VIJAYAWADA: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) special court in Vijayawada granted two-day custody of former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to the AP Crime Investigation Department (APCID) in connection with the multi-crore Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam on Friday. Naidu is presently lodged in Rajahmundry Central Prison.

ACB special court judge BSV Himabindu pronounced the order soon after the quash petition filed by Naidu in the High Court was dismissed.

Earlier in the day, judge Himabindu spoke to Naidu through video conference and took his opinion on CID custody. After speaking to Naidu for a few minutes, she extended his judicial remand for two days till September 24.

It may be recalled that the CID filed a petition seeking five-day custody of Naidu soon after the latter was sent to judicial remand for investigation into the money transactions in the scam.

Judge Himabindu heard the arguments of both the parties on Wednesday and reserved the orders Thursday but postponed the matter to Friday taking into consideration that the quash petition filed by Naidu was pending before the High Court.

When Judge Himabindu asked where Naidu would be questioned, the CID informed that they would shift Naidu to Vijayawada or Rajahmundry regional office for which the defence counsel raised serious objections and expressed concern over Naidu's safety. After discussing with both parties, judge Himabindu instructed CID officials to question Naidu in jail.

The court asked the CID to video record the investigation process and submitted the same in a sealed cover. Naidu's counsel would be present during the questioning by the CID. The court also asked the investigation agency to question Naidu between 9.30 am to 5 pm. Naidu will be questioned on Saturday and Sunday. 

VIJAYAWADA: In a setback to former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday dismissed the petition filed by the TDP president to quash the FIR filed against him in the AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) case.

The court has heard the petition three days back and reserved its orders. During the arguments, Naidu's counsels contended that the former CM was a victim of ‘regime revenge’. Citing previous orders of the Supreme Court, they argued that as the FIR in the case was registered in 2021, the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (APCID) had to get the prior approval of the Governor as per Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act for arresting Naidu.

The CID, represented by its counsels Mukul Rohatgi, Ranjit Kumar and additional advocate general Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy maintained that the State does not need to obtain prior sanction to investigate Naidu. They submitted that the act of fabricating records and misappropriating funds cannot be termed an ‘official duty.’

ALSO READ | Chaos in Andhra Pradesh Assembly over Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest

The high court on Friday dismissed the quash petition.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court is likely to give its orders on the petition filed by the CID-- seeking five-day custody of Naidu for further questioning--  at 2.30 pm.

VIJAYAWADA: Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) informed that Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari enquired about the wellbeing of TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu when he came across him on the premises of Parliament.

In a post on the social media platform ‘X’,  Nani stated that Gadkari described Naidu, who was arrested in the Skill Development Corporation scam case, as a great leader without any blemishes and exuded hope that the former CM would come out clean, overcoming all the hurdles with the God’s grace.”

Srikakulam TDP MP Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu raised the issue of ‘illegal’ arrest of Naidu in the Lok Sabha. Recalling how former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan was jailed in a fake espionage case, Ram Mohan Naidu told the Lok Sabha that a chain of such events is unfolding in AP too.

“This is nothing but an obvious case of regime, revenge and litigation. On the other hand, a leader (CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy) is celebrating the 10th anniversary on September 23 for being on bail, though he looted Rs 43,000 crore. There is an immediate need to correct the system,” he felt.

VIJAYAWADA: Former MP Undavalli Arun Kumar on Thursday filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, seeking a CBI probe into the AP State Skill Development Corporation scam involving Rs 371 crore.

In his petition, the former MP said several complicated inter-state issues were involved in the scam. Since it is a case pertaining to an economic offence with far-reaching consequences, it should be probed by the CBI. The ED has already taken up a probe into the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, he said.

After TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested on September 9 in the skill development scam case, political motives have been attributed, besides former members of the judiciary and retired civil servants making varied comments on the court proceedings. “In view of such developments, it is advisable to have the case investigated by the CBI in an unbiased manner,” he opined.

A total of 44 people and institutions, including Union Home Secretary, CBI Director, ED Director, AP Chief Secretary, APCID, Ghanta Subba Rao, K Lakshminarayana, Nimmagadda Venkata Krishna Prasad, DesignTech MD V Khanvelkar, Skillar Enterprises, Siemens India former MD Suman Bose, Naidu, former minister K Atchannaidu and APSSDC have been made respondents.

VIJAYAWADA: Extending his party’s support to the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha, YSRC MP V Vijayasai Reddy emphasised that women need not get only 33% reservation, rather conscious efforts should be made to elevate it and provide as many opportunities to women as we can.

Speaking on debate for the passage of the Bill in the Upper House, he highlighted how Andhra Pradesh has fared exceptionally well in providing reservation to women in the political sphere. The State has exceeded the 33% quota and is providing more than 50% to women in local bodies.

“The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution mandate the reservation of one-third of seats for women in Panchayats and municipalities. In AP, under the leadership of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, we have surpassed the limit in providing reservations to women. In AP, it is not 33%, it is not one-third, but more than 50%,” he said, and went on to add that 688 out of the total 1,356 nominated persons in the local bodies are women, which comes to 51%.

“Similarly, seven out of 13 Zilla Parishad chairpersons in the State are women, that makes for around 54% and 15 out of 26 vice-chairpersons are also women. That is 58%. A total of 18 out of 36 mayors and deputy mayors are women, which comes to 50%,” he explained.

Apart from these, 1,161 out of 2,124 municipal ward members are women (50%), 54% of MPTCs, 53% of Mandal Parishad presidents and 53% of ZPTC members are women. In addition to it, 53% of ward and village volunteers and 51% of officials in village and ward secretariats are also women, he highlighted.

“Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has already surpassed the bar in providing equitable representation to women. Thus, our conjecture is that women’s reservation could be even more than one-third. It could be even 50% as we have implemented in Andhra Pradesh,” he opined.

VIJAYAWADA: The Special ACB court in Vijayawada on Thursday deferred its orders in Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department’s (APCID) plea seeking five-day custody of TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu to question him in the AP State Skill Development Corporation  (APSSDC) case to Friday.

ACB court judge BSV Himabindu heard the arguments on Wednesday and reserved orders for Thursday. She postponed the matter to Friday taking into consideration that the quash petition filed by Naidu was pending before the High Court. The orders are likely to be given at 10.30 a.m.

The 73-year-old was arrested for his alleged role in the Rs 371-crore APSSDC scam and was sent to a 14-day judicial remand on September 10. He is currently lodged at the Rajahmundry Central Jail. While the investigation agency has sought Naidu’s custody to further probe into the money transactions related to the case, the latter approached the high court seeking that the case against him be quashed.

Before concluding the session on Thursday, judge Himabindu said she would pronounce the orders based on the HC’s decision on the quash petition.“The orders will be pronounced, if the quash petition comes to the listing before the High Court, on Friday. Arguments over the quash petition have been completed and judge K Sreenivasa Reddy reserved his judgement to September 19,” said Naidu’s advocates.

Earlier, the APCID’s counsel explained to the ACB court that the probe agency has compelling evidence to prove Naidu’s role in the APPSDC scam. The counsel argued that Naidu’s custody was crucial so that the probe agency could unravel the money trail between the government and shell companies and back to the TDP leader and his benamis. Meanwhile, CID filed another petition with the ACB special court seeking Naidu’s custody in the alleged Amaravati Inner Ring Road (IRR) scam.  

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: The death of an undertrial prisoner, who was remanded in Rajamahendravaram Central Prison, due to dengue fever while undergoing treatment in a hospital at Kakinada took a political turn with TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh expressing fear that his father Chandrababu Naidu was kept in unsafe environs. Naidu was lodged in prison following his arrest in the skill development corporation scam case. G Veera Venkata Satyanarayana (19) of Dowleswaram, an accused in a dacoity case, was remanded in prison on September 6.

Rajamahendravaram Central Prison Incharge and DIG (Prisons) Ravi Kiran said, “Satyanarayana had been suffering from fever from September 7. He was admitted to the local government hospital. He had developed dengue fever symptoms and vomited blood in the hospital. He was shifted to Kakinada Government General Hospital on September 19.’’

The DIG said Satyanarayana died on Wednesday. He tested dengue positive. His family members were at the hospital at the time of Satyanarayana’s death. The death of the undertrial prisoner was informed to the Prisons Department as well as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the DIG said and refuted the allegations that Satyanarayana died in the prison. “There is no need to panic about the atmosphere in the prison and there is no outbreak of malaria or dengue,” Ravi Kiran asserted.

Fogging operation has been taken up in the prison in consultation with the authorities concerned. There are 2,064 inmates (convicts and undertrials), besides nearly 200 staff and officials, in the prison. “The Prisons Department is taking all the steps regarding the health of inmates and there is nothing to panic,” the DIG averred.

Meanwhile, Lokesh alleged that the YSRC government was trying to cause harm to a Z+ protectee in the central prison. “Though we have complained that there is no proper security and about the menace of mosquitoes, the prison authorities are not responding,’’ he stated in a post on ‘X’.“The government is conspiring to eliminate Naidu. Psycho Jagan should take the responsibility if anything happens to Naidu,” Lokesh said.

VIJAYAWADA: Pandemonium prevailed on the first day of the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly session on Thursday as the Opposition TDP leaders demanded a discussion on the adjournment motion seeking immediate release of party chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

As many as 15 TDP and two rebel YSRC MLAs were suspended for storming into the Well of the House and climbing into the Speaker’s Podium. The former chief minister was arrested on September 9 for his alleged role in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam.As soon as proceedings in the House commenced, TDP leaders denounced Naidu’s arrest, tore papers and hurled them at the Speaker.

In no time, a war of words erupted between the ruling and Opposition parties amid heavy sloganeering. The YSRC MLAs took strong exception to TDP MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna twirling his moustache. Retorting to the gesture, Water Resources Minister Ambati Rambabu advised the filmstar to limit such acts to his movies.

Subsequently, Speaker Tammineni Sitaram suspended two TDP MLAs - Payyavula Keshav and Anagani Satyaprasad - and YSRC rebel MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy for the entire session. The remaining 14 legislators, including TDP MLAs K Atchannaidu, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Bendalam Ashok, Nimmakayala Chinarajappa, Adireddy Bhavani, Gadde Rammohan, Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, PGVR Naidu (Ganababu), Nimmala Rama Naidu, Manthena Ramaraju, Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Yeluri Sambasiva Rao, Dola Sree Veera Balanjaneya Swamy and YSRC rebel MLA Undavalli Sridevi, were suspended for the day.

While action was taken against Keshav for taking videos as the marshals surrounded the TDP MLAs, the other two leaders were suspended for unruly behaviour. Stating that property in the Assembly was damaged during the ruckus, the Speaker said the matter would be referred to the Ethics Committee. He also warned Balakrishna to refrain from making inappropriate gestures.

Taking exception to the Opposition members disrupting the proceedings of the House, Ambati Rambabu said the TDP leaders’ actions were provoking the treasury benches.After some ruling party leaders, including Social Welfare Minister Merugu Nagarjuna, tried to rush to the podium, the Speaker urged them to go back to their seats. When the situation could not be controlled, he adjourned the House.

When the House assembled again, a number of marshals were deployed in the House to prevent the Opposition MLAs from entering the Well. Nonetheless, the TDP MLAs jostled with the marshals and tried to enter the Well. They raised slogans against Naidu’s ‘illegal’ arrest and criticised Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Stating that the government was ready to discuss the Adjournment Motion at length, Legislative Affairs Minister Buggana Rajendranth noted that the discussion could be possible only if the Opposition presented their demand in a proper manner.

Accusing the TDP of disrupting the House only to hit the headlines, the minister said, “Not just the Skill Development issue, we will discuss several other issues during the course of the session. Irrespective of the fact that the case is in court, we are ready to talk about it on the Opposition’s demand.”

As the chaos continued, Buggana read out the names of the MLAs who were disrupting the House and requested the Speaker to suspend them.A tense situation prevailed when leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties came face-to-face just before the suspended MLAs walked out of the House.In the Legislative Council, too, the TDP MLCs obstructed the proceedings, demanding the immediate release of Naidu.

Blame game erupts

Outside the Assembly, the YSRC and TDP blamed each other for the unruly scenes on the floor of the Assembly.Lambasting at the TDP, Minister for Information and Public Relations Ch Venu Gopala Krishna said the unruly behaviour of the Opposition leaders has lowered the dignity and decorum of the House.

“In an unprecedented manner, they threw papers on the Speaker after rushing into the podium. Unfortunately, a legislator, who was with YSRC till the last session, even attempted to damage the computer panel on the Speaker’s desk,” he said. Stating that neither Naidu nor his advocates have denied the `371-crore scam or the former chief minister’s role, Krishna said, “They are only arguing about the technicalities of Naidu’s arrest.”

Tourism and Sports RK Roja remarked, “All these years, Balakrishna as Hindupur MLA, was never active in the House. Now that Naidu has been put behind bars, he has become hyperactive.”Terming it a black day in the history of State Assembly, TDP State unit chief K Atchannaidu defended Balakrishna and said the actor twirled his moustache only after being provoked by Rambabu.

“The TDP MLAs were suspended from the House because the YSRC leaders do not want the people to know the facts, another TDP MLA Nimmala Rama Naidu alleged.Meanwhile, the House will take up discussion on the Skill Development Corporation issue on Friday.

Assembly session to be on till September 27

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting held under the chairmanship of AP Legislative Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram on Thursday, decided to conduct the ongoing session till September 27 with five working days. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Ministers Buggana Rajendranath (Legislative Affairs), Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy (Energy) and Jogi Ramesh (Housing), Coordinator G Srikanth Reddy, Government Chief Whip M Prasada Raju and officials attended the meeting. The TDP abstained from the BAC meeting

VIJAYAWADA: In a significant triumph, Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a beacon of success in child healthcare as the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Under-5 Mortality Rate (U-5M) declined by 67.7 per cent and 41.8 per cent respectively in 2020.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Sample Registration System (SRS) data, the MMR plummeted to 45 per 1 lakh live births in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting a commendable decline from 195 reported in 2001-03, while India saw a drop from 301 to 97 between 2018 and 2020.

The progress is not limited to maternal health, child mortality rates have also seen a sharp decline in the State. The Under-5 Mortality Rate in AP, according to the SRS, stood at 27 in 2020, showcasing an impressive reduction from the 45 per 1,000 live births reported in 2011. For India, the figures stood at 32 in 2020 from 55 reported in 2011.

According to the health, medical and family welfare officials, the government has implemented several measures to enhance maternal and child healthcare within the State. The government has been actively encouraging mothers to opt for institutional deliveries, ensuring they give birth in healthcare facilities with the assistance of medical professionals.

In a bid to reduce the financial burden on families, the government has been providing allowances for deliveries, which take place in government hospitals. Alongside the Central government’s Janani Suraksha Yojana Scheme, the State government has introduced the Jagananna Asara scheme, which offers a combination of cash assistance and comprehensive post-delivery care to pregnant women.

The Jagananna Talli Bidda Express vehicle has been designed to provide post-delivery care to women, to drop the mother and child at their residence. A recent addition to the healthcare initiatives is the Family Physician concept, offering continuous care and support to pregnant women from conception till the post-delivery phase at their doorstep.

These integrated efforts showcase the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services for both expecting mothers and children, leading to a decline in mortality rates across the State.  

VIJAYAWADA: TDP leaders and activists, who were allegedly involved in Angallu and Punganur violence during TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s visit to the irrigation projects in Annamayya and Chittoor districts, got a reprieve with the Andhra Pradesh High Court directing the Police Department not to arrest them or take up proceedings till the final hearing of the case.

TDP leaders, including MLC Bhumireddy Ramgopal Reddy, former minister N AmarnathReddy, former MLAs D Ramesh, Shajahan Basha, Rajampet TDP in charge G Narahari, Telugu Yuvatha president Sriram Chinnababu, TDP leaders Sesha Chalapati Naidu, V Chandrasekahr, M Prasad Reddy, Md Praveen Taj, N Venkateswara Prasad, B Viswanath Naidu, E Ramesh, B Sridhar Varma and others were accused of indulging in violence and cases were registered against them by Mudivedu and Punganur police.

Reminding that the police had filed an SLP challenging the court granting anticipatory bail to a few in the case, Justice K Suresh Reddy adjourned the case hearing after two weeks. Meanwhile, the High Court granted anticipatory bail to some TDP leaders from V Kota mandal in Chittoor district accused of Punganur violence during Naidu’s visit.

Taking the statement issued by a complainant in the cases that he erroneously mentioned that the petitioners were at the spot of the incident when it happened, the court granted anticipatory bail to AM Ranganath, M Somappa, BR Rambabu Naidu, S Konda Reddy, GA Bhaktavatsalam, C Viswanath and R Rambabu.

On the other hand, the High Court granted conditional bail to 79 TDP activists, who are in judicial custody in connection with Angallu and Punganur violence. They have been asked to appear in person before the SHO of the police station concerned every Tuesday and Friday. All the 79 have been in the jail for the last 45 days.

Hearing on Naidu’s plea adjourned to September 26

The HC adjourned the case hearing on the petition filed by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu seeking anticipatory bail in the case pertaining to the alignment of the Inner Ring Road in Amaravati's capital region to September 26.

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) president Potluri Bhaskara Rao and general secretary B Raja Sekhar met Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand and submitted a representation on the burden of high energy charges on industries.

The Chambers mentioned in detail the various electricity charges such as true-up, grid support charges, electricity duty, etc, that are being levied on industries and their impact on the financial viability of industries.

AP Chambers stated that the increase in Electricity Duty from 6 paise per unit to Rs 1 per unit has added further woes to the already struggling industries.

The Chambers requested the State to give directions to DISCOMS to adjust the collected amount against the future energy charges. In view of the difficulties faced by the industry, AP Chambers requested the postponement of the enhancement of Electricity Duty charges for at least one year.

GUNTUR: In a bid to immerse the Ganesh idol, a father-son duo reportedly drowned in Krishna river in Govindapuram village of Palnadu district on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Nirumalla Srinivasa Rao (63), and his son Venkatesh (35), residents of Govindapuram village in Machavaram mandal.

According to the police, on Wednesday night, during the immersion procession, the father and son entered the river, slipped, and drowned in the water. Upon receiving information, local police rushed to the spot launched a search operation and recovered the bodies of the deceased on Thursday afternoon. The family members were devastated to lose their loved ones in such a tragic incident.

Following this, the police cautioned the people to be alert during Vinayaka immersions. Guntur SP Arif Hafeez instructed the officials to increase vigil at the idol immersion sites. He also directed them to arrange skilled swimmers at all immersion sites and ensure that children and old people are not included in the immersion processions.

GUNTUR: Apart from the government welfare schemes, various innovative programmes initiated by the Palnadu district administration have been yielding good results over the past two years. The brainchild of district Collector Sivashankar Lotheti, ‘Nela Nela Sahitya Prakriya’, a monthly literary programme received a great response from the public and Telugu literature lovers.

With an objective to bring Telugu literature closer to the common people, a book related to both society and literature will be selected in which public literature lovers can participate it and share their thoughts and views. The six editions of this programme received a huge response not only from students but also from the public.

Along with this, ‘Jignasa’ was introduced, during which the officials and staff in the collectorate discussed various topics, including culture, historical facts, and others. Explaining the reason for introducing this programme, Sivashankar Lotheti said that it improves the office culture and develops a friendly environment among staff members which will have a great impact on their work.

Mission Shobakruth was introduced as part of which the unused items and machinery stocked in government offices are auctioned and the amount received would be utilised to develop the office. To encourage the farmers to practise soil-friendly farming methods and increase awareness of natural farming, ideal farmers are felicitated every week, as part of Rythuku Vandanam.

To address students, Bhavitha and ‘A Day with Collector’ in which students from classes 9 and 10 from government schools would get a chance to interact with the Collector and discuss their goals. In order to increase awareness of anaemia, and the healthy habits to be followed during the menstruation cycle among girls of the 12 to 19 age group, the Bangaru Thalli programme was initiated. As part of this, anaemia progress cards were distributed.

In order to identify the hassles of the sanitation workers, ‘Coffee with CLAP Mitra’, during which the Collector interacts with the staff. As part of the Gramodayamam programme, the Collector visits a village every Friday, spends quality time with the residents, and addresses grievances on the spot.

VIJAYAWADA: Dr YSR University of Health Sciences invited online applications for admissions into Post Graduate Medical Degree/Diploma Courses under Competent Authority Quota (CQ) seats and Post Graduate Medical Management Quota (MQ) Seats in private non–minority and minority medical colleges in the State for the academic year 2023-24 separately.

In view of the revised cut-off scores of NEET PG-2023 after the lowering of qualifying percentiles released by NBE, New Delhi, the health university invited applications from eligible in-service & non-service candidates for admissions.

Candidates from other States are not eligible for the Competent Authority Quota seats if they do not satisfy local status/non-local status as per G.O.P.NO. 646, Education (W) Department, Dated 10th July 1979 of Government of Andhra Pradesh (Presidential Order).

Candidates who have already submitted online applications for this academic year 2023-24 and whose names are present in the CQ Merit lists of both in-service and non-service displayed on the University website for this academic year 2023-24 need not apply again and the other conditions notified in the earlier notifications will remain same.

VIJAYAWADA: Polavaram Irrigation project works are expected to be completed by December 2025 as 73.69 per cent of the works are completed so far, Minister for Water Resources Ambati Rambabu informed in a written reply to TDP legislators.

Though the question was deemed to be answered during the Assembly session on Thursday, the question hour session was disrupted by the TDP members. It may be recalled that the deadline for the completion of the project works has been pushed further after Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy said last month that the project would be completed by Kharif 2025.      

Though a part of funds for the completing phase I of the project has been released, the stalemate continues over the revised cost estimates of the project. During a recent review meeting, Ambati Rambabu said that the cost of the construction could go even higher as the construction of a new diaphragm wall has been proposed after the repair works of the damaged D-wall were found to be unfeasible. However, the minister had said that the final call would be taken by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

The damage caused to the D-wall due to soil erosion is one of the key reasons for the delay in the construction of the project. In the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, a decision to increase the amount for the construction of the houses for the project oustees was also taken.

On the other hand, several of the other major irrigation projects in the State are also set to be completed in 2025-26, as stated in the statement.  The Vamsadhara phase has been completed and 92 per cent of the phase two works are over. It is expected to be completed by February 2024.  As of now, 83 per cent of the Thotapalli Barrage and 43 per cent of the Gajapathinagaram Branch canal, both vital for Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, are expected to be completed by June 2025.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The CBI booked the principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Visakhapatnam for allegedly admitting 124 ineligible students on the basis of fake service certificates purportedly issued by various Central government departments by taking bribes from their parents.

According to an FIR filed by the CBI, S Sreenivasa Raja, while working as principal at Kendriya Vidyalaya, allegedly conspired with the parents of ineligible students and provided admission to them into various classes without verifying the applications and service certificates and received undue pecuniary advantage to his bank accounts with the State Bank of India and the Union Bank of India through UPI mode.

The irregularities were detected by the CBI during a joint surprise check conducted by its Visakhapatnam unit on May 3 and 4 at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Waltair, in order to verify the admissions provided by Raja for 2022-23. It was found that he had violated the procedures laid down under the policies by Kendriya Vidyalaya.

TIRUPATI: On the fourth day of the ongoing Srivari annual Brahmotsavams, Malayappa Swamy posed majestically as Rajamannar blessed his devotees on Kalpavruksha Vahanam, here on Thursday morning.

According to the legend Kalpavruksham, the wish-granting divine tree was brought from heaven by Viswakarama and made Brahmotsavam vahanam for Sri Malayappa Swamy. The four mada streets reverberated with chants of Govinda namams during the procession.

While Lord Brahma was paraded on the wooden chariot, well-decorated horses and elephants followed the Brahmaratham. Tirumala pontiffs, TTD Trust Board Chairman Bhumana Karunakara Reddy, Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy and others were present.

TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has made elaborate arrangements for the Garuda Seva as part of the annual Brahmotsavams on Friday.

The Garuda Seva would commence at 7 p.m. and would continue till midnight. In a move to ensure hassle-free darshan for the devotees, additional forces have been deployed. Speaking on the drop in footfall in the past four days of the annual fete, TTD Executive Officer (EO) AV Dharma Reddy attributed it to the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

He, however, stated the numbers might increase on Friday. With the possibility of an increase in the movement of personal vehicles and buses on the ghat roads, the TTD had prohibited two-wheelers from plying on both roads.      

Anantapur Range DIG RS Ammi Reddy, DIG Gopinath Jetty, TTD EO Dharma Reddy on Thursday held a review on the security arrangements. They said that devotees would be allowed into the galleries on the four mada streets at designated timings and would be provided with annaprasadam. Those who cannot enter the galleries would be allowed to have a darshan of the Garuda Seva via the queue points. As many as 50,000 devotees can be accommodated in these queue points.  The police department has made elaborate security arrangements with 5,000 personnel.

“Nearly 3-4 lakh devotees are likely to turn out for the Garuda Seva. The movement of devotees would be monitored through surveillance cameras and necessary steps would be taken to prevent any untoward incidents,’’ Ammi Reddy said. Children would be geo-tagged to ensure that they do not go missing. He appealed to the devotees to inform police about the movement of suspicious people and further added that a strict vigil would be kept on anti-social elements.

Meanwhile, Andal Sri Goda Devi garlands from Srivilliputtur in Tamil Nadu reached Tirumala on Thursday to decorate Garuda Seva. The garlands were brought to the Sri Pedda Jeeyar Mutt near Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswamy Temple. Speaking to reporters, Dharma Reddy said it is customary to offer Godadevi Malas from Srivilliputtur to Tirumala.  He said that these sacred garlands will be decorated to Swami during Garuda Seva.

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram on Thursday suspended three members- two from Telugu Desam Party and one YSR Congress- rebel MLA for the current session and the other opposition legislators for the day for 'disrupting' House proceedings.

The session started on a story note with the TDP members rushing to the Podium and raising slogans against the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu and demanding a debate on the issue. The House witnessed some anxious moments with the treasury and Opposition members rushing towards each other.

As the TDP members demanded a short-notice discussion on the `illegal' arrest of Naidu. Legislative Affairs Minister Buggana Rajendranath said they are ready for a debate on Naidu's arrest and wanted the
Opposition members to allow the House to run smoothly. The TDP members rushed to the podium holding placards and raised slogans disrupting the proceedings. The TDP members hurled papers on the Speaker's Chair.

Water resources development minister Ambati Rambabu said the TDP members are behaving in an objectionable manner and are provoking them to respond in the same manner. Amid the chaos, Hindupur MLA and film actor Nandamuri Balakrishna twirled his moustache in an aggressive manner to which Rambabu asked Balakrishna to show his heroics in movies. Minister Meruga Nagarjuna and some other members also rushed to the Podium and with tempers running high, Speaker Tammineni Sitharam urged TDP members to return to their sets with folded hands. As they did not budge, the Speaker adjourned the House.

After the House convened, the TDP members continued to disrupt the proceedings following which Speaker Tammineni Sitaram suspended the TDP and two YSRC members. While TDP members Payyavula Keshav and YSRC rebel member Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy were suspended for the entire session for their unruly behaviour, others were suspended for the day. The Speaker warned Balakrishna for twirling his
moustaches in the House.

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Assembly session started on a stormy note on Thursday with the TDP
members rushing to the Podium and raising slogans against the arrest of their leader and former CM N Chandrababu Naidu demanding a debate on the issue. The House witnessed some anxious moments with the treasury and Opposition members rushing towards each other.

As soon as the session began, TDP members demanded a short-notice discussion on the 'illegal' arrest of Naidu. Legislative Affairs minister Buggana Rajendranath said they are ready for a debate on Naidu's arrest and wanted the Opposition members to allow the House to run smoothly. The TDP members rushed
to the podium holding placards and raised slogans disrupting the proceedings. The TDP members hurled the papers at the Speaker's Chair.

Water resources development minister Ambati Rambabu said the TDP members are behaving in an objectionable manner and are provoking them to respond in the same manner. Amid the chaos, Hindupur MLA and film actor Nandamuri Balakrishna twirled his moustache in an aggressive manner to which Rambabu asked Balakrishna to show his heroics in movies. Minister Meruga Nagarjuna and some other members also rushed to the Podium and with tempers running high, Speaker Tammineni Sitharam urged TDP members to return to their sets with folded hands. As they did not budge, the Speaker adjourned the House.