VIJAYAWADA: An eight-member delegation of the World Bank, led by its Country Director for India Auguste Tano Kouame, called on CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office in Tadepalli on Monday and reviewed the progress of projects being implemented with its support.

Supporting AP’s Learning Transformation (SALT) Project, AP Integrated Irrigation and Agriculture Transformation Project and Improved Health Services Project came up for review. While the World Bank team appreciated the way the projects are being effectively implemented in the State, the CM urged it to conduct a comprehensive study of the changes taking place in education, agriculture and medical and health sectors. 

Highlighting the reforms being introduced in these sectors, he urged the team to ensure that the World Bank plays partnership role in developmental programmes, besides extending financial and technical support to AP. The CM said the government is overhauling the educational system by digitalising classrooms with Interactive Flat Panels, taking the Gross Enrolment Ratio in primary education above the national average, developing government schools under Nadu-Nedu to compete with corporate schools, introducing bilingual textbooks, serving nutritious food to students and implementing a slew of other schemes like Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, Vasathi Deevena, aiming at rolling out more Satya Nadellas from AP.

He told the World Bank team that the State has become a role model for the rest of the country with its innovative reforms like Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), village and ward secretariats and development of new sea and airports, implementation of the family doctor concept and Aarogyasri, besides building 17 new medical colleges to meet growing health needs of people. Auguste Tano Kouame promised to cooperate with the State and extend all possible help for the next 25 years in tune with the mission and vision of the CM.

TIRUMALA: Issuance of Divya Darshan tokens, allowing devotees to trek to the Srivari temple, will be resumed on a trial basis for a week from April 1, chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) YS Subba Reddy announced on Monday.

It may be recalled that the Temple Trust had suspended issuance of these tokens following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.

For a week starting April 1, the TTD would issue 10,000 tokens at Alipiri and another 5,000 at Srivari Mettu for those trekking the hill. Based on feedback of devotees, a decision would be taken on continuing Divya Darshan, TTD chief said. 

The TTD Board chief and executive officer (EO) AV Dharma Reddy spoke to reporters after reviewing arrangements for summer vacation as a huge influx of devotees is expected. Subba Reddy added devotees will also be allowed for darshan through second Vaikuntam Q-complex without any token.

“As summer vacation rush will be witnessed in Tirumala from April 15 to July 15, the TTD has contemplated to reduce VIP Break, SRIVANI, tourism quota, virtual sevas, `300 darshan tickets, while prioritising ordinary devotees,” he explained.

The temple Trust has also requested VIPs to reduce referral letters during these three peak months so that common devotees can get a chance to have a quick darshan without waiting. Stating that there are more than 7,500 rooms in Tirumala that can accommodate nearly 40,000 pilgrims, Subba Reddy explained that 85% of the total rooms have been reserved for common devotees.

VIJAYAWADA: A total of 56 projects executed by the Centre in the State have reported a cost overrun of 52.36%, Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Rao Inderjit Singh said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The Union Minister was responding to a query by YSR Congress MP V Vijayasai Reddy, seeking details of the number of Central sector infrastructure projects whose cost and time had overrun in Andhra Pradesh.

Among the projects, Polavaram Irrigation Project alone has a cost overrun of Rs 45,397 crore. As per the flash report for February 2023, the 56 Central Sector Infrastructure projects that are under construction in the State were proposed with an original cost of Rs 1.01 lakh crore. However, their cost has now shot up to Rs 1.54 lakh crore.

Based on information provided by the project implementing agencies on the ministry’s Online Computerised Monitoring System (OCMS), 24 projects have reported a time overrun.

Further, the Union minister explained that construction cost for Polavaram project, taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 10,151 crore in 2009, has been revised to Rs 55,548 crore, resulting in a cost overrun of Rs 45,397 crore. 

Similarly, Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line, approved in 2001, was estimated to cost Rs 1,045 crore, but it has been now estimated to cost Rs 1,495 crore.   

Project delayed due to fund constraints, says Minister

“The project has been delayed by 216 months due to fund constraints and forest land as reported by the implementing agency on the on-line computerised monitoring system portal,” the minister added.
Inderjit pointed out that law and order issues, delay in land acquisition, environment and forest clearances, funding constraints, rehabilitation and resettlement issues, local body/municipal permissions, utility shifting, and contractual issues were the major reasons for the delay in timely completion of the projects.

The Minister said the ministry has undertaken a range of steps which follow the periodic review of projects under PRAGATI through video conferencing, rigorous project appraisal, on-line computerised monitoring system (OCMS) for better monitoring, setting up of revised cost committees in the Ministries for fixation of responsibility for time and cost overruns, regular review of infrastructure projects by the concerned administrative Ministries, and setting up of Central Sector Projects Coordination Committees (CSPCCs) in the States under the Chief Secretaries for removal of bottlenecks and for facilitating the speedy implementation of major projects.

Key reasons for time over run

Law and order issues, delay in land acquisition, environment & forest clearances, funding constraints, R&R issues, local body permissions, utility shifting, and contractual issues were the reasons for delay in completion of projects.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The City of Destiny has been decked up as it is all set to host the second G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) meeting on March 28 and 29. Around 63 delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries and organisations such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank will participate in the conference. 

Joint Secretary of Ministry of Finance Solomon Arokiaraj on Monday explained that the delegates will discuss the 2023 Infrastructure Agenda under India’s G20 Presidency and follow up on the discussions held during the first IWG meeting in Pune in January, 2023.  

Delegates will hold a discussion on ‘Financing Cities of Tomorrow: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable’ along with other priorities outlined in the agenda. Pointing out that urban areas account for about 80% of the country’s GSDP, Arokiaraj observed that by the year 2050, the number of people living in urban areas of the world will go up to 70%. 

‘Health retreat’ for G20 foreign delegates 

This will require huge infrastructure and investments in urban areas, he noted. “It is a challenging situation for any government in the world to meet the funds required for infrastructure,” he said. He explained that discussions will be held on various aspects of infrastructure investments, including developing infrastructure as an asset class, promoting quality infrastructure investment, and identifying innovative instruments for mobilising financial resources for infrastructure investment. Outcomes of the Infrastructure Working Group will be fed into the G20 Finance Track priorities to promote infrastructure development, housing and energy transition. 

Further, the group will also deliberate on ways to build a sustainable city, Arokiaraj said. There will be seven on-camera sessions during the two days. On the first day, three sessions and one workshop will be conducted, while the remaining four sessions will be held on the second day. 

A ‘health retreat’ will be organised on Wednesday, for the delegates on the beachfront where they will be introduced to yoga, meditation and satvik food. On March 30, a workshop will be conducted for G20 members, where a few delegates will showcase successful models for capacity building in their respective countries, the finance ministry official said. During the workshop, international experts from Korea and Singapore will discuss international best practices of urban infrastructure financing. 

Municipal commissioners from across the country and students from the city, vice-chancellors and principals will participate in the knowledge exchange programme being held as a part of Janbhagidari event. Experts from Singapore and South Korea will elaborate on their projects in their cities.

VIJAYAWADA: The Centre on Monday said the Revised Cost Committee (RCC) constituted by it had revised the cost of the Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP) to be Rs 29,027.95 crore at 2013-14 price level and Rs 47,725.74 crore at 2017-18 price level, in March 2020.

This was stated by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question raised by TDP MP Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar on factors taken into consideration while finalising the cost of Polavaram project at Rs 47,724 crore and the details of the annual project cost disbursement proposed to be made to the State of AP.

Tudu said Polavaram was declared a national project as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. As per the Ministry of Finance approval of 2016, the Government of India is to provide 100% of the remaining cost of the irrigation component of the project only for the period starting from April 1, 2014. 

“In February, 2019, the second revised cost estimate of PIP was accepted by the Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose Projects of the Jal Shakti Ministry, at an estimated cost of Rs 55,548.87 crore at 2017-18 price level. Subsequently, in March 2020, the Revised Cost Committee (RCC) constituted by the Government of India recommended the revised cost of PIP to be Rs 29,027.95 crore at 2013-14 price level and Rs 47,725.74 crore at 2017-18 price-level, he said.

The Centre has been reimbursing the expenditure of irrigation component being made by the Government of AP with effect from April 1, 2014.  “The reimbursement is being made from time to time. So far, a sum of Rs 13,463.21 crore has been reimbursed by the Centre to AP,’’ he said.

No information on move to reduce FRL of dam

The Centre on Monday said it has no information about the State government’s proposal to reduce the full reservoir level of Polavaram dam from 45.72 metres to 41.15 metres, Responding to a question raised by TDP MP K Ravindra Kumar, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu said the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award, 1980 stipulated the FRL for Polavaram dam at 45.72 metres.

KADAPA: One Town police arrested three accused in connection with the abduction and murder of Dr Atchanna, Deputy Director of Government Veterinary Poly Clinic, and produced them before the judicial magistrate here on Monday. 

The three arrested included Bollu Subhash Chandra Bose (43), assistant surgeon, Veterinary Poly Clinic, Bavuluri Chenna Krishna (43), and Mude Balaji Naik (26) of Kadapa and Annamayya districts. Following a complaint lodged by Atchanna’s son Clinton Chakravarthi that his father went missing, the One Town police registered a case on March 14. 

During the case investigation, the police found that the prime accused Bose had serious misunderstandings with Atchanna. 

The Deputy Director had withheld the salaries of some employees, removed them from CFMS and FRS systems and surrendered them to the government, which provoked the accused to murder him. Bose with the help of Krishna and Naik abducted Atchanna from the CSI church at 11 am on March 12 and killed him, the police said. 

VISAKHAPATNAM: YSR AP One App and web portal were launched by Minister for IT and Industries Gudivada Amarnath here on Monday after releasing the new industrial development policy 2023-27. 
Speaking on the occasion, he termed the app a trend setter in ease of doing business as 96 services belonging to 23 departments have been brought under one umbrella and all permissions will be given within 21 days. 

It will have a digital library with information of all the schemes of the Centre and the State government with a virtual platform to schedule meetings with experts. They guide entrepreneurs in preparing the detailed project report and evolving the marketing strategy. It will also have sector-wise and district-wise data, besides details of all industrial incentives. The main operational centre of the app and the web portal will be located in Visakhapatnam and sub-centres will be set up at all the District Industries Centre offices in the State, he explained.

Amarnath said for the first time in over two decades a new industrial policy was launched before the existing one lapsed. The new policy will focus on 12 thrust areas. Ecosystem and startup culture will be given a big push. The policy has prioritised development of infrastructure and enabling ecosystem for accelerated growth of the thrust areas. Land will be allotted to the industry within 21 days after receiving the application. 

Neglected industries by the previous regimes were given an impetus in the new policy. It aims at a balanced growth and for the purpose, the State has been divided into three categories such as less industrialised districts, moderately industrialised districts and highly industrialised areas. Priority has been given to ensure equitable industrial development across all regions and communities, he elaborated.  The government will encourage private industrial parks and development of self-contained industrial townships with world class industrial and social infrastructure and urban amenities under the public private and partnership (PPP) mode.

The minimum threshold investment for a private industrial park should be Rs 200 crore and size of the park should be 50 acres. An MSME park will be developed in the private sector. An iconic tower will also be constructed in Visakhapatnam to promote innovation sector. 

The State is expecting huge investments in food processing, medical devices manufacturing, green and renewable energy. A joint venture worth Rs 15,000 crore will be set up in association with HAL in defence and aero sectors. The recently held Global Investors Summit in Vizag attracted Rs 13.5 lakh crore worth of investments from investors within and outside the country due to trust and confidence they have in the AP government. The State government is contemplating introducing the concept of low cost and low risk business in the city, he revealed. 

Special Chief Secretary (Industries) Karikal Valaven said the Centre has recognised the industrial reforms of the State. A study will be undertaken to identify the products which are in demand and industries will be set up to produce them in the State, he added.

Director of Industries G Srijana said plug and play facilities were included in the operational guide of the new industrial policy.  Industries Department advisor Sridhar, Shravani Shipping CEO Sambasiva Rao and others were present.

TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) paid a penalty of Rs 3 crore imposed on it by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for allegedly violating norms of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in receiving foreign contributions through the temple ‘hundi’ and utilising the same. 

Sources said the MHA had slapped a fine of Rs 10 crore on TTD. However, following negotiations between the FCRA regulating body and the temple Trust, the final amount was fixed at Rs 3 crore. TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy said, “We have informed the ministry that the TTD does not have any window to attract, receive or seek foreign contributions other than the hundi where voluntary contributions are made.” 

Confirming that the fine was paid, Subba Reddy explained that the MHA had pointed out certain irregularities in receiving foreign contributions by the TTD. 

It was also learnt that the Union Ministry found fault with the manner in which the TTD had utilised foreign contributions. Further, it was reported that the MHA had raised objections over the utilisation of interest earned through the foreign contributions by the TTD. It may be noted that using foreign donations is not permitted as per the FCRA norms. 

We clarified all issues: TTD chairman

“There were some discrepancies in converting foreign contributions into Indian currency, besides deviation in spending the same for which certain rules and regulations are prescribed. Though the amount spent was meagre, the MHA objected to the manner in which the foreign contributions were spent,” TTD chairman added. 

It may be recalled that the TTD has been seeking renewal of its FCRA registration for the past three years. The TTD, which manages the affairs of Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, and the State government had been actively pursuing the matter with the Centre for renewing FCRA registration, but in vain. The TTD had received FCRA registration in 2008 and 2012. But the registration had lapsed due to TTD’s delay in getting it renewed. 

Sources added that the temple Trust’s FCRA registration was kept in abeyance owing to technical discrepancies and not due to misutilisation of funds. In a period of five years ending March 2023, the temple Trust has accumulated foreign currency worth Rs 30 crore. 

The State Bank of India refused to deposit foreign donations stating that identity of the donors was not known. As per the amendments made to FCRA in 2020, NGOs are required to deposit foreign contributions in an SBI account. Following this, the TTD had written to the Centre, stating the FCRA did not specify the process for contributions received in a ‘Hundi.’ 

“We have clarified on all issues raised by the MHA in regard to FCRA violations and assured that the norms would be followed hereafter. We are hopeful that the registration gets renewed and path to receiving foreign contributions would be cleared soon,” he added.

VIJAYAWADA: The State government is committed towards public well-being and effectively implementing the welfare programs under the prestigious Navaratnalu scheme in the AP Power sector that is benefitting lakhs of families in the State, said Minister of Energy, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy during a meeting with power utilities, here on Sunday.

“The government has agreed to allocate Rs 10,135.22 crore for 2023-24 as subsidy for providing nine hours free power supply to agriculture consumers and concessions extended to SC, ST and MBC consumers and aqua farmers and also a subsidy for domestic consumers as well. The State government has committed to bridging the total revenue gap determined by the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission for 2023-24 with no tariff hike to any category/class of consumers except for energy-intensive industries. There will be no increase in electricity charges for all classes of consumers.”

“For the industries like ferroalloy which consumes a lot of electricity, Rs 475 per KVA demand charges are levied on par with general industries. There are no demand charges for these ferroalloy industries till now. Energy charges are also 50 paise less per unit compared to conventional industries and there are no peak demand charges,” he added.

“The State government has laid special focus on the welfare of people and implemented the Navaratnalu scheme in the power sector. The government is implementing an ambitious scheme of free power to agriculture and weaker sections and others. The government has almost achieved 100 per cent success of the welfare schemes in the power sector, he said.

“Consumers are expecting more cost-efficient, reliable and resilient services from power utilities as well as providing quality power supply. The State government is giving more priority to consumer protection and social responsibility in the power sector. The same was reflected in the recent power tariffs released by APERC. The government wants to ensure that the expectations and needs of every consumer need to be acknowledged and addressed in a more effective way,” the Minister said.

Special chief secretary K Vijayanand said AP power utilities shall put all concerted efforts to be the best State in the country providing 24X7 quality and reliable power. He asked power utilities to be more cautious during the summers.

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a 65 per cent rise in the registration of startups in the last two years. The registration of startups has increased from 231 in 2020 to 382 in 2022.

At the national level, the number of entities recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has gone up from 14,498 in 2020 to 26,542 in 2022, as per the information provided by the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash in the Rajya Sabha, while replying to a question raised by YSRC MP Parimal Nathwani.

According to the data provided by the Centre, the number of entities recognised as startups by the DPIIT in Andhra Pradesh was 231 in 2020, 296 in 2021 and 382 in 2022, while 110 entities from AP have been recognised as startups up to February 28, 2023, thus taking the total number of entities recognised as startups to 1,019.

Since the launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016, the DPIIT has recognised 92,683 entities as startups as on February 28, 2023. Specifically, in the last three years (2020, 2021 and 2022) and the current year (as on February 28, 2023), 67,223 entities have been recognised as startups by the DPIIT. Sector-wise, the highest number of 7,587 startups have been registered in IT Services, followed by Healthcare and Lifesciences with 6,459, and Education with 4,164.

Nathwani sought information about the number of startups registered in the country in the last three years and the current year, the number of startups that have turned unicorns during the same period and the steps taken/are being taken by the government to promote startup culture in the country.

Under the Startup India initiative, the government constantly makes efforts for the development and growth of the startup ecosystem in the country.

The flagship schemes like Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) support startups at various stages of their business cycle to enable them to graduate to a level where they are able to raise investments from angel investors or venture capitalists or seek loans from banks or institutions.

ONGOLE: Historian by passion, and a teacher by profession, Kandula Savitri from the Prakasam district had recently identified three stone inscriptions belonging to the 12th century, in Arjunaa Puram village. The village was once situated on the banks of the local rivulet Jampaleru in Ardhaveedu Mandal limits of the Prakasam district.    

The researcher Savitri sent the photos of the three inscriptions to Mysore—Archaeological Research Centre for further observations. Director of Mysore Archaeological Research Centre K Muniratnam Reddy confirmed that the scripts have 12th-century Telugu language characters. He said that further study is needed to know what these inscriptions are conveying.

One is partially damaged and the other one is badly damaged among the three inscriptions. One of the inscriptions has nearly 30 lines of script on it. Through the letters of one inscription, the experts confirmed that it belongs to the 12th-century period.

This inscription seems to record the installation of the Hanuman idol and also made a gift (Varumani) for burning a perpetual lamp (divesana) in the temple, for the benefit of the world (Jagatinivikasa) by a certain person (name not mentioned). The donor might not like to disclose his name, instead, he wants to remain as a nameless devotee of the god, she opined.

TIRUPATI: Around 313 species of birds were recorded in all districts of the State and 84 birdwatchers participated in the four-day Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) event held between February 17 to 20. This accounts for 65% of the 490 species recorded in the State over the past.

Of the total 1,017 bird species recorded and over 40,000 checklists submitted from across 35 States and Union Territories in India, Andhra Pradesh stands 12th with over 313 bird species and over 1,780 checklists submitted on the e-Bird mobile application.

Elaborating on the aim of GBBC, IISER-Tirupati citizen science coordinator Rajasekhar Bandi explained, “Although the numbers recorded are significant, the motto behind the global annual event is to connect more people with nature and support them in taking up birdwatching as a hobby. We hope to see more participation from educational institutions and the public in the coming years to document the amazing avian diversity of Andhra Pradesh.”

Common Buzzard, a rarely-sighted bird species that is found throughout Europe, was spotted for the second time in the State during the event.

“Common Buzzard is a bird that migrates to India and its southern region during winters. While the rare bird was spotted for the first time at Y Ramavaram in East Godavari district in 2019, birdwatchers found it in Vijayawada this year,” Rajasekhar said.

Of the total bird species spotted, 160 were recorded in the Anantapur district this year, while more than 100 were recorded in the Prakasam district. Further, 90 bird species were recorded at Kolleru Bird Sanctuary. P4

Eight species of owls were also seen in the State.

Students from several campuses, including IIT-Tirupati, IISER-Tirupati, Regional Science Centre Tirupati and Sir CR Reddy Women’s College Eluru. Over 50% of checklists submitted from AP were by the student community of IISER-Tirupati.

Observing that people from all walks of life and not just scientists or researchers participated in the bird-watching event, the IISER official said this was the first time since 2013 that more than 300 bird species were recorded during the GBBC programme.

Citing examples, he pointed out that students and researchers from IISER-Tirupati recorded over 120 bird species from Tirupati and its surroundings. Vijayawada Nature Club, a group of doctors, entrepreneurs, students and other citizens, reported spotting over 60 species from Vijayawada, while two doctors from Ongole recorded over 100 bird species from the Prakasam district.

Besides, students of the biology department of Sir CR Reddy Women’s College, along with the forest department officers, recorded birds from the Eluru district.

A group from Rajamahendravaram, comprising doctors, government employees and entrepreneurs, recorded over 200 species of birds from East Godavari, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Kakinada districts. In Visakhapatnam, local NGOs, WCTRE (Wildlife Conservation Through Research & Education), ECCT (East Coast Conservation Team), along with the forest department, conducted guided bird walks for the public and recorded over 180 bird species in the region.

KADAPA: Flower vases, flower planters and decorative items made out of bamboo including modern bamboo tablas, drums and baskets made by craftsmen from Rayachoti, Mydukur and Madanapalle areas will adore the Visakhapatnam city which is getting decked up and beautified for hosting the prestigious three days G20 Summit, scheduled to be held on March 28, 29 and 30.

The Andhra Pradesh Greening and Beautification Corporation, Vijayawada has given an order of 1,350 bamboo decorative items to the Bamboo Mission of Medari Handicraft Welfare Development Society.

In this regard, around 200 craftsmen from Rayachoti, Mydukur and Madanapalle regions are being trained in the Medari style of bamboo manufacturing under the supervision of the Handicrafts Society president Thammineni Raghavendra.

The Society has procured bamboo from Assam and is paying Rs 1,500 daily wage to these craftsmen for making the decorative items. Raghavendra said the society has been imparting training on the making of modern bamboo decorative items and striving to improve their skills.

ALSO READ | 2,500 cops deployed at main venue for G20 IWG meeting in AP

Ramaiah, one of the workers said that although they have been manufacturing bamboo products for many years, they have been selling their products for low prices due to a lack of proper awareness.

"Now with the proper training, we have learnt to make modern bamboo products. This contract of supplying products for the conference has not only opened employment opportunities but has also given us exposure to new things," he added.

ALSO READ | Marathon, folk dances at Vizag carnival; Sita Konda view point inaugurated

NELLORE: Taking a dig at suspended rebel YSRC MLAs, Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy on Sunday refuted their allegations against the party leadership. Interacting with mediapersons at his camp office in Nellore city, Kakani said the four rebel YSRC legislators were suspended for violating the party guidelines.

If the MLAs had any issues, they should have discussed them with Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and other party leaders. “It is not fair on their part to make adverse remarks against the YSRC leadership,” he observed.

He said YSRC general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that a few party MLAs were sold out without mentioning any names after the defeat of a party candidate in the MLC elections under the MLAs’ quota. Now, the rebel MLAs had started reacting to Sajjala's comments, he said.

ALSO READ | Suspended YSRC MLA Sridevi fears threat to life

Reacting to the loss of graduates constituency MLC election, Kakani said the YSRC had faced a negative result for the first time. In fact, the TDP candidate won the graduates’ constituency MLC seat in the counting of second preference votes. “With the suspended MLAs and other leaders who are ready to shift loyalties have made their intentions clear, YSRC cadres will not suffer anymore,” he opined.

ALSO READ | Nellore politics grabs all attention in Andhra Pradesh

Kakani alleged that a section of the media was trying to defame the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government with fake information pertaining to the economic development of the State. “The YSRC government will pay compensation to farmers, who have suffered crop loss due to the untimely rains,” he added.

ANGUL: Even after 75 years of Independence, two tribal villages in the district, Kandhakoili and Citikoili, are out of road connectivity purview. For most outsiders, these villages, only 40 km from the district headquarters, exist only in name and for the village residents, there is no way to reach even the panchayat office.

Since no step has been taken despite agitations, the villagers have decided to stage an indefinite dharna in front of the Angul collectorate until a 15-km long road to connect the panchayat office is constructed. With a population of around 500 people, villagers of these two villages under Manikjodi panchayat of Angul block end up riding a cycle or motorcycle to reach the panchayat office or hospital. So wretched is the road condition that even an ambulance can not take the road in case of emergency.

A villager of Kandhakoili, Kumuda Pradhan said, "We are deprived of something as basic as a road. We are unable to go to the panchayat office for any work or to the block headquarters. Even in an emergency, neither do we get an ambulance or a fire service. We need a concrete road from our village to the panchayat headquarters and if this demand is not met, we will begin an agitation.”

Angul ADM Santosh Pradhan said he is aware of the problem of the two villages. “I have called a meeting of all related departments including forests for a meeting to find a solution and provide a road to these two villages at the earliest,” he said.

NELLORE: BJP State president Somu Veerraju on Sunday slammed the YSRC government for adopting a resolution in the Assembly urging the Centre to amend the Constitution to provide SC status for Dalit Christians.

Speaking to mediapersons, Veerraju who attended the BJP OBC State level meeting in Nellore city said the party was strongly opposing the YSRC government’s resolution as it would jeopardise the interests of real Dalits.

He felt that the resolution was nothing but encouraging religious conversions and part of the vote bank politics of the YSRC. “The YSRC government should revoke the resolution on SC status for Dalit Christians as it will affect the interests of real Dalits. I will submit a representation to the State Governor against the Assembly resolution on SC status for Dalit Christians on Monday,” he said.

Veerraju alleged that the Backward Classes in the State were being cheated by the YSRC government by depriving them of opportunities for development. “Though the State government set up corporations for 56 backward castes, it has failed to allocate any funds to them,” he pointed out.

Veerraju further alleged that the ruling YSRC leaders were involved in illegal sand mining in the State in a big way. “Contrary to the government’s claim that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has come up with the best sand policy, illegal sand mining is going on unabated,” he observed. The State BJP chief released posters of the ‘Prati Intiki BJP - Grama Gramaniki OBC’ programme launched by the OBC Morcha.

NELLORE: The political scenario in the Nellore district is likely to change with the suspension of three rebel MLAs by the ruling YSRC. While it seems to be tough for the YSRC to keep its record in the next elections, the TDP is likely to gain strength with the suspended MLAs along with their followers are ready to shift their loyalties to the Opposition party.

The YSRC, on the other hand, is of the opinion that the three rebel MLAs had lost public faith and they came out only after they were told that they would not be given the party ticket in the next elections. All three suspended legislators hail from the Reddy community and have been maintaining their own cadres in their respective segments.

In the 2019 elections, the YSRC bagged all the 10 Assembly seats in the erstwhile undivided Nellore district and also won Nellore and Tirupati Lok Sabha constituencies. During the Cabinet rejig, P Anil Kumar Yadav was dropped. After that, internal bickering in the YSRC district unit came to the fore. Though the party leadership could manage to calm down the dissidence by convincing the leaders, it is likely to impact the prospects of the YSRC in the next elections. The suspension of the three MLAs has come as a shot in the arm for the TDP, which is trying to regain its lost glory.

It is learnt that Anam Ramanarayana Reddy has focused on Nellore city politics, where the family has had a stronghold in both urban and rural areas for more than three decades. The senior politician is likely to contest from Nellore city. He is likely to field his daughter Kaivalya from the Atmakur constituency. They have started preparing the ground well in advance to contest from the two segments in the next elections, sources said.

Ramanarayana Reddy, who had not minced words in criticising Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and YSRC general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, said, “I have been in politics for more than four decades. I never faced a situation like this. Though I raised my voice to get the long pending issues in my constituency resolved, there has been no response from the party leadership.”

“After repeated appeals to the authorities and party senior leaders, the YSRC had appointed an in charge for Venkatagiri constituency. I will reveal my decision on the future course of action soon after discussing the matter with my followers.’’

After suspension, rebel YSRC MLA Mekapati Chandrasekhar Reddy is said to be discussing with his close followers his next move. He is likely to organise a meeting with his followers in the Udayagiri constituency to take a decision on his political future.

In the case of Nellore rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, the TDP cadres initially opposed his entry into the party. The TDP leadership held a series of talks with local cadres to convince them. The TDP has a strong base in Nellore rural constituency where TDP senior leader Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy enjoys considerable support.

Though the TDP is of the view that it would benefit from the joining of the three MLAs, the YSRC is of the opinion that it would not lose its hold on the three constituencies. The YSRC had already been appointed in charge for Venkatagiri and Nellore Rural.

“The suspended legislators have worked against the party guidelines. Sajjala has not mentioned the name of any legislator who cross-voted for the TDP, resulting in the defeat of the YSRC candidate. Now, the MLAs have started reacting to Sajjala’s comments, which show their opportunistic approach,’’ said Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy.

VIJAYAWADA: Undavalli Sridevi, suspended Tadikonda MLA, on Sunday said she feared a threat to her life from a top YSRC leader. Speaking to mediapersons in Hyderabad, Sridevi said she was branded as a ‘mad dog’ in the YSRC for four years to make her a scapegoat in the cross-voting in MLC elections.

The suspended MLA said she would lodge a complaint with the National Commission for SCs against YSRC general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy for ‘humiliating’ her.

She lamented that YSRC goons were harassing her. She alleged that they were planning to eliminate her from the capital region Amaravati. Sridevi said she was ready to sacrifice her life for the cause of the capital Amaravati and capital region farmers. Meanwhile, speaking to mediapersons, YSRC MP Nandigam Suresh said it was a fact that Sridevi had bartered her vote for money in the MLC election. He challenged her to take a vow to cross-voting.

He said though she left the party they respect her because YSRC has respect for women. Everyone knew how she bargained for her vote. If she did not do any mistakes, she should stick to her stand. She reacted to the party action after three days in Hyderabad, he pointed out. The MP said he was ready to accept her challenge and would prove her guilt of cross-voting.

Speaking to mediapersons in Visakhapatnam, Minister for IT and Industries Gudivada Amarnath said they were suspicious about Sridevi, who resorted to cross-voting in the MLC election. Sridevi along with her daughter met Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy just before the MLC election.

Soon after that, she voted for the opposition TDP candidate by accepting a huge sum of money. “Now, she is trying to use her caste card against others,” he alleged.

VIJAYAWADA: Accusing the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government of harassing the private educational institutions in the State, TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh has promised to streamline the entire higher education system once the party returns to power.

Representatives of the private educational institution managements met Lokesh at the Ramayyapeta campsite of his Yuva Galam Padayatra on Sunday and submitted a memorandum to him seeking solutions to their problems. They specifically mentioned that the majority of students are now seeking admission through online in other States as the education system in the State is in the doldrums.

Responding to their representation, Lokesh said he had already mentioned several issues in the face-to-face programmes with students at various places and assured them that once the TDP is back in power all their problems will be resolved on a war-footing basis. “The TDP will certainly ensure that quality education is accessible to everyone, including those living in the remotest corners of the State,” he asserted.

Promising to do away with all those schemes that are aimed at cheating the students and their parents, he assured them that the fee reimbursement scheme will be revived. Lokesh alleged that the YSRC government was not only harassing the management of the private educational institutions but also the students and their parents. After completing his padayatra in Puttaparthi, Lokesh entered the Penugonda Assembly segment on Sunday evening.

KADAPA: The Kadapa and Annamayya district police have intensified the probe to unravel the death mystery of Kadapa Animal Husbandry deputy director C Acchanna (58), whose body was found under suspicious state on March 24 at Guvvalacheruvu ghat in Ramapuram Mandal of Annamayya district.

Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy development Sidiri Appalraju directed the concerned collector and SP to conduct a comprehensive probe to ascertain the cause of death. Acchanna was suspended while working as a deputy director in the animal husbandry department. A case has been registered based on the complaint of VRO Kalluru Fatimab, said Rayachoti DSP Sridhar.

Minister Sidiri Appalraju directed Kadapa collector V Vijayaramaraju and SP KKN Anburajan to constitute a special committee for conducting a comprehensive investigation into the case
Speaking on the occasion, Appalraju offered condolence to Acchanna family members and assured them of all kinds of assistance from the state government.

Meanwhile, the left party leaders including Jana Sena, Loksatta and BSP party leaders and BC leaders staged a protest in front of the animal husbandry department office demanding authorities to speed up the enquiry and set up a committee with a sitting judge.

They alleged that the apathy of authorities led to the death of the dalit employee. They further alleged that although Acchanna's son complained to the police on March 12, the police didn't register a complaint until March 14. They accused Acchanna's colleagues' assistant directors Sridhar Linga Reddy, Sudheer Nadh Banerjee, and Subhas Chandrabose of harassment and passing casteist remarks.

Notably, Achchenna, who went missing thirteen days ago, was found dead in the Annamaya district on Friday.

Went missing on March 12

On March 12, Achchenna’s son Klinter Chakraborty filed a complaint with the Kadapa One Town Police that some staff working in the Animal Husbandry Department and his father had departmental problems. The police found his body on Kurnool-Chittoor national highway on March 24.