RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to probe the death of Pastor Praveen Pagadala (46), has launched an investigation following directions from the DGP. SIT chief and Kovvur DSP Dev Kumar said the team is collecting evidence, analysing CCTV footage, and awaiting the postmortem report. He clarified that Praveen did not visit Chagallu but travelled to Rajamahendravaram via Vijayawada and Devarapalli Road. Investigators are reviewing highway CCTV footage and plan to ques

ONGOLE: The YSRCP secured victories in two Mandal Praja Parishad (MPP) elections held on Thursday for vacant positions in local Zilla Parishad (ZP) bodies. The party retained its influence among MPTC members and field-level leaders, winning the Markapur and Tripurantakam MPP posts. The election process was conducted peacefully, with police enforcing Section 30 of the Police Act and Section 144 at polling locations. Additional District Election Authority and ZP CEO announced that Bandi Lakshmi De

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu will launch the P-4 (Public, Private, Peoples Partnership) Policy at the State level on Sunday, March 30, behind the State Secretariat in Amaravati. Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, who reviewed the arrangements via video conference with district collectors and officials on Thursday, said the programme aims to eradicate poverty by facilitating interaction between high-net-worth individuals and economically weaker sections. The P-4 initiative seeks t

VIJAYAWADA: The Education Department, led by HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, has introduced a series of reforms aimed at enhancing learning quality, reducing dropout rates and improving student engagement. A key initiative among them is the introduction of No Bag Day on Saturdays for students in Classes 1 to 10, promoting experiential and skill-based education. Every Saturday, students will participate in interactive activities such as quizzes, vocational training, debates, and sports competiti

KADAPA: YSRCP candidate Muthyal Ramagovinda Reddy was unanimously elected ZP Chairman of YSR Kadapa district with TDP opting out of race due to lack of numbers and District Collector and Election Officer Dr Sridhar Cherukuri announcing the results. ZPTC members Muthyala Prasad Chennayya (Porumamilla) and Kokkatam Venkata Bayapureddy (Vemula) proposed Muthyala Ramagovinda Reddys candidature. The District Collector administered the oath to the newly elected chairman, Ramagovinda Reddy. In the 50-m

VIJAYAWADA: Reasserting that Polavaram is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has promised to ensure justice to all those who sacrificed everything for the irrigation project. We will complete the rehabilitation of all the displaced families before making the irrigation project operational, he vowed. Naidu conducted an aerial survey of the Polavaram project on Thursday, and later held a meeting with the displaced families. After the TDP-led NDA came to power in the

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Visakhapatnam city police have introduced drone policing to enhance crime prevention, detection, and overall safety in the city. Speaking to TNIE, Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police (CP) Shanka Brata Bagchi stated that the initiative marks a significant step toward leveraging technology to tackle antisocial activities and bolster law enforcement efforts. Currently, six drones are operating in the city, and plans are in place to procure an additional 20 to 30 drones within th

KADAPA: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Epigraphy Branch, has copied 1,000 inscriptions from various regions across the country in the financial year 2024-25. Director of Epigraphy at ASI, Dr K Munirathnam Reddy, said inscriptions are crucial for historical documentation and emphasised efforts to compile them into books. Inscriptions tell us what history should be written. We are making historical, cultural, and traditional knowledge accessible to future generations and research schola

VIJAYAWADA: The centuries-old Pedana Kalamkari industry, which is known across the borders for its vibrant hues of natural dyes, intricate motifs that tell stories of culture, is facing an acute water shortage, which is threatening its very survival. For nearly 15,000 people in Pedana and a few more thousands in its surrounding areas, Kalamkari is more than just a craft its their livelihood. However, a severe water shortage, worsening over the past decade, has pushed the industry to the brink.

VIJAYAWADA: The State government has directed the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) to transfer possession of 13.43 acres of Harbour Park Lands back to Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), paving the way for Lulu Group International to restart its proposed shopping mall project in Visakhapatnam. The Lulu Group, in its proposal to the government, outlined plans for an international-standard shopping mall featuring a Lulu Hypermarket, multiple

TIRUPATI: The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has directed officials to conduct elections for four Mandal Parishad President (MPP) vacancies and co-option members in six mandals of the erstwhile Chittoor district on Thursday. Political tensions are particularly high in Ramakuppam mandal, part of CM Chandrababu Naidus Kuppam constituency. Determined to secure the MPP post, TDP leaders are strategising to ensure victory, even if by a slim margin. In Ramakuppam, TDP holds seven MPTC seats,

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has felt that if Collectors formulate plans for the development of their respective districts, and implement them effectively, the State will achieve speedy growth. Speaking on the final day of the Collectors Conference at the State Secretariat on Wednesday, Naidu said district-wise development plans were discussed at the State-level for the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh. Describing Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Amaravati, Tirupati and A

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met a Japanese delegation led by Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono in Amaravati on Wednesday to discuss avenues for economic collaboration and investment. Highlighting the States longstanding ties with Japan, Naidu emphasised the thriving Japanese industrial ecosystem in Sri City, which has played a key role in attracting firms from the island nation. Discussions centred on sectors such as shipbuilding, electronics, chemicals, automobiles, auto compon

HYDERABAD: Telangana senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan on Wednesday submitted the water requirements of Telangana as per the Statement of Case of Telangana before Justice Brijesh Kumars Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II. He stated that AP will not be deprived of its due share but it seeks only fair and equitable apportionment of water between the two sibling states. When Justice Brijesh Kumar enquired about how much water is going outside basin, Vaidyanathan stated that of the 512 tmcft internal a

GUNTUR: Guntur is set for a major transformation with Rs 955.88 crore allocated exclusively for its development, as part of the Rs 1,263.79 crore secured by Union Minister of State Pemmasani Chandrasekhar in just nine months. The funds, sourced from Central and State governments, will drive key infrastructure, irrigation, and healthcare projects across the parliamentary constituency. A significant Rs 635.88 crore has been sanctioned for road projects and Road Over Bridges (ROBs), aimed at improv

VIJAYAWADA: To combat dehydration and heat-related illnesses among students, the Andhra Pradesh School Education Department has launched the Water Bell initiative in all schools operating on half-day schedules during summer. Issued by Director of School Education Vijay Rama Raju V as part of the Summer Action Plan 2025, the directive mandates ringing a distinct bell at 10.00 am, 11.00 am, and 12.00 pm to remind students to drink water. The initiative applies to all ZP, government, aided, and pri

ONGOLE: The foundation stone for the Reliance Integrated Compressed Bio-Gas Plant will be laid on April 2 in Divakara Palli village, Pedda Cherlo Palli mandal. The Rs 131 crore project is expected to generate around 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. State IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and a representative from Reliance Group, possibly Mukesh Ambani, are likely to attend the event. Preparations for the Bhoomi Puja and public meeting are in full swing, with authorities levelling the gr

VISAKHAPATNAM: From April 1, malls and multiplexes will no longer be allowed to charge parking fees, following directives from the State Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department. Consumer Rights Council National President Dr. Vikas Pandey announced this during a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. The government issued GO MS No. 44 on March 24 to implement the earlier GO MS No. 119, dated March 28, 2017. Under the new rule, parking will be free for the first

VISAKHAPATNAM: As many as 47 mandals across Andhra Pradesh are expected to experience severe heatwaves on Wednesday, with the highest impact in Srikakulam (13 mandals), Vizianagaram (14), Parvathipuram Manyam (11), Anakapalle (2), Kakinada (4), East Godavari (2), and NTR (1). On Thursday, the heatwave is likely to intensify, affecting 199 mandals across multiple districts, according to AP State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Ronanki Kurmanath. On Tuesday, several areas

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAMVIJAYAWADA: Amid cries of foul play in the death of Hyderabad-based gospel preacher Pagadala Praveen (45) in a road mishap, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a thorough investigation, and directed DGP Harish Kumar Gupta to examine every detail of the incident. Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Praveen. The incident occurred while he was going on a two-wheeler from Hyderabad to attend a Christian gathering in Chagallu, 30 km from Rajamahen

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the immediate abolition of the Non-Agricultural Land Assessment (NALA) Act, citing it as a major hindrance to development during the closing session of the two-day Third District Collectors Conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday. He emphasised that laws obstructing development will be eliminated, even if they generate revenue. Well make up for it through other means. An ordinance will be issued soon, and I want this discussed in the ne

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Pastor Pagadala Praveen (45) died in a road accident early Tuesday while traveling by bike from Hyderabad to Rajamahendravaram for religious gatherings. The accident occurred at the Godavari Fourth Bridge near Konthamuru village. Rajanagaram police registered a case and launched an investigation. According to CI S Prasanna Veeriah Goud, Praveen started his journey from Hyderabads Tirumalagiri area on Monday and reached the accident site in the early hours of Tuesday. CCTV foot

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that the Mega DSC notification to fill vacant teacher posts will be issued in the first week of April. A structured approach will be followed to ensure a smooth recruitment process, filling 16,347 teacher posts. I put my first signature on the DSC file after assuming office. The recruitment will be completed before the commencement of new academic year. he said. Addressing the 3rd District Collectors Conference at the State Secretariat

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made insightful observations on the shifting trends in per capita income of districts at the Collectors Conference at the State Secretariat on Tuesday. He said the per capita income of Sri Sathya Sai district stood at Rs 2,19,234 for the financial year 2022-23, while that of Anantapur and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema was Rs 2,33,521 and Rs 1,93,763 respectively. Generally, Anantapur is considered as a drought-prone and backward district, while the ferti

GUNTUR: Guntur is set to implement a citywide ban on single-use plastic while promoting rooftop and kitchen gardens starting April 1, as part of the Swarnandhra-Swachhandhra mission. The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) is spearheading these initiatives to encourage eco-friendly living. To support urban gardening, GMC will provide subsidised compost and seeds, enabling households to grow pesticide-free vegetables. A special mobile app, launching by April 15, will help residents register for ga

GUNTUR: Mangalagiri is set for a major infrastructure boost with the Centre approving a four-lane Railway Overbridge (ROB) at Level Crossing No. 14, connecting Namburu and Mangalagiri. The Rs 129.18 crore project, fully funded by the Central Government, aims to ease traffic congestion and enhance regional connectivity. The approval comes as part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades in Guntur and surrounding areas. Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communication Pemmassani played a

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan expressed deep sorrow over the death of his martial arts mentor, Shihan Hussaini , who passed away on March 25 in Chennai at age 60 after battling blood cancer. In a heartfelt statement, Kalyan recalled learning of Hussainis illness days earlier and coordinating with friends in Chennai to explore advanced treatment options, even offering to arrange care abroad.The actor-turned-politician revealed that Hussaini had watched his recent

TIRUPATI: The Tirupati Smart City projects have been delayed due to a Rs 400 crore funding shortfall, affecting key infrastructure developments, including the City Command Control Centre, multilevel parking, and a gaming zone. The Tirupati Smart City Corporation Limited (TSCCL) is implementing the projects in collaboration with the Tirupati Municipal Corporation, State government and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) with a budget of Rs 1,656 crore. However, the funds required to complete pen

VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal farmers from 18 villages in Ravikamatham mandal of Anakapalle staged a protest at the Ravikamatham Mandal Revenue Office on Tuesday, seeking government intervention to address issues related to their land and livelihoods. The protest rally which began at the mandal office and continued to the load centre. Speaking at the protest, tribal leader K Govinda Rao said, Farmers from these 18 villages, including Ajjapuram, Kotnabelli, Cheemalapadu, Dharmavaram, and Bennavaram panch

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed the District Collectors to focus on attracting private investments to fulfil the ambitious Swarnandhra Vision 2047. Speaking at the Third Collectors Conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Naidu emphasised that while 23% of development funds come from government support, the remaining 77% must be driven by private sector investments. He encouraged collectors to identify and promote projects that require Viability Gap Funding (VGF),

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed law enforcement agencies to adopt data-driven strategies and harness AI technology to stay ahead of criminals. He directed the Police Department to develop a nation-leading AI policing model, pledging full government support to fund innovative solutions that redefine law enforcement in India. Speaking at the Collectors Conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Naidu underscored the importance of forensic evidence in crime-solving, empha

VIJAYAWADA: Revenue, Registration and Stamps Minister Anagani Satya Prasad has instructed District Collectors to ensure no private land remains entangled in Section 22A disputes, aligning with the State governments efforts to resolve land conflicts. Speaking at the Third Collectors Conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Anagani emphasised that land is a deeply personal issue, particularly for the poor, and urged collectors to prioritise resolving disputes at the grassroots level. Highlighting

VIJAYAWADA: Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Minister P Narayana toured Amaravati on Tuesday to review progress on key infrastructure projects. During his visit, he inspected under-construction bungalows for secretaries and principal secretaries, as well as the CRDA project office. Narayana stated that tender process for 90% of works are now complete, with construction progressing steadily. He revealed that the previous NDA government had floated tenders worth Rs 43,000 cror

VIJAYAWADA: The State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco to enhance digital skills of students and government officials. The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh at the State Secretariat on Tuesday. The collaboration aims to bridge the skills gap, enhance employability and build a pipeline of talent to meet the growing demand for skilled workforce. As part of the MoU, 50,000 learners across Andhra Pradesh will gain access to c

VIJAYAWADA: TDP cadre took strong exception to the presence of Ippala Ravindra Reddy, Territory Sales Manager, Public Sector Business of Cisco, who made objectional social media posts against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and other party leaders earlier, during the exchange of MoU signed between Cisco and the State government on Tuesday. Expressing their ire as it happened in the presence of HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, the TDP cadre reposted the social media postings of Ippala using ob

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the Innovation and Startup Policy (4.0) for 2024-2029, aiming to foster entrepreneurship, create 20,000 startups, and generate one lakh jobs over the next five years. The policy replaces the AP Information Technology Policy (2021-2024), which ended on September 30, 2024. Secretary (IT, Electronics, and Communications) Katamneni Bhaskar issued a government order formalising the new framework on Monday. The policy seeks to promote 20 Soonic

GUNTUR: Ilavaram Zilla Parishad High School has introduced a peer learning initiative to enhance English proficiency, where academically strong students teach their classmates during breaks. The programme, launched by English teacher Harikrishna six months ago, has improved communication skills, boosted confidence, and encouraged teamwork. Alongside this, students are also engaging in international letter exchanges and virtual discussions with experts worldwide. To address students hesitation in

ANANTAPUR: The Ananta Niru Sanrakshanam project has emerged as a successful model for water conservation in the drought-prone Anantapur district. Led by Kadapa District Forest Officer Vineet Kumar and wildlife conservationist Rupak Yadav, the initiative combines traditional methods, ecological restoration, and community participation to combat water scarcity. The project focused on reviving rainwater conservation practices while ensuring local involvement. Over six months, it has resulted in the

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to explore an operational model for the Polavaram-Banakacherla linkage project to minimise its financial burden. During a review meeting with the Water Resources Department at the Secretariat on Monday, he suggested generating power through pumped storage and solar plants within the project area to offset the electricity costs of lifting Godavari waters from Polavaram. Naidu instructed officials to complete the Detailed Pro

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that a platform is being created to enable the wealthy to support the underprivileged under the Zero Poverty P4 programme, which will be launched on Ugadi. Reviewing the final structure of the programme at an official meeting at the State Secretariat on Monday, the Chief Minister made it clear that participation in P4 is entirely voluntary, and no one should be forced to contribute to it. NRIs can also take part in this initiative, mu

VIJAYAWADA: Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the coalition government for neglecting farmers hit by recent heavy rains that damaged horticulture crops, particularly bananas, in Thatireddypalli of Lingala mandal, YSR Kadapa district. Speaking to the media after assessing the crop damage, he demanded immediate compensation for the distressed farmers, accusing the State government of inaction despite their pleas. Jagan highlighted that the YSRCP had built in

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Secretary K Vijayanand on Monday has directed officials to accelerate the integration of information for the completion of data lake which is essential to provide seamless services through WhatsApp Governance at the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS). To provide real-time weather updates to citizens and farmers, the State government is establishing the Andhra Pradesh Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Research Centre (AWARE) Hub within RTGS. The weather alert hub is expecte

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to ensure that no region in the State faces drinking water scarcity during the summer. Chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday, the Naidu assessed the summer action plan with officials from Disaster Management, Panchayati Raj, Municipal, and Health Departments. He instructed Disaster Management officials to collect forecasts on rising temperatures and alert the public. He stressed the need to alert people in

VIJAYAWADA: The 100-day action plan of the government for SSC students is expected to yield better results in the public examinations this academic year. The plan will be implemented in the following academic years as well to improve the performance of students in the public examinations. The plan includes a structured day-wise schedule, question banks, model question papers, and pre-final and grand test. The plans objective is to boost students confidence, reduce exam-related anxiety, and impro

VISAKHAPATNAM: Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh called for the collective efforts of the public representatives, officials, and the public to maintain cleanliness at Rushikonda Beach. Speaking to mediapersons after hoisting the Blue Flag at the beach in Visakhapatnam on Monday, Durgesh alleged that the Blue Flag certification had been temporarily revoked due to the negligence of the previous YSRCP regime. However, immediate steps were taken to restore the certificatio

VIJAYAWADA: IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh reiterated the governments commitment to creating 20 lakh jobs in Andhra Pradesh by 2029. During the second GoM (Group of Ministers) meeting at his residence in Undavalli on Monday, Lokesh reviewed a presentation on investment commitments and employment generation through various MoUs. Officials reported that investments worth Rs 8.73 lakh crore, with the potential to generate 5.27 lakh jobs, have been secured so far. Lokesh directed officials to maint

VIJAYAWADA: The State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the renowned Georgian National University (SEU) to establish a university in North Andhra Pradesh. The initiative finalised in the presence of HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, involves an investment of Rs 1,300 crore and is expected to create over 500 job opportunities. Speaking at the event, Minister Nara Lokesh emphasised the governments commitment to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a global education hub. Th

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) has intensified ground levelling work in Amaravati as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to relaunch the construction works of the State capital between April 15 and 20. Though the Prime Ministers Office has accepted the invitation extended by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the exact date of Modis visit to Amaravati is yet to be finalised. The APCRDA has taken up extensive groundwork for the PMs visit, inclu

VIJAYAWADA: A recent health survey in Balabhadrapuram village, Anaparthy constituency, has identified 38 suspected cancer cases, raising concerns over early detection and treatment. Conducted by the Department of Health, Medical, and Family Welfare on March 22 and 23, the survey covered 2,803 households and 8,830 individuals in the village, which has a population of 10,800. The initiative followed concerns raised by MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly over

VIJAYAWADA: Araku Coffee, a GI-tagged organic coffee cultivated by 1.5 lakh tribal farmers in Andhra Pradeshs Araku Valley, has earned a prestigious spot in the Indian Parliament as part of a nationwide campaign to promote the brand. Two exclusive stalls were inaugurated on Mondayone at Parliament House by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and another at the MPs Refreshment Canteen by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju. The stalls, set up under the Girijan