposition, GO 1 was issued by the YSRC government to suppress our activities. Over 590 cases were filed against TD leaders and 162 of our leaders were arrested. Some 1,969 cases were registered on party lines and 2,370 party workers were arrested. Some 2,560 cases were filed against our party leaders and ranks. Some 24 cases were filed against Jana Sena leaders and 181 cases against Jana Sena workers. Some 71 persons were arrested. Cases were filed against 16 leaders of the BJP, 57 cases were filed against BJP rank and file and 31 of them were arrested. The regime did not spare CPI, CPM and Congress, as cases were filed against them too. Naidu said, TD leader J.C. Prabhakar Reddy has been arrested 46 times with the highest number of 66 cases filed against him. Chintamaneni Prabhakar was arrested 15 times under 45 cases. Pulivarthi Nani was charge-sheeted and put in jail. Around 53 leaders were harassed by way of illegal cases. All those who were subjected to illegal cases in the previous government have now been sent to the Assembly as legislators by winning elections. He said, Cases were filed against 4,000 government employees who fought for cancellation of the Contributory Pension Scheme. We will review all the illegal cases filed against the employees by the previous government and waive those cases. They promulgated the Disha law, which actually does not exist as the Centre sent that back due to flaws. In five years, SC and ST people have been attacked at will. As many as 192 SCs and 58 STs were killed. Some 2,027 women were murdered in five years. The CM stated, Pawan Kalyan has said 30,000 women have disappeared. Minorities were also attacked. The Amaravati farmers were harassed by filing 269 cases against them and 2,525 of those farmers were arrested. Naidu posed, Have you seen a leader like Jagan in history? I have never seen a person like Jagan anywhere in my life. Pablo Escobar is a Colombian drug lord in history who earned 30 billion dollars by selling drugs. He thus became the richest man and in 1982, he went to the Colombian Parliament as an MP. Similarly, Jagan Mohan Reddy's desire is to earn more money than Ambani and Tata.

Efforts Underway to Complete 3.13 Lakh TIDCO Houses: AP Minister

Vijayawada: Urban development minister Ponguru Narayana has said efforts were on to complete the construction of TIDCO houses and arrange the basic facilities in them. The minister informed the AP legislature on Thursday that permission has been taken from the Centre to build 7 lakh houses through TIDCO. We are trying to complete 3,13,832 houses by the end of December with all basic facilities. Narayana was replying to questions from Telugu Desam MLAs PGVR Naidu, Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, Tenali Sravan Kumar and Kolikapudi Srinivasa Rao on Thursday. On the details of TIDCO houses constructed between 2014-2019 and the and basic facilities provided in the houses in several areas in Visakhapatnam district, Narayana said TIDCO houses are meant for the poor women. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu wanted these houses to be constructed and handed over to the women beneficiaries as early as possible, he said. The minister said that when he had been abroad in relation to the construction of Amaravati capital, he studied how the houses were constructed for the poor there. The centre has given permission to construct a total of 7,01,481 houses through TIDCO, of which 5,00,000 houses have been issued administrative permissions under the TD government of 2014. The minister said that out of the total 5 lakh houses, tenders were called for 3,13,832 houses. Some 77,371 houses were completed, while 89,671 houses are ready by 75 per cent and 49,329 houses by 50 per cent. Narayana said 2,16,370 houses have been completed by 2019. Some 52,192 houses were removed from the list because the YSR Congress government has not completed even 25 per cent of the houses. Work on some 2,61,640 houses have been started in 104 municipalities. Tenders have been called for 864 houses in Visakhapatnam Padmanabha Nagar, he said. In Mulagada (Visakhapatnam), 504 houses have been allocated and construction of 336 houses completed. Even though the construction of houses has been completed in some places, basic facilities have not been provided to these, the minister said.

AP to introduce best crop insurance policy: Minister

Vijayawada : Agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu has vowed to implement the best crop insurance policy for farmers from next year and assured them that this would be implemented from the upcoming rabi season, based on feasibility. It would cover both the kharif and rabi seasons. Replying to the queries raised by members during Question Hour in the legislative council on Thursday, the minister said the government was planning to come up with the best crop insurance policy with contributions from farmers as also from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. The crop insurance policy initiated by the TD government in 2014-19 was the best, he claimed, and said the present government would implement the same with requisite changes. The minister said the crop insurance policy adopted by the YSR Congress government during 2019-24 was not beneficial to the farmers. Jagan Mohan Reddys government was yet to pay crop insurance claims under Free Insurance-PMFBY after rabi 2022-23 to the farmers, he said. He added that the PMFBY claims totalling `1,393.61 crore were yet to be paid to farmers. Efforts would be made to have the necessary budget provision this fiscal for release of the pending subsidy to the farmers. The minister said the chief minister has issued orders to constitute a cabinet sub-committee comprising three ministers, including those handling agriculture, civil supplies, and finance to frame the best crop insurance policy for farmers. The minister said the YSRC government reneged on its promise to set up a crop insurance company on its own by claiming that the Centre had not accepted their proposal to do so.

Municipal School in Nellore turns boozers hangout at night

Women in the neighbourhood complain to political leaders; night patrolling has begun in the area, say police

New terminal building at Vijayawada airport likely to be complete by Jun 2025

Gannavaram Airport has been moving towards transforming itself into an International Airport. After three-and-a-half years, the prominence given by the government did not yield fruitful results. Gannavaram Airport has been moving towards transforming itself into an International Airport. After three-and-a-half years, the prominence given by the government did not yield fruitful results. New Delhi: The construction of the new integrated terminal building at Vijayawada airport in Andhra Pradesh is expected to be completed by June next year, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu told the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The project for the construction of the new integrated terminal building and associated works at the airport at an estimated cost of Rs 611.80 crore was approved by the Union government in June 2020. In a written reply, Naidu said there has been no cost overrun for the project till now. The project faced delays primarily due to the late receipt of environmental clearances and unforeseen natural calamities, including the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple cyclones, and unusually high rainfall. The projected timeline for the completion of the work is June 2025, he said. The minister also said the actual timeline is contingent upon various factors, such as the availability of mandatory approvals and clearances and the removal of obstacles by the respective airport developer. The project has achieved 48.5 per cent physical progress, and an expenditure of Rs 279.93 crore has been incurred till June 2024. As per Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, the government had granted in-principle approval for setting up of three greenfield airports in Andhra Pradesh. The project cost for the Dagadarthi Airport is Rs 293 crore, Bhogapuram Airport is Rs 4,727 crore, and Oravakal Airport is Rs 187 crore. The Oravakal airport became operationalised in March 2021. At present, there are 157 operational airports, heliports and water aerodromes.

CM Chandrababu Naidu exposes faulty excise policy of YSRC

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu gave a blow by blow account of how the excise policy of the previous government had left a deep dent to the State exchequer besides adversely affecting public health, encouraging black marketing, bootlegging and left the systems in disarray. Tabling the White Paper on Excise Policy of the previous YSRC government in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, the Chief Minister affirmed that the regime between 2019 and 2024 has become a case study to know how not the mal-administer a State. A balance between welfare and development is needed for a State to progress and creation of wealth. But when extreme greed replaces the interests of the State, it will result in the situation, AP has witnessed during the previous regime. It also shows, what will happen when criminals head the government, he observed. In his PowerPoint Presentation, the Chief Minister said the YSRC had commenced its regime with misleading promises of total prohibition. He described the excise policy of the previous government as a dark and sinister scam, which was never seen before. It promised to reduce liquor outlets in a phased manner and limit the sales to five-star hotels. It reduced them to 2,934 from 4,380 but again increased to 3392 (458 APTDC outlets). The number of bars (840) was not reduced. The previous dispensation was never sincere in its intent and has manipulated the policies and people for its gain. The ill-planned, imbalanced policy, which was a failure, only increased crime, black marketing, and bootlegging, adversely affecting public health, he explained. Naidu said the former Chief Minister has claimed to increase the price, to reduce consumption. However, the prices were increased multiple times without proper rationale. Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) reported that between SEB reported that between May 2020 and July 2020 increase in the number of cases booked per month was by 321 percent, increase in the number of cases booked per month was by 321, the number of persons arrested by 466 percent, and the monthly average quantity of liquor smuggled into AP by 2012 percent, Seizure of vehicles has gone up by 636 percent, he said. SEB reported that due to the large difference between the MRP of Medium and Premium brands as compared to neighbouring States, huge smuggling was registered between September and October 2020 (1,211 cases), he added. Naidu said illicit liquor distillation was all over the State as 1.78 crore liters were seized during 2019-24 and for the same period, there was an unchecked inflow of Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL) as seen by the increase of 66 percent in seizures compared to 2014-19. Crime has increased by 64 percent compared to 2014-19 and most worrying was the fact that there was a 52 percent increase in liver ailments and 54 percent in kidney ailments as compared to 2019, he said. Contrary to the claims that per capita consumption of alcohol has reduced, it has increased from 5.55 litres in 2019-20 to 6.23 litres in 2023-24. The enforcement was abysmal, he said. Stating that the State Government has a challenging task before it to set right the situation, he said, We will develop and enforce a transparent procurement policy. An expert committee/cabinet sub-committee will review shop policies to ensure they are consistent and based on best practices and will launch a comprehensive campaign to eradicate illicit liquor/NDPS. White paper on law & order today Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will present a white paper on Pathetic law and order situation that prevailed in the State between 2019 and 2024 in the Assembly on Thursday. This comes a day after the YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy staged a protest in Delhi against the alleged TDP attacks on YSRC cadre

Panchayat Raj system will be strengthened: Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan

VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday reiterated that the Panchayat Raj system, which was rendered almost defunct by the previous YSRC regime, will be strengthened. Muthukur Sarpanch Buduru Lakshmi met Pawan Kalyan, along with Sarvepalle MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy in the State Assembly, and complained that former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy, and YSRC leaders had abused her in the name of caste and forged her signature. Lakshmi said she belongs to the ST community, and she was insulted by YSRC leaders, upa sarpanch, and panchayat secretary in the name of caste and warned her to leave the village. Pawan Kalyan assured to take action against those responsible for insulting the sarpanch in the name of her caste and forging her signature. The issue is in my notice and I have already directed the officials concerned to submit full details. We will inquire the forgery of signature, and take action against those who insulted the woman sarpanch as per law, he said.

Bill to repeal Land Titling Act passed in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

VIJAYAWADA: The AP Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the bill to repeal the Andhra Pradesh Land Titling Act, 2022 and also another bill to restore the name of Dr NTR University of Health Sciences to Dr YSR University of Health Sciences. Describing the Land Titling Act as a horrific one, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the previous YSRC government enacted it without any knowledge, which created several problems. Participating in the debate on the bill to repeal the Land Titling Act, Naidu said there was a spurt in the number of land disputes and the number also increased a lot in his Kuppam Assembly constituency. As the MLA, the Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition, I have represented Kuppam for the past 40 years. But, for the past five years, more complaints have come from the people pertaining to land disputes, he said. Observing that 22A became a weapon for land settlements, Naidu said in case of the land owner not agreeing to the settlement, those in power would simply list the land under 22A category, and it would automatically become the government land. In case of acceptance, they would simply remove it from the purview of 22A, and it would become a private land. Technology is very dangerous if it is with criminals, and it is very easy for them to tamper with land records, Naidu observed. Mentioning that pattadar passbooks being given to landowners with the government emblem all the years, he said former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy printed his photo on the passbooks, hurting the sentiments of people. Though people were vexed with such acts, they could do nothing. As per the Act enacted by the YSRC regime, there was no authority for the civil courts to deal with land disputes and any one could be appointed as Land Titling Officers and such private persons would script the fate of the people. The GO related to the Act was also kept secret. As the comprehensive land survey of the previous regime had also increased the land disputes, the TDP-led NDA government has put it on hold, and it will come up with a proper plan, he said. As promised to the people, repealing the Land Titling Act is one of the signatures out of the first five made by me after taking charge as the CM. Later, we have approved it in the first Cabinet meeting, and now tabled it in the first session of the Assembly. This is our commitment, Naidu asserted. Earlier, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad explained the reasons for repealing the Land Titling Act. The bill to restore the name of Dr NTR University of Health Sciences to Dr YSR University of Health Sciences tabled by Health Minister Y Satya Kumar, also passed by the Assembly.

Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha ridicules Jagans protest in New Delhi

VIJAYAWADA: Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha lambasted former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his YSRC party for resorting to fake propaganda to mislead people. Interacting with mediapersons in the Assembly lobbies on Wednesday, she said fearing backlash from the people, if he staged a dharna with his fictitious claims in the State, Jagan and his party held the protest in New Delhi. Even in his sleep, Jagan fears Red Book, she said. Anitha accused Jagan of creating obstacles to prevent investors and industries from coming to AP with nefarious intentions. Ridiculing Jagan for not daring to show the photos of the two workers who were murdered during the YSRC regime, she said Delhi would not be sufficient for the photo exhibition of the atrocities and crimes that took place in Jagans five-year regime. The YSRC and its chief are making baseless allegations against the TDP-led NDA government. Jagans words are unworthy, and not even his mother and sister believe in them. The main reason for Jagan staging protest in New Delhi is to escape from attending the Assembly session, she said. She dared Jagan to come up with evidence, and assured to register cases against perpetrators of violence against YSRC cadres. Jagan invites all parties to join Delhi protest to highlight attacks on party workers under TDP government

INDIA alliance leaders back Jagans protest

VIJAYAWADA / NEW DELHI: In a move that triggered speculation that the INDI Alliance partners are trying to take the YSRC into their fold, a host of INDI Alliance parties, barring the Congress extended their support to the protest organised by the YSRC against the TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government in New Delhi on Tuesday. However, YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy did not make any announcement in this regard. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was the first to attend the protest and strongly condemned the ongoing violence against YSRC workers perpetrated by TDP supporters. Shiv Sena (UBT), AIADMK and Trinamool Congress leaders also extended their support to Jagan. Condemning the violence, Akhilesh Yadav expressed his gratitude to Jagan for inviting him to the protest. Without the invitation, I would not have been aware of the severe state of violence occurring in Andhra Pradesh. The TDPs actions are an attempt to instill fear among the people of Andhra Pradesh by targeting YSRC workers, he alleged. Former CM and YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy leads a protest of the party against the AP government in New Delhi on Wednesday. Jagan lashes out at Red Book regime in State Akhilesh Yadav urged Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to take stern measures to halt the violence and ensure the safety and security of all political workers and people in the State. Speaking at the protest, Jagan said Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a series of unprecedented atrocities under the TDP government in the last 45 days. The rule of law has been blatantly disregarded, and the administration has indulged in acts that can be described as nothing short of tyrannical, he alleged. Leaders and workers of the ruling party, with their barbarism, are causing widespread fear among the people of the State. The targeted violence and harassment faced by YSRC sympathisers is not just an attack on a political party but an attack on democracy itself, he said. Jagan said, The self-styled Red Book governance has been unleashed by the TDP, and policing has been made ineffective. Worse still is the registering of false cases against the victims, thus plunging the State into lawlessness. I call upon every citizen of the country to raise their voice against these atrocities and demand accountability from those in power. We must ensure that justice prevails and that the TDP government and Naidu are held accountable for their actions, he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticised the TDP government for the continuous violence against YSRC workers, and called for a detailed investigation by the Centre. Another MP of the party Arvind Sawant said, If the violence continues, AP will soon become the next Manipur. Rajya Sabha MP and AIADMK leader M Thambidurai lashed out at the TDP-led NDA government, and urged Naidu to take serious measures against TDP goons and put an end to the atrocities. TMC MP Nadimul Haque expressed his anger against the Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government over the continuous violence in the State. Jagan hits out at red book rule Jagan charged that the self-styled Red Book governance has been unleashed by the TDP, policing has been made ineffective, and State plunged into lawlessness No rule of law in AP: Former CM Jagan said AP has witnessed a series of unprecedented atrocities under the TDP government in the last 45 days. The rule of law has been blatantly disregarded, the former chief minister alleged

Vishnu Kumar Raju is BJP floor leader in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

VIJAYAWADA: P Vishnu Kumar Raju was elected as the BJP floor leader in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Assembly Speaker Ch Ayyanna Patrudu informed the House on Wednesday that he received a ...

Jagan staging stir in Delhi to avoid attending assembly session: Home Minister

Vijayawada : Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha has alleged that former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy staged a protest in New Delhi so as to avoid attending the ongoing AP Assembly session. Jagan Mohan Reddy has been levelling allegations of 36 murders in AP in recent weeks. I dare him to come up with evidence. I shall order an inquiry and book cases against the culprits, if any, she said on Wednesday. She asked the former CM why he did not display the photos of Thota Chandraiah and Subramanyam who he said were murdered. Instead, if they held a photo exhibition on the atrocities perpetrated by the YSRC government in the last five years, the entire area where Delhi is located might not be sufficient. The home minister said Jagan Mohan Reddy feared trouble if he staged a stir in AP and hence shifted the stage to Delhi. Now that the NDA has rejected Jagan Mohan Reddy, he is looking at INDIA bloc for support, she said.

Vijayawada: Student Held Over Ragging at SSN College

Vijayawada : A student was arrested on a charge of ragging at Narasaraopeta in Palnadu district on Wednesday. According to police, six students pursuing degree final year subjected 10 second- year degree students to ragging in the guise of providing them training for NCC at the SSN college hostel premises on February 2. The final year students beat up their juniors with sticks. The issue came to light when a video clip of the incident got circulated in social media on Wednesday. A police team went to the college and made an inquiry. The final-year students who subjected their juniors to ragging had appeared for their final exams in March/April and returned to their native places. The victims have been promoted to the final year. Based on the information given by the students and the details found in the video clip, the police booked a case and arrested a student. More arrests would follow, the police said.

AP Government Issue Order for Amaravati Technical Committee to Resume

Vijayawada: Signaling renewed efforts to revive the stalled Amaravati capital city project, the Andhra Pradesh government has formed a technical committee.Issued on July 24, an official order establishes a panel of chief engineers from various departments (G.O.Rt.No. 541, Municipal Administration & Urban Development). Led by the PHMED Engineer-in-Chief, the committee will assess the current status of halted projects, evaluate infrastructure integrity, and propose a roadmap for moving forward. The order, dated July 24, 2024, references a proposal from the commissioner of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), Vijayawada, to form the committee. The newly established technical committee, chaired by the engineer-in-chief of PHMED, includes representatives from several key departments. The committee is tasked with a comprehensive evaluation and development strategy, as outlined in the terms of reference to examine the current status of the construction projects within Amaravati, to assess the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructures halted since May 2019, potentially with the aid of reputable organisations, to evaluate damage to roads, sewer systems, water supply, power, and ICT infrastructure from partially completed works, to assess the quality and serviceability of materials stored on-site, including pipes and steel and offer specific recommendations on handling claims from various contracting agencies. The technical committee is expected to consult with all stakeholders, visit project sites, and submit its comprehensive report within one month.

AP Government Promises to Post all GOs on GOIR Website

Vijayawada: The state government has informed the AP High Court that it will restore the GOIR website to place government orders (GOs) on it. A division bench of chief justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice N Jayasurya heard a batch of petitions complaining that the government was not posting its GOs in the GOIR website. Petitioners counsel Yalamanjula Balaji told the court that 90 per cent of the GOs were not being posted on the website by the previous YSR Congress government and that the situation continued even now. Government special pleader S Pranathi informed the court that the government has taken a decision in principle to post GOs on the website and said it would take four weeks to restore the site. The court said that once this is done, it would close all the pleas. It posted the case for its next hearing after eight weeks.

Niti Aayog approves plan for new railway line to Amaravati

VIJAYAWADA : Union Railway Minister Ashwinin Vaishnaw has said the Vijayawada railway station is part of the Amrit Bharat station development project. A comprehensive master plan is being prepared by considering the stations role for the next 50 years and development of nearby Amaravati state capital, he stated in a reply in Parliament. The minister said significant projects, such as the Amaravati connectivity, involving a Rs 2,000 crore investment for a 56-km new line, have been approved by the Niti Aayog. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath alias Chinni posed a question to the railway minister regarding the construction and development of railway lines within Andhra Pradesh. Sivanath sought information on the number of railway lines under construction, their commencement dates, lengths, and annual progress. He also requested data on the allocated and utilized funds for these projects, as well as the expected timelines for their completion. The railway minister said detailed information regarding the sanctioned works, allocated funds, and their utilization would be provided to the parliament. The planning and development of Vijayawada station are being conducted methodically to ensure long-term efficacy and efficiency, he said. Vaishnav said that during the UPA period from 2009 to 2014, the average annual allocation for combined Andhra and Telangana was Rs 886 crore. Under the NDA terms, the budget allocations for Andhra Pradesh alone reached a historic `8,406 crore in the last financial year. He explained that during the UPA period, the average annual line-laying per year was approximately 72km. The current average is more than 151km per year.

Reactivate systems and usher in a poverty-free society: CM Naidu

VIJAYAWADA : Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked officials to reactivate all systems disabled by the previous YSRC government in the respective departments and also strive for a poverty-free society. Naidu held a meeting with ministers, secretaries and HoDs at the Secretariat in Velagapudi on Wednesday. He said, I am the chief minister for the 4th time. But today there are more problems than ever before. A vastly different situation exists in AP. Telangana now has the highest per capita income. Such good results were obtained there from the decisions taken and the policies introduced there in the past. In 1978 I became an MLA for the first time. In the present elections, our strike rate was 93 per cent. We got 57 per cent vote share. This is the result of the people's hard work for the last five years. Naidu noted, In 2014, we started the administration with a deficit budget but we stood by the employees by giving them 43 per cent PRC. The situation in the state today is worse than in 2014. There are unpaid bills and arrears are running up to lakhs of crores. This is the situation in a state that had achieved a growth rate of 13.5 per cent during my last term. This time, our three parties contested the polls together. The Centre has now come forward to help AP. This is a good development. Along with Polavaram and Amaravati, the Centre would give special funds to APs backward districts. The Centre, he said, is ready to give incentives to the Industrial Corridor in Rayalaseema. Activate existing systems in your departments, he told the officials. Officials should also work by keeping in mind the sensitivities of the people. Central schemes could not be utilized by the last government as it failed to put in the matching funds. You should see how much funds can be released from the Centre in a year, based on the present budget, and work earnestly to get those, the chief minister added.

Culprits of Liquor Scam To Be Punished: Pawan Kalyan

Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has said there were more irregularities in the excise department than was stated in the White Paper tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday. Speaking on the White Paper in the Assembly, he said that the liquor scam has caused a loss of Rs 18,000 crore to the state exchequer. The culprits of the scam should be strictly punished. Pawan Kalyan said, We were very happy when the Centre allocated Rs 15,000 crore for Amaravati. The Polavaram project could have been completed with the Rs 18,000 crore from the excise department, if the loot had not taken place. We can punish an ordinary employee who took a bribe of Rs 20,000. Similarly, those who have committed huge loot should not be let off. A feeling that there is no punishment for political leaders' wrongdoings should not arise. The Budget should earmark funds for de-addiction centres to help reduce alcohol addiction in the state, he said. The Deputy Chief Minister reportedly expressed his displeasure over wrong information provided by the officials regarding unlawful diversion of funds to the Gram Panchayats. According to the sources, Pawan disagreed with the system of brief answers like yes, no and does not arise by various government departments to the questions raised by legislators in the Assembly. He instructed the officers to give correct answers to the questions from legislators.

Lokesh promises to implement Thalliki Vandanam from next academic year

Vijayawada: Human Resources Development minister Nara Lokesh has promised to implement the Thalliki Vandanam scheme from the next academic year. The scheme would provide financial assistance to students to pursue higher education. It would be finalised after talks with the stakeholders to formulate the modalities, the minister said while replying to questions in the AP legislative council on Wednesday. He said that the scheme would benefit students of both the government and private schools and said more than one student from a family can benefit from the scheme. We are holding talks with officials from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to finalise the mode of implementation of the scheme, he said. Members noted that the previous YSRC government extended financial assistance in the name of Amma Vodi worth Rs 15,000 to students. However, an amount of Rs 2,000 was used for other puposes, resulting in each beneficiary getting only Rs 13,000, they said. The minister also said, We would review the agreement entered by the previous government with the Educational Testing Service (India) to conduct the tests developed by the ETS (US) and to evaluate the listening and reading skills of students from Classes 3 to 9 and the speaking skills of students from Class 10 as part of TOEFL exam. He said that though he was not against English as the medium of instruction to students from Class 3, only a few teachers were trained to take such classes. As the TOEFL exam deals with reading and listening skills of the American accent, it would be difficult for some students to understand it. Hence, such training might not be needed for the students from Class 3, he added.

RTC Kadapa zone ED transferred for ignoring minister's calls

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Kadapa zone executive director, Venkateswara Rao, has been transferred to the head office. The decision comes after repeated failed attempts by transport minister Ramprasad Reddy to contact the official regarding employee grievances. According to sources, minister Reddy made multiple calls to the executive director to discuss issues faced by RTC employees in the Kadapa zone. However, Rao reportedly did not respond to any of the calls. Frustrated by the lack of response, the minister is said to have lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister's Office. Transport principal secretary Kantilal Dande issued the transfer orders based on the minister's complaint.

Bandi Bansidhar Appointed Co-Chairperson of ASSOCHAM AP Council

Vijayawada: Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State Development Council, has announced the appointment of Bandi Bansidhar, vice president, Steel Exchange India Limited, as co-chairperson of ASSOCHAM Andhra Pradesh State Development Council for the year 202425. Kataru Ravi Kumar Reddy, chairperson of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh State Development Council, and Sridhar Pinnapureddy, co-chairperson of Telangana State Development Council welcomed Bansidhar. Speaking at a meeting on the occasion, Ravi Kumar Reddy pointed out that Bandi Bansidhar has extensive experience working with both the governments NITI Aayog as well as the private sector in areas of steel, energy, natural resources, and circular economy. Responding, Bansidhar said as co-chairperson of AP chapter, he is looking forward to collaborating with fellow council members, industry peers and Andhra Pradesh government to create a business environment that fosters industrial growth and represents the interests of entrepreneurs from AP at the national level.

Andhra Pradesh Officials Discuss Ending Open Defecation

Vijayawada: High-level state government officials met at the secretariat here on Wednesday on ending open defecation in Andhra Pradesh and waste processing and management. Speaking on the occasion, principal secretary (Panchayat Raj and Rural Development) Shashi Bhushan Kumar underlined that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan are paying special attention to ensure Swachh Andhra. He pointed out that about 80 lakh individual toilets have been constructed under various schemes to maintain the reputation of Andhra Pradesh as a state free of open defecation. Yet, there are still cases of open defecation in some villages. The principal secretary said this problem can be ended only by making everyone aware of the need to prevent open defecation. Swachh Andhra Corporation managing director Gandham Chandrudu said wet and dry waste segregation is still a major problem when it comes to solid waste management in rural areas. He underlined that a preliminary study is required to prepare a sewage water management plan at the village level. Panchayat Raj and Rural Development director V.R. Krishna Teja Mylavarapu said a comprehensive database of various parameters is required for an appropriate strategy to achieve Clean Andhra Pradesh. Rural Sewerage department chief engineer Krishna Reddy and staff of different departments concerned participated in the review meeting.

Vijayawada-bound bus drivers clash in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, one mowed down

AP Assembly Passes Land Titling Act Repeal, Rename of Health University Bills

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed a few key bills on Wednesday. The Assembly passed the Land Titling (repeal) Act and renaming of Dr YSR Health University after NTR bills following a discussion. Minister for revenue Anagani Satya Prasad introduced the bill for repeal of Land Titling Act and Health Minister Y Satya Kumar introduced the bill for renaming of health university. Repeal of Land Titling Act is one of the major poll promise made by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners in the election campaign. It was one of the first files chief minister Chandrababu Naidu signed after assuming the office. The act was brought by the YSRC government claiming that it will reduce litigations related to lands. However, legal experts went on strike with a demand to repeal the legislation. Doing away with the jurisdiction of civil courts in deciding disputes pertaining to lands and appointment of titling officers and appellate authority by the political executive raised serious doubts. All opposition parties also targeted the YSRC government terming the legislation as land grabbing act and promised to repeal the legislation if comes to power in the state.

Connectivity to Amaravati, development of Vijayawada railway station: Ashwini Vaishnaw gives details of projects in Andhra Pradesh - The Indian Express

Connectivity to Amaravati, development of Vijayawada railway station: Ashwini Vaishnaw gives details of projects in Andhra Pradesh The Indian Express

Union Budget 2024-25 receives positive response from Andhra leaders

VIJAYAWADA: CII Andhra Pradesh and AP Chambers welcomed the Union Budget 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. CII AP Chairman V Murali Krishna termed the budget a significant step towards the holistic development of Andhra Pradesh, aligning with the vision of economic growth and infrastructural advancement. The substantial financial assistance of Rs 15,000 crore allocated for the development of Amaravati, the Capital City of AP, is the major highlight of the budget. This immediate support underscores the Centres commitment to transforming Amaravati into a vibrant hub of activity and growth, he opined. Additionally, the Finance Minister has promised more funds for the development of Amaravati based on future requirements. The Union Budget is a visionary step towards the comprehensive development of AP. The substantial financial assistance for Amaravati and the focused investments in industrial and infrastructural development are commendable. This budget not only addresses the immediate needs of the State but also lays a strong foundation for its future growth, he highlighted. Congratulating Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting the Union Budget for a record seventh time, AP Chambers President Potluri Bhasakara Rao said, The Indian economy has been on a growth path for the past few years, and even the income tax and GST collections have been increasing steadily. The Union government has focused on important areas such as agri and allied, employment generation, skilling, infrastructure, education and health. Apart from allocation of Rs 15,000 crore for the development of Amaravati and to take steps for the early completion of Polavaram Irrigation Project, the Finance Minister announced financial support for the growth of eight backward districts in AP, including the newly added Prakasam. The budget has provided the much-needed support for the MSME sector, which is in dire straits. Some schemes for MSMEs have been reintroduced, EPF benefits to employers have been announced, Mudra loan limit has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, and the credit guarantee scheme has been increased up to Rs 100 crore, he explained.

Andhra: Inquiry announced into alleged irregularities in Nadu-Nedu works

VIJAYAWADA: Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD), IT, and Electronics Nara Lokesh announced an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Nadu-Nedu works during the previous YSRC regime. During the Question Hour in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, TDP MLAs, including Tenali Sravan Kumar, Yeluri Sambasiva Rao, and Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar, alleged rampant corruption in the Nadu-Nedu works and demanded the government to order an inquiry. In his reply, Lokesh, while announce ng the inquiry, stated that complaints of sub-standard works and other irregularities in the Nadu-Nadu works had come to his notice. Providing details of the year-wise expenditure on Nadu-Nedu, the minister said that during the first phase (2019-20), works were carried out across 15,713 schools with an expenditure of Rs 69 crore. In the second phase (2020-21), Rs 2,679 crore was spent. In 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, expenditures of Rs 1,064 crore, Rs 2,635, and Rs 2,077 crore, respectively, were incurred. In spite of undertaking a large number of works under school modernisation from 2019-24, the enrolment in government schools has decreased by 72,117. Therefore, a comprehensive action plan for school infrastructure improvement is being finalised to ensure the provision of the best facilities to students along with increased enrolment in government schools, Lokesh said in his reply. Accusing the previous YSRC government of damaging the education sector with its poor decisions, Lokesh said that school teachers faced hardships due to the previous governments attitude. He assured that government schools would be developed on par with private schools and mentioned that the TDP government had already rolled out the notification for Mega DSC for to recruit teachers. After completing the process, teachers will be available by the commencement of the next academic year. Additionally, plans are being made to encourage sports, arts, and crafts in schools. He emphasised that his primary target is the overhaul of KG to PG education, focusing on strengthening the curriculum and developing a proper roadmap to measure student learning outcomes. The TDP MLAs claimed that YSRC leaders turned contractors and committed large-scale corruption in the Nadu-Nedu works. They said huge amounts were claimed in bills merely for painting some schools in the name of Nadu-Nedu works.

YS Jagan seeks Andhra HC's intervention for Leader of Opposition status

VIJAYAWADA: YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking its directions to the Assembly Speaker and secretary general to accord him the Leader of the Opposition status in the State Assembly as per law. Making Assembly Speaker Ch Ayyannapatrudu and Minister of Finance and Legislative Affairs Payyavula Keshav as respondents in the case, Jagan stated that the Speaker is silent on giving him the Leader of Opposition status. He urged the High Court not to allow the discretionary powers of the Speaker in the case and to apply constitutional principles. He accused the State government of using official machinery for political benefits and pointed out increased attacks on YSRC activists and leaders. Stating that the status of LoP is given on capability and not based on numbers, YS Jagan said the opposition is the voice of the voiceless. He said there are several examples where LOP status was given to the leader of the party which has even secured less than 10 % of seats, not just in the Parliament, but in other States as well. He cited the example of LOP status to P Janardhan Reddy in spite of Congress winning only 26 seats out of 294 seats in the 1994 elections. The YSRC chief accused the State government of denying him the status of LoP intentionally to mute the voice of the people in his petition.

Centre promises Rs 15,000 crore aid for Capital Amaravati, Andhra

VIJAYAWADA: For the first time since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the Centre has announced major financial assistance for the State in the form of support to build Amaravati capital city and completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project at the earliest. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who tabled the Union Budget on Tuesday, announced Rs 15,000 crore for the current financial year and additional amount in the future for building Amaravati. Asserting that the BJP-led NDA government has made concerted efforts to fulfil the commitments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, she said, Recognising the States need for a capital, we will facilitate special financial support through multilateral development agencies. In the current financial year, Rs 15,000 crore will be arranged, with additional amounts in future years. Terming the Polavaram Irrigation Project the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh and its farmers, Sitharaman said, Our government is fully committed to financing and early completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project. This will facilitate our countrys food security as well. Further, she announced that funds will be provided for essential infrastructure such as water, power, railways and roads in Koparthy node on the Vishakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and Orvakal node on Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. Funding for capital city will increase economic activity: Naidu An additional allocation will be provided this year towards capital investment for economic growth. Additionally, as stated in the AP Reorganization Act, the Centre will provide grants for backward regions of Rayalaseema, Prakasam and North Coastal Andhra. Later in the day, during an interaction with journalists, Sitharaman said the Centre will provide assistance to the State in the construction of Amaravati capital city as it is mandated under the AP Reorganisation Act. She clarified, The Rs 15,000 crore we have announced will be given through World Bank and other agencies. The State, too, will have to fund the project. Considering the present financial position of the State and whether it can extend the counterpart funding or not or whether the Centre would give the sum as a grant, a call will be taken later after discussion with the World Bank. The Finance Minister noted that Andhra Pradesh was the only State in the country without a capital. Welcoming the Union Budget, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed happiness that his requests for aid, made to the Union Ministers during his visits to New Delhi, had been accepted. In a brief interaction with mediapersons in the Assembly lobby, he remarked, Funding for the capital city construction will increase economic activity, as people will be assured that the Centre is supporting the State. This in turn will increase revenue from the taxes. Funds to the State in any form will be beneficial only. On the Polavaram project, he said though the exact figure was not given, the Centre has assured that it is its responsibility to ensure completion of the project, which is all that is needed. Naidu said they are expecting financial support for backward districts along the lines of the Bundelkhand package, which will also ensure industrial incentives. In a post on X, Naidu said, On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I thank the Honble Prime Minister, @narendramodi Ji and Honble Union Finance Minister, @nsitharaman Ji, for recognising the needs of our State and focusing on a Capital, Polavaram, industrial nodes and development of backward areas in AP in the union budget of FY 24-25. This support from the Centre will go a long way towards rebuilding Andhra Pradesh. I congratulate you on the presentation of this progressive and confidence-boosting budget. #APBackOnTrack. Speaking in the State Assembly while replying to the Governors address, Naidu remarked, Good days have come again for Amaravati. Meanwhile, in a jab against the TDP, the YSRC sought to know why the Chief Minister was thanking the Centre. In a series of posts on X , YSRC MP V Vijayasai Reddy said, TDP lost a golden opportunity but settled for Rs 15,000 cr. that will be arranged meaning it will be a loan on AP. Bihar gets Rs 26,000 cr. allocated and we get Rs 15,000 crore arranged. As expected Tokenism from Token Development Party (TDP). Amaravati: The story so far Following the bifurcation of the State, the TDP-led NDA formed the government in residual Andhra Pradesh in 2014. The government had taken up construction of interim Secretariat at Velagapudi, Legislative Assembly, High Court complex and started the Seed Access Road. At the time, the Centre, on its part, released Rs 2,500 crore for the construction of Amavarati. As per Naidus proposal, the capital city - to be constructed between Vijayawada and Guntur - with 33,000 acres land pooled from farmers was planned in an extent of 217 square kilometres. It was to have six clusters. However, when the YSRC won the elections and formed government in 2019, the then Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, proposed that the State would have three capitals - Legislative capital in Amaravati, Executive capital in Visakhapatnam and Judiciary in Kurnool. With the TDP-led NDA coming back to power in the State, activity in Amaravati has resumed. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had made a couple of visits to Delhi and sought budgetary allocations for the State, particularly for Amaravati and Polavaram. Counterpart funding Later, Sitharaman clarified, The Rs 15,000 crore we have announced will be given through World Bank and other agencies. The State, too, will have to fund the project. Considering the present financial position of the State and whether it can extend the counterpart funding or not or whether the Centre would give the sum as a grant, a call will be taken after discussion with the World Bank.

Aid of Rs 15,000 crore for Capital Amaravati is big: Minister Satya Kumar Yadav

VIJAYAWADA: The substantial financial assistance of Rs 15,000 crore announced for the development of capital Amaravati and even more as and when required, in the Union Budget for 2024-25 has delighted the people of the State, said Minister for Health Y Satya Kumar Yadav. In a letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday, Satya Kumar expressed his gratitude to Narendra Modi for his support towards the development of AP. Today is a great day in the development narrative of Andhra Pradesh. The recent announcements vindicate the faith the people placed in your leadership during the 2024 general elections, he said. He highlighted the Centres commitment to Polavaram, financial assistance for the backward districts of Rayalaseema and North Andhra, and Vizag-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bangalore corridor developments. He noted that these projects have greatly elated the people of the State as their hopes and aspirations have begun to take shape just a month-and-a-half after the NDA government assumed office in Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, AP BJP State spokesperson Lanka Dinakar hailed the Union Budget, highlighting its focus on Viksit Andhra - Viksit Bharat. Dinakar expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their support to Andhra Pradesh. This budget focuses on nine key areas, including productivity, employment, social justice, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation and reforms, he said.

Good days have come again for Andhra: CM Chandrababu Naidu

VIJAYAWADA: In his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the Governors address in the State Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the previous five-year rule left the State economy in disarray so much so that even presenting a budget has become a problem now. The full budget of the State will be presented after two or three months, he said. Expressing anguish over how the dream of Amaravati shattered, leaving the State with no capital, Naidu said they will now intensify their efforts to build the State capital and the economy brick by brick. He thanked the Union Government for allocating Rs 15,000 crore in the budget for Amaravati development, which he said bodes well for the future of the State. Good days have come again for Amaravati, he observed. Besides facilitating financial support for Amaravati, the Centre has also assured to complete the construction of the Polavaram Irrigation Project at the earliest. It has been reported that a parallel diaphragm wall to the earth-cum rock fill dam is needed, which will be taken up soon, he said. Naidu expressed happiness over the announcement of additional infrastructure for the industrial nodes of Kopparthy and Orvakal making them part of industrial corridors. The grant of funds for eight backward districts in the State is a welcome development. We are happy that along with three North Andhra and four Rayalaseema districts, the backward Prakasam district has also been included in the list. Our request for the same has been accepted, he said. Mentioning that for the economic growth of the State, the government has no funds, he revealed that they have asked the Centre for funds for capital expenditure, and there has been a positive response. We are happy to the Centres response and this is just a beginning. It is like supplying oxygen to the State economy, which is on a ventilator, he remarked. Reiterating his goal of achieving zero poverty in Andhra Pradesh and ensuring Telugu people emerge as number one in the world, Naidu advised legislators to compete with one another in making their respective segments poverty-free. Committed to implementing Super Six, we have already started implementing the poll promises, he said.

Andhra government tables bill to repeal land titling act

VIJAYAWADA: The State government tabled a Bill on the floor of the Legislative Assembly to repeal the Andhra Pradesh Land Titling Act (APLTA) - 2022 on Tuesday. The State government explained the reasons necessary to repeal the APLTA- 2022, including the lack of due diligence and wider consultation among stakeholders, the legal nature of the Act as it forces the landholders and owners of the properties at the mercy of mischievous elements in society, removal of Civil Courts role as any disputes recorded by the Title Registration Officer (TRO) can only be challenged in the High Court. The Andhra Pradesh land authority has observed that the Title Registration Officers (TROs), who may lack sufficient experience and education, are likely to increase land disputes during the registration and other procedures central to the enforcement of the Act. After buying immovable property, it must be re-registered with the Title Registration Officer. The TROs decisions on property matters are final and cannot be challenged in regular civil courts. Thus, property owners will constantly be under the TROs oversight, the repeal Bill of the APLTA read. Under the provisions of the APLTA, individuals must file suits in the High Court instead of lower courts, complicating the legal recourse. It claimed that after land registrations, the TRO would provide the landowner with a photocopy of the documents while retaining the originals. This fans the fear that the State government may mortgage the lands of the private individuals at financial institutions (banks) to secure loans without the land owners consent. On other hand, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman while tabling the Budget suggested the State government take up land-related reforms to cover land administration in both rural and urban areas, planning and management, usage and building bylaws. These reforms will be incentivised for completion within the next three years through appropriate fiscal support, the Sitaraman proposed. The reforms include assignment of Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar for all lands, digitisation of cadastral maps and records with GIS mapping, and survey of maps as per current ownership among others. An IT based-system for property record and tax administration will be established, she added. Digital land records Previously, YSRC government enacted the APLTA- 2022 to create land records of all immovable properties in the State, title registration system, to capture and maintain records in digital form

Body of missing MPDO Mandava found in Vijayawada, Eluru Canal after eight days of search operation

VIJAYAWADA: The body of missing Narsapuram Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO), Mandava Venkataramana Rao, was found on Tuesday in the Eluru Canal near the Madhura Nagar bridge, Vijayawada, after eight days of continuous search efforts. According to Krishna district Superintendent of Police (SP) R Gangadhara Rao, Venkataramana Rao from Kanuru mandal of Krishna district, went to Machilipatnam on July 15. He then took the Kondaveedu Express Train towards Vijayawada, purchasing a ticket and disembarking at Madhura Nagar. At midnight on July 15, he sent two letters via WhatsApp to his youngest son, one for his son and another for Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, stating he had some job-related issues. In response, his son lodged a complaint with the Penamaluru police, prompting an investigation. The police deployed several teams, including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with eight drones and five boats. Nearly 150 staff members were involved in the search operation, including four DSPs, four CIs, and 15 SIs. The body was found stuck to a tree in the canal and was identified based on his clothes. It was learnt that the deceased was depressed after a contracted failed to pay Madhavapalem ferry lease amount of `55 lakh. It was noted that he had received phone calls from certain numbers and deposited some amount to those callers.

Taxpayers Association Urges AP Government to Cancel True-up Charges, Additional Taxes

Vijayawada: The Taxpayers Association in Vijayawada has urged the state government led by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to remove the additional tax burden on electricity charges imposed by the previous YSRC government on taxpayers in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the media on Tuesday, the Taxpayers Association's secretary, M.V. Anjaneyulu, said that according to a White Paper released by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the power sector, the previous YSRC government had burdened power users by increasing power tariffs by Rs.16,699 crore, Rs. 3,999 crore through true-up charges, Rs.5,886 crore through FPPCA charges, and an additional Rs.5,604 crore in the form of electricity duties, totaling Rs.32,166 crore. It was further revealed that the previous YSRC regime had planned to impose a Rs.17,137 crore burden through true-up charges on electricity users. The onus is on the present NDA government to remove the tax burden imposed on the people by the previous government and ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated, Anjaneyulu said. The Taxpayers Association members said that the electorate taught a befitting lesson to the YSRC regime for the tax burden, and the NDA alliance promised to abolish all additional taxes in their manifesto. It is time for the NDA alliance government to stand by their promises, i.e., to abolish all unlawful taxes on power bills. On the occasion, the Taxpayers Association proposed three steps to remove the tax burden on the people. The first step is to cancel the tariff system brought in by the YSRC regime and implement the electricity tariff that was in use in 2019-2020 before the TD government stepped down. The second step is to cancel the true-up charges collection from August month power bills and credit the true-up charges paid by users in the last 24 months to future power bills. The third step is government should bear the proposed ` 17,137 crore true-up charges burden without passing it on to the public.

Remote Sensing Agency to Help AP Check Illegal Mining: Kollu Ravindra

Vijayawada : Minister for mines and geology, Kollu Ravindra, has announced plans to rope in the National Remote Sensing Agency to pinpoint illegal mining activities carried out in several areas in AP. In a reply to the queries from members during the Question Hour in the Legislative Council here on Tuesday, the minister said, During 2019-24, as many as 1,766 cases on illegal mining activities were booked and a penalty of Rs.4,037 crore was imposed thereof. Out of this, only `18.06 crore was realised. He vowed to recover the balance Rs.4,019 crore. The MLCs who raised the questions included P Ashok Babu, D Rama Rao, P Anuradha, V Chiranjeevi Rao, B Tirumala Naidu and B Rajagopal Reddy. The minister said the previous TD government had supplied free sand during 2014-19, and people carried sand on bullock carts and tractors to construct their houses. The stopping of the free sand policy resulted in 40 lakh construction workers losing their source of livelihood in the last five years, he said, and alleged that nearly 130 such workers suicide for want of work. Though JP Ventures fixed a unit cost of sand at `475 per tonne, it never sold sand for that price. It evaded GST payment of `870 crore, he said, and slammed the mines director who gave a no objection certificate to the firm. We are taking up an inquiry into the irregularities in the sand mining in the state, he said.

CITIIS Project for Education and Health in Amaravati

Vijayawada: Municipal administration and urban development minister Ponguru Narayana disclosed that the state government is implementing a City Investments to Innovate Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) project in 15 villages within the Amaravati capital area. He said under the project, state-of-the-art medicines and quality education will be provided to the poor. For the purpose, schools, health centres, anganwadis, modern cemeteries and other facilities are being constructed in the villages. The minister, Tadikonda MLA Tenali Shravan Kumar and CRDA commissioner Katamneni Bhaskar were reviewing the various development works being implemented in Amaravati on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Narayana said total 138.62 crore will be spent on the CITIIS project for which French Development Agency is providing a financial assistance of 40 crore, another 40 crore will be provided by the central government and 58.62 crore will be borne by the CRDA. The minister accused the previous government of destroying Amaravati. To restore the capital, the TDP-led government has restarted works in Amaravati of which the CITIIS project is a part. The work is being undertaken by the Amaravati Smart and Sustainable City Corporation Limited. Amaravati is not among the top 5 cities in the world. But once it is built according to Norman Foster's designs, it will definitely be number one in the world, Narayana declared. Explaining CITIIS project details, he said 23.73 crore are being spent on building 17 model anganwadi centres and 8.63 crore will be spent on providing various facilities and infrastructure in these buildings, including 16 health centres, which will extend quality and state-of-the-art medicare. The minister explained that the government will also build primary health centres by spending 27.69 crores, 14 school buildings at a cost of 12.18 crore and provide other facilities at an expenditure of 28.5 crore and 11.32 crore.

Vijayawada: Woman Loses Rs.1.30 Lakh in Cyber Fraud, Commits Suicide

Vijayawada: A 28-year-old woman committed suicide after losing 1.30 lakh in a cyber-fraud. According to police, fraudsters approached P. Sravanthi (28), a resident of Mantada village in Pamidimukkala mandal of Krishna district through the Telegram app on July 12 promising her double the amount on her investments. Sravanthi then received a link that she clicked and invested small amounts like 200 and 400, wherein she profited. Cyber fraudsters then lured the victim to invest higher amounts, Pamidimukkala station house officer (SHO) K. Srinivasu told Deccan Chronicle . The SHO said Sravanthi borrowed money from her neighbours and transferred 1.30 lakh to bank accounts of the cyber fraudsters in 11 transactions on July 19, 20 and 21. When the victim asked the fraudsters to return her profits and invested amount, the fraudsters pursued her to transfer more money, a t this stage, Sravanthi realised she had been cheated and ended her life. In a recording on her mobile phone, she asked her husband to forgive her and requested him to take good care of their two children. When her husband saw her, he rushed Sravanthi to the Vijayawada Government General Hospital, where she died on Monday. Based on a complaint, Pamidimukkala police booked a case under Section 420 of IPC, Section 66(D) of the IT Act, and sections 108 and 318 clause (4) of the BNS Act.

Korean MSME Industry Plans Investment in AP

Vijayawada : South Koreas MSME industry has shown a readiness to invest in Andhra Pradesh, mainly in the agri-tech, agri machinery, food processing, automobiles, biotech, pharma and electronics sectors. A Korean delegation led by Calvin Seungwon Yi, CEO of Wevio Global Inc, met MSME minister Kondapalli Srinivas, as also representatives of the society for elimination of rural poverty and NRI empowerment here. They also met senior officials, including Sreedhar Cherukuri, director of industries, commerce and export promotion, and Abhishikth Kishore VC & MD of APIIC, to discuss the prospects of Korean investments in various sectors of MSMEs in the state. The Korean team held discussions for the setting up of technology business incubation centres and the possibility of having an institutional engagement in agri tech, in the state. The deliberations primarily focused on WEVIO Global - Korea collaboration with GoAP for boosting investments in agri-tech, food processing, aqua, biotech, pharma and electronics MSMEs and to strategically partner for a soft landing and eventual scaling-up of activities of Korean companies in the state. Minister Kondapalli Srinivas, who chaired the meeting with the Korean delegation, spoke about the micro-level industries and the RAMP (raising and accelerating MSME productivity) programme being implemented at the state-level to enhance the performance of MSMEs through technology upgradation, innovation, digitization, market access, credit, greening initiatives, etc. Calvin Seungwon Yi, CEO of Wevio Global, Inc, spoke about the Korean Technology commercialization in MSMEs and how the South Korean government is spending a huge share of its GDP towards R&D and tech interventions in India. Sreedhar Cherukuri highlighted the states hassle-free business environment. He mentioned the development of new product-based MSME clusters and the conversion of the existing 28 dedicated MSME clusters/ parks across seven districts, to product-specific clusters with technology and expert interventions.

Full support to corporates, NRIs keen to develop villages in AP: Pawan Kalyan

VIJAYAWADA : Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has asserted that the state government will encourage voluntary participation of NRIs and Corporate entities to develop the rural areas in Andhra Pradesh. The government is mulling to involve locals to oversee the development programmes executed by these voluntary organisations in their respective regions, Kalyan said on Tuesday. Karur Vysya Bank MD B Ramesh Babu met Pawan Kalyan and expressed the banks willingness to help in the development of villages in AP. Ramesh Babu explained the various development programmes undertaken by KVB at Manvadi hamlet in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. He cited initiatives related to water conservation, greenery development, hand holding of farmers in dairy farming, establishment of a digital library and a RO plant run by solar power in the village. Pawan Kalyan asked KVB to provide a comprehensive plan in this regard and reiterated the state governments support to individuals and organisations who voluntarily come forward to develop villages.

Action can be initiated against me if I commit mistake: Pawan Kalyan

VIJAYAWADA : Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan stated in the Assembly during the motion of thanks to the Governor's speech, We will work together under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu for development of the state. No one should engage in partisan activities. No one should involve in corruption. If anyone errs, action will follow. Even if I did something wrong, action should be taken. Meanwhile, Speaker Ayyana Patrudu read out in Telugu the details of two bills in the Assembly on Tuesday. Revenue minister Satya Prasad introduced the AP Land Titling Repeal Bill, 2024. The Dr YSR. University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced by health minister Satya Kumar Yadav. Asking the ministers to introduce the bills, Ayyanna Patrudu read the titles of the bills in Telugu. Members applauded the Speaker for announcing the unanimous passage of the bills without using a single word of English. Responding to the complaints from MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, K. Srinivas and others regarding corruption in the APPSC group-1 exams, revenue minister Payyavula Keshav said a committee will be appointed to study the corruption and other illegalities. The government would seek a CBI investigation on the basis of the committees report, he said.

Centre committed for development of AP: Purandeswari

Vijayawada : State BJP president and MP, Daggubati Purandeswari, has said the Centre is committed to support the development of Andhra Pradesh in all ways. She was reacting to the fund allotments for AP in the Union Budget 2024. The BJP leader recalled the words of chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu that AP was on ventilator, and said that the Centres help in the Union Budget was like a dose of oxygen to AP. She said, The AP Reorganisation Act has been a key focus for our government. We are dedicated to fulfilling the commitments outlined in the act. Understanding the states requirement for a capital city, we are committed to providing special financial assistance through multilateral agencies. Union minister of state for heavy industries, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, said the allocation of Rs 15,000 crore for capital city Amaravati in the Union Budget showed the commitment of the Centre for the development of AP. BJP parliamentarian, CM Ramesh, said the Centre allotted `15,000 crore for developing Amaravati, and this was for use in the coming six months, while more funds would be coming from Delhi later too on this count. State BJP spokesperson Lanka Dinakar welcomed the Union Budget and the provision of Rs 15,000 crore for development of Amaravati. He said the budget also mentioned an allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skill development in addition to allocation of over `3 lakh crore for empowerment of women through various schemes. State BJP leader Sadineni Yamini Sarma opined that the Union Budget would help realise Viksit India and Viksit AP. Health minister Satya Kumar in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the substantial financial assistance of `15,000 crore for development of Amaravati and an assurance of more help for AP when required, delighted the people of the state. BJP leader G.V.L. Narasimha Rao expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for making several announcements in the Union Budget for AP like a commitment to complete the Polavaram project, funds for development of infrastructure and grants for development of backward districts like Rayalaseema, Prakasam and the Uttarandhra regions. Industries minister T.G. Bharat said the Telugu Desams strengthened influence in the central government played a role in AP obtaining the much-needed resources and approvals. Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar thanked the Centre for allocating `15,000 crore for Amaravati and for providing full support for the speedy completion of Polavaram irrigation project. Our leader Pawan Kalyan joined hands with the BJP in 2020, hoping for the welfare and development of AP, and the Union Budget reflected this sentiment.

VMC launches initiative to address air pollution in Vijayawada

As part of the initiative, a team will work on identifying and mapping polluted areas across the city over next couple of days, and later, after conducting an analysis of the situation, will recommend control measures to mitigate pollution

VMC launches initiative to address air pollution in Vijayawada - The Hindu

VMC launches initiative to address air pollution in Vijayawada The Hindu

Nara Lokesh thanks Centre for extending financial support to Amaravati and Polavaram

Vijayawada: IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday thanked the Central government for extending financial support of Rs.15,000 crore for Amaravati capital development apart from full financial support for early completion of Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh. In a tweet, he thanked the Centre, which has announced that it will provide full support for the completion of the projects of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, and Polavaram, Jeevanadi. On behalf of the people of the State, we express our gratitude to the NDA government for committing to the reconstruction of Andhra Pradesh by allocating Rs.15,000 crore in the budget. He made these remarks while responding to announcements made by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Andhra Pradesh while presenting the budget-2024 in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Nirmala Sitharaman announced a special financial support of Rs.15,000 crore for Amaravati capital development in Andhra Pradesh. She said the Central government was fully committed to completion and financing of the Polavaram irrigation project.

Budget 2024: Centre to arrange Rs 15,000 crore for development of capital city of Andhra

VIJAYAWADA: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced Rs 15,000 crore financial support for the construction of Amaravati, the Capital of Andhra Pradesh. The Finance Minister (FM) also said the Centre is committed to the completion of the Polavaram Project. We are recognising the State's need for a capital. We will facilitate financial support. Rs 15,000 crore will be arranged. We will provide an additional amount in future years, Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget 2024. She further added that the Centre is committed to the completion of the Polavaram Project, the lifeline of farmers, as per the AP Reorganisation Act. Budget 2024 LIVE: Internship for 1 crore youth in 500 top companies; MUDRA loan limit doubled to Rs 20 lakh Nirmala Sitharaman prioritised financial support and schemes for NDA-ruled states and Andhra Pradesh stood among them. The TDP joined the NDA and came to power in the recent elections. The announcement came as a shot in the arm for the TDP-led NDA government in the State which announced its commitment to construct Amaravati Capital, which was ignored by the previous YSRC government. At a time when the state government is finding it difficult to mobilise resources, the Centre's announcement came as a breather for the Chandrababu Naidu government. Apart from Amaravati and Polavaram, Nirmala Sitaharaman also announced the Visakhapatnam - Chennai Industrial Corridor and Orvakal - Hyderabad Industrial Corridor for the development of the industrial sector. #BudgetWithTNIE | FM #NirmalaSitharaman on Andhra Pradesh reorganisation Act. #Budget2024 LIVE: https://t.co/YJQ3TdOpsw pic.twitter.com/7bBHMe7V6b The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) July 23, 2024

Andhra Governor lauds NDA, criticizes previous YSRC regime in Assembly

VIJAYAWADA: The joint session of the Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly and Council commenced with Governor S Abdul Nazeers address on Monday. In his 30-minute speech, the Governor noted that the new government has already started fulfilling its pre-poll promises and announced a steadfast commitment to its Super Six promises by announcing Mega DSC for filling 16,347 teacher vacancies, abolishing the Land Titling Act, enhancing social security pensions to Rs 4,000, conducting a Skill Census and reopening Anna canteens. He praised the visionary leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and efforts of the NDA government between 2014 and 2019 to develop Andhra Pradesh after the bifurcation, and termed the previous YSRC regime a debacle. He criticised the previous dispensation for resorting to vendetta politics and severely hampering the States prospects for prosperity and growth. Soon after the Governor began speaking, YSRC MLAs and MLCs, led by party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, rushed into the Well and raised slogans denouncing the attacks on YSRC activists. Even as the Governor continued his address, the YSRC members continued sloganeering for a while, and later walked out of the House. Continuing his address, the Governor recalled the undemocratic manner in which the State was bifurcated in 2014 without adequate consultations with stakeholders, leaving an indelible mark on the minds of people of the residual State. Brand AP suffered heavy damage during previous regime: Guv Notwithstanding the adverse impact of the State bifurcation and undaunted by challenges such as budgetary contractions, infrastructural deficiencies, and unresolved issues, the NDA government converted every crisis into an opportunity during 2014-19. It laid a solid foundation for a vibrant Sunrise AP, he said. Nazeer remarked that a reflection on the States performance from 2014 to 2019 gives a clear picture of the balancing act between development and welfare. Completion of the Pattiseema project by linking of Rivers Godavari and Krishna in a record time of one year, completion of 72% of Polavaram project so that it could be made fully operational by 2021, prioritisation of other irrigation projects, drought proofing measures, real-time governance, development of Amaravati region through land pooling, construction of a new secretariat and legislature building are a few examples worthy to mention, he said. He said the State, which had bore the brunt of bifurcation in 2014, was rather unfortunate to have witnessed yet another bigger debacle in the form of the inept governance of the YSRC, where the people were threatened and officers demoralised. The damage and losses during the 2019-24 period have been more severe compared to the State bifurcation in June 2014. The government that assumed charge in June 2019 started on a destructive note with the demolition of Praja Vedika,he added. Further, the Governor said democracy was in peril, people were in a state of fear and hardly enjoyed any freedom of living under the previous YSRC government. Even the High Court of AP had sought to convene a judicial inquiry into whether there is a constitutional breakdown in the State. The biggest damage was done to Brand AP. No noteworthy companies came forward to invest in the State, he added. Nazeer said the uncertain environment rocked the confidence of the public in general and investors in particular. State finances were impacted as debt and liabilities spiked sharply, while revenue growth was limited, he remarked. Youth were pushed towards illegal substances, resulting in a drug menace, he added. The Governor charged the previous YSRC regime with destroying the Amaravati capital with the malicious three-capital proposal under the guise of decentralised governance. No irrigation project, no new industries, no infrastructure projects were taken up. Cancellation of MoUs in the energy sector and other infrastructure projects reflected the negative attitude of the previous regime, he said. He said the misrule of the previous government which lacked transparency, has compelled the present government to put facts before the people about the disruption of systems and rampant corruption prevailing during the last five years. The TDP-led NDA government has released a series of white papers on Polavaram, Amaravati, power sector and misappropriation of natural resources, highlighting numerous discrepancies in fund utilisation, resulting in huge losses to exchequer, he explained. The overall debt has more than doubled in the last five years, with huge outstanding payments of salaries and pensions, debt repayments for the debt burden of about Rs 10 lakh crore, payments for power sector dues, civil supplies, and other liabilities, Nazeer said. Full Budget in Oct? The State govt is expected to table the full Budget in October & an interim one for 3 months from August. During the Governors address, it was mentioned that the govt is proposing to introduce the Budget after meaningful talks, indicating it may not do so in the current Session

Dont interfere in free sand policy, zero tolerance to crime: Andhra CM to NDA MLAs

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday sent a clear message to the leaders of NDA not to interfere in the sand policy. We have started the implementation of free sand policy in the State and we have to ensure that it is implemented in a transparent manner, he asserted. Mentioning that the people have handed over the power to the NDA reposing their immense faith in it, Naidu underscored the need to provide good governance in terms of welfare and development. The Chief Minister addressed the MLAs and MLCs of the TDP, JSP and BJP, along with Deputy Chief Minister and JSP chief Pawan Kalyan, and Health Minister Y Satya Kumar of BJP, at the Assembly Committee Hall on Monday. He also issued a stern warning that no one would be spared, irrespective of their party affiliation, if they take law into their hands. I wont tolerate even if there is a small mistake from our side. There should be zero-crime in the State, he averred. I was in jail for 53 days and you can imagine how I suffered. But still there is no question of adopting any kind of vengeful attitude. Let us punish anyone as per the provisions of law, but no political vengeance, and leaders of all the three alliance partners should be very clear on this, he said. The previous government ruled the State without giving any values to democracy, he said and recalled that when Pawan Kalyan visited Visakhapatnam he was firmly resisted. When I visited any place as the Leader of Opposition, all kinds of obstructions were created, Naidu pointed out. AP Legislative Council Chairman Koye Moshenu Raju administered oath to the newly elected MLC P Hariprasad from the Jana Sena Party in his Chambers at the AP Legislature. Informing the MLAs and MLCs about the dramas that the YSRC leaders played with regard to the murder of Jagans paternal uncle YS Vivekananda Reddy, the TDP supremo said they have mastered the art of escaping safely after committing the crime. The latest incident of setting files containing the details of assigned lands and lands under Rule 22A on fire at the Madanapalle Taluk Office is a classic example of this. Now, they are trying to convert it into a fire accident, but there are a lot of doubts on this, he stated. I have immediately asked the Director General of Police to rush to the spot, and speed up the investigation. The lethargic functioning of administration, and how it collapsed during the previous regime, is clearly understood after witnessing the Madanapalle incident, he observed. Maintaining that the Vinukonda incident is another example of how the YSRC is resorting to false propaganda, Naidu pointed out that though the murder was purely due to personal rivalry, YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is demanding imposition of Presidents rule in the State. The Chief Minister directed the MLAs and MLCs to be part of the pension distribution every month, and announced that Dokka Seethamma canteens will be set up in the State as wished by Pawan Kalyan. The condition of roads is very bad due to the previous governments negligence, he said and stressed the need to take up immediate repairs, which may cost around Rs 250 crore. Let us focus on this after the end of rainy season, he said. The Chief Minister also revealed that the Centre is ready to extend financial assistance to the State as he explained its poor condition to the Union Ministers during his recent visit to New Delhi. Leaders of all the three alliance partners should work in close coordination without causing any harm to the sentiments of any party, he stressed. He reiterated that traffic should not be stalled during his visits and stated that he will periodically review this. He also wanted the MLAs and MLCs too to follow this norm and avoid sirens, which will cause inconvenience to the general public. Pawan Kalyan faulted Jagan for criticising the NDA government within a month after its formation. Though the people have taught Jagan a lesson with a crushing defeat to his party, he has not changed his attitude, and he is behaving like as he is still the Chief Minister, the JSP chief observed. Pawan Kalyan affirmed that he and his party will strongly support any decision taken by Naidu for the development of the State. Two New MLCs ADMINISTERED oath AP Legislative Council Chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju administered the oath to the two newly-elected MLCs in his chambers at the Andhra Pradesh Legislature on Monday. C Ramachandraiah of TDP and P Hariprasad of Jana Sena Party were elected as MLCs under the MLA quota. Congratulating the two MLCs, the Council Chairman handed over them the manual of the AP Legislature. AP Legislature Secretary General Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara, TDP MLC Panchumarthi Anuradha and others were present Assembly session till July 26 The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting held under the chairmanship of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Ch Ayyanna Patrudu has decided to conduct the session for five working days till July 26. It is learnt that the government besides proposing to table three white papers, has also decided to introduce two bills, one to repeal the AP Land Titling Act, and the other to restore the name of Dr NTR to Dr YSR University of Health Sciences. Soon after the completion of the Governors address to the joint session of Assembly on Monday morning, the Speaker conducted the BAC meeting. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Ministers Payyavula Keshav (Legislative Affairs) and Nadendla Manohar (Civil Supplies), and P Vishnu Kumar Raju of BJP attended the BAC meeting. The government, which already released four white papers on Polavaram, Amaravati, Energy and Natural Resources, has decided to release the remaining three on Law and Order, Excise and State Finances on the floor of the House

YSRC walks out of Assembly, Former Andhra CM Jagan seeks opposition status

VIJAYAWADA: The session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature commenced on a stormy note on Monday with the opposition YSRC staging protests both inside and outside the House denouncing the alleged failure of the TDP-led NDA government in maintaining law and order in the State. Soon after Governor S Abdul Nazeer started his address to the joint session, YSRC MLAs and MLCs rushed into the Well and raised slogans denouncing the attacks on YSRC activists. Even as the Governor continued his address, the YSRC members, holding placards, continued sloganeering for a while, and later staged a walk out from the House. Earlier in the day, tension prevailed outside the Assembly when police obstructed the entry of YSRC MLAs and MLCs entering the premises wearing black scarves and holding placards. The police snatched and tore the placards and papers held by the YSRC MLAs and MLCs. Jagan confronted the police, questioning them who gave the such authority. The YSRC legislators expressed intense displeasure over the behaviour of the police at the Assembly gate. Jagan said the highhandedness of the police would not persist forever and issued a stern warning to them to remember their duty to protect democracy, not to undermine it. Looking at the nameplate of a police officer, Jagan warned, Madhusudhan Rao, keep it in mind, it will not remain the same at all times. Highlighting the insignia of lions on police caps, Jagan said they symbolise the protection of democracy, not its destruction. He questioned the authority of police to seize and tore the papers held by the YSRC MLAs and MLCs, demanding accountability for their action. Later, Jagan took to X on the TDP-led NDA governments failures. In just 50 days, this government has failed on all fronts. Law and order has collapsed, causing public fear. They couldnt even present a full budget, relying on a vote-on-account for 7 months, exposing their inability to fulfil promises. Chandrababu Naidus government, fearing questions, creates chaos to divert attention, using violence to suppress opposition. In the current Assembly, there are only two sides, the ruling party and the opposition. Our party should be recognised as the opposition, but the government fears this. Recognising us means giving us the right to speak in the Assembly, which they want to avoid. Despite 50 days in power, Chandrababu Naidu governs in fear. His attempts to murder democracy reminds us of Shishupalas sins, indicating that his day of reckoning is near, he observed.

Vijayawada: Judge Stresses NGO Role in Combating Human Trafficking

Vijayawada: Guntur district judge, Justice Y.V.S.B.G. Partha saradhi, emphasised the crucial role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in preventing human trafficking and ensuring proper rehabilitation for victims. Justice Partha saradhi spoke at a training session on Monday for Mahila Samrakshan Karyadarsis and village child protection committees. The event, held at the district nyaya seva sadan, focused on victim rehabilitation and community-based support systems. It was jointly organized by the district legal services authority (DLSA) and HELP NGO.The DLSA secretary, T. Leelavathi, also addressed the session. She highlighted the importance of these committees in actively reporting violations of women's and children's rights at the village level to relevant authorities. Early identification is key, Leelavathi said. These committees can play a vital role by identifying families facing extreme hardship and collecting their details. This information can be used to provide them with much-needed assistance, potentially preventing them from becoming vulnerable to trafficking. She further emphasised the value of training programmes, particularly for women police personnel in rural areas. Equipping them with the necessary skills can significantly improve support services for women and children affected by trafficking. HELP NGO secretary Nimmaraju Ram Mohan, district child welfare officer Ch. Vijay Kumar, and other officials also attended the training session.

Andhra Pradesh: Two Bills Coming Up in Assembly Today

Vijayawada: The 45th AP Assembly Session that started on Monday would continue till July 26. The Business advisory committee met under the chairmanship of assembly Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu and took this and other decisions on the first day of the session. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and finance minister Payyavula Kesav attended the meeting on behalf of the Telugu Desam, civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar represented Jana Sena and Vishnu Kumar Raju represented the BJP. The YSR Congress skipped the meeting. Speaker Patrudu said the chief minister proposed a four-member panel of speakers to run the house in a smooth manner. He said the government would introduce two bills --the repeal law for the AP Land Titling Act and the other being a change of name to the Dr YSR University of Health Science. It was decided that this would be done on Tuesday. He said that the government would release three White Papers on law and order in the state, excise policy and state finances. The speaker said 80 per cent of the work on residential buildings for MLAs and MLCs has been completed and the flats will be handed over to the legislators in 9 months time. The business advisory council members discussed the strategies to be adopted during the assembly session and zeroed in on the key topics to be addressed. Concern was raised about the YSRC's protests and boycott on the first day of the session. Some members denounced the impatience of YSRC members.

Crop Insurance Scheme for All Farmers in AP

Vijayawada: Agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu, finance minister Payyavula Keshav and civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar directed the officials to do justice for all farmers who have lost crops due to the recent natural calamities. They asked the officials to implement the crop insurance scheme for all farmers in the state and said the alliance government would examine the implementation of the insurance scheme for mango farmers. These three ministers held a review meeting with agriculture and horticulture officials at the Secretariat on Monday. Later, they told the media that as per the directions from the Union Government, the best crop insurance scheme should be implemented in the state. The previous government spoiled the crop insurance scheme in the last five years, they alleged. The three ministers discussed in detail the implementation of the crop insurance scheme based on yield and weather conditions. Ways for implementation of the scheme are under consideration, they said. A detailed report was submitted to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, they said.

Pawan Promises Full Support for Naidus Decisions

Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has promised that he and the Jana Sena party would fully support any decision of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu for the states development. We will cooperate one hundred per cent, Pawan Kalyan said. Speaking at a meeting of the TD-led alliance's Legislature Party, Pawan Kalyan said, Even though the people taught a befitting lesson to the YSRC, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has not learnt any lesson from the debacle. Pawan Kalyan objected to the YSRC leaders criticism of the government within a month of its formation. Jagan Mohan Reddy was arguing with the police before entering the house and he was provoking the MLAs to obstruct the Governor's speech. These are proof of his arrogance.

Raghu Rama Krishna Raju greets Jagan Reddy

Vijayawada: In a surprising yet cordial interaction, Telugu Desam MLA K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju greeted YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as soon as he was spotted in the Andhra Pradesh assembly on Monday. The interaction of Raju with Jagan Reddy turned all heads to them. Raju has been a strong critic of Jagan Reddy. Hi Jagan, Raju wished the former chief minister and the latter reciprocated. Raju shook hands with Jagan Reddy and the latter patted him on the back. Both exchanged pleasantries for a while. In a light-hearted manner, Raju asked Jagan Reddy to be present in the assembly on all days. Sure, the former CM replied. Senior TD leader and finance minister Payyavula Keshav passed by. Raju requested him that he be allotted a seat beside Jagan Reddy. Sure, sure, Kesav said, smilingly. Raju sat beside Jagan Reddy for some time. Later, the YSRC members led by their chief registered their protest during the Governors Address and staged a walkout. Notably, Raju had displayed intense animosity towards Jagan Reddy for the last five years. Raju had to face sedition cases during the YSRC rule and he had alleged that the CID had subjected to him to custodial torture. For the last four years, Raju had been holding the Rachabanda forum in New Delhi daily, making stinging comments against Jagan Reddy. Interestingly, a few days ago, the Guntur police booked cases, including an attempt-to-murder case, against Jagan Reddy and three IPS officers based on a complaint lodged by Raju. Against this backdrop, Raju's friendly gesture towards Jagan Reddy in the assembly caught wide media attention.